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Organic
Crop Improvement Association - USA
OCIA International has been in
existence since 1985. OCIA offers certification services throughout the
world, primarily in North America, South America, and the Pacific Rim. The
more than 40 local 'Chapters' conduct educational activities and provide
administrative services to members seeking certification from OCIA
International. Certification may also be obtained directly through the OCIA
International office.
In late 1985, in Albany, New York, a diverse group of farmers met and structured the concept of a “farmer owned and farmer controlled” association. This initial meeting set the cornerstone of what was to become one of the foremost organic certifiers in the world. The OCIA programme took on an international identity when a group of Peruvian farmers joined the organization, attracted by the concepts of farmer-to-farmer networking and crop improvement. Later OCIA International was incorporated as a non-profit organisation in the state of Pennsylvania, USA.
OCIA now consists of many chapters, representing thousands of farmers all over the world, not to mention over three hundred corporate members. In January 1997, OCIA moved the International Office from Bellfontaine, Ohio to Lincoln, Nebraska.
Recent developments in OCIA include certification to the NOP beginning in mid 2002 and adoption of shade-grown coffee, and wild rice standards, effective July 1, 2002, under the OCIA International certification program.
Though regionally structured, certification file reviews and decisions are made centrally by a Certification Decision Team (CDT) made up of Certification Specialists on staff at OCIA International and the Certification Analysis Committee (CAC), a stakeholder group appointed by the President of the Board. The Committee analyses the decision process and monitors the effectiveness of the decisions of the Certification Specialists.
The OCIA International Programme comprises the Rules of OCIA International
Standards. OCIA are currently participants in the following IOAS programmes:
ISO Guide 65 accreditation; surveillance under the Canadian Organic Regime;
surveillance under European regulation (EC) 834/2007.
Mr Jeff See - Executive Director
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Last updated:
06/04/2010
OCIA International
1340 N. Cotner Blvd.
Lincoln
NE 68505
USA
Tel: +1 402 477 2323
Fax: +1 402 477 4325
Email: info@ocia.org
Web: www.ocia.org
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