The first step was to hire organic compliance expert Sheila Linderman to guide them through the process. So far, she has helped certify 45 food companies, but this is the first time she, or anyone else, has attempted to certify a supplements manufacturer.
Sheila helped New Chapter open their entire cultivation, manufacturing, and distribution process to intense scrutiny. In order to be certified under the NOP, a company must comply with the strict USDA regulations, including the following:
- Crops are raised without using most conventional pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, or sewage sludge-based fertilizers.
- No genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge-based fertilizers.
- As a general rule, all natural (non-synthetic) substances are allowed in organic production and all synthetic substances are prohibited.
New Chapter had to provide their certifier with the organic certification for every ingredient used in their certified products, as well as a full organic production plan, covering their monitoring practices, record keeping, storage, handling practices, supply chain, and every other aspect that could affect the organic integrity of thier products.
After a long and tedious application process, New Chapter received its certification in October 2004.
