Support

Have a question about the IAF Portal – you’re in the right place!

Here are a series of tutorial videos you may find useful. Also check out the FAQ section below for more information.

Please note, IAF regularly makes updates to our portal to make improvements. You may notice a few small differences between the tutorial videos and the portal as a result.

Sign Up Tutorial	Register and Change an Organization Tutorial



Apply for a Buy BC Logo License

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FAQs

What is a BC Registration ID?

Your BC registration ID can be found using the following link: https://orgbook.gov.bc.ca/en/home

Please Input your full, legal business name to obtain your BC registration ID

If you would like more information on what a BC registration number is, please visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/business/managing-a-business/permits-licences/businesses-incorporated-companies/business-number

Can I change my organization type?

Yes, you can modify your organization type after registration. Go to the Register page and select the drop-down arrow next to the organization name.

Can I have more than one primary contact person?

Each organization can only have one primary contact who is able to access, edit and submit their project application. We are, however, able to link additional contacts to your organization if someone other than the primary contact needs to submit an application for another program. If you wish to do this, please send us the details of the contact that you would like us to associate. In this e-mail, please include the company name, and all contact information for the new addition.

Further, if there are specific days / times we should contact the “other” contact please let us know as we can add this as a note to your file.

Please send all e-mails of this nature to funding(at)iafbc.ca.

I didn't get an email when I used the 'forgot password' function.

Please ensure to check all mailboxes, including junk and spam. If there is no e-mail from the portal in any inbox, please contact us at funding(at)iafbc.ca

Can I have more than one organization under a single account?

Yes, you can have more than one organization under a single user. Adding a new organization to your existing account is the same process as adding the initial organization. There is no need to create an entirely new portal account for each organization.

What is the difference between a marketing and certification license?

Certification License
A certification license is for BC producers and processors. This license type allows your organization to use the Buy BC logo on eligible product packaging and product-specific marketing.

Marketing License
A marketing license is intended for retailers, wholesalers, distributors, industyr groups, farmers' markets/fairs, food hubs and other non-profit agri-food organizations. The Buy BC logo can be used on marketing materials that promote BC agriculture and food products across the province. The Buy BC logo cannot be used on product or packaging labels with a Marketing License.
Please refer to the Buy BC website (https://iafbc.ca/buy-bc/) for more information about the Buy BC Partnership Program, which includes Buy BC Logo Licensing.

How do I change my license type?

License type is automatically determined by your answer for “Define Your Applicant Type”. Please refer to the Buy BC webpage (https://iafbc.ca/buy-bc/) for a full list of what types of organizations are eligible for either a Marketing or Certification logo license.

I was told I am not eligible for useo f the Buy BC Logo License, why?

There are minimum requirements that an applicant must meet to qualify for a Buy BC logo. The system will inform you if you do not match the eligibility criteria. Please refer to the Buy BC webpage (https://iafbc.ca/buy-bc/) for more information. If you made a mistake, you may restart the application process.

What is the difference between a 51% BC processed product and a 100% BC grown product?

A product must meet minimum product standards as set out by the Province to be approved with a Buy BC logo license agreement.

Primary producers can apply to have products which are 100% grown, catch, or raised in BC to be approved with their license agreement. BC processors must provide the total cost of production for any processed products to be approved with their logo license agreement. A product, in its final form, must have 51% or more of costs originating in B.C. to meet the minimum product standards required for the Buy BC program.

A product must be approved before the Buy BC logo can be used on packaging, labelling and/or product-specific marketing.

A product category/sub-category/type is not available for my product.

Not all product categories will have sub-categories and/or product types. Read the full list of options and select the category that best suits your product, keeping in mind there may not be an exact match.

How many products can I apply for?

There is no limit to how many products an organization may certify under their logo license agreement. All products meet the minimum product standards as set out by the Province (100% grown or 51% of costs in BC for processed products).

What are direct labour costs?

Direct Labour Costs are the total cost of wages that an applicant spends to produce/process a specific product, including the payroll taxes associated with those wages, plus the cost of company-paid medical insurance, life insurance, workers' compensation insurance, any company-matched pension contributions, and other company benefits. This does not include indirect labour costs (e.g. costs associated with labour that is not directly involved in the active conversion of raw materials into finished products), such as wages/benefits associated with non-production/processing positions including administration, maintenance, marketing, sales, engineering, etc.

What are raw material costs?

Raw Materials Costs are the total cost of the food/beverage ingredients (natural, modified, or semi-processed) that are used by an applicant to produce/process a specific product. For example, the raw materials for jam may include fruit, sugar, preservatives, flavouring additives, etc.

What are variable processing costs?

Variable Processing Costs are other variable costs related to processing, or other costs that varies as production increases or decreases (excluding labour, packaging or raw materials). For example, other supplies needed for production purposes that go into the product (e.g. cooking oil used to fry a product) or utilities (e.g. the water and electricity need to process the product). Fixed (overhead) costs, such as buildings/machinery/rent/depreciation/etc. do not apply.

What are packaging costs?

Packaging Costs are the total cost of the packaging materials that are used by an applicant to prepare their product for final sale. For example, packaging costs may include the cost of labels, boxes, cartons, bags, pouches, jars, etc. Packaging costs related to shipping a product to the point of sale are not included (e.g. shrink wrap, pallets, plastic trays, cold-storage materials, etc.).

How do I update my license?

To update a certification license, click the arrow next to “Status Reason” then click “Update Certification License”. That will take you to a screen to allow you to add additional products to your license or edit existing products. Note: marketing licenses cannot be updated.

I've submitted my application, now what?

Submissions will be reviewed by IAF staff and application decisions will be communicated by email. If approved, you will receive an Authorized Use Agreement (AUA) via email. Should any additional information be needed to complete the application, an IAF staff will contact you directly by email. If you have any questions contact licensing(at)iafbc.ca

How long will it take for my application to be reviewed?

IAF will provide a response to your application within 5 business days. However, please note during busy periods, these timelines may be extended. All applications will be processed in the order they are received.