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Regulatory text

>> Current legislation text

!!!On June 27th 2007 an interim Final Rule has been published by the NOP. The changes are important for processors who need conventional agricultural ingredients in their products.
Click here to get summarized information_on_the_interim_final_rule.pdf!!!
 
In February the NOP has published important changes concerning the application of high-nitrogen liquid fertilizers under the Final Rule. The use of such products will become much more restricted from October 2009 onwards. For more information, please click on notice_on_liquid_fertilizers_2009_03_02.pdf. (fd, 23.4.2009)

The NOP has made an announcement on May 2nd 2007 that additional rulemaking is necessary regarding the issue with ICS certification under NOP. Meanwhile, certifiers should adhere to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommendations on Grower Groups of 2002.
>> Download the NOSB recommendations from 2002: nosb_recommondations_growergroups_2002.pdf
 
Click here to important information_on_important_changes_of_the_nop_standard.pdf that have been made in 2006 !!!
 

Short history

With its National Organic Program (NOP), the United States have regulated their organic market. The regulation came into effect October 21, 2002. Since then all produce marketed in the US as "organic", "100% organic" or "made with organic..." need to be certified according to the rule by a certification agency like IMO which is accredited by USDA, the US Department of Agriculture.
 
 

Scope / What needs to be certified

Any production or handling of crops, livestock, livestock products, or other agricultural products such as wild collected crops and apiary products (currently covered by the livestock requirements).
 

Labels

There are 4 different label categories:
  • 100% organic: 100% of all ingredients must be certified organic i.e. may normally not contain any allowed processing aids or auxiliaries (unless or organic agricultural origin). Allowed: water & salt.
  • Organic: 95% of all ingredients must be certified organic. The remaining 5% must be organically produced, unless not commercially available in organic form, or must be nonagricultural substances or nonorganically produced agricultural products produced consistent with the National List (§205.605)
  •  Made with organic (specified ingredients or food groups): 70% of all ingredients need to be certified organic. The remaining 30% organic may also be conventional ingredients. No ingredients may be genetically modified or ionized or produced with using sewage sludge. 
  • Products with less than 70% organic ingredients: less than 70% of organic ingredients. The nonorganic ingredients may be produced and handled without regard to NOP. Such products are exempt from organic certification.
On the official NOP website you find the organic seal for download. There is also given an overview on what has to be displayed on the final product numbers.
 

Comparison with the Regulation (EEC) 2092/91

On the website of UNCTAD (United Nations Conference of Trade and Developement) you find a detailed comparison between the US NOP and the European Regulation (EEC) 2092/91:

>> The Organic Guarantee System (page 52-62)
 

How to become certified