Korea-CA Equivalency Arrangement
Korea-CA Organic Equivalency Arrangement
The arrangement between the Republic of Korea and Canada became effective on November 1, 2023 pursuant to Article 25 of the Act on the Promotion of Environment-Friendly Agriculture and Fisheries and the Management of and Support for Organic Foods (hereinafter referred to as “Korean Organic Food Act”)
As long as processed products that are certified as organic in either country either country country meet the following requirements, the products may be labeled as organic in both counties without additional certification procedures.
1. Counterpart country: Canada
2. The scope of recognition covers products under products which:
① are certified to the COR or Korean organic regulations and have their final processing within Canada or Korea;
② are “processed foods”, as defined by the Korean Food Code;
③ contain at least 95% organic content.
3. Effective period: till further discussion
4. Critical limits
① A Canadian product should be a paraffin-free beekeeping product and a product that contains beekeeping products made with paraffin as an ingredient should not be contained;
② A Canadian product should not contain ingredients derived from agricultural products produced growth regulators;
③ Prohibited substances and methods (prohibited under CAN/CGSB 32.310 pesticides, irradiation and genetically modified organisms) should not be used. The importing country’s residue testing requirements and subsequent actions will be applied in case the use of prohibited substances during clearance and distribution;
④ The importing country’s regulations should be applied to labeling contents.
5. Original copy of the arrangement: Korea → Canada(English version, Korean version), Canada → Korea(English version, Korean version)
To export Korean organic food to Canada, CFIA export certificate(how to fill in) which is required from Canada should be accompanied and NAQS Import Certificate is required for vice versa.
※ Import certificate is issued by certification body of the exporting country.
List of CA certification bodies