P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
ECOCERT ICO – Processor/Handler OSP
Page 1 of 8
P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
NOP §205.272
Organic standards require that handling procedures, processes, storage, and equipment present no contamination risk to organic products from commingling with
non-organic products or contamination with prohibited substances. Packaging materials, bins, and storage containers must not contain synthetic fungicides,
preservatives or fumigants. Certified organic processors and handlers must comply with all applicable Federal, State, and International regulations, as well as
additional requirements for protection of organic integrity. Procedures used to maintain organic integrity must be documented.
Attach a complete written description or schematic product flowchart that shows the movement of all organic products, from incoming/receiving through
production to outgoing/shipping. Indicate where ingredients and processing aids are added.
P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
NOP §205.272
A. QUALITY MANAGEMENT: Organic Control Points (OCP), similar to Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), are points in the production system where the
integrity of the organic product may be compromised. Factors to consider in an OCP program include: physical proximity, inadequate storage, equipment labeling,
and employee training. Examples of compromised integrity include commingling with non-organic products, contamination by sanitizers or pesticides, and improper
cleaning of equipment prior to running organic products.
Do you have an Organic Control Point (OCP) program in place to address areas of potential
No
Yes
contamination?
If no, do you have plans to implement an Organic Control Point program?
No
Yes
If yes, list the Organic Control Points you have identified in your process and the means of protecting organic integrity or attach a copy of your Organic Control Points
Program:
If you have questions, we are happy to help. Please call: 1-888-337-8246. Submit your application at info.ecocertico@ecocert.com / Fax: 317-708-0628
P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
ECOCERT ICO – Processor/Handler OSP
Page 2 of 8
Please describe your procedures ensuring personnel have appropriate training in organic handling practices and general food handling/protection:
Is this training documented?
Do you have a Quality Assurance (QA) program in place?
If yes, what program do you use?
HACCP
No
No
TQM
Other (specify):
Indicate type(s) of product testing used. Check all applicable types:
Ingredients prior to purchase
Finished product
Ingredients upon receipt
Other (specify):
Are ingredient samples retained?
No
Are finished product samples retained?
No
Do you have a product recall system in place?
If yes, please describe your product recall system:
No
Yes
Yes
Product during production
Yes
How long
Yes
How long
Yes
If you have questions, we are happy to help. Please call: 1-888-337-8246. Submit your application at info.ecocertico@ecocert.com / Fax: 317-708-0628
P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
ECOCERT ICO – Processor/Handler OSP
Page 3 of 8
P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
NOP §205.272
B. EQUIPMENT CLEANING: To prevent commingling and contamination, all equipment used in organic production or handling must be free of non-organic product and
prohibited materials. Equipment used for both organic and non-organic processing and handling must be cleaned and/or flushed prior to use on organic products.
Keep records of equipment cleaning and flushing activities.
List all equipment used in organic processing. Please use additional sheets if necessary.
Equipment name
Example – Industrial mixer
Products processed
Lavender body lotion
Dedicated to
organic?
Y/N
Y
Cleaned before
organic runs?
Y/N
Purged before
organic runs?
Y/N
List cleaning/disinfecting products on this form in A7 – Inputs
Describe your cleaning and purging procedures below. Include information like the quantity purged, where it goes, and your documentation.
What cleaning management and monitoring records do you keep?
If you have questions, we are happy to help. Please call: 1-888-337-8246. Submit your application at info.ecocertico@ecocert.com / Fax: 317-708-0628
P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
ECOCERT ICO – Processor/Handler OSP
P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
C. SANITATION
Describe all cleaning methods and products used. List cleaning and disinfecting products on this form in A7 – Inputs
Cleaning product
Cleaning method(s) and
Cleaning products
Area
Equipment used
status (allowed or
frequency
used
prohibited)
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NOP §205.272
Documentation used to
show that the activity
is completed
Receiving area
Ingredient storage
Product transfer
Production area
Packaging area
Other, specify:
Other, specify:
If you have questions, we are happy to help. Please call: 1-888-337-8246. Submit your application at info.ecocertico@ecocert.com / Fax: 317-708-0628
P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
ECOCERT ICO – Processor/Handler OSP
Page 5 of 8
Do all surfaces that have contact with organic products (sold as food) consist of food grade materials?
No
Yes
How do you ensure that no residues from prohibited cleaners and sanitizers (not listed in the National List §205.605) remain on food contact surfaces?
If you have questions, we are happy to help. Please call: 1-888-337-8246. Submit your application at info.ecocertico@ecocert.com / Fax: 317-708-0628
P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
ECOCERT ICO – Processor/Handler OSP
Page 6 of 8
P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
NOP §205.272
D. STORAGE: Operators must keep organic and non-organic products in separate storage areas and prevent commingling and contamination. Storage records must
be maintained.
Describe your storage locations.
Storage use
Location and Name or
number on map
Type (e.g. bins,
freezer, section)
Dedicated
organic? Y/N
Measures to prevent commingling/contamination
problems
Ingredient storage
Packaging material storage
In-process storage
Finished product storage
Off-site storage (Provide
contact information and
certificate)
Other, specify:
If you have questions, we are happy to help. Please call: 1-888-337-8246. Submit your application at info.ecocertico@ecocert.com / Fax: 317-708-0628
P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
ECOCERT ICO – Processor/Handler OSP
Page 7 of 8
Where are the cleaning and sanitizing materials stored?
Where are oils, paints, lubricants and pesticides stored?
P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
E. TRANSPORTATION
NOP §205.272
Incoming
Who is responsible for incoming product transportation?
Self
Shipper
Other (specify):
In what forms are incoming products/ingredients received?
Dry bulk
Liquid bulk
Unlined drums
Metal drums
Paper bags
Other (specify):
Plastic crates
Plastic lined drums
Tote bags
Cardboard or fiber drums
How are incoming products transported?
How do you ensure incoming transportation units were cleaned prior to the loading of organic products (e.g. documented cleaning, inspection, etc.)?
If you have questions, we are happy to help. Please call: 1-888-337-8246. Submit your application at info.ecocertico@ecocert.com / Fax: 317-708-0628
P5 – Maintenance of Organic Integrity
ECOCERT ICO – Processor/Handler OSP
Page 8 of 8
How do you prevent contamination and commingling of organic products during incoming transportation?
Dedicated organic only
Use of pallets
Notification to the transport company
Pallet tags stating “organic”
Separate area in transport unit
Reception verification prior to loading (specify):
Other (specify):
Outgoing
Who is responsible for the outgoing product transportation?
Self
Shipper
In what forms are finished products shipped?
Dry bulk
Cardboard cases
Cardboard drums
Paper bags
Other (specify):
Liquid bulk
Metal drums
Plastic crates
Other (specify):
Tote bags
Foil bags
Cans
Tote boxes
Mesh bags
Bottles
How are outgoing products transported?
How do you ensure outgoing transport units were cleaned prior to the loading of organic products (such as inspection, documented cleaning, etc.)
How do you prevent contamination and commingling of organic products during outgoing transportation?
Dedicated organic only
Use of pallets
Organic product shrink-wrapped
Separate area in transport unit
Other (specify):
Applicant Initials
Date
Pallet tags stating “organic”
Notification to the transport company
Approval
CM
Form code
P5 (v1) (f)
Last update
12/24/2013
If you have questions, we are happy to help. Please call: 1-888-337-8246. Submit your application at info.ecocertico@ecocert.com / Fax: 317-708-0628