Meeting Announcements: National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Meeting

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National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Meeting Fall 2017

The Fall 2017 NOSB meeting will be held October 31 - November 2, 2017 at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel, 245 Water Street, Jacksonville, Florida, 32202; (904) 355-6664.

During the meeting, the Board will discuss various topics, including several petitions pertaining to changes to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.

For additional information about how to submit written comments, both oral and written, and to access the meeting materials, including the Federal Register notice and tentative agenda, please visit the meeting webpage: Fall 2017 NOSB Meeting webpage

In advance of the meeting, the NOSB is accepting public comments. In addition to written public comments, the NOSB will also hear oral public comments at the in-person meeting on October 31, as well as during a webinar on October 24. A second webinar will be added on October 26 if the number of commenters exceeds the maximum capacity on October 24. For details on providing written or oral public comments please visit the NOSB Fall 2017 Meeting webpage. 

IMPORTANT DEADLINE - October 11, 2017, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time 

  • Deadline for written comments via www.regulations.gov that address specific topics noted on the meeting agenda.

  • Deadline to sign up to provide oral comments either on the webinar or at the in-person meeting. Persons interested in providing oral comments must reserve a spot. Registration is not required to attend the meeting, only to provide oral comments. 

The NOSB is a federal advisory committee established by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and administered through the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The NOSB recommends whether substances should be allowed or prohibited in organic production, handling, and processing, and advises the Secretary of Agriculture on other aspects of the organic regulations.

Twice a year, the NOSB meets to listen to public comments, discuss specific items pertaining to organic agriculture, and vote on recommendations to the USDA. These meetings, which are open to the public, are an important forum for public comment, and support transparency in the standards development process

Materials Available for Past NOSB Meetings

AMS has posted materials related to the last two NOSB meetings: