Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from 

the National List. Proposals must be voted on by the NOSB, to become recommendations to the USDA. They do not represent 

official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP 

policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 1:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Rick Greenwood (RG), Chair; Harriet Behar (HB); Jesse Buie (JB); Steve Ela (SE); Jerry D’Amore 

(JD) - observer; Wood Turner (WT) - observer; Kim Huseman (KH) - observer 

Absent: Scott Rice (SR); Ashley Swaffar (AS); Tom Chapman (TC), Vice Chair

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• November 12 notes

• Member guide updates

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• November 12 notes were accepted as is. 

• Several new NOSB members joined the call to observe and the group introduced themselves. 

• Member guide updates. The Subcommittee members discussed various edits to the member guide. 

HB will incorporate edits and send to NOP for additional work. 

• Additional Items. None

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 1:00 ET/10:00 PT)

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

December 10, 2019

January 14, 2020

February 11, 2020

March 10, 2020

April 14, 2020

May 12, 2020

June 9, 2020

July 14, 2020

August 11, 2020

September 8, 2020

October 13, 2020

November 10, 2020

December 8, 2020
Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM) 

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed TBD

Update to member guide MA/TC Update as needed 9.10.19

10.08.19

11.12.19

12.10.19

NA

Spring 2020 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Nov 15, 2019

NOSB - Spring 2020 proposals due to NOP Feb 20, 2020

New NOSB member training Feb 25 - 26, 2020

NOP - Draft Spring 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Mar 2, 2020

NOP - Post proposals Mar 5, 2020

Public comment closes Apr 3, 2020

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 7, 2020

Public comment webinars Apr 21 & 23, 2020

Spring 2020 NOSB meeting – Crystal City, VA Apr 28 - May 1, 2020
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from 

the National List. Proposals must be voted on by the NOSB, to become recommendations