Other items in the 11-point plan include establishing a quality verification
process that includes thorough and complete review of organic system plans, inspection by qualified auditors and timely notices from certifiers, along with continual monitoring of client operations.
As far as handling of complaints is concerned, the NOP continues to address
every complaint it receives. It also monitors use of organic-like claims among in-
dustry and conducts market surveillance inspections. At the latest Natural Prod-
ucts Expo-East trade show in Boston,
MA, the NOP opened five complaint
investigations of potential violations ob-
served there. The majority of com-
plaints concerned labeling
violations—specifically the use of the
term “organic” to market products
without certification—while one in-
volved an allegation of the use of pro-
hibited ingredients in a certified
organic product. As outlined in the
program’s strategic plan, priority proj-
ects for the next couple of years in-
clude drafting policies and/or
standards that address “made with or-
ganic” labeling, nutrient vitamins and
minerals and National List dockets and Keep up with announcements the latest news from the NOP by signing up for the NOP Organic Insider, a new subscription- based email service. To subscribe, visit http://bit.ly/NOPOrganic InsiderRegistration.
petitions. Rulemaking priorities include requiring certifiers to conduct
residue testing, streamlining appeal
procedures and addressing standards
for apiculture, mushrooms, pet food,
cosmetics and aquaculture, among
other topics.
Plenty of work remains for the
NOP, but clearly defined objectives
continue to lead the program into the
future. As Merrigan said, “The federal
role is primarily that of assuring consensus on a meaningful standard, enforcing a level playing field, providing
a fair share of governmental resources,
and then letting the marketplace drive
the scope of change and growth.” That
is the essence of the Organic Foods
Production Act. o
Soo Kim is the public affairs specialist for
the National Organic Program. You can
reach her at Soo.Kim@ams.usda.gov.
