USDA NOP Certification for Indian Organic Exporters

Unlike the European Union, the United States does not recognise India’s NPOP as equivalent to its own organic standard. This is a critical point that many Indian exporters discover too late — after their shipment is stopped at a US port of entry for lacking USDA National Organic Program (NOP) certification. If you intend to sell organic produce to buyers in the United States, you must obtain NOP certification separately, regardless of your NPOP status.

Why There Is No US-India Equivalence

The EU-India equivalence was established through a formal bilateral negotiation. The US has a more restrictive equivalence policy and has so far signed equivalence agreements only with Canada and the EU. Discussions between APEDA and the USDA have been ongoing for years, but as of 2026 no equivalence agreement is in place. Indian exporters must work directly with USDA-accredited certifying bodies.

USDA-Accredited Certifiers With India Operations

You do not need to travel to the US to get NOP certified — several USDA-accredited certifying bodies operate in India and can conduct farm inspections locally:

• CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) — one of the largest NOP certifiers, strong presence in spice-growing regions
• OneCert International — operates across South Asia, competitive pricing
• Oregon Tilth (now Tilth Alliance) — well-regarded for processed products and ingredients
• OFDC (Organic Farming Development Centre) — India-based but USDA-accredited
• Bureau Veritas — multinational, handles both NPOP and NOP under one contract for some large exporters

Contact at least two certifiers for quotes. Pricing depends on farm size, number of crops, and distance from their regional inspection office.

Step-by-Step NOP Certification Process

Step 1 — Select a USDA-Accredited Certifier

Verify accreditation status on the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website (ams.usda.gov) before signing any contract. Accreditation statuses change — a CB that was accredited last year may have been suspended.

Step 2 — Prepare the Organic System Plan (OSP)

The NOP OSP is similar to the NPOP OSP but has some additional requirements. You must document:

• All fields and production areas
• Seed sources and treatment status
• Pest and disease management system in detail
• Harvest, handling, and storage procedures to prevent commingling with conventional produce
• Audit trail from field to first point of sale

Step 3 — Inspection and Review

The certifier conducts an on-site inspection. NOP inspectors are thorough about post-harvest handling — they check that organic produce is stored separately and that there is no risk of contact with prohibited substances during processing, packaging, or transport.

Step 4 — Certificate Issue and Maintenance

Your NOP certificate lists each certified operation (farm, processing unit) separately. Certificates are renewed annually. Each product category you are certified to sell as organic is listed explicitly.

What NOP Prohibits

The USDA National Organic Program prohibits:

• GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms) — seeds, inputs, or products derived from genetic engineering
• Irradiation — no gamma ray or electron beam treatment of organic produce
• Sewage sludge — cannot be used as a soil amendment
• Synthetic pesticides and fertilisers — same as NPOP, but the specific approved input list differs
• Antibiotic use in livestock — relevant if you export organic dairy or poultry

The NOP approved materials list (the National List) differs from NPOP’s Annex 1. Some inputs allowed under NPOP are not on the NOP National List. Verify every input you use against the NOP National List before applying.

Top US Import Categories from India

Transaction Certificates for Each Shipment

Every shipment exported under NOP certification requires a Transaction Certificate (TC) from your certifying body. This is separate from your annual farm certificate. The TC covers a specific batch — stating the product, quantity, lot number, and buyer details. US Customs and the USDA can request TCs for verification. Missing TCs result in shipment holds that can cost thousands of dollars in demurrage fees.

Running NPOP and NOP in Parallel

Many Indian exporters maintain both NPOP and NOP certification simultaneously — NPOP for EU markets and domestic retail, NOP for US buyers. Both certifiers can often share the same farm inspection visit if scheduled together, reducing travel costs. Negotiate this arrangement with both CBs at the start of your certification cycle.

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