What does “organic certification” actually involve?

Organic certification is a formal verification process that confirms a farm or business complies with an approved organic standard.

This includes:

• On-site audits
• Review of farm practices and inputs
• Verification of records and traceability
• Ongoing annual reassessment

Certification is not a one-off event — it is a continuous compliance system.

How do I start the certification process?

The process typically follows these steps:

1. Initial enquiry
   Contact the Organics team to discuss your operation and goals.
2. Application submission
   Provide details about your farm, production system, and intended markets.
3. Organic Management Plan (OMP)
   Develop a documented plan describing how your operation meets organic requirements.
4. Initial audit
   An auditor assesses your farm, systems, and records.
5. Certification decision
   Certification is granted once compliance is verified.

What is an Organic Management Plan (OMP)?

The OMP is a core requirement of certification.

It documents:

• Farm layout and production systems
• Input use (fertilisers, animal health products, etc.)
• Risk management (e.g. contamination, neighbours)
• Record-keeping systems

It is a living document and must be updated regularly.

How long does it take to become certified?

That depends on the nature of your business. Some rough guidelines are, up to two years for livestock, two years for annual horticulture crops and three years for perennials but these are subject to individual variables such as: 

• Land history (typically 3 years since last prohibited input)
• Livestock status
• Complexity of the operation

Some farms may already meet requirements and move quickly, while others require a staged conversion. Farms that are in a transition stage and have been using organic practices for a period of 12 months or more may label their products as “conversion to organic” provided all requirements are met. 

If I have already been implementing organic practices, can my certification period be shortened?

Yes. In this situation you should request an affidavit to legally declare that you have implemented organic practices and subject to an auditor’s inspection and soil tests your conversion period may be shortened. 

Do I need to stop farming while converting?

No — farms continue operating during conversion.

However:

• Products may not be sold as “organic” until requirements are met
• Some products may be sold as “in conversion” depending on the programme

Do I have to convert my entire property all at once?

No, but all organics including land, production areas and storage facilities must remain separate from non-organic areas.

What standards can I be certified to?

Certification may cover multiple standards depending on your market:

• New Zealand domestic organic programmes
• Export standards (e.g. US, Canada, EU)
• International frameworks aligned with IFOAM – Organics International

Your certification scope should match your target market.

What are the main compliance challenges?

Common challenges include:

• Input approval (especially animal health products)
• Record-keeping discipline
• Managing neighbouring contamination risks
• Feed sourcing (particularly for livestock systems)

Early planning reduces these risks significantly.

Who should be involved in the process?

Successful certification typically involves:

• The farmer/operator
• Veterinarian
• Agronomist or consultant
• Certification body (e.g. AsureQuality)

Organic systems require a whole-of-system approach.

I have returned my Registration Form and Management Plan/s, when can I expect an auditor to visit me?

Once you have returned your Registration Form and Management Plan/s AsureQuality will contact you to arrange an audit date. You can expect an auditor to visit within approximately three months.

How often will I be audited?

Audits occur annually as part of the certification process but in addition to this AsureQuality is required to conduct unannounced audits on 10% of certified operations every year. 

Common misunderstandings

“If a product is natural, it must be organic-approved”

Incorrect. Approval depends on the standard, not whether something is “natural”.

“I can use a product and ask for approval later”

Incorrect. Approval must be obtained before use.

“Once certified, I don’t need to keep updating anything”

Incorrect. Certification requires ongoing updates and annual audits.

When should you contact the Organics team?

You should contact AsureQuality if:

• You are unsure about a product or input
• You are planning changes to your system
• You want to add a new certification scope
• You are preparing for audit

Key takeaways

• Organic certification is a system, not just a label
• Planning and documentation are critical
• MyOrganics is central to managing compliance
• Always verify inputs before use
• Engage early with your certification body