Guide to the Canadian Organic Standards

Guide to the Canadian Organic Standards 2026

To round out the revision of the Canadian Organic Standards, Canadian Organic Growers (COG) and the Organic Federation of Canada (OFC) have collaborated to update the Guide to the Canadian Organic Standards. 

This online publication is designed to help producers, processors and other stakeholders to understand the 2026 Canadian Organic Standards. The revised Guide to the Canadian Organic Standards incorporates the many changes made to the Canadian Organic Standards in terms of both required practices and permitted substances. The 2026 Canadian Organic Standards came into force in March 2026, however current farmers, processors and other operators have a grace period of one year to adapt their practices to meet the new standard.

The Guide includes two documents: the Guide to Organic Principles and Management Standards—CAN/CGSB-32.310 and the Guide to Lists of Permitted Substances—CAN/CGSB-32.311.

In the left-hand column, you will find the wording of the 2026 Canadian Organic Standards. The right-hand column contains our guidance, including explanations, examples and clarifications regarding prescribed practices and permitted substances. To understand the standards fully, readers should consult the entire standards; the current editions can be found on the CFIA website.

The guide reflects the interpretation of the standards by the Standards Interpretation Committee (AGRI-SIC), which is overseen by the OFC in partnership with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Readers can learn more about the Canadian Organic Standards by reading the Final Q&As published by the OFC. The questions are submitted by the public and the AGRI-SIC’s answers are binding.

We hope that the Guide to Canadian Organic Standards will help producers and stakeholders better understand and apply the Canadian Organic Standards. We also hope this will enable consumers to better understand and appreciate the work of the farmers, market gardeners and processors who are committed to producing nutritious food while respecting the Canadian environment.

COG and the OFC would like to thank the project team for all their hard work and dedication especially the Guide’s author, Janet Wallace. Nicole Boudreau did the translation, and Jenna Spencer designed the Guide.