Export under the official organic assurance programme

Export markets covered by the official organic assurance programme

This registration process applies to all operators exporting organic products under the official organic assurance programme (OOAP). The OOAP has a set of requirements for products going to overseas markets.

The OOAP covers exports to:

the European Union (EU)
Japan
Norway
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
USA
China.

Our organics guidance has extra information to help you follow the OOAP.

Official organic assurance programme guidance [PDF, 290 KB]

Markets or products not covered by the assurance programme

For all markets not covered by the OOAP, you need to find out the exporting requirements for your organic product.

We suggest you contact the Organic Exporters Association of New Zealand for support.

Organic Exporters Association of New Zealand

Exports to Australia

Products that are recognised as organic in New Zealand can also be sold as organic in Australia.

The process for exporting organic products

Export requirements vary for organic products, depending on your destination market. We’ve created a step-by-step process so you can see what’s involved.

1. Meet regular exporting requirements

Meet the domestic requirements for your product. You will need to meet New Zealand Food Safety legislation. For example, if you export organic wine, you also need to meet all requirements for conventional (non-organic) wine, whether New Zealand grape wine or fruit wine.

Some products may need other export requirements, such as phytosanitary certificate requirements or overseas market access requirements (OMARs).

Search OMARs

Search ICPRs

2. Check organic requirements for your export market

Check the OMAR document for exporting to your market.

Japan [PDF, 316 KB]

European Union (EU) [PDF, 415 KB]

Norway [PDF, 256 KB]

Switzerland [PDF, 354 KB]

Taiwan [PDF, 334 KB]

USA [PDF, 400 KB]

United Kingdom (Great Britain and Northern Ireland) [PDF, 391 KB]

China [PDF, 422 KB]

Extra information for some markets

If you are exporting to Japan, the EU, Northern Ireland, Norway, or Switzerland, there is extra information you need to know.

Exporting organic products to Japan

Exporting organic products to the European Union (EU), Northern Ireland, Norway, or Switzerland

3. Apply to be certified as an organic operator

A recognised agency (RA) will need to certify that your product is organic. All operators involved in the production, processing, and export of your product must be certified.

Apply for certification by contacting an RA. There are two RAs in New Zealand that can certify organic products:

You will be charged for services by these agents. To get certified, you will need an organic management plan. This will be verified and registered with your recognised agency.

4. Register with MPI as an organics exporter

You must register with MPI to export using the OOAP.

OP1 organic exporter registration – online form

Animal products

If you export animal products, you will also need to register as an animal product exporter.

Wine and cider

If you export wine or cider, you will also need to register as a wine exporter. Types of wine and cider include:

fruit wine
vegetable wine
cider
mead
wine made from New Zealand grapes.

5. Get official organic assurance

From 25 November 2024, the way you apply for assurance for exports to Great Britain will be different to other markets.

For all markets named above, excluding Great Britain

Complete an official organic assurance application form for each consignment.

OOAP official organic assurance application (not for use with MPI Trade Certification) [XLSX, 160 KB]

Your recognised agency will verify your products.

MPI will issue you with an organic export certificate if required. You can export your organic product once you get your certificate.

For exports to Great Britain

From 25 November 2024, you will need to submit applications for an official organic assurance using MPI Trade Certification.

How to use MPI Trade Certification

Complete an official organic assurance supporting document for each consignment.

OOAP official organic assurance supporting document (only for use with MPI Trade Certification) [XLSX, 57 KB]