Organic Crop Improvement Association International (OCIA) receives USDA, ISO-65 accreditation

To operate an approved USDA ISO Guide 65 Program, certification agencies must submit documentation to the Audit, Review and Compliance Branch (ARC) and successfully pass a conformity assessment and accreditation audit. The ARC conducts voluntary conformity assessments and accreditation audits for certification agencies to determine compliance to the International Organization for Standardization Guide 65:1996 General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems.

OCIA had chosen to switch its ISO 65 accreditation from the USDA, while applying to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). With associates located across the globe, accreditation through ANSI would have helped expedite OCIA's future certification interests in Europe.

"When we learned that accreditation with ANSI would take longer than anticipated, we made the decision to reapply for the USDA ISO 65 Program," said Jeff See, Executive Director. "Having ISO 65 through the USDA guarantees that OCIA is doing what it says it will and that we are maintaining the integrity of organic products," he said.

The Organic Crop Improvement Association International, Inc (OCIA) world headquarters is located at 6400 Cornhusker Hwy, Suite 125, Lincoln, NE 68507. They can be found on the worldwide Web at www.ocia.org. OCIA has regional and chapter offices in the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Spain, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Peru and China.

Date: 4/17/06

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