USDA Unveils Organic Program Handbook

WASHINGTONThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Sept. 2 published the first edition of a program handbook designed to help owners, managers or certifiers of organic operations comply with federal regulations. Prepared by the National Organic Program (NOP), the handbook replaces the document control master list page previously available on the NOP website and provides guidance about the national organic standards and instructions that outline best program practices.

The handbook provides guidance on the allowance of green waste in organic production systems, approval of liquid fertilizers in organic production, certification of organic yeast, processed animal manures in organic crop production, reassessed inert ingredients, and the calculation of dry matter intake for NOPs access to pasture requirements. It also includes instructions concerning organic certification, such as recordkeeping, steps to certification, and organic certificates; accreditation procedures, such as how to apply to become an accredited certifying agent; international procedures, such as how USDA determines equivalence of foreign organic standards to those of the NOP; compliance and enforcement measures, such as how to handle complaints; and appeals procedures for certified operations or accredited agents.

The handbook also explains the difference between NOP guidance and instruction documents and outlines their purpose, legal effect, and the process by which the NOP authorizes, reviews, revises and disseminates them to the public. Future guidance documents will be issued through the notice and comment process outlined in the handbook.

Click here to download handbook.