Proposed Changes to the National List
for Organic Crops, Livestock and Handling
Comment Period Now Open
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) reviews each substance on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) every five years as part of a process called sunset review. Established in the Organic Foods Production Act, sunset review requires the NOSB to reconsider any new and existing information about the substance to determine if it continues to meet requirements to remain on the National List. If the NOSB determines a substance no longer meets the required criteria and two thirds of the Board votes to recommend its removal, the USDA may initiate rulemaking to remove the substance from the National List.
USDA today published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to amend the National List for crops, livestock and handling based on recommendations from the NOSB after completing the 2022 Sunset Review. The proposed changes address recommendations submitted to the Secretary after past public meetings.
This proposed rule would remove:
- Two substances currently allowed in organic crop production.
- Three substances currently allowed in organic livestock production.
- Fourteen nonorganic ingredients (including eight nonorganic colors) currently allowed in organic handling.
USDA welcomes comments on the proposed amendments and the expected timeframe needed for organic operations to implement the proposed changes. The comment period will close on October 25, 2021.
How to Submit an Effective Comment
NOP has a microlearning module (linked below) that provides guidance on how to write an effective public comment. Effective comments help others understand your perspective and how proposals will impact your organic farm or business. This helps USDA best balance needs across impacted participants in the organic market.
 Click image above to launch microlearning module
About the National List
More information on the National List, including how and why substances are added or removed from it, is available on The USDA, National Organic Program, National List webpage.
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