A fraudulent organic certificate listing the following business is in use and has recently been reported to the NOP:

• Germania Group - Berlin, Germany

View Fraudulent Certificates 

These certificates falsely represent agricultural products as certified organic under the USDA organic regulations. Using these certificates or other fraudulent documents to market, label, or sell non-organic agricultural products as organic can result in a civil penalty of up to $11,000 per violation.

If you have information about the production or use of these or other fraudulent NOP certificates, please send information to the NOP Compliance and Enforcement Division.

The vigilance of the organic community is vital force in ensuring organic integrity. Organic handlers should continue to review certificates carefully, validate with certifying agents where needed, and send any suspicious certificates to the NOP Compliance and Enforcement team.

Technical Service Providers (TSPs) are individuals or businesses that have technical expertise in conservation planning and design for a variety of conservation activities.

Farmers, ranchers, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies hire TSPs to provide these conservation services on behalf of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). For example, TSPs write Conservation Activity Plans for farmers transitioning to organic production. Learn more 

Register for a TSP Training!

Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Soil and Water Conservation Society Annual Conference
Reno, Nevada or online

Available courses: 

• CAP 106 (Forestry) & CAP 142 (Fish & Wildlife Habitat)
• CAP 122 (Ag Energy Headquarters) & CAP 124 (Ag Energy Landscape)
• CAP 138 (Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition)

Registration is required and early bird registration ends on Tuesday, June 11, 2013. Participants can register for the full conference, an individual day, or a single webinar.
Learn More | Register to Participate 

TSP applicants aren't required to take these courses, but participation will help prospective TSPs understand the program and begin the application process.

This training is presented by the National TSP Team, in cooperation with the Soil and Water Conservation District.

The NOP facilitates trade and ensures integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.