Agricultural Marketing Service - National Organic Program

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About Us

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.

Presentation - Organic Integrity: Past, Present and Future (PDF)

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)

Key Activities

Develop regulations and guidance on organic standards

Manage the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances

Accredit certifying agents to certify organic producers & handlers

Establish international organic import and export policies

Investigate and take action on regulatory violation complaints

Facilitate the work of the National Organic Standards Board, a Federal Advisory Committee

Oversee the Organic Certification Cost Share programs to support certified organic operators

Provide training to certifying agents, USDA staff, & other stakeholders

Engage and serve the organic community

USDA Organic Insider

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

Organic Integrity Quarterly Newsletter

2015

June

2014

November | October | May

2013

December | September | April | January

2012

October | September | June | March

2011

December | September | April | February

2010

December | October | August | June | May

April | March | February | January (PDFs)

NOP Reports

Modernized Certified Organic Operations Database: Needs Assessment and Business Requirements Analysis (March 2013)

Biotech Test Methods and Protocols for Use in Organic Compliance (February 2013)

2010 – 2011 Pilot Study: Pesticide Residue Testing of Organic Produce (November 2012)

2010 Organic Assessment of China (July 2011)

Peer Review Reports

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

NIST Assessment of USDA’s Organic Certifier Accreditation System (July 2011)

Organic Equivalency Arrangements

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

NOP Assessment of the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (July 2013)

U.S. – European Union Organic Trade Partnership

NOP Assessment of the European Union Organic Program (May 2011)

U.S. – Canada Organic Trade Partnership

NOP Assessment of the Canada Organic Office June 2013| June 2011 | September 2010

Canada Organic Office Audit of the NOP March 2013| December 2010

Recognition Agreements

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

NOP Assessment of India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority January 2011 | December 2006

NOP Assessment of Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries October 2011 | October 2008

External Reports

Meridian Institute – Assessment of National Organic Standards Board: Summary of Findings (April 2014)

Office of Inspector General Report: Organic Milk Operations

Economic Impact Analysis of Proposed Regulations for Living Conditions for Organic Poultry – Phase 3 with links to Phases 1 and 2 (August 2012)

Office of Inspector General Audit Report: National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (July 2012)

Office of Inspector General Report: Organic Milk (February 2012)

Office of Inspector General Audit Report: Oversight of the National Organic Program (March 2010)

Report to Congress: Impact of Harvey v. Johanns (March 2006)

Court Decisions

Decision on Motion to Enforce Judgment (Harvey vs. Johanns) (November 2006)

ACA Harvey vs. Johanns Notice (July 2005)

Harvey vs. Johanns (June 2005)

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.

Additional Resources

Guide to Organic and Organic-Related USDA Programs

Non-Governmental Organic Organizations

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

Other Federal Agencies | Industry Organizations


		Be an Organic Insider!


		NOP Homepage


		Consumer Information


		Organic Standards


		National Organic Standards Board


		Organic Certification & Accreditation


		Compliance and Enforcement


		FAQs


		About NOP


		2015-2018 Strategic Plan (PDF)


		Fact Sheets

Last Modified Date: 06/12/2015