Spring 2019 National Organic Standards Board Meeting Announced

BY USDA NOP | Mar 18, 2019

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will meet in Seattle, Washington on April 24-26, 2019. The board will vote to retain or remove substances on the National List of Allowed & Prohibited Substances and will also vote on proposals and discussion documents.

The deadline to submit written comments is April 4, 2019. Commenting will open when the meeting materials are released (approximately six weeks before the meeting). The deadline to submit oral comments via webinar or in person in Washington is also April 4, 2019. Registration for the oral comments will open when the meeting materials.

NOSB reviews all substances on the National List every five years to determine their status in organic production. NOSB makes recommendations to remove substances from the National List using the criteria of the substance being harmful to human health or the environment, the substance no longer being necessary due to the availability of a non-synthetic alternative, or the substance’s use being inconsistent with organic farming and handling practices.