Every enterprise will have an on-site inspection conducted annually of each production unit, facility and site that produces or handles organic products. All scheduled inspections must be conducted at a time when an authorized representative of the enterprise, and who is knowledgeable about the operation, is present. Operators must arrange for the Verification Officer (VO) to have access to all areas and operation records.
PACS may conduct additional inspections of both new applicants and certified operations to determine compliance with the standards. Additional inspections may be announced, or unannounced at the discretion of PACS. Note: 5% of operators are subject to unannounced inspections annually.
The initial certification of a crop-based enterprise requires two inspections prior to obtaining approval for certification: an initial inspection and a second inspection within the following year.