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A step-by-step guide to Organic Certification and the Programs offered by PACS.
If you have questions about the certification process, please visit our FAQ page or contact our helpful and knowledgeable staff.
How to Get Certified
Step 1
Apply or Renew
Submit application / renewal forms to the PACS along with payment. New applicants should apply for certification 15 months prior to first anticipated organic sales (6 months for Preparation). Renewing clients will be sent a renewal invoice approximately 2 months before their deadline to submit forms and fees.
Step 2
Pre-inspection Review
Once application / renewals are completed, the file goes into the queue for a pre- inspection review. The PACS Certification Committee will review the documents and confirm with the operator when the file is ready for the Verification Officer (VO) for inspection.
Step 3
VO Inspection
Upon completion of the pre-inspection review, the operator files are given to the VO to conduct the inspection. To keep costs down, the VO will try to fit as many enterprises into a run as possible so it is important to notify PACS of any potential scheduling issues and to renew/apply in a timely manner.
Step 4
Post-inspection
When the VO has completed the inspection and inspection report, they will return the files to PACS. The PACS Certification Committee will then begin their post-inspection review. As PACS has many clients to certify every year this process can take several months.
Step 5
Post-inspection Follow-up
The PACS Certification Committee may need to follow up with the client after the inspection. If they have any questions, or have identified a non-confirmity, etc. they will notify the client via email. The client must address any questions, concerns and/or non-conformities before an Organic Certificate or Letter of Status can be issued.
Step 6
Certification Issued
Once the post-inspection review is completed and outstanding questions, non-confirmities, etc resolved the PACS Admin staff will issue a Certification Package which includes:
- Inspection Invoice
- VO Inspection Report
- Certification Review Report
- Organic Certificate or Letter of Status