PACS - Pacific Agricultural Certification Society - Vernon B.C.

Mailing Address:

PACS
3402 32nd Ave
Vernon, BC V1T 2N1

Phone: 250 558-7927
Fax: 250 558-7947
Email:
admin@pacscertifiedorganic.ca

The PACS was established in 2001 to provide efficient, cost effective, internationally recognised certification services to clients in the agriculture and food sector. Since inception the PACS has grown steadily and has in excess of 330 members, not only in British Columbia but also in a number of Canadian provinces and the Yukon. We have new applications arriving daily.

A complete membership listing is posted on the website.

The PACS is accredited by The Certified Organic Associations of BC (COABC) under the British Columbia Certified Organic Program to provide ISO 65 (International Standards Organisation) compliant organic certification to producers, processors, handlers, distributors, brokers and retailers of organic agri-food products. The COABC also administers the BC Certified Organic Accreditation Program ISO 17011 compliant accreditation system. As of June 30, 2009 a new Canadian Standard was implemented and COABC was designated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to monitor and provide accreditation to certification bodies.

The PACS is an incorporated society within the province of British Columbia and as a not for profit society is controlled by the clients it serves. There are no profits and fees are tied directly to costs.

Our floating scale certification fees keep costs reasonable for all of our members, from small growers to multi-million dollar food processors and distributors.

The PACS has a number of programs including ISO 65, which gives members the option of exporting to other provinces, the USA and overseas. We certify enterprises Canada wide.

The Low Risk Assessment Program is available to members who do not wish to export product out of province, do not have both organic and non-organic crop production or organic and non-organic livestock production, have no outstanding conditions, have certificates for the past three years and have been a PACS member for at least two years. This program can reduce inspections for three years but members may have an unannounced inspection during those three years.

The PACS application forms are posted on the website for easy access and there is a Brand Names List which has been developed by the PACS for the use of our members. Both links are protected and require a password to gain access.

The Canadian Organic Standard, Permitted Substances List, the PACS Handbook and the PACS Quality Manual are also posted on the website for easy access to our members.

A File Transfer Form is available for prospective members wishing to transfer to the PACS from a non ISO 65 certifying body and an Initial Certification Registration Form for all prospective members is also available on the website.

We have Events and Notices page which is available to all members for posting of upcoming events or happenings that would be of interest.

To transfer from another Certification Body, complete a File Transfer Form which can be downloaded from this website (or call the PACS office at 250-558-7927).

To apply for certification, complete an Initial Certification Registration Form which can be downloaded from this website (or call the PACS office at 250-558-7927).