The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has released the agenda and meeting materials for its April 26–28, 2022 meeting and will accept written comments on agenda items through April 1.
Signups to provide oral comment during webinars on April 19 and 21 are also open. Visit the USDA’s website to register for an oral comment slot (scroll to the bottom of the page).
The NOSB is a federal advisory board that comprises volunteers from the organic community who advise the National Organic Program and the Secretary of Agriculture on organic production, handling, and processing. They also review materials on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
The following materials will be considered for removal from the National List in 2024. If you rely on any of these materials, you may want to submit a comment supporting its continued listing.
Crops
- Herbicides, soap-based
- Biodegradable biobased mulch film
- Boric acid
- Sticky traps/barriers
- Elemental sulfur
- Coppers, fixed
- Copper sulfate
- Polyoxin D zinc salt
- Humic acids
- Micronutrients: soluble boron products
- Micronutrients: sulfates, carbonates, oxides, or silicates of zinc, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and cobalt
- Vitamins C and E
- Squid byproducts
- Lead salts
- Tobacco dust (nicotine sulfate)
Livestock
• Chlorhexidine
• Tolazoline
• Copper sulfate
• Elemental sulfur
• Lidocaine
• Glucose
Handling
- Attapulgite
- Bentonite
- Diatomaceous earth
- Magnesium chloride
- Nitrogen
- Sodium carbonate
- Acidified sodium chlorite
- Carbon dioxide
- Sodium phosphates
- Potassium acid tartrate
- Casings
- Pectin
Additional items on the meeting agenda include:
- Handling Proposal: Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC)—petitioned
- Handling Proposal: Phosphoric acid - amend annotation—petitioned
- Crops Proposal: Highly soluble nitrogen fertilizers
- Crops Proposal: Carbon Dioxide—petitioned
- Supply Chain Traceability
Refer to the posted agenda for additional information.
The NOSB meets twice a year. The 2022 spring meeting will be held online, while the fall meeting is planned to occur in person in Sacramento, California, October 25–27, 2022.
CCOF participates in the NOSB process by submitting comments on materials as well as discussion documents that are informed by certifier staff expertise. For further information on CCOF’s work with NOSB or for support with submitting a comment, contact Jane Sooby at jsooby@ccof.org.