A Brand Names List (BNL) is about inputs that can be used by certified organic growers, processors and handlers.

What are the criteria for an allowed input?

  1. All of the contents must be on the generic materials list as allowed or regulated. The generic material (e.g. calcium chloride, microbial products, sawdust) must be on the COABC Materials List as an allowed or regulated material. The Materials List is in BOOK 2 of the Certified Organic Management Standards, Version 7. If you do not have a current copy, check the website copy. Always look to see if there are any restrictions on their use. For example “sawdust and wood chips” are allowed for weed control or as a fertilizer. However the annotation says that they must not come from treated or painted wood.  After Dec 14, 2008 the COABC Materials list will be replaced by the National Standard Permitted Substance List.  This will be very similar to the COABC list. More detailed information is available from your certifying body and/or the COABC.
     
  2. The particular brand or input containing the generic material must be allowed.
    If the generic material is combined with other products, you must make sure the specific product or brand you want to use is also approved. For example, Bacillus thuringensis (Bt) is a microbial product and microbial products are on the generic Crops Materials List and are allowed. However, you cannot go and buy Bt. It is available in a number of forms, combined with other materials (carriers, adjuvants etc) to make the product you actually use. These added materials must also be approved. For example, one company formulates (combines) Bt with carriers and adjuvants that are acceptable for organic growers. This is the product with the brand name Dipel.  Other companies combine it with products which are prohibited for use in organics. An example is Bioprotec CAF.
     
  3. If a manufacturing process is involved, it must also be acceptable for organics.
    The product you purchase must also be manufactured or formulated in a way acceptable for organics. For example, calcium chloride products that use sulphuric acid in the manufacturing are not allowed. Those that use steam distillation are.

So how do you know the answers to #2 and 3?

Although we can look up generic materials on the COABC list, we do not have the expertise to determine if a product meets the criteria noted in #’s 2 and 3. To assist us with this, COABC and its members belong to the Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI). This is a non-profit organization based in Eugene, Oregon. They have panels of experts they can call on to determine if all of the materials in a product and/or the manufacturing process used to product products are acceptable for organics.   The National Inputs Directory will be contracting with OMRI to carry on this service and indeed to take it to the next level which will be assessing products to the Canadian standard.

So why can’t we just check everything out on that list?

COABC members/Canadians cannot use everything that is on the OMRI list because they may be registered and available for use in the US but not in Canada. The following is an explanation of how this works. Pesticides, animal health care products and some fertilizers are particularly affected by extra Canadian rules.

Pesticides allowed for organic use in Canada

Pesticides are anything used for the control of disease, insects and mites, birds, rodents and weeds. There are many products approved by OMRI which cannot be used in Canada because they are not registered here. If they are not, their use is illegal. Section 1.2.6 Book 2, the BC Certified Organic Production Policies and Management Standards states “COABC requires as a condition of membership that its members and any licensees enrolled in the certification program adhere to all provincial, federal and municipal laws and regulations and standards affecting the agricultural industry”.

This registration is done by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency which functions under the Canadian federal Health Department. Pesticides not registered in Canada are not available for sale here as such. However, sometimes a product may be available for another purpose. For example, potassium bicarbonate is for sale in Canada as a fertilizer. In the US and as is listed in OMRI it is also formulated as a fungicide.  However, until those products are registered by the PMRA for use in Canada use of potassium bicarbonate as a fungicide in Canada is illegal.

Also, even when a product is registered for use in Canada and is OMRI approved, it can only be used for the crops and the specific problems listed on what is called the label. This is the information on the container and/or accompanying it.

Livestock products allowed for organic use in Canada

Animal health products must be approved by the Bureau of Veterinary Drugs section of the CFIA. Those that are have a drug identification numbers (DIN). There are quite a few such products but only those approved by OMRI as well can be used without further investigation.

Livestock mineral and/or vitamin supplements need to be registered and would then carry a registration number. Livestock feeds that meet certain nutritional standards do not need registration but are regulated through labeling.

Fertilizers

The Canadian Fertilizers Act and Regs divide products into two broad categories: fertilizers and supplements.

Fertilizers are those products that provide nutrition to plants. About 99% of fertilizers do not need registration. They are regulated through labeling. However there are some fertilizers that require registration e.g. micronutrient fertilizers.

Supplements are those products that provide benefits to plants and/or the soil but not from nutrition. Examples are legume inoculants, microbial supplements, fulvic and humic acids, wetting agents, rooting hormone or any product that makes claims that are not nutrition based.

Most supplements are required to be registered, which means they are reviewed for safety (environment and food chain) and for efficacy.

Processing Aids

Most processing aids do not need to be registered. Check for an OMRI logo

What about products available in Canada which are not on the OMRI list?

Do not panic if the products you use are not in this directory. Remember it is a voluntary process for a company to apply to have their product assessed and there are some that have not applied for OMRI approval. This does not necessarily mean it is not a product that could be used in organics. Urge companies with products you want to use to apply to OMRI for assessment. All information is treated confidentially and all that is made public is whether or not the product is acceptable. The process is not very expensive and most companies more than make it back on increased sales. Consumers of non-reviewed products must satisfy themselves that all the ingredients including the adjuvants, fillers or carriers, (which often are not identified on the labels), and the manufacturing process meet organic standards.