National Organic Program
U.S. federal regulatory framework
The National Organic Program (NOP) is the federal regulatory framework in the United States governing organic food. It is also the name of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) program responsible for administering and enforcing the regulatory framework. The core mission of the NOP is to protect the integrity of the USDA organic seal. The seal is used for products adhering to USDA standards that contain at least 95% organic ingredients.
The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) required that the USDA develop national standards for organic products, and the final rule establishing the NOP was first published in the Federal Register in 2000 and is codified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 7 CFR 205.
Overview
The NOP covers fresh and processed agricultural food products.
The National Organic Program grew from fewer than twelve total employees in 2008 to approximately 37 in 2019 and 82 in January 2023. This growth has been due to increased annual funding appropriated by Congress since 2018.
The key activities of the National Organic Program are to:
Maintain the Organic Integrity Database, a listing of certified organic operations, and help new farmers and business learn how to get certified
Develop regulations and guidance on organic standards
Manage the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
Accredit certifying agents to certify organic producers and handlers
Facilitate the work of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), a Federal Advisory Committee
Provide training to certifying agents, USDA staff, and other stakeholders
Engage and serve the organic community
Investigate alleged violations of the organic standards and bring violators to justice
Regulation
The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 "requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances which identifies synthetic substances that may be used, and the nonsynthetic substances that cannot be used, in organic production and handling operations." Under this act, the Secretary of Agriculture promulgated regulations establishing the National Organic Program (NOP) in 2000. It restricts the use of the term "organic" to certified organic producers (excepting growers selling under $5,000 a year, who must still comply and submit to a records audit if requested, but do not have to formally apply).
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