National Organic Program: USDA Organic Regulations, 35177-35178 [2015-14865]

Download as PDF 35177 Rules and Regulations Federal Register Vol. 80, No. 118 Friday, June 19, 2015 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510. The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each week. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service 7 CFR Part 205 [Document Number AMS–NOP–15–0009; NOP–15–01] National Organic Program: USDA Organic Regulations Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of 2015 Sunset Review. AGENCY: This document addresses the 2015 Sunset Review submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) through the Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) following the NOSB’s May and October 2014 meetings. The 2015 Sunset Review pertains to the NOSB’s review of the need for the continued allowance for seven substances on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). Consistent with the NOSB’s review, this publication provides notice on the renewal of three synthetic and two nonsynthetic substances on the National List, along with any restrictive annotations. For substances that have been renewed on the National List, this document completes the 2015 National List Sunset Process. DATES: This document is effective June 22, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for a copy of this document rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:11 Jun 18, 2015 Jkt 235001 should be sent to Jennifer Tucker, Ph.D., Associate Deputy Administrator, National Organic Program, USDA– AMS–NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646–S., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250–0268. Telephone: (202) 720–3252, email: Jennifer.tucker@ams.usda.gov or by accessing the Web site at https:// www.ams.usda.gov/nop. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Organic Program (NOP) is authorized by the Organic Foods Protection Act (OFPA) of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501—6522). The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) administers the NOP. Final regulations implementing the NOP, also referred to as the USDA organic regulations, were published December 21, 2000 (65 FR 80548), and became effective on October 21, 2002. Through these regulations, the AMS oversees national standards for the production, handling, and labeling of organically produced agricultural products. Since becoming fully effective, the USDA organic regulations have been frequently amended, mostly for changes to the National List in 7 CFR 205.601–205.606. This National List identifies the synthetic substances that may be used and the nonsynthetic (natural) substances that may not be used in organic production. The National List also identifies synthetic, nonsynthetic nonagricultural, and nonorganic agricultural substances that may be used in organic handling. The OFPA and the USDA organic regulations, as indicated in § 205.105, specifically prohibit the use of any synthetic substance in organic production and handling unless the synthetic substance is on the National List. Section 205.105 also requires that any nonorganic agricultural substance, and any nonsynthetic nonagricultural substance used in organic handling appear on the National List. As stipulated by OFPA, recommendations to propose or amend the National List are developed by the 15 member NOSB, organized under the PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2 et seq.) to assist in the evaluation of substances to be used or not used in organic production and handling, and to advise the Secretary on the USDA organic regulations. OFPA also requires a review of all substances included on the National List within 5 years of their addition to or renewal on the list. If a listed substance is not reviewed by NOSB and renewed by USDA within the five year period, its allowance or prohibition on the National List is no longer in effect. The NOSB sunset review includes considering any new information pertaining to a substance’s impact on human health and the environment, its necessity, and its compatibility with organic production and handling. To implement the sunset review requirement, AMS initially published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on the National List sunset review process on June 17, 2005 (70 FR 35177). This document described the process used by the NOSB to complete their responsibility to review National List substances within the OFPA required five year period. Since announcing the first sunset review process, the NOSB and the USDA completed five separate sunset reviews in 2007 (72 FR 58469), 2008 (73 FR 59479), 2011 (76 FR 46595), 2012 (77 FR 33290) and in 2013 (78 FR 61154). AMS published a revised sunset review process in the Federal Register on September 16, 2013 (78 FR 56811). This provides public notice on the renewal of National List substances. This renewal occurs after the NOSB review. At its May and October 2014 meetings, the NOSB considered seven substances that were added to the National List in 2010. AMS has reviewed and accepted the NOSB sunset review and recommendations. Substances in Table 1 having final actions of ‘‘renew’’ will continue to be listed on the National List and will be included in the 2020 sunset review. E:\FR\FM\19JNR1.SGM 19JNR1 35178 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 118 / Friday, June 19, 2015 / Rules and Regulations TABLE 1—OVERVIEW OF FINAL ACTION FOR SUNSET 2015 National list section Substance listing Final action Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production § 205.601(a)(8) ........ § 205.601(e)(2) ........ § 205.601(i)(1) ......... § 205.601(j)(9) ......... Sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate (CAS #–15630–89–4)—Federal law restricts the use of this substance in food crop production to approved food uses identified on the product label. Aqueous potassium silicate (CAS #–1312–76–1)—the silica, used in the manufacture of potassium silicate, must be sourced from naturally occurring sand. Aqueous potassium silicate (CAS #–1312–76–1)—the silica, used in the manufacture of potassium silicate, must be sourced from naturally occurring sand. Sulfurous acid (CAS # 7782–99–2) for on-farm generation of substance utilizing 99% purity elemental sulfur per paragraph (j)(2) of this section. Renew. Renew. Renew. Renew. Nonagricultural (nonorganic) substances allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as ‘‘organic’’ or ‘‘made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)).’’ § 205.605(a) ............ Gellan gum—(CAS # 71010–52–1)—high-acyl form only ..................................................................... Renew. Nonorganically produced agricultural products allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as ‘‘organic.’’ § 205.606(w) ........... Tragacanth gum (CAS #–9000–65–1) ................................................................................................... Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501–6522. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2015–14865 Filed 6–18–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service 9 CFR Part 430 [Docket No. FSIS–2014–0033] RIN 0583–AD53 Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Affirmation of the interim final rule with amendments; request for comments. AGENCY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is affirming, with changes and a request for comment, the interim final rule ‘‘Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products,’’ which was published in the Federal Register on June 6, 2003. FSIS is making minor changes to the regulatory provisions in response to comments that the Agency received, on the basis of experience in implementing the provisions, and because the way FSIS obtains establishment profile information electronically has changed. FSIS is clarifying in the regulations that establishments may not release into commerce product that has been in contact with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm)-contaminated surfaces without rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:58 Jun 18, 2015 Jkt 235001 reprocessing the product. In addition, FSIS is removing the requirement for establishments to report production volume and related information to FSIS because the Agency now routinely collects this information through its Public Health Information System (PHIS). DATES: Effective September 17, 2015. Comments must be received on or before August 18, 2015. ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested persons to submit comments on the changes. Comments may be submitted by one of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: This Web site provides the ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this Web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at that site for submitting comments. • Mail, including CD–ROMs, etc.: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Mailstop 3782, Room 8–163A, Washington, DC 20250–3700. • Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to Patriots Plaza 3, 355 E. Street SW., Room 8–163A, Washington, DC 20250–3700. Instructions: All items submitted by mail or electronic mail must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS– 2014–0033. Comments received in response to this docket will be made available for public inspection and posted without change, including any personal information, to https:// www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Daniel L. Engeljohn, Assistant Administrator, Office of Policy and PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 Renew. Program Development; Telephone: (202) 205–0495. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On February 27, 2001, FSIS proposed (66 FR 12589) to establish several new requirements for the processing of ready-to-eat (RTE) and other meat and poultry products. The Agency proposed food safety performance standards for all RTE and all partially heat-treated meat and poultry products. FSIS also proposed to eliminate its regulations that require both RTE and not-ready-to eat pork and products containing pork to be treated to destroy trichina (Trichinella spiralis). Finally, FSIS proposed environmental testing requirements for establishments to verify whether their processes were addressing Lm in RTE meat and poultry products. Specifically, FSIS proposed to require establishments that produce RTE meat and poultry products to test food contact surfaces for Listeria species to verify that the establishments are controlling the presence of Lm within their processing environments. Under the proposal, establishments that developed and implemented Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) controls for Lm would have been exempt from these testing requirements. Interim Final Rule On June 6, 2003, FSIS published the interim final rule ‘‘Control of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Products’’ (68 FR 34208). In the interim final rule, FSIS amended its regulations only in regard to the control of Lm in RTE products. The Agency decided to adopt these regulations before completing action on the other E:\FR\FM\19JNR1.SGM 19JNR1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 118 (Friday, June 19, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35177-35178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14865]



