This section of the Final Questions and Answers complies with Canadian Organic Standards 2026 #
To consult the QAs complying with the 2020 COS, click here.
The clauses and tables referred to in the Final Questions and Answers are those of CAN/CGSB-32.311, Permitted Substances Lists, unless otherwise specified.
CAN/CGSB-32.310 – General Principles and Management Standards
CB – Certification Body
COR – Canada Organic Regime
COS – Canadian Organic Standards
GE – genetically engineered
PMRA – Pest Management Regulatory Agency
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General information #
Brand name approval #
What is the pathway for approving cleaners, or substances used? (3)
Operators should approach their Certification Body to verify that all inputs and substances including cleaners, comply with the standard before using them.
Formulants #
For soil amendments and crop production aids, is it enough that the active ingredients are compliant, or does the certifier need to review the list of inert ingredients and formulating agents? (168)
All substances contained in soil amendments and crop production aids must be disclosed by the manufacturer/supplier for review by the CB. Table 4.2, under the listings Formulants used in soil amendments and Formulants used in crop production aids, provides some guidance in evaluating non-active ingredients (inerts).
Table Cross-Referencing #
Does the inclusion of Calcium Phosphate (monobasic, dibasic and tribasic forms) on Table 6.3 for use in processing imply that these substances can also be used as soil amendment or Crop Production Aids? (140, 155)
No. An annotation in one table cannot be applied to a listing in another table. The inclusion of substances on Table 6.3 for preparation does not make them compliant for other uses (Scope 1.1 of CAN/CGSB-32.311). However, Table 4.2, column 1, does list Mined minerals, making the natural form of calcium phosphate (apatite) acceptable as a soil amendment.
Does the process described in Table 4.2, column 1, in the annotation for Hydrolyzed proteins of plant origin (or of animal origin), apply to other microbial products, for example yeast, for use as a soil amendment? (57.2)
No. An annotation for one listing cannot be applied to another listing.
About ‘Origin and usage’ #
If there is nothing showing in the “Origin and usage” column of the CAN/CGSB-32.311 for a substance, such as Ascorbic acid in Tables 4.2 and 6.3, does this mean that any form of the substance may be used? (423)
Yes. If nothing is written in the “Origin and usage” column, then there are no restrictions as to the origin and/or usage for that substance in accordance with the scope of the PSL table in which it is listed. Restrictions identified in clauses preceding the Tables must be met, such as (for these examples) Clauses 4.1.3 and 6.2.
Annotations to permitted substances #
Clauses 4.1.3 a) and 5.1.2. a) state that if a listed substance includes substrates or growth media, the substrates or growth media ingredients shall be listed in Table 4.2 and Tables 5.2 and 5.3. In this situation do the origin and usage annotations for these substrates or growth media ingredients listed in 4.2, 5.2 and 5.3 apply? (389)
Yes. Substance annotations must always be addressed. Compliance with Clauses 4.1.3 a) and 5.1.2. a) is always required unless an exception is stated in the annotation of a specific substance.
Can inputs, which have been produced using substrates from GE plants, be used in organic food production? (88)
Yes and no. Inputs from GE plants are prohibited with the following allowances for input substrates (growth media).
If the substance (input) includes the substrate or growth medium, the ingredients contained in the substrate must be listed on Table 4.2, column 1 or 2, for crop inputs; Table 5.2 or 5.3 for livestock inputs and Table 6.3, 6.4 or 6.5 for prepared products. All substance annotations apply. If the substance does not include the substrate or growth medium, and that is confirmed in writing from the supplier, the substance has to have been produced on a non-GE substrate or growth medium, if commercially available. Refer to 4.1.3, 5.1.2 and 6.2.1 of CAN/CGSB-32.311.
