Q.34 What does NPOP advise the operator for obtaining the correct information to achieve compliance?

Ans. To address barriers of certification and other organic issues specific to the geographical area, certification agency may sponsor in house publications, conferences, workshops, informational meetings, field visits or other educational activities for which participation is voluntary and open to the general public. To overcome barriers of certification, operators may seek consultancy from other sources, such as educational institutions, service providers and consultants etc.

Q. 35 what are the penalties for the misuse of the term "Organic"?

Ans. Any operator who knowingly or un-knowingly misuses the organic labels will be decertified.

Q.36. When whole- seller/retailer market his products supplied from a certified producer and the producer is found non compliant, whether the seller shall be liable to any legal action from CGCERT?

Ans. If a supplier of a product to retail /wholesale establishment is found to be in violation of the national standards and the retail/ wholesale establishment is not a party to that violation, there shall be no action by CGCERT against that retail wholesale establishment.

Q.37. Do NPOP regulations require the use of organic seeds?

Ans. NPOP requires the use of organic seeds when commercially available. When organic seed is not available, consult your certification agency for the correct options.

Q.38. How shall I be aware about the changes regarding the laws, regulations, policies and procedures?

Ans. NPOP shall notify the accredited certification agency of changes and pending changes in laws, regulations, policies and procedures. Certification agency in turn notifies their clients of such changes.

Q .39. Whom does CGCERT consider as an On farm and off farm processor?

Ans. On farm processor
A farmer who is processing produce only from his farm under certification, in his own processing unit, without adding any other ingredients from out side.
Off farm processor  Farmer has own processing unit, but he is also processing certified/ not certified products of other farmers, in the same unit.
or, Farmer is processing his certified produce at an outside processing unit
or, Farmer is purchasing other ingredients for mixing with his products for value addition

Q.40. Should processing be inspected by the certification body?

Ans. Yes. All stages of processing after harvest like powdering of spices and grains and dehusking of grains etc must be inspected. The certification body must be informed that if the farmer is processing off farm, than the same must be inspected, as an individual operator or as a subcontracted party of the operator. In cases where the farmer does not get the off farm processing unit inspected, CGCERT shall only allow the sale of raw produce.

Q.41. What can decide, If I am certified organic or not?

Ans. A certificate issued by any accredited certification agency will decide the status of organic certification