Staying Current with Kosher Certification: A Guide to Yearly Renewal Requirements

When you achieve kosher certification with OK Kosher, you receive a kosher certificate for your approved products, marking a significant milestone in your business. However, it’s essential to stay on top of your certification’s yearly renewal requirements to ensure that your kosher status remains active and compliant.

Understanding the Certification Term

Your kosher certification is valid for one year from the end of the month in which it was issued. For example, if your certification was issued in June 2024, it will expire in June 2025, with the next renewal extending through June 2026. To keep your kosher certification seamless, it’s crucial to understand and fulfill the conditions for renewal.

Key Steps for Renewal

To successfully renew your kosher certification and update your certificates for the coming year, three primary conditions must be met:

1. Updating Expired Ingredients
2. Resolving Outstanding Kosher Issues
3. Payment of Annual Certification Fees

Let’s delve into each of these steps to ensure your kosher program continues smoothly.

1. Updating Expired Ingredients

Many of your ingredients are approved based on your vendors’ kosher certificates, which typically expire annually, just like your OK Kosher certificates. About three months before your current certificates expire, our Renewal department will contact you with a list of expired ingredients that need updated certificates. This is also an ideal time to review and streamline your ingredient list, removing obsolete items and adding any missing ones.

Depending on the number of ingredients and vendors you have, this list might be short or extensive.

OK Kosher participates in the Universal Kosher Database (UKD) system along with several kosher agencies. This system stores kosher certificate information according to the UKD-ID or KID of the product. It is shared only inter-agency – no customers or consumers have access. Ingredients that are listed in the UKD system are automatically updated each year when their kosher certificates are renewed, eliminating the need to request them from your vendor unless the UKD has changed or been inactivated.

In addition, many OK customers, especially those with more extensive ingredient lists, are signed up for Digital Kosher’s KID Direct service, which reaches out to your vendors on your behalf for updated certificates. If you are interested in learning more about KID Direct, please contact your Account Representative.

KID Direct and the UKD system have vastly reduced the number of updates we request at renewal time. Nevertheless, there are still likely to be some items that you will be responsible for. Our Renewal team is dedicated to helping you update everything promptly, but your cooperation is essential. Ensure your vendors provide updated certificates, and if difficulties arise, notify us so we can assist.

2. Resolving Outstanding Kosher Issues

Sometimes, issues identified during mid-year or annual inspections at your facilities need to be resolved before your RC (Rabbinic Coordinator) approves your certification renewal. Addressing these issues immediately is crucial to maintain the kosher status of your products. If you’re unsure about any pending issues, contact your RC or Account Representative for guidance.

3. Payment of Annual Certification Fees

Approximately 3-4 months before your current kosher certificate expires, you’ll receive an invoice for your annual certification fee. This advance notice allows ample time for your Accounts Payable department to process the payment. The invoice will detail fees for each production facility linked to your account. If there are any changes in your production sites, such as halting production at a facility or adding new ones, now is the time to inform us.

Our Finance department will send reminders until payment is received. Additionally, any unpaid invoices from supervision visits or annual inspections must be settled before renewal.

Ensuring a Smooth Renewal Process

As your certification’s expiration date approaches, your customers may start requesting updated certificates. At OK Kosher, we aim to make the renewal process as easy and timely as possible. By working closely with our Renewal team and maintaining good communication, you can ensure a smooth transition from one certification year to the next.

Final Thoughts

Renewing your kosher certification is a critical part of maintaining your kosher status and meeting customer expectations. By following the steps outlined above, you can stay compliant and keep your kosher certification current, ensuring continued trust in your brand’s kosher products.

Ready to Join the OK Kosher Family?

At OK Kosher, we’re committed to making kosher certification as seamless as possible for businesses of all sizes. Interested in learning more about how we can help your business grow with kosher certification? Contact us today for a consultation and discover how OK Kosher can simplify your kosher journey, boost customer confidence, and open new market opportunities for your products!