The USDA has announced a new U.S.-Taiwan equivalence arrangement, effective May 30, 2020, that streamlines organic trade with Taiwan. The arrangement allows organic products certified in the United States or Taiwan to be sold as organic in either market. It also protects access for American organic farmers, ranchers, and businesses to this significant export market. Taiwan is estimated to be the fifth largest organic export market for U.S. producers.
The American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States signed and exchanged letters on behalf of the U.S. and Taiwan to establish the new organic equivalence arrangement. The arrangement covers certified organic products grown, produced or with final processing in the U.S. or Taiwan and eliminates the need for organic producers and processors to have separate organic certification to the U.S. and Taiwan standards, avoiding a double set of fees, inspections, and paperwork.
For additional information on the U.S.-Taiwan Equivalence Arrangement, access the Press Release.
US-Taiwan Equivalency Arrangement Requirements
Organic products certified to the USDA or Taiwan organic standards may be labeled and sold as organic in both countries, as long as the products meet the terms of the arrangement.
The equivalency arrangement is limited to organic products that have been either raised within the United States or on Taiwan, or products for which final processing or packaging occurs within the United States or on Taiwan. This includes products processed or packaged in the U.S. or on Taiwan that contain organic ingredients from third countries that have been certified to the USDA or Taiwan organic standards.
Products that may not be exported to the US as certified organic:
- Agricultural products derived from animals treated with antibiotics.
- Aquatic animals (e.g. fish, shellfish).
Required Documentation:
Export of USDA Organic Products: Must be accompanied by a USDA Export Certificate, Form TM-11, issued by a USDA-accredited certifying agent.
Import of Taiwan Organic Products: A certifying agent supervised by Taiwan’s Agriculture and Food Agency (AFA) and accredited in compliance with Taiwan organic regulations must complete a U.S. National Organic Program (NOP) Import Certificate, Form 2110-1, for all Taiwan organic products traded under the arrangement.
Taiwan is requiring that all TM-11s issued after September 1, 2020 include the new statement:
“Certified in compliance with the terms of the AIT/TECRO-NOP/AFA Organic Equivalence Arrangement.”
All NOP organic products being exported to Taiwan must meet the terms of the arrangement and must be accompanied by a TM-11 signed by a USDA-accredited certifying agency.
Labeling Requirements:
All retail products, labels or stickers must state the name of the U.S. or Taiwan certifying agent and may use the USDA Organic seal.
Exported organic products must meet the labeling requirements in the destination country.
USDA Organic Regulations – Taiwan Organic Regulations
Use of Taiwan’s organic mark is restricted for use only by Taiwan businesses and may not be applied to USDA organic products.
For a full description of the requirements for the equivalence arrangement with Taiwan please go to the USDA, National Organic Program, Taiwan International Trade Policies web page,