Publication details
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, July 2020
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| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
IAN 2020/05 Organic Produce Certificate and market access requirements for Japan PDF | 2 | 641 KB |
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Online version
Issued under: Export Control (Organic Produce Certification) Orders
Date issued: 15 July 2020 (notice is valid until further notice)
Distribution: Approved certifying organisations and organic and bio-dynamic operators
Program contact: OrganicExports@aff.gov.au
Purpose
Further to MAA 2020/04, the Organic Exports Program (the program) in the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment is providing the following information:
- an update to the Organic Produce Certificate (OPC)
- updated requirements for organic goods being exported to Japan, replacing market access information (paragraphs 35 to 38) in the Guidelines for the Issue of Organic Produce Certificates to All Markets (May 2014).
Background
- The Organic Produce Certificate (OPC) is a mandatory requirement for exports of organic products from Australia, which must use the correct form (template) and be issued prior to departure from Australia.
- An equivalence arrangement with Japan will take effect on 16 July 2020, covering organic plant, organic livestock, and organic processed food products.
Instruction
1. Organic Produce Certificate:
The following changes affect goods exported under an equivalence arrangement and goods exported under a conformity assessment arrangement:
- From 16 July 2020 until 31 August 2020:
- OPC form EX1399 remains in use for all markets.
- For exports to Japan, the OPC (form EX1399) must include the department’s address.
- From 1 September 2020:
- OPC form EX1400 must be used for all markets.
- OPC form EX1399 must not be used for any export of organic product.
2. Specific Market Access Requirements—Japan
The following is effective from 16 July 2020 and replaces all previous market information:
- Under Australia’s equivalence arrangement with Japan, exports are for plant, livestock and processed food products only.
- To meet Japanese import requirements, approved certifying organisation certifying product, or its components, destined for Japan must hold accreditation to ISO/IEC 17065.
- An OPC issued for exports to Japan must use the OPC form that includes the department’s address on the certificate.
- The OPC must include the name of the final certified operator.
- Organic products exported to Japan under the equivalence arrangement can only be exported to JAS organic certified importers in Japan where the JAS-mark will be applied.
- OPCs issued for organic exports under a conformity assessment arrangement must also use the OPC form that includes the department’s address.
Departmental and program operations
Where organic operators have questions about the OPC changes and exports to Japan, please contact your approved certifying organisation. Enquiries can also be directed to the program (OrganicExports@aff.gov.au).
Disclaimer: This information is current at the time of publication, is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Australian Government endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice. This is a controlled document. Any document appearing in paper form is not controlled and should be checked against industry advice notices published on the website of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.