1.1 This standard applies to the following organic products:
a) unprocessed crop and crop products, livestock and livestock products, to the extent that the principles of
production and specific verification rules for them are described in the standard;
b) processed crop and livestock products intended for human consumption or use and derived from the items
mentioned in 1.1 a);
c) livestock feed;
d) processed crop and livestock products intended for animal consumption or use and derived from the items
mentioned in 1.1 a).
1.2 Organic products referenced in this standard are derived from a production system that:
a) seeks to nurture ecosystems through its management practices in order to achieve sustainable productivity;
and
b) provides weed, pest and disease control through enhancement of biodiversity, recycling of plant and animal
residues, crop selection and rotation, water management, and fallowing.
1.3 In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between this standard and CAN/CGSB-32.310 or
CAN/CGSB-32.311, this standard will take precedence.
1.4 Prohibited substances, materials or techniques in organic production and preparation
If producing or preparing organic products, the following substances, materials or techniques are prohibited since
they are incompatible with the general principles of organic production:
a) all products of and materials from genetic engineering (GE), as defined and specified in this standard, except
for vaccines;
b) all products, materials or processes intentionally using nanotechnology, as defined in this standard, with the
following exceptions:
1) naturally occurring nano-sized particles or those produced incidentally; and
2) contact surfaces, such as equipment, work surfaces, or packaging, where transference of nano-sized
particles to organic crops, livestock or products is unintended and unlikely to occur;
c) irradiation, as defined in this standard, for the treatment of organic products and inputs used in the production
of organic products, except as specified in clause 11;
d) soil, sediment, benthic, and water amendments, such as fertilizer or composted plant and animal material, that
contain a substance not listed in clause 11;
e) sewage sludge;
f) synthetic crop production aids and materials, except as specified in clause 11;
g) synthetic growth regulators;
h) cloned livestock and its descendants;
i) synthetic allopathic veterinary drugs, including antibiotics and parasiticides, except as permitted by this
standard;
j) synthetic substances used in organic product preparation, such as ingredients, food additives and processing
aids, including sulphates, nitrates and nitrites, except as specified in clause 11;
k) equipment, harvest and storage containers, storage facilities and packaging materials treated with synthetic
fungicides, preservatives, fumigants and pesticides;
l) substances that are not listed in clause 11, except as permitted in this standard.
1.5 Units of measure
Quantities and dimensions in this standard are given in metric units.