USDA Amends the National List for Organic Livestock and Handling

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Agriculture published a final rule in the Federal Register amending the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) based on public input and the April 2019 National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommendations. This final rule provides additional options for organic farms and businesses, by adding three substances to the list of substances allowed for organic production and handling.

The Organic Foods Production Act created the National List as a tool for managing the substances used in organic production over time. In general, natural substances are allowed in organics and synthetic substances are prohibited. The National List identifies the limited exceptions to these general rules. The National List also identifies nonagricultural and nonorganic agricultural substances (ingredients) that may be used in organic handling. Changes to the National List require an NOSB recommendation and USDA rulemaking, a process that provides multiple opportunities for public comment.