Organic Certification (NOP/NPOP) for Export from India

Organic certification ensures that agricultural products are grown and processed according to organic farming standards without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, GMOs, or artificial additives. For exports, Indian organic products must comply with NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production) and NOP (National Organic Program - USDA) or equivalent international standards.

📌 Regulated By:

• National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) – India

• National Organic Program (NOP) – USA (USDA Organic)

• EU Organic Certification – European Union

• JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standard) – Japan

📌 Issued By: APEDA (Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority)
📌 Applicable To: Organic food, spices, tea, coffee, herbs, cotton, cosmetics, dairy, honey, and processed foods
📌 Purpose: Ensures global acceptance of organic products

Types of Organic Certification for Export

1. NPOP (National Programme for Organic Production) – India

✅ Mandatory for exporting organic products from India.
✅ Recognized by EU and Switzerland under equivalency agreements.
✅ Covers crops, wild harvest, livestock, beekeeping, processing, and textiles.

2. NOP (National Organic Program) – USA

✅ Required for exporting organic products to the USA.
✅ Regulated by USDA (United States Department of Agriculture).
✅ Products must be certified by a USDA-accredited certification body.

3. EU Organic Certification – Europe

✅ Required for exporting organic food to the European Union.
✅ Must comply with EU Regulation (EC) No 834/2007.

4. JAS (Japanese Agricultural Standard) – Japan

✅ Required for exporting organic products to Japan.
✅ Must meet Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries (MAFF) regulations.

Products Requiring Organic Certification

✅ Fruits & Vegetables – Mangoes, bananas, pomegranates, etc.
✅ Grains & Pulses – Rice, wheat, lentils, etc.
✅ Tea, Coffee & Spices – Organic tea, coffee, turmeric, cumin, etc.
✅ Oilseeds & Edible Oils – Organic soybean, mustard, sesame oil, etc.
✅ Dairy & Livestock Products – Organic milk, ghee, eggs, poultry, honey.
✅ Textiles & Cotton – Organic cotton fabrics and garments.
✅ Herbal & Ayurvedic Products – Essential oils, medicinal herbs, cosmetics.

How to Obtain Organic Certification?

1. NPOP Certification Process (India)

📌 Apply through APEDA-accredited certification bodies via https://apeda.gov.in

1️⃣ Register with a Certification Body under NPOP.
2️⃣ Submit Farm & Processing Unit Details (Land area, inputs, processing, etc.).
3️⃣ Inspection & Soil Testing by certified auditors.
4️⃣ Organic Farming Compliance Verification (No GMOs, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers).
5️⃣ Certification Issued after successful audit (valid for 1-3 years).

2. NOP Certification Process (USA)

📌 Apply through a USDA-accredited certification body
1️⃣ Follow USDA Organic Farming Practices for 3 years.
2️⃣ Annual Inspection by Certification Body.
3️⃣ Certification Issued after compliance verification.

Documents Required for Organic Certification

📜 Farm/Processing Unit Registration – Land ownership or lease documents.
📜 Organic Farming Records – No synthetic chemicals used.
📜 Soil & Water Testing Reports – Compliance with organic standards.
📜 Production & Processing Details – Organic product handling.
📜 Export Contract & Buyer Details – For NOP/NPOP verification.

Benefits of Organic Certification for Export

✅ Mandatory for Organic Exports – Required by major importing countries.
✅ Higher Market Value – Organic products sell at premium prices.
✅ Global Market Access – Compliance with US, EU, and Japan regulations.
✅ Consumer Trust – Ensures authenticity & quality of organic products.