Organic Certification
Nature's International Certification Services (NICS) is an organic certification agency founded to serve organic producers nationwide with their certification needs. We will help you step through the process of organic certification. Accreditation
NICS is accredited by the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) to assess the ability of organic operations (including crops, wi
ld crops, livestock, and processing/ handling operations) to implement, comply with and carry out the terms and conditions determined for organic management and products. Services
In addition to providing organic certification, NICS is also able to provide services for organic producers who wish to export their products to Canada, the European Union, Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and Switzerland. NICS makes its services accessible to all applicants whose activities fall within their declared field of operation, and confines its certification requirements, inspection, and certification decisions to those matters specifically related to the scope of certification. We currently serve clients in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Texas, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, South Dakota, North Dakota, New York, North Carolina, Alabama, Idaho, New Mexico, Georgia and Wyoming, but can assist clients in any state. Nature's International Certification Services is located in Viroqua, Wisconsin. "In Nature there is abundance, with Nature there is success”
What are the basic steps to Organic Certification? Contact NICS to request an organic system plan pertaining to your certification needs, or find and download the forms at our website www.naturesinternational.com. This contains information on organic standards, the organic certification process, fees, and requirements specific to your operation. Complete the organic system plan and submit applicable fees. If you have questions regarding the forms or the fees, please contact the NICS office at 608-637-7080 or email at [email protected]. Initial Review of the Organic System Plan: When NICS receives your organic system plan and applicable fees, we will review your plan for completeness, and will notify you if forms or additional information is needed. Step 5. Organic Inspection: After the initial review is complete and any additional information that was requested has been received in the office, we will assign your file to one of our inspectors, who will contact you to schedule an inspection of your operation. The role of the inspector is to make observations on how your operation and records conform to your organic system plan. The inspector will write a report that is returned to NICS for further consideration. Step 6. Final Review of the Organic System Plan: Once the inspector has submitted the report regarding your operation, a final review of your plan is conducted. If more information is needed from you before a certification decision can be made, you will be notified and given a time frame in which to supply NICS with the needed information. Step 7. Organic Certification: Once all requested information has been received in the office, a certification decision regarding your plan is made. Once certification is granted, you will receive your organic certificate. With this certificate, you will be able to sell your certified organic crops, livestock, wild crops, and/or processed products as certified organic by NICS. Step 8. Continuing Certification: Certification continues to be maintained with the annual update of your organic system plan, annual inspection, and payment of applicable fees. Ongoing Steps. All new material inputs and large changes to your operation need to be discussed with the office on an ongoing basis. For example, moving to a new address requires certain steps to be taken to ensure the organic integrity is maintained. We can help walk you through the process. Material inputs should always be discussed with the office, prior to use, to ensure they are approved products for organic production.
