Online Self-paced Courses for
Organic Inspectors
Explore the Frontlines of Organic Integrity
Organic inspection isn’t just a job—it’s a journey. Inspectors crisscross the country, stepping onto vibrant farms and into the heart of sustainable agriculture. Every visit is a chance to witness innovation firsthand, connect with passionate producers, and deepen your understanding of organic practices that shape our food systems.
Start Your Path with IOIA’s Self-Paced Learning Program
The IOIA Training Institute invites you to dive into the world of organic inspection through our flexible, online Self-Paced Learning platform. Designed for entry-level and working inspectors and reviewers, our 100- and 200-level courses offer foundational knowledge with real-world relevance. Whether you're sharpening your skills or just starting out, you can learn at your own pace—anytime, anywhere.
What’s Next?
We’re expanding! New courses are in development and will launch in 2025, bringing even more depth and specialization to your training journey.
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COR Self Study Alert
As of February 2026, the Canada Organic Standard, (CAN/CGS-32.310-2020) and the Permitted Substance List (CAN/CGS-32.311-2020) for crop, livestock and processing, are in the last stages of revision. The revised Canada Organic Standard (COS) are not in use until they are officially published by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB). Publication is currently scheduled for March 2026.
What does this mean for course participants and organic verification officers?
- 1. There will be a 1-year implementation period.
Producers will have a full year, from the date of publication of the standard, to meet any standard changes. This means for the first year, producers will be in compliance if they meet the 2020 version of the Canada Organic Standard (COS) and/or the revised version of the COS. - 2. Organic inspectors and certification bodies will need to be proficient with both the 2020 version of the Canada Organic Standard and the revised version.
The Canada Organic Standard is an evolving document and organic verification officers should be prepared for continuous learning throughout their career. The current COS Self Study Series (Canada Organic Regime-Our Organic Certification System, COR Crop Production Standards, and COR Livestock Production Standards) is based on CAN/CGS-32.310-2020 standard and CAN/CGS-32.311-2020 permitted substance list. You will need to follow up these IOIA courses with additional training as it becomes available. To keep up to date with the status of the new standard and training opportunities, go to the Organic Federation of Canada (OFC) website (get on their mailing list) and keep in touch with your certification body. It is highly recommended that you have a look at the draft version of the standard to start the learning process.
Many producers will already be familiar with the proposed changes in the Canada Organic Standard as draft copy of the new standard has been released and several presentations were held across Canada during the 60-day public comment period that started May 20, 2025. (For example, see the you tube video produced by SaskOrganic, Manitoba Organic and Organic Alberta https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThAR3u0nGsE)
Draft copies of the new standards with tracked changes and rationale for changes, are included with this memo and are available online on the Organic Federation of Canada (OFC) website (There is a timeline summary of standard revision process on the OFC website, look under September 2025 heading for a link to the draft standard and permitted substance list.) Some of the changes include certain conditions that permit operators to alternate between organic and non-organic production, strengthening of standard around crop rotation, and the addition of struvite as a soil amendment.
BACKGROUND
The new standard will remain in effect for 5 years. The standards are routinely reviewed by the organic industry during this 5-year period. The standard revision process is currently lead by the Organic Federation of Canada (OFC) and conducted according to the procedures prescribed by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) ; see OFC website for a description of the participatory process. https://organicfederation.ca/2025-review-of-the-canadian-organic-standards/ Module 6 of ‘Canada Organic Regime – our certification system’ in the COR Self Study Series also includes a brief description of the standard revision process.
CHANGE IN CANADA ORGANIC REGIME
The final version of the new standard will be published by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB). As part of budget cuts and restructuring, the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) has recently been eliminated by the government of Canada. The Standards Council of Canada (SCS) will become the new owner of the Canada Organic Standard (COS) when the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) winds down its operations. The revised COS, which is referenced in Part 13 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations, will be valid for five years.
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