The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has published indices of recommendations made by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The indices will facilitate public awareness of the status of all NOSB recommendations.
The NOSB is an advisory committee of organic community and stakeholder representatives established by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. It is administered through AMS. The board recommends whether substances should be allowed or prohibited in organic production or handling, assists in developing standards for substances to be used in organic production, and advises the Secretary of Agriculture on other aspects of the organic regulations.
The National Organic Program has developed three indices, one each for recommendations related to practice standards, the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, and the sunset review process. For each recommendation, the indices shows the date the recommendation was made; the action associated with the recommendation (rulemaking, guidance, etc.); the status of the action (outstanding, in process, or complete); and any relevant notes.
The NOSB Recommendations Indices will be living documents that will be regularly updated and posted on the AMS website. Questions, comments, or corrections related to the indices can be submitted via nop.guidance@ams.usda.gov.
View the NOSB Recommendations Indices.