========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each 
week.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 118 / Friday, June 19, 2015 / Rules 
and Regulations

[[Page 35177]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 205

[Document Number AMS-NOP-15-0009; NOP-15-01]


National Organic Program: USDA Organic Regulations

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of 2015 Sunset Review.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document addresses the 2015 Sunset Review submitted to 
the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) through the Agricultural 
Marketing Service's (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) by the 
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) following the NOSB's May and 
October 2014 meetings. The 2015 Sunset Review pertains to the NOSB's 
review of the need for the continued allowance for seven substances on 
the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National List of Allowed 
and Prohibited Substances (National List). Consistent with the NOSB's 
review, this publication provides notice on the renewal of three 
synthetic and two nonsynthetic substances on the National List, along 
with any restrictive annotations. For substances that have been renewed 
on the National List, this document completes the 2015 National List 
Sunset Process.

DATES: This document is effective June 22, 2015.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for a copy of this document 
should be sent to Jennifer Tucker, Ph.D., Associate Deputy 
Administrator, National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646-S., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 
20250-0268. Telephone: (202) 720-3252, email: 
Jennifer.tucker@ams.usda.gov or by accessing the Web site at https://www.ams.usda.gov/nop.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Organic Program (NOP) is 
authorized by the Organic Foods Protection Act (OFPA) of 1990, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 6501--6522). The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service 
(AMS) administers the NOP. Final regulations implementing the NOP, also 
referred to as the USDA organic regulations, were published December 
21, 2000 (65 FR 80548), and became effective on October 21, 2002. 
Through these regulations, the AMS oversees national standards for the 
production, handling, and labeling of organically produced agricultural 
products. Since becoming fully effective, the USDA organic regulations 
have been frequently amended, mostly for changes to the National List 
in 7 CFR 205.601-205.606.
    This National List identifies the synthetic substances that may be 
used and the nonsynthetic (natural) substances that may not be used in 
organic production. The National List also identifies synthetic, 
nonsynthetic nonagricultural, and nonorganic agricultural substances 
that may be used in organic handling. The OFPA and the USDA organic 
regulations, as indicated in Sec.  205.105, specifically prohibit the 
use of any synthetic substance in organic production and handling 
unless the synthetic substance is on the National List. Section 205.105 
also requires that any nonorganic agricultural substance, and any 
nonsynthetic nonagricultural substance used in organic handling appear 
on the National List.
    As stipulated by OFPA, recommendations to propose or amend the 
National List are developed by the 15 member NOSB, organized under the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2 et seq.) to assist in 
the evaluation of substances to be used or not used in organic 
production and handling, and to advise the Secretary on the USDA 
organic regulations. OFPA also requires a review of all substances 
included on the National List within 5 years of their addition to or 
renewal on the list. If a listed substance is not reviewed by NOSB and 
renewed by USDA within the five year period, its allowance or 
prohibition on the National List is no longer in effect. The NOSB 
sunset review includes considering any new information pertaining to a 
substance's impact on human health and the environment, its necessity, 
and its compatibility with organic production and handling.
    To implement the sunset review requirement, AMS initially published 
an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on the National List sunset 
review process on June 17, 2005 (70 FR 35177). This document described 
the process used by the NOSB to complete their responsibility to review 
National List substances within the OFPA required five year period. 
Since announcing the first sunset review process, the NOSB and the USDA 
completed five separate sunset reviews in 2007 (72 FR 58469), 2008 (73 
FR 59479), 2011 (76 FR 46595), 2012 (77 FR 33290) and in 2013 (78 FR 
61154).
    AMS published a revised sunset review process in the Federal 
Register on September 16, 2013 (78 FR 56811). This provides public 
notice on the renewal of National List substances. This renewal occurs 
after the NOSB review.
    At its May and October 2014 meetings, the NOSB considered seven 
substances that were added to the National List in 2010. AMS has 
reviewed and accepted the NOSB sunset review and recommendations. 
Substances in Table 1 having final actions of ``renew'' will continue 
to be listed on the National List and will be included in the 2020 
sunset review.

[[Page 35178]]



            Table 1--Overview of Final Action for Sunset 2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    National list section         Substance listing        Final action
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   205.601(a)(8)........  Sodium carbonate           Renew.
                               peroxyhydrate (CAS #-
                               15630-89-4)--Federal law
                               restricts the use of
                               this substance in food
                               crop production to
                               approved food uses
                               identified on the
                               product label.
Sec.   205.601(e)(2)........  Aqueous potassium          Renew.
                               silicate (CAS #-1312-76-
                               1)--the silica, used in
                               the manufacture of
                               potassium silicate, must
                               be sourced from
                               naturally occurring sand.
Sec.   205.601(i)(1)........  Aqueous potassium          Renew.
                               silicate (CAS #-1312-76-
                               1)--the silica, used in
                               the manufacture of
                               potassium silicate, must
                               be sourced from
                               naturally occurring sand.
Sec.   205.601(j)(9)........  Sulfurous acid (CAS #      Renew.
                               7782-99-2) for on-farm
                               generation of substance
                               utilizing 99% purity
                               elemental sulfur per
                               paragraph (j)(2) of this
                               section.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Nonagricultural (nonorganic) substances allowed as ingredients in or on
    processed products labeled as ``organic'' or ``made with organic
               (specified ingredients or food group(s)).''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   205.605(a)...........  Gellan gum--(CAS # 71010-  Renew.
                               52-1)--high-acyl form
                               only.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Nonorganically produced agricultural products allowed as ingredients in
            or on processed products labeled as ``organic.''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   205.606(w)...........  Tragacanth gum (CAS #-     Renew.
                               9000-65-1).
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501-6522.

Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-14865 Filed 6-18-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P
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