United States Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue SW. NOP 2024

Agricultural Marketing Service Room 2648 South Building Effective Date: March 20, 2024

National Organic Program Washington, DC 20250 Page 1 of 2

NOP 2024 Information Submission Requirements for Certifying Agents Rev07 Authorized Distribution: Public

National Organic Program

Information Submission Requirements for Certifying Agents

1. Purpose and Scope

This document describes the information that certifying agents (certifiers) must submit to the 

National Organic Program (NOP) Accreditation Division (AD) or Appeals Team to maintain 

accreditation. It applies to all certifiers accredited by the NOP.

2. Policy

The USDA organic regulations require certifiers to submit information to the NOP, including:

• Changes to policies, procedures, operating protocols (see § 205.510(a));

a. Submitting Information

i. All documents and related information must be submitted in English. 

Documents and information submitted in other languages do not comply

with the NOP reporting requirements.

ii. Information must be submitted in a portable electronic form, such as a 

flash drive, CD-ROM, DVD, or email. The NOP will not accept printed 

materials.

iii. Unless otherwise instructed, all information submitted by email, including 

corrective actions, must be sent to AIAInbox@usda.gov.

DVDs, CDs, and flash drives must be submitted to:

USDA, AMS, National Organic Program

c/o NOP Accreditation Division

1400 Independence Avenue, SW 

Room 2648, Stop 0268 

Washington, DC 20250

b. Annual Reports

Section 205.510(a) of the regulations requires certifiers to submit an annual report to 

the NOP. The annual report is due on or before the anniversary date of the certifier’s 

NOP accreditation, which is found on its initial notification of accreditation. The 

following information must be submitted in the annual report:
United States Department of Agriculture 1400 Independence Avenue SW. NOP 2024

Agricultural Marketing Service Room 2648 South Building Effective Date: March 20, 2024

National Organic Program Washington, DC 20250 Page 2 of 2

NOP 2024 Information Submission Requirements for Certifying Agents Rev07 Authorized Distribution: Public

i. A complete and accurate update of information submitted pursuant to 

§§ 205.503 and 205.504 of the regulations, according to NOP 2024-1 

Annual Report Checklist;

ii. Information supporting any accreditation changes requested by the 

certifier per § 205.500 of the regulations, according to NOP 2024-1 

Annual Report Checklist;

iii. A description of measures implemented or to be implemented to satisfy 

any terms and conditions, as specified in the most recent notification of 

accreditation or notice of renewal of accreditation;

iv. The results of the most recent performance evaluations and annual 

program review, including a description of adjustments to the certifier’s 

operation and procedures implemented or to be implemented in response 

to the performance evaluations and program review, according to NOP 

2024-1 Annual Report Checklist; and

v. Any fees required by § 205.640(a) of the regulations, if applicable.

1

c. Lists of Certified Operations

Certifiers must maintain current and accurate data in the Organic Integrity Database 

for each operation they certify, pursuant to § 205.501(a)(15).

3. References

USDA Organic Regulations (7 CFR Part 205)

7 CFR 205.500 Areas and duration of accreditation.

7 CFR 205.501 General requirements for accreditation.

7 CFR 205.503 Applicant information.

7 CFR 205.504 Evidence of expertise and ability.

7 CFR 205.510 Annual report, recordkeeping, and renewal of accreditation.

7 CFR 205.640 Fees and other charges for accreditation.

NOP Program Handbook: Guidance and Instructions for Accredited Certifying Agents 

and Certified Operations

NOP 2000 Accreditation Policies and Procedures

NOP 2024-1 Annual Report Checklist

1 The NOP is not currently charging fees for the review of annual reports, but may do so in the future.