The National Organic Program (NOP) is a regulatory program housed within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. They are responsible for developing national standards for organically produced agricultural products. These standards assure consumers that products with the USDA organic seal meet consistent, uniform standards. 4,000 AMS professionals work every day to support the country’s diverse agricultural operations, which range from individual farmers to international businesses and employ 1 in 12 people. AMS services and its millions of dollars in annual grant investments also create opportunities by supporting economic development in small towns and rural communities that stand as the backbone of American values.

Quality Assurance International (QAI) began certifying agricultural products to the California State standard in 1989, before there was a national/federal organic standard. QAI was the first certification agency to take a business-like approach to the certification process. From the beginning, QAI saw a long horizon for organic, understanding that consumer trust in organic claims could only be guaranteed through rigorous verification, inspection, and assurance of organic practices. Today, QAI has grown to be one of the leading providers of organic certification services worldwide. As a USDA-accredited certifying agent (ACA), QAI’s programs verify organic integrity at each link of the product managing chain, helping to assure compliance with organic standards for agricultural producers, and food processing facilities.