National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)
The NOSB's main mission is to assist the Secretary in developing standards for substances to be used in organic production.
The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, part of the 1990 Farm Bill, authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint a 15-member National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The board's main mission is to assist the Secretary in developing standards for substances to be used in organic production. The NOSB also advises the Secretary on other aspects of implementing the national organic program. View meeting agendas and previous meeting minutes as well as proposed regulatory changes.
Oregon Tilth actively participates in these meetings by providing comments to recommendations the NOSB is making on policy and standards development. In addition to providing written comments Oregon Tilth staff regularly attend meetings in Washington DC in person to be available to further comment and answer questions while these decisions are being made. This is a crucial part in maintaining integrity and strength in National Organic Standard development.
Read our comments given at recent meetings:
| April 2013 (See agenda proposals by the NOSB) |
download |
| Petitioned Material Proposal Oxytetracycline |
pdf |
| Handling Subcommittee Proposal Auxiliary/"Other Ingredients" |
pdf |
| Calculating Percentage |
pdf |
| October 2012 (See agenda proposals by the NOSB) |
download |
| Biodegradable Biobased Mulch |
pdf |
| Biodiversity Conservation Comments | pdf |
| Calculating Percentages |
pdf |
| GMO and Seed Purity |
pdf |
| Omnivore Diet Comments |
pdf |
| Other Ingredients |
pdf |
| November 2011 (see agenda proposals by the NOSB) |
download |
| Transport Slaughter |
pdf |
| Welfare |
pdf |
| Oversight Material Review Programs |
pdf |
| Inspector Qualifications |
pdf |
| Unannounced Inspections |
pdf |
| April 2011 (see agenda and proposals by the NOSB) |
download |
| Chlorine Materials |
pdf |
| Corn Steep Liquor |
pdf |
| Animal Handling and Transport |
pdf |
| Animal Welfare |
pdf |
| October 2010 (see agenda and proposals by the NOSB) |
download |
| Handling: Yeast Guidelines Relisting on 205.605 |
pdf |
| Nutrient Vitamins & Minerals |
pdf |
| Policy Development: Sunset Review Process |
pdf |
| Clarifying Limitations on 205.101b |
pdf |
| "Made with" Recommendation |
pdf |
| Nanotechnology Guidance Document |
pdf |
| Crop/Livestock Comments: Inerts of Minimal Concern, Apiculture, Formic Acid |
pdf |
| April 2010 (see agenda and proposals by the NOSB) |
download |
| Handling: Comments on 100% Organic label claim with Inert Atmospheric Gases, USDA Made with Organic seal development |
pdf |
| Materials Classifications |
pdf |
| Production Standards for Terrestrial Plants in Containers and Enclosures (Greenhouses) |
pdf |
| Inerts in Pesticides Allowed in Organic Production |
pdf |
| Methionine in livestock feed |
pdf |
| Farm: Multiple materials, sunset materials, Livestock health care definition, livestock density charts |
pdf |
| Apiculture |
pdf |
| November 2009 (see agenda and proposals by the NOSB) |
download |
| Livestock: Animal Welfare Recommendation and Livestock Materials Recommendations |
pdf |
| Guidelines for Retailer Certification under the NOP |
pdf |
| Classification of Materials |
pdf |
| Nanotechnology, Personal Care Standards and Handling Materials Sunset |
pdf |
| May 2009 (see agenda and proposals by the NOSB) |
download |
| Biodiversity guidance document |
pdf |
| Soil-less growing systems discussion document |
pdf |
| Vitamins and Minerals Injected as supplements |
pdf |
| Animal Welfare discussion document |
pdf |
| OTCO and PCO joint comments on 205.606 Petitioned Materials |
pdf |
| Handling Topics: Petitioned Materials, Clarification of Materials, 100% Organic Label Claim |
pdf |
| November 2008 |
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|---|---|
| NOSB Recommendation on 100% Organic Labeling |
pdf |
| Pet Food Standards Proposal - Materials - Soy Lecithin |
pdf |
| Multisite Certification Recommendation |
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| Commercial Availability of Seed |
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| May 2008 | |
| Materials and Ag vs Non Ag Products, Material Eval | pdf |
| Clarification of Materials and additions to 205.606 | pdf |
| November 2007 |
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| Commercial Availability Recommendation |
pdf |
