USDA NOP
What is USDA NOP?
USDA NOP (United States Department of Agriculture National Organic Program) certification ensures that your product is free from:
Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Any synthetic substances that are not listed under Approved list of USDA
Only certified operations can legally label their products as “organic” in the United States. Besides, non human consumed products such as cosmetic, rubber, cotton can be certified under USDA NOP.
Scope of Application
Organic Farming
Requires an organic management system with traceability, buffer zones, at least 2 years of land conversion, natural material use, soil and biodiversity enhancement, contamination prevention, proper documentation, systematic monitoring system and a complaint handling system.
Organic Processing
Processing (traders and manufacturers): Must maintain full traceability (including Import Certificate), separate organic and non-organic operations, use only certified ingredients, ensure cleaning and contamination control, and have documentation and complaint systems in place.
Why you need USDA NOP Certification?
It's the Law in the U.S.
If your product has the word “organic” on the label, USDA-NOP certification is legally required in the U.S. and its partner countries (e.g., Canada, Australia, Mexico)
Shipping products with the “organic” label to the U.S. without proper certification can result in:
Customs rejection of the entire shipment
Legal penalties for mislabeling
Bans on future exports
Damaged reputation with international partners
Non-Equivalent Certifications Are Not Accepted
Certifications like MyOrganic, NASAA organic, or other non-USDA NOP-aligned organic labels are not recognized as organic under U.S. law, unless they have an established equivalency agreement with the U.S. (which Malaysia does not have).
Even if your product is certified under another organic scheme, it will be treated as non-organic at the U.S. border unless you have U.S. Organic Certification or a recognized equivalent.
Supply Chain Requirement – It Applies to Everyone
USDA NOP is a supply chain-wide certification. That means if your buyer or final product manufacturer is certified under the USDA NOP standard, they are legally required to ensure every supplier along the chain is also certified.
So even if you are a raw material supplier, trader or intermediate processor, you must be certified for your buyer to legally use your product in their USDA NOP-certified line.
Essential for B2B Partnerships
Many international buyers—especially in Canada, Australia, Singapore, and the Middle East—only work with suppliers who are USDA NOP certified to ensure compliance, traceability, and market acceptance. Having the certificate signals professionalism, trust, and export readiness, making you more competitive when bidding for high-value contracts. Certified in USDA NOP will enable you to apply for certificate of inspection or transaction certificate when trading organic products, which is essential for your buyer to maintain their USDA NOP certification status.
Required for Export, Even for Small Volumes
Even a single batch or online sale to an U.S. customer that carries the word “organic” must be backed by USDA NOP Certification. There are no exemptions for small volumes or trial shipments outside of U.S. borders.
Certification also unlocks the ability to get a Import Certificate that tracks all imported organic goods.
Benefits of USDA NOP Certification
Global Market Access
Recognized in US, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, and even China, where USDA NOP-certified products are often preferred alongside local organic labels
Premium Pricing
Organic products typically sell for 3x or more than conventional, especially in markets with strong currency exchange rates
Better Sales Opportunities
Required by organic manufacturers; also attracts high-end conventional buyers
Supports Your Sustainability Goals
USDA-NOP emphasizes soil regeneration, biodiversity, and contamination prevention, aligning with eco-conscious business goals.
USDA NOP consultant in Malaysia
Thinking of exporting your organic product to U.S. or Singapore? You’ll need more than just a clean product—you’ll need a system that complies with the USDA NOP Regulation from farm to final packaging.
At ThinkinBio, we specialize in helping Malaysian businesses meet these requirements and navigate the certification process with confidence.
Transparent Pricing
Our consultancy starts from MYR4,000, depending on your operation’s size, scope, and location. You’ll receive hands-on support—from setup to audit readiness.
Our Core Services
✅ Gap Analysis
We identify non-conformities in your current practices and provide clear, practical advice to meet USDA NOP requirements.
✅ Document Development
We help develop your Organic System Plan and translate your existing practices into compliant SOPs.
✅ Internal Audit
We simulate a real audit to prepare your team and meet the U.S. requirement for an internal audit before certification.
✅ Internal Training
We train your team to understand and implement the USDA NOP standard across your operations.
FAQ
How long does it take to get certified?
The timeline depends on your current readiness. For farming, a 2 to 3 years land conversion may be required (or fastened with condition). For processors or traders, it can take as little as 2–4 months if you have all systems, documentation in place and the assistance of consultant.
What is the validity of USDA NOP certificate
USDA NOP certificate valid for 1 year. You are required to have annual audit to renew your certificate before it expires.
I am a trader without any office or unit. Do I need USDA NOP Certification to export my organic product to U.S.?
Yes. Everyone in the supply chain must be certified, including farmers, traders, and processors. The export arrangement might be handled by your supplier to your final buyer. As long as you are issuing an invoice to your final buyer, you are require to be certified.
Can I export to the U.S. with my supplier's USDA NOP Certification?
No. Borrowing your supplier’s certificate will not help you to access into U.S. market. The custom officer will cross check the NOP Import Certificate with your invoice. If you are not a certified operator, your name will not be in the Import Certificate (only have your certified supplier’s name). Hence, the organic product will be rejected on the spot.
What is the differences between Import Certificate and USDA NOP certification?
NOP Import Certificate is a certificate to show a particular transaction/ shipment is certified. USDA NOP certification is a certificate to show the unit is certified.
How should I apply Import Certificate?
NOP Import Certificate can be applied by USDA NOP certified operator only. The application of Import Certificate can be done with the assistance of certification body to provide you an account in their system.
How can ThinkinBio helps me in the certification?
ThinkinBio offers a complete support package to guide you from the beginning until you successfully receive your certificate. Our services include gap analysis, document development, internal training and internal audit. For cost-efficiency, we recommend our full package, which covers everything you need for smooth certification. However, we also offer customized support, so you can choose only the services you need.
Should I apply for the certification through ThinkinBio?
No. ThinkinBio is a consultancy company, not a certification body. We help your company prepare for certification by improving your practices to meet the USDA NOP standard.
The USDA NOP certificate is issued by an USDA-approved certification body. If you choose us as your consultant, we will also assist you in coordinating with an approved certifier and guide you through the application and audit process to ensure everything runs smoothly.