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ACO Newsletter – September 2022
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Spring brings new beginnings. It may also bring some undesirable weather events from a third consecutive La Nina. Let’s hope it is relatively short and weak, as predicted.
If you are impacted by extreme weather events and have any questions or concerns regarding your audits or certification, please contact us on 07 3350 5706.
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Standard Updates & Notifications – since 1 July 2022
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Japanese Agricultural Standards - JAS
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The JAS regulations have recently been amended to include an organic alcohol scope.
The implementation of this scope is effective from the 1st of October 2022.
A three (3) year grace period has been granted in relation to the associated labelling requirements for organic alcohol. At the conclusion of this grace period on the 30th of September 2025, any organic alcohol products being offered for retail sale must carry the JAS seal.
ACO Certified wine exporters should consider these changes when planning future vintages that are likely to be in Japanese retailers after the 1st of October 2025.
ACO will continue to provide updates as they become available. Should you have any questions in relation to this matter please contact the office on 07 3350 3506.
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National Standard for Organic & Biodynamic Produce 2016 - NS
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Organic Notice 2202-02: Revised Fire Ants Organic Notice issued 4 July 2022
Replaces Notice 2015-03
The National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) is delivered through Biosecurity Queensland.
If you receive a ‘notice to treat’ fire ants from NFAEP, please notify ACO within two business days and prior to any treatment taking place.
An update to the Organic Management Plan will be required to manage the treated area and any impacts to certification status. This includes:
- a map clearly defining treatment areas and the dates of all treatments
- documents that state how treatment was applied
- measures taken to prevent direct contact with produce intended for sale as certified organic or bio-dynamic planting and harvest dates, and
- livestock movement records, if relevant.
After the treatment for fire ants has occurred, produce that has had direct contact with treatment must not be sold as organic or bio-dynamic.
- Crops must not be sown or planted in the area(s) that were treated for a period of not less than three weeks after the date of bait application.
- Livestock must not be returned to the area(s) that were treated for a period of not less than three weeks after the date of bait application.
- If livestock are not removed prior to and from the area(s) that were treated, the livestock and/or its produce must not be sold as organic or bio-dynamic.
- Land and certified produce may be subject to sampling and laboratory analysis following treatment.
In the absence of satisfactory documentary evidence of compliance with this Notice, and where the NFAEP implements eradication action and prohibited substances and/or practices not consistent with the National Standard are applied:
- the approved certifying organization may give consideration to reducing, but not less than 12 months, the re-entry requirements for organic and Bio- Dynamic products, and
- relevant testing of products by a laboratory is required prior to re-entry, and
- approved certifying bodies will not issue an OGC for export of certified organic or bio-dynamic goods from the affected area(s) for at least 12 months from treatment with these products
For further information the full notice is available from the following link:
2022-02: Revised Fire Ants Organic Notice - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au)
Organic Notice 2202-03: Update Service – subscribe to keep abreast of changes issued 7 July 2022
For notification of when Market Access/Industry Advice Notices have been published, subscription is available at Welcome to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry subscription centre
For further information the full notice is available from the following link:
Update Service – subscribe to keep abreast of changes - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au)
Organic Notice 2202-04: Help shape the future of exporting organic agricultural goods
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) are modernising exporting services over the next 3-5 years, with user research being conducted for distinct projects every 6-12 weeks. If you would like to participate to ensure your voice is represented, registration occurs at Trade Reform Research Panel | Have Your Say - Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
For further information the full notice is available from the following link:
2022-04: Help shape the future of exporting organic agricultural goods - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au)
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USDA National Organic Program 7 CFR Part 205 - NOP
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The U.S.-Canada Organic Equivalence Arrangement (USCOEA) allows COR-certified products to be sold in the United States as organic and USDA-certified products to be sold in Canada as organic, as long as they comply with the arrangement terms. The arrangement is unique from other equivalence arrangements in that it also allows USDA- or COR-certified products from third countries to access the U.S. and Canadian markets. However, the terms of the arrangement are limited to certification of the agricultural products generated by a full supply chain to either USDA or COR; they do not permit mixing of USDA and COR ingredients or supply chains for import into one of the equivalence countries.
2022 Annual Organic Oversight and Enforcement Report
The report includes a summary of investigations and compliance actions, an update on the work of the Organic Agricultural Product Imports Interagency Working Group, and an overview of organic import oversight.
