GETTING STARTED

Applicants can initiate the certification service process in two different ways.

Interested applicants can contact the GOCA office directly and request that the Application Package be sent via regular mail. GOCA will send the Application Package which includes the Application Packet, the Organic System Plan Packet and the Highlights. Within one week, a GOCA representative will make a follow-up call to review the Application Package forms with the interested applicant. With GOCA, there are no application or application review fees.

Interested applicants may also access the Application Package forms directly from APPLICATIONS. The applicant may either complete these forms on-line and email them directly to GOCA or they may download and print the forms from the Application section of this web site. Printed forms, and any materials such as supporting documentation required in the application and organic systems plans, that cannot be sent by email, may be sent to GOCA by fax or via regular mail. GOCA requires that all forms that require the applicant’s signature be submitted to GOCA with an electronic signature or by fax or regular mail.

The interested applicant may choose the application method most convenient for their operation.

Upon receiving the application and organic system plan materials, GOCA will perform the initial administrative review of these materials to document completeness and compliance to the National Organic Program. If, based on this review, GOCA determines that the applicant complies or may be able to comply with the requirements for organic certification, the certification process will continue and GOCA will schedule the required on-site inspection visit. If, based on the initial administrative review GOCA determines that the applicant does not or may not be able to comply with the requirements for organic certification, GOCA will send the applicant with a Notification of Noncompliance in which GOCA will provide a description of each noncompliance, the facts and the National Organic Program section upon which the Notification of Noncompliance is based.