# USDA National Organic Program (NOP) - Certification body: ETKO Ecological Agriculture Control Organization - Category: Agriculture Certification - Canonical page: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/agriculture/usda-national-organic-program-nop - Markdown: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/agriculture/usda-national-organic-program-nop.md ## Summary The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) is a strict federal certification standard that regulates all stages, from production to processing, of organic… ## Does ETKO provide USDA National Organic Program (NOP) certification? Yes. ETKO (Ecological Agriculture Control Organization) offers USDA National Organic Program (NOP) certification as part of its Agriculture Certification program. This page describes the standard, how to apply, and related documents. ## What is USDA National Organic Program (NOP)? The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) is a strict federal certification standard that regulates all stages, from production to processing, of organic… ## Details # **What is the USDA National Organic Program (NOP)?** Administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National Organic Program (NOP) is the federal regulatory framework that defines the legal and technical standards for all agricultural products, foods, and organically grown fibers (such as cotton) sold with an "organic" label within the United States. As one of the most rigorous and prestigious organic certifications in the world, the NOP aims to preserve ecological balance, promote biodiversity, and eliminate synthetic chemicals from agriculture. For a product to be marketed as organic in the US market, it is a legal requirement that it be produced, processed, and certified by an accredited body in accordance with these standards. ## **Key Technical Criteria of USDA NOP Certification** The NOP oversees both agricultural production in the field and subsequent processing stages. For textile and agricultural businesses, the technical framework can be summarized as follows: - **Agricultural Production and Land Transition:** The land where organic production takes place must have had no prohibited synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides applied for **at least 3 years** prior to the harvest. - The use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge is strictly prohibited. - **Labeling Categories and Content Percentages:** **"100% Organic":** The product must consist entirely of certified organic content. - **"Organic":** The product must contain a minimum of **95%** certified organic content by weight. The USDA Organic seal can be used. - **"Made with Organic...":** The product must contain at least **70%** organic content. The USDA seal cannot be used, but the claim can be made on the principal display panel. - **NOP Application in Textile Products:** Textile products begin with raw materials (like cotton) grown according to NOP standards. However, if a finished garment is to bear the "USDA Organic" seal, not only the cotton but all manufacturing processes (dyeing, finishing) must comply with **NOP food processing standards** (which have an extremely restricted, non-toxic chemical list). For this reason, textile manufacturers often source NOP-certified fiber and process it under the GOTS standard instead. - **Traceability and Segregation:** Organic products must never come into contact with conventional (non-organic) products during harvesting, transportation, storage, or processing, reducing the risk of contamination to zero. The entire process must be backed by detailed record-keeping. ## **Why Choose USDA NOP Certification with ETKO?** If you aim to export to the United States—the world's largest organic market—the USDA NOP certificate is not an option; it is a legal necessity. **ETKO is a highly respected, internationally competent certification body directly accredited by the USDA, holding the distinction of being the sole accredited organization in Turkey.** Navigating the complex NOP regulations, from the farm to the production line, with ETKO’s experienced auditors removes legal barriers in global trade and ensures your products enter the US market with maximum reliability. ## How do I apply for USDA National Organic Program (NOP) certification with ETKO? Apply through the ETKO Ecoport portal: https://ecoport.etko.com.tr/apply ## Application Process At ETKO, we manage your application process transparently, quickly, and clearly. Our process consists of the following steps: 1. **Application and Information Exchange** — We gather preliminary information about your company's structure and production processes. 2. **Proposal and Contract** — We present a detailed proposal for the inspection process and sign a contract upon your approval. 3. **Pre-Audit Preparation** — This is the process of preparing the necessary documentation (chemical inventory, social compliance documents, etc.). 4. **On-Site Audit** — Expert ETKO auditors visit your facility and examine your compliance with the criteria on-site. 5. **Reporting and Certification** — After non-conformities are resolved (if any), the audit report is approved and your certificate is issued. ## Accreditations - GOTS: International Organic Accreditation Service - accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - National Organic Program (NOP): United States Department of Agriculture — NOP accredited certifying agent. - TR Organik & GLOBALGAP & İTU: Turkish Accreditation Agency (TURKAK) — Turkey's national accreditation body for conformity assessment. - COSMOS: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - Textile Exchange Standards: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. - ISO/IEC 17065:2012: International Organic Accreditation Service — accreditation for certification programs worldwide. ## Countries of operation Bangladesh, Pakistan, Ukraine, Korea, China, Denmark, Germany, Syria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Romania, Sweden, Bulgaria, Russia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar ## Where can I find USDA National Organic Program (NOP) regulations and forms? ETKO's document center lists regulations, application forms, and current guidelines for this standard: https://ecoport.etko.com.tr/apply ## Related pages - HTML: https://www.etko.com.tr/certifications/agriculture/usda-national-organic-program-nop - About ETKO: https://www.etko.com.tr/about - Contact: https://www.etko.com.tr/contact - Document center: https://www.etko.com.tr/documents?category=agriculture&standard=usda-national-organic-program-nop