USDA Publishes Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Inert Ingredients in Pesticides for Organic Production

Today, the USDA National Organic Program previewed an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) that asks the public to comment on options to update how the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) references inert ingredients in pesticides allowed for organic production. The National List currently uses Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inert ingredient lists, but these lists are no longer maintained by EPA and are out of date.

USDA is asking the public to comment on options to revise the National List, including several derived from NOSB recommendations. USDA will use feedback gathered from public comment to inform any future rulemaking about inert ingredients in pesticides.

The public comment period opens today and closes on November 1, 2022. Be part of the policymaking process and make your voice heard—click on the link below to read the ANPR and submit a comment.

Read and Comment on the ANPR

 

About the National List

The National List is a tool for managing the substances used in organic production. In general, natural substances are allowed in organic production, and synthetic substances are prohibited. The National List identifies the limited exceptions to these general rules. Changes to the National List require a National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommendation and USDA rulemaking, a process that provides multiple opportunities for public comment.

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.