A New Look for NOP—

On the evening of Friday, April 4th, the National Organic Program (NOP) website will take on a whole new look, as part of the total AMS migration to a new web design. NOP will take this opportunity to release new information, in keeping with the February 5th announcement that NOP-AQSS and an electronic reading room would be created. The following information will be posted to the newly renovated NOP website: Q&A’s that have been submitted to staff, as well as the relevant original Q&A’s on the former NOP website; updated fact sheets; a listing of all accredited certifying agents (ACAs) and their certified organic operations; a list of completed recent Audit, Review, and Compliance (ARC) on-site audits and document reviews of ACAs, 2005-2006; and appeals decisions by the AMS Administrator. As new information is available, it will be posted in the NOP Reading Room under the appropriate section.

NOSB Site Update: The Agenda for the May 2008 NOSB meeting has been added to the NOSB website.

Federal Register Notice: National Organic Program (NOP); Sunset Review (2011) (PDF)

NOSB Site Update: Hotel information for the May 2008 NOSB meeting has been posted.

USDA sent a memo to all USDA certifying agents related to materials review for the NOP regulations. While verifying compliance of materials is a requirement that ACAs strive to meet, for branded (formulated) products, NOP recognizes this is sometimes difficult for ACAs to achieve. Therefore, NOP is amending its policy to provide ACAs with three options for ensuring that all materials used by certified operations comply with the NOP regulations. These options are outlined in the memo linked below.