FORMAL RECOMMENDATION BY THE

NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD (NOSB)

TO THE NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM (NOP)

Date: _ 05/06/09 ____

Subject: __ Policy & Procedures Manual Update to Section IV 

Chair: __ Jeff Moyer ______________

Recommendation

The NOSB hereby recommends to the NOP the following:

Rulemaking Action: ___ __

Guidance Statement: ________

Other: ___X_____

Summary Statement of the Recommendation (including Recount of Vote):

Section lV of the Policy and Procedures Manual updated to more accurately 

reflect current committee descriptions. The following descriptions highlight 

recommended changes is track change.

NOSB Vote: Motion: Barry Flamm Second: Bea James

 

Board vote: Yes - 13 No- 1 Abstain- 0 Absent - 1 

Summary Rationale Supporting Recommendation (including consistency with OFPA and 

NOP):

To provide useful information to Board Members, especially new members.

Response by the NOP:

No objections

National Organic Standards Board

Policy Development Committee

Recommendation for amendment to 

NOSB Policy and Procedure Manual Section IV

May 6, 2009

Introduction: Section lV of the Policy and Procedures Manual needs to be updated to more 

accurately reflect current committee descriptions. The following descriptions highlight 

recommended changes is track change.

STANDING COMMITTEES 

Certification, Accreditation, and Compliance Committee (CACC) The Certification, 

Accreditation, and Compliance Committee drafts recommendations for consideration by the 

Board concerning the applicabilityto provide , guidance, clarification or proposed standards of 

certification, accreditation and compliance sections of the organic regulations [7CFR Part 205]

and OFPA. The CACC occasionally works with other committees to develop joint 

recommendations where certification and compliance issues are involved.

Crops Committee (CC) The Crops Committee drafts recommendations for consideration by 

the Board to provide guidance, clarification or proposed standards of concerning the the crop 

production section of the organic regulations as contained in [7CFR Part 205] and OFPA. The 

Crops Committee CC reviews petitions, substances scheduled to sunset, technical advisory 

panel reports, and public comments concerning materials used for crop production which have 

been requested for addition to or removal from the National List. The CC occasionally works 

with other committees to develop joint recommendations where crop issues are involved.

Handling Committee (HC) The Handling Committee makes draft recommendations for 

consideration by the Board to provide guidance, clarification or proposed standards of 

concerning the handling and labeling sections of the organic regulations as contained in [7CFR 

Part 205] and OFPA. The Handling Committee HC reviews petitions, substances scheduled to 

sunset, technical advisory panel reports and public comments concerning materials used for 

processing and handling which have been requested for addition to or removal from the 

National List. The HC occasionally works with other committees to develop joint 

recommendations where handling issues are involved.

Livestock Committee (LC) The Livestock Committee drafts recommendations for 

consideration by the Board to provide guidance, clarification or proposed standards of

concerning the livestock and livestock feed sections of the organic regulations as contained in 

[7CFR Part 205] and OFPA. The Livestock Committee LC reviews petitions, substances 

scheduled to sunset, technical advisory panel reports and public comments concerning 

materials used for livestock production which have been requested for addition to or removal 

from the National List. The LC occasionally works with other committees to develop joint 

recommendations where livestock issues are involved.
Materials Committee (MC) The Materials Committee drafts recommendations for 

consideration by the Board to provide guidance, clarification or proposed standards of

concerning the National List section of the organic regulations as contained in [7CFR Part 205] 

and OFPA. The Materials Committee MC works with the NOP, NOSB Committees and TAP 

Contractors in managing the Materials Review Process including tracking petitions, sufficiency 

reports, materials scheduled to sunset and sunset review process. In addition to a chair 

appointed by the Board Chair, the Materials Committee MCshall include in its membership one 

of the co-chairs from each of the Livestock, Crops, and Handling committees. Other members 

may be appointed as needed. The MC occasionally works with other committees to develop 

joint recommendations where materials are involved.

Policy Development Committee (PDC) The Policy Development Committee works with the 

NOP to develop priorities for the Board. The Policy Development Committee shall makes draft 

recommendations for consideration by the Board concerning to provide guidance, clarification 

or proposed standards of Board operations, policies , proceduresand procedures and work 

plans. The PDC maintains the content and updates to the NOSB Policy and Procedures

Manual and New Member Guide. The PDC occasionally works with other committees to 

develop joint recommendations where policy issues are involved.

Accept changes to section lV, page 17 of the NOSB Policy Procedure Manual to 

reflect updated and current committee descriptions as defined below.

Recommendation:

Final Text with changes:

STANDING COMMITTEES 

Certification, Accreditation, and Compliance Committee (CACC) The Certification, 

Accreditation, and Compliance Committee drafts recommendations for consideration by the 

Board to provide guidance, clarification or proposed standards of certification, accreditation 

and compliance sections of the organic regulations [7CFR Part 205] and OFPA. The CACC 

occasionally works with other committees to develop joint recommendations where certification 

and compliance issues are involved.

Crops Committee (CC) The Crops Committee drafts recommendations for consideration by 

the Board to provide guidance, clarification or proposed standards of the crop production 

section of the organic regulations as contained in [7CFR Part 205] and OFPA. The CC reviews 

petitions, substances scheduled to sunset, technical advisory panel reports, and public 

comments concerning materials used for crop production which have been requested for 

addition to or removal from the National List. The CC occasionally works with other committees 

to develop joint recommendations where crop issues are involved.

Handling Committee (HC) The Handling Committee makes draft recommendations for 

consideration by the Board to provide guidance, clarification or proposed standards of the 

handling and labeling sections of the organic regulations as contained in [7CFR Part 205] and 

OFPA. The HC reviews petitions, substances scheduled to sunset, technical advisory panel 

reports and public comments concerning materials used for processing and handling which 

have been requested for addition to or removal from the National List. The HC occasionally 

works with other committees to develop joint recommendations where handling issues are 
involved.

Livestock Committee (LC) The Livestock Committee drafts recommendations for 

consideration by the Board to provide guidance, clarification or proposed standards of the 

livestock and livestock feed sections of the organic regulations as contained in [7CFR Part 

205] and OFPA. The LC reviews petitions, substances scheduled to sunset, technical advisory 

panel reports and public comments concerning materials used for livestock production which 

have been requested for addition to or removal from the National List. The LC occasionally 

works with other committees to develop joint recommendations where livestock issues are 

involved.

Materials Committee (MC) The Materials Committee drafts recommendations for 

consideration by the Board to provide guidance, clarification or proposed standards of the 

National List section of the organic regulations as contained in [7CFR Part 205] and OFPA. 

The MC works with the NOP, NOSB Committees and TAP Contractors in managing the 

Materials Review Process including tracking petitions, sufficiency reports, materials scheduled 

to sunset and sunset review process In addition to a chair appointed by the Board Chair, the 

MC shall include in its membership one of the co-chairs from each of the Livestock, Crops, and 

Handling committees. Other members may be appointed as needed. The MC occasionally 

works with other committees to develop joint recommendations where materials are involved.

Policy Development Committee (PDC) The Policy Development Committee makes draft 

recommendations for consideration by the Board to provide guidance, clarification or proposed 

standards of Board operations, policies and procedures. The PDC maintains the content and 

updates to the NOSB Policy and Procedures Manual and New Member Guide. The PDC 

occasionally works with other committees to develop joint recommendations where policy 

issues are involved.

Committee vote

Moved: Bea James Second: Steve DeMuri

Yes 4 No 0 Absent 1 Abstain 0

NOSB Vote:

Moved: Barry Flamm Second: Bea James

Yes 13 No 1 Absent 1 Abstain 1