CCOF Certification Program Manual- DISINTEGRATED

submit reports to CCOF CS within a timely manner,generally 15 business days from the date of the inspection.If a client is concerned about the date by which a report willbe completed, they should discuss their concerns first withthe inspector, and then with their Service Specialistidentified in CCOF correspondence.Choice of InspectorCCOF CS reserves the right to make all inspectionassignments and the right to use subcontractors forinspection as necessary. Clients may not influence thechoice of inspector or contact inspectors directly to solicitinspection assignments. Operators have the right to beinformed about the identity of the inspector before theinspection visit, and may raise objections based on conflictsof interest or other reasons by submitting the objections, inwriting, to CCOF CS, who will rule whether the reasons areaccepted and whether or not to reassign the inspection.Additional/ Unannounced InspectionsCCOF CS may conduct additional on-site inspections of anyclient to determine compliance with the applicable organicproduction and handling regulations and standards.Additional inspections may be announced or unannouncedat the discretion of the CCOF CS or as required by theaccreditation authorities, the USDA Administrator or StateOrganic Program's Governing State Official. Clients are notcharged fees for unannounced inspections. Applicants andclients must allow access to records by authorizedrepresentatives of the USDA Secretary, of the state OrganicProgram’s Governing State Official, of CCOF CS, or of otherprivate accreditation bodies during normal business hoursfor review and duplication to determine compliance withthe applicable regulations.Canadian Organic RegimeFor operators certified under the Canadian Organic Regime(COR), additional requirements for inspection apply. Theserequirements are detailed in the CCOF COR ComplianceManual.CERTIFICATION REVIEW AND DECISIONThe organic inspector does not have the final say aboutcertification. The role of the inspector is to provideinformation so that CCOF CS staff can make a decisionabout whether or not to grant or continue certification.Within a reasonable time after completion of the on-siteinspection, generally no more than 90 days, a qualifiedCCOF CS reviewer will evaluate the on-site inspectionreport, the results of any analyses for substancesconducted, and any additional information requested fromor supplied by the client.Granting Certification to New ApplicantIf CCOF CS determines that the OSP and all procedures andactivities of the applicant’s operation are in compliancewith applicable organic production and handlingregulations, and that the applicant is able to conductoperations in accordance with the OSP, CCOF CS will grantcertification and provide a certificate to the client. Thegranting of certification may include requirements for thecorrection of minor noncompliance(s) within a specifiedtime period as a condition of continued certification. If anapplicant is not able to meet the standards, CCOF CS willissue a Noncompliance followed by a Denial of Certification.Annual Continuation of Certification (Renewal)Once certified, an operation’s certification continues ineffect until surrendered by the operation, or untilsuspended or revoked by CCOF CS, the State OrganicProgram's Governing State Official, the USDA Administrator,or other governing official. However, In order to maintaincertification, an operation must annually renewcertification.To continue certification, operations certified to anyprogram must pay the annual certification fees, either bymail on online at www.ccof.org, by January 1 of each year.Operations certified to the NOP standard must submit aContinuation of Certification Contract in addition to theannual fee. The Continuation of Certification Contractrequires the following information to be submitted to CCOFCS:A) As applicable, updates on the correction of anyopen Noncompliances previously issued to theoperation by CCOF CSB) As applicable, updates to the Organic System Plan(OSP), detailing any deviations from, changes to,modifications to, or other amendments made to theprevious year’s OSP, and any additions or deletionsintended to be undertaken in the coming yearOnce CCOF CS has received annual fee payment, and thecompleted Continuation of Certification Contract for clientscertified to the NOP, and we have verified that theoperation appears to be in compliance with all applicablestandards, CCOF CS will notify the client that thecertification renewal is complete. Once the renewal iscomplete, CCOF CS will, within a reasonable time, arrangeand conduct the annual on-site inspection. If the renewal isnot completed by the due date, CCOF CS will charge a lateCCOF Certification Services Program Manual Page 8 of 27