7. Imported Product and/or Ingredient

Product legally imported from other countries may be incorporated in New Zealand product complying with the provisions of the NZFSA official organic assurances programme provided that:

(a)  it is accompanied by equivalent assurances from the source country’s competent authority or a NZFSA-recognised TPA specifying that:

- in addition to New Zealand’s, the importing market’s requirements for official organic assurances have been complied with; or that:
- the product was obtained within a system of rules equivalent to these Rules;

(b)  it carries adequate identification; and complies with labelling requirements in Section 3;

(c)  the operator importing the product is participating in the programme;

(d)  proper separation is maintained from non-complying product, and from New Zealand product awaiting assessment;

(e)  the source country’s assurance or certificate accompanies the product to the first consignee. The importer must keep the assurance available to the TPA for at least 3 years.

(f) Imported organic products trans-shipped through New Zealand (and not requiring further processing or incorporation into New Zealand product) will not be issued with a NZFSA Official Organic Assurance as it will be deemed to be product of the originating country.