Updated June 17, 2010 

Formal Recommendation by the 

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

to the National Organic Program (NOP)

Date: April 29, 2011

Subject: Sunset review- Chlorine materials on § 205.601(a)

Chair: Tracy Miedema

 

The NOSB hereby recommends to the NOP the following: 

Rulemaking Action X

Guidance Statement

Other

Statement of the Recommendation (Including Recount of Vote): 

In December 2010, the NOP issued draft guidance clarifying the use 

restrictions of chlorine materials in organic production and handling (the 

background of which is provided with the attached recommendation). On 

review and consideration of this draft guidance, informed by public comment 

and review of a new TR provided by the NOP (supplied for Crops Committee 

sunset review), the Crops Committee recommended a change to the 

annotation to chlorine materials. The change of language was intended to 

clarify the use allowances for chlorine compounds, bring them into alignment 

with NOP’s intended guidance at that time, and provide a regulatory basis for 

ACA’s ensuring compliance with historic and appropriate uses of the materials 

in organic farming operations. The Crops Committee voted in favor of a 

recommendation revising the annotation in March of 2011 and revised them in 

April 28, 2011 as a function of public comments received. Minor revisions were 

again made on April 29, 2011 NOSB meeting as a function of written and oral 

public comment and recommended language provided by the NOP.

A motion was made and seconded to relist chlorine compounds on the National 

List § 205.601(a) with a revised annotation: 

Chlorine materials (calcium hypochlorite; chlorine dioxide: and sodium 

hypochlorite)--For pre-harvest use, residual chlorine levels in the water in 

direct crop contact or as water from cleaning irrigation systems applied to soil 

must not exceed the maximum residual disinfectant limit under the Safe 

Drinking Water Act. For disinfecting or sanitizing equipment or tools or in 

edible sprout production, chlorine products may be used up to maximum 

labeled rates.
Updated June 17, 2010 

Rationale Supporting Recommendation (including consistency with 

OFPA and NOP): 

See attached.

NOSB Vote

Moved: John Foster Second: Steve Demuri

Yes: 14 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recusal: 0

Per the NOSB’s policy on annotation change during Sunset review, the NOSB

also voted unanimously to relist chlorine materials with their current annotation if 

there is a delay in the rulemaking process. 
National Organic Standards Board 

Crops Committee 

Sunset Recommendation 

Chlorine Materials 

 

April 29, 2011 

Current National List Citation 

§ 205.601(a) As algicide, disinfectants, and sanitizer, including irrigation system cleaning 

systems 

(2) Chlorine materials - Except, That, residual chlorine levels in the water shall not exceed 

the maximum residual disinfectant limit under the Safe Drinking Water Act. 

(i) Calcium hypochlorite 

(ii) Chlorine dioxide 

iii) Sodium hypochlorite 

Committee Summary 

On March 7, 2011 the Crops Committee made a recommendation regarding this material. 

Please refer to that recommendation for a summary of discussion and consideration at that 

time. The Crops Committee considered new public comment and input from NOP staff, making 

the following recommendation, intending that the annotation be consistent and aligned with 

guidance provided by the NOP regarding the use of this material. 

Committee Recommendation(s)

The Crops Committee recommends relisting chlorine compounds with a change to the 

annotation of the following substance in this use category as published in the final rule: 

Chlorine materials (calcium hypochlorite; chlorine dioxide: and sodium hypochlorite)— 

For pre-harvest use, residual chlorine levels in the water in direct crop contact or as water from 

cleaning irrigation systems applied to soil must not exceed the maximum residual disinfectant 

limit under the Safe Drinking Water Act. For disinfecting or sanitizing equipment or tools or in 

edible sprout production, chlorine products may be used up to maximum labeled rates. 

Committee Vote 

Motion: John Foster Second: Steve Demuri 

Yes: 7 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0 Absent: 0