USDA, OMRI sign landmark contract

The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) and the USDA have signed a landmark contract to produce a comprehensive list of substances permitted for organic crop production. The objective of the contract is to produce a draft guidance document, called the Permitted Substances List (PSL), to clarify which commonly available generic substances are allowed for use in organic crop production, according to USDA regulations at 7 CFR Part 205. While some international organic regulations already use this type of 'positive' list, the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations have historically retained different types of material lists for different modes of organic production. The guidance is intended to provide clarity for producers, handlers, certifiers, and other entities involved in the organic industry, which should improve the speed and consistency of materials approval.

According to Peggy Miars, Executive Director/CEO of OMRI, a permitted substances list will make the U.S. organic standards easier to understand and more accessible for producers and regulators. "We welcome the opportunity to work with the NOP to clarify the organic standards for crop materials," says Miars. "Oversight of organic certification has been a primary focus of the NOP since its inception, and we at OMRI are glad to see that more attention is being given to input materials used by certified operations."

The contract will focus on materials used in organic crop production. Additional materials lists are expected to follow for organic livestock production and for organic processing. The NOP intends to solicit public comments on the draft guidance in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget Bulletin on Agency Good Guidance Practices. Final guidance documents are incorporated into the NOP Handbook, the official USDA reference clarifying NOP standards and best program practices.