Formal Recommendation by the 

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

to the National Organic Program (NOP)

Date: December 2, 2011

Subject: Peracetic Acid: Relisting at 205.601(a)(6) and 205.601(i) for 

 Sunset 2013

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): Peracetic 

Acid to be relisted on 205.601(a)(6) and 205.601(i). Motion John Foster, second 

Barry Flamm- Yes 13, No 1.

 

Rationale Supporting Recommendation (including consistency with 

OFPA and NOP): The Crops Committee recommendation is attached. In view of 

public comments and advice from NOP, it was decided to review and clarify the 

2009 proposed annotation language. Thus, the Board vote was limited to relisting.

NOSB Vote:

Moved: John Foster Second: Barry Flamm

Yes: 13 No: 1 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recusal: 0
National Organic Standards Board

Crops Committee

Sunset 2013 Proposed Recommendation

Peracetic acid

December 2, 2011

List: §205.601 Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production. 

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

systems.

 (6) Peracetic acid – for use in disinfecting equipment, seed, and asexually 

propagated planting material.

(i) As plant disease control.

 (7) Peracetic acid – for use to control fire blight bacteria.

Committee Summary

A petition was received on 8/12/08 to remove the annotations for the use of 

Peracetic acid, which would expand the use. The Crops Committee reviewed the 

petition in 2009 and finally arrived at a recommendation, which was approved by the 

Board on November 5 2009 ( 0 yes, 13 no) to deny the petition.

At the same time, the Committee recommended a change in the annotation for both 

listings as follows:“Permitted in hydrogen peroxide formulations at concentrations of 

no more than 5%.” The crops committee did not wish to jeopardize the availability of 

the HP formulations currently used by many growers, knowing that these 

formulations all contain small, formerly allowed as inert concentrations of peracetic 

acid. The Board approved the recommendation on 11/5/09.

The NOP concurred with the NOSB recommendation. (4/23/10). To date the NOP 

has not issued a proposed rule to implement the rule change.

Comments submitted to regulations.gov are supportive of continued listing of 

Peracetic acid.

Recommendation 

The Crops Committee recommends that the 2009 proposed annotation is adopted: 

§205.601(a)(6) Peracetic acid- for use in disinfecting equipment, seed, and 

asexually propagated planting material. Permitted in hydrogen peroxide formulations 

at concentration of no more than 5%. 

§205.601(i)(7) Peracetic acid for use to control fireblight bacteria. Permitted in 

hydrogen peroxide formulations at concentration of no more than 5%.
Page 2 of 2

Peracetic acid on §205.601(a) and (i)

December 2, 2011

Committee Votes

Motion to relist peracetic acid under 205.601(a)(6) and 605(i)(8). 

Motion: Barry Flamm Second: Tina Ellor

Yes: 5 No: 0 Absent: 2 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0

Motion to change annotation as written in 2009 recommendation (reaffirm 2009 rec). 

Motion: Barry Flamm Second: Tina Ellor

Yes: 4 No: 1 Absent: 2 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0