Our Vision

Organic Integrity from Farm to Table,

Consumers Trust the Organic Label.

Our Mission. Ensuring the integrity of USDA organic products in the United States and throughout the world.

Overview. The National Organic Program (NOP) is a regulatory program housed within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. We are responsible for developing national standards for organically-produced agricultural products. These standards assure consumers that products with the USDA organic seal meet consistent, uniform standards. Our regulations do not address food safety or nutrition. NOP Fact Sheet | Organizational Chart | Contact Us

2015 – 2018 Strategic Plan (PDFs)

The USDA Organic Insider informs the organic community on a wide range of functions, including regulatory updates, requests for public comments, and USDA programs and services. Subscribe | View Archive

November | October | May

December | September | April | January

October | September | June | March

December | September | April | February

December | October | August | June | May

April | March | February | January (PDFs)

American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Peer Review of the NOP Accreditation Program: Executive Summary | Full Peer Review Report

Allow organic operations certified to the USDA organic or foreign organic standard to be labeled and sold as organic in both countries.

U.S. – Japan Organic Trade Partnership

U.S. – European Union Organic Trade Partnership

U.S. – Canada Organic Trade Partnership

Allow a foreign government to accredit organic certifiers in that country to the USDA organic standards.

Regulatory Authority. Federal regulations are the laws authorized by major legislation enacted by Congress. The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 authorized USDA to establish the National Organic Program and develop the organic regulations.

Useful Links. Other Federal agencies and industry groups are involved in organic agriculture:

Other Federal Agencies | Industry Organizations