Agricultural Marketing Service April 2, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice announces draft guidance for review and comment by accredited certifying agents, certified operations, material evaluation programs, and other organic industry stakeholders. The first set of draft guidance documents implements recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) concerning the classification of materials under the USDA organic regulations (7 CFR part 205). The Classification of Materials draft guidance, NOP 5033, details the procedures and decision trees for classifying materials used for organic crop production, livestock production, and handling. The second set of draft guidance documents, NOP 5034, provides clarification regarding materials for use in organic crop production. These documents include an itemization of allowed natural and synthetic materials and a limited appendix of materials prohibited in organic crop production. The guidance explains the policy of the National Organic Program (NOP) concerning the portions of the regulations in question, referenced herein. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) invites organic producers, handlers, certifying agents, material evaluation programs, consumers and other interested parties to submit comments about these guidance provisions. Notices of availability of final guidance on these topics will be issued upon final approval. Once finalized, final guidance documents will be available from NOP through ``The Program Handbook: Guidance and Instructions for Certifying Agents and Certified Operations.'' This Handbook provides those who own, manage, or certify organic operations with guidance and instructions that can assist them in complying with the USDA organic regulations. The current edition of the Program Handbook is available online at https://www.ams.usda.gov/nop or in print upon request.