Once the application and organic system plan packets and all other required documents have been submitted, GOCA performs an administrative review to determine whether the applicant complies or may be able to comply with the National Organic Program.

Based on the information provided by the applicant in the Application Package, GOCA sends the applicant an Inspection Services Agreement and a Inspection / Certification Quotation that includes a break down of the inspection and certification fees. The Inspection Services Agreement includes the total cost of the inspection and the estimated cost of the certification which are broken out in the Inspection / Certification Quotation. Upon receipt of the signed Inspection Services Agreement and payment of the inspection fees, GOCA will schedule the required annual on-site inspection visit. If time is a factor, then GOCA will make every attempt to schedule this visit within one week of receiving the required materials. Refer to the Inspection Fee Schedule to calculate your inspection costs.

Once both the inspector and the applicant have confirmed the date of on-site inspection, the contact person identified on the application will become the applicant's representative. This contact person will be responsible for providing the information and materials needed to proceed with inspection and final certification review. This contact person will be the person responsible for the pace at which the inspection and certification processes progress.

GOCA will assign a staff member to work with each applicant. This person will be available to answer questions or to assist the applicant with understanding the GOCA procedures and certification processes.

ANNUAL ON-SITE INSPECTION VISIT

An inspector, either a GOCA employee or sub-contracted individual, who is trained to perform the required duties of the inspection, will perform the inspection visit. This Inspector will be pleasant, professional and helpful, and will be instructed to perform the following functions: (1) Verification of location and directions, (2) Verification of product existence and report of product and production conditions, (3) Verification of production site control and site history, (4) Review of Site Map or Diagram, (5) Review of Organic System Plan for compliance and implementation, (6) Review of methods of collection of production data and accounting systems for audit control of inputs, purchases and sales, (7) Collecting samples, if necessary and (8) Completing the Inspection Questionnaire and delivering it to the GOCA office, to be converted into a Narrative Report.

For the inspection visit, GOCA will supply the Inspector with the previous on-site inspection reports for the operation (if applicable) and the GOCA inspection questionnaire and interview forms that can be converted into a narrative report.

Prior to leaving the production site, the inspector will be required to complete the questionnaire and interview and the Exit Interview with the applicant. The applicant must sign the Exit Interview and the inspector must leave a copy of the Exit Interview with the applicant. The Inspector is required to deliver, fax, e-mail or express mail all collected materials within 48 hours of the completion of the inspection visit. Upon receipt of these materials, the GOCA review process will be completed expeditiously.