Question & AnswerQ&A (DA Department Circular No. 03)
The main objectives are to provide guidelines in the registration of establishments of organic primary and postharvest food and non-food products, specify the responsibilities of DA Regulatory Agencies and DA-BAFS in such registrations, and ensure that marketed products comply with Philippine National Standards for organic agriculture.
Certification is the procedure by which official or officially recognized certifying bodies provide written attestation that food or non-food products or their control systems conform to applicable organic agriculture standards and requirements.
The DA Regulatory Agencies include the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), National Dairy Authority (NDA), National Meat Inspection Services (NMIS), Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFlDA), and Sugar Regulatory Agency (SRA).
An establishment refers to the agriculture or fisheries facility used for production of primary and postharvest food and non-food products including operations in crop industry, animal husbandry, aquaculture, and postharvest handling, preparation, treatment, packaging, transport, and/or storage.
Applications may be disapproved for failure to meet required Philippine National Standards for organic agriculture, and for misrepresentation, false entries, or withholding relevant data contrary to RA No. 10068 and related guidelines.
The validity of the COR is three (3) years from the date of issuance.
Labels must include the name, logo or seal of the Organic Certifying Body (OCB), the 'Organic' mark provided by DA-BAFS, the OCB's accreditation number issued by DA-BAFS, and the registration number from the concerned DA Regulatory Agency.
Misbranding is ground for revocation of the Certificate of Registration, and may lead to sanctions such as revocation of the COR and delisting or blacklisting from DA-BAFS's official list of registered organic establishments.
Yes. Renewal is subject to procedures by the concerned DA Regulatory Agency. An extension of up to two months beyond expiry may be granted if supported by a written request and evidence of pending renewal of organic certification with the OCB.
DA-BAFS maintains the official list of registered organic establishments, provides information on organic agriculture to concerned agencies, conducts monitoring and postmarket surveillance to ensure compliance, resolves appeals and complaints, and maintains shared databases for effective enforcement.