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A Newcomer’s Guide to
Organic Handler CertificationSource: US Agricultural Marketing Service
The National Organic Program (NOP) published a new microlearning to the Organic Integrity Learning Center. The microlearning, A Newcomer’s Guide to Certification for Handlers, is for organic handlers, such as processors, co-packers (contract manufacturers), distributors, wholesalers, importers/exporters, brokers, storage facilities, and private labelers. It was prepared for the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, National Organic Program, in partnership with the Organic Trade Association and the Organic Agronomy Training Service.

Organic handlers play a key role in maintaining the integrity of organic products throughout the supply chain. Each certified handler must comply with organic standards to ensure traceability and protect organic certification.
This microlearning provides three new downloadable resources that guide you through the organic certification process from application to determination. These resources offer a plain language overview of the USDA organic regulations, a glossary of common certification terms and phrases, and detailed breakdown of the steps to organic certification for a handling operation.
Access the Newcomer’s Guide to Certification for Handlers microlearning from within the NOP-997: National Organic Program Microlearning course.
More Information
- Register to sign up for a Learning Center account.
- If you already have an account, sign in to the Learning Center.
- For more information, access the USDA AMS Organic Training webpage.