Regenerative Organic Certified® (ROC™) uses USDA Certified Organic as a baseline, then adds soil health, animal welfare, and social fairness. Generic “regenerative” marketing is not the same thing.

What it means

ROC is a farm-based, brand-linked certification for food, beverage, body care, and textile production operated by the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA). ROC uses USDA Certified Organic as a baseline, then adds requirements across three pillars:

1. Soil health
2. Animal welfare
3. Social fairness for farmers and farm workers

It is positioned as going beyond organic by requiring regenerative practices and social/animal criteria in one framework. Multiple certification levels exist with different percentages of land required at initial certification (per ROA FAQ). Exact land percentages by level are UNKNOWN without inventing numbers from the current Framework; cite the current Framework when numbers are needed.

Who backs it

• Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA) (regenorganic.org), a 501(c)(3).
• ROA-approved certifying bodies (CBs) conduct audits; ROA issues certificates after CB recommendation (ROA states multiple approved CBs).
• Distinct from USDA NOP alone and from generic “regenerative” marketing claims without ROC.

How it’s tested / verified

1. Online application (parcel maps, organic system plan, existing certifications, ROA license agreement).
2. Complete Regenerative Organic System Plan (ROSP) customized from existing certifications.
3. On-site audit by ROA-approved CB; CB recommends certification to ROA.
4. Certificate lists certified acreage/crops; brand licensing is separate for ROC label on consumer goods.
5. Unannounced inspections required as part of program integrity (per ROA FAQ).
6. Soil testing expected within first year of certification (per ROA FAQ). Timing details on ROA site.

Current official Framework documents live in the ROA Resource Library. A March 2026 draft revision was noted in public consultation materials. Do not treat the draft as the operative standard.

What it doesn’t mean

• Not generic “regenerative” on-pack storytelling without ROC.
• Not USDA Organic alone (Organic is necessary baseline, not sufficient).
• Not Non-GMO Project Verified automatically (though organic baseline restricts GMOs under NOP).
• Not proof of finished-product toxin screen (farm cert is not MADE SAFE).

Pros

• Combines organic, soil, animal, and labor into one consumer-recognizable mark.
• Farm audit model with approved CBs.
• Addresses social fairness often missing from chemistry seals.

Cons / limitations

• Newer and less ubiquitous than USDA Organic on shelf.
• Supply limited for some ingredients.
• “Regenerative” buzzword abuse outside ROC. Education must insist on the certified mark.

How to shop for it

Look for Regenerative Organic Certified® / ROC on packaging and confirm against ROA resources when possible. Do not accept vague “regenerative” claims as ROC.

Bottom line

ROC builds on USDA Organic with soil, animal welfare, and social fairness pillars. Require the certified mark; ignore unverified regenerative buzzwords.

Sources

• https://regenorganic.org/becoming-regenerative-organic-certified/
• https://regenorganic.org/roc-standard/
• https://regenorganic.org/certification-resource-library/
• https://regenorganic.org/why-regenerative-organic/

Writing notes

• Always spell Regenerative Organic Certified® / ROC.
• UNKNOWN: land % by level without current Framework excerpt. Soft gap: March 2026 draft revision exists; do not treat as operative.
• Distinguish from USDA Certified (Organic) chip and vague regenerative claims.
• CleenBeez does not stock or sell products; editorial explanation only.