As the organic community grows and supply chains become more complex, NOP continues to increase its oversight capacity to meet the evolving needs of the organic community.
A copy of the report is available at Organic Oversight and Enforcement Update: Summary of Activities - June 2022 (usda.gov)
Inert Ingredients in Pesticides for Organic Production – Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
The advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) asks the public to comment on options to update how the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) references inert ingredients in pesticides allowed for organic production. The National List currently uses Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inert ingredient lists, but these lists are no longer maintained by EPA and are out of date.
USDA is asking the public to comment on options to revise the National List, including several derived from NOSB recommendations. USDA will use feedback gathered from public comment to inform any future rulemaking about inert ingredients in pesticides.
The public comment period opens today and closes on November 1, 2022. Be part of the policymaking process and make your voice heard—click on the link below to read the ANPR and submit a comment.
Federal Register :: Inert Ingredients in Pesticides for Organic Production
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Food Safety & Sustainability Programs
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The HARPS Version 2.0 Standard is set to launch on 17th October 2022.
From this date, HARPS suppliers have the option of selecting either HARPS Version 1.0 or 2.0 for their audits, in accordance with the following timelines:
- From 17th October 2022, Tier 1 suppliers have six months to transition to the new standard. Therefore, Version 2.0 will become mandatory for Tier 1 suppliers from 17th April 2023 (i.e., from 17th April 2023 Tier 1 suppliers will NOT be able to use HARPS Version 1.0).
- Tier 2 suppliers will have 12 months to transition to Version 2.0, with a mandatory transition date of 16th October 2023 (i.e., from 16th October 2023 Tier 2 suppliers will NOT be able to use HARPS Version 1.0).
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Audit Readiness and Opportunities for Improvement
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At least once a year, it pays to take a step back from the day-to-day operations and review your organic management practices and whether they still ensure the organic integrity of your products.
Has anything changed?
Does anything need to change?
If so, please update your Organic Management Plan and provide a copy to ACO.
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| Certification No. |
Name |
| 13349 |
Cobram Estate Olives Limited |
| 13350 |
Vital Mark Pty Ltd |
| 13351 |
Country Synergy Pty Ltd |
| 13353 |
Nutrafresh |
| 13355 |
The Giving Farm |
| 13356 |
Cassa Biotec Pty Ltd |
| 13357 |
Pure Element Organics |
| 13358 |
The Minimalist Nutritionist |
| 13359 |
Jalco Australia Pty Ltd |
| 13360 |
Hale River Agriculture |
| 13362 |
Steggall Nutrition Pty Ltd |
| 13363 |
Gordon Pastoral Holdings |
| 13364 |
Riverpines |
| 13365 |
Nice Pak Products Pty Ltd |
| 13366 |
Omega Fine Chemicals |
| 13367 |
Byron Bush Food |
| 13368 |
Genesis Algae Innovation |
| 13369 |
Botany Honey Company |
| 13370 |
Valley View Agricultural |
| 13371 |
Plunkett Orchards |
| 13372 |
Moss Brothers |
| 13373 |
Valla Organics |
| 13374 |
Blakeview (Fiji) Limited |
| 13375 |
UA Manufacturing Pty Ltd |
| 13376 |
AF Manufacturing Services Sdn Bhd |
| N/A |
TSJ Holdings (Aust) Pty Ltd |
| N/A |
Chorizo Trading |
| N/A |
Lilbel Holdings |
| N/A |
Maidenwell Compost |
| N/A |
David Lewis & Jane Lewis Partnership |
| N/A |
BL, KJ, MV Schulz |
| N/A |
Karrawatta Pty Ltd (Angus Plains) |
| N/A |
Wollemi Farms Pty Ltd |
| N/A |
Karrawatta Pty Ltd |
| N/A |
Peter Dennis Family Trust |
| N/A |
Angel's Rise Vineyard |
| N/A |
Truong Van Pham |
| N/A |
Elfini Pty Ltd |
| N/A |
Karrawatta Pty Ltd (Mclaren Vale) |
| N/A |
Gundagai Meat Processors |
| N/A |
Treasury Wine Estates Vintners Ltd |
| N/A |
Numeralla Australia Pty Ltd |
| N/A |
Pegunny Station |
| N/A |
Organic Brothers Farms |
| N/A |
Naracoorte |
| N/A |
XT & LE & Dien Tran |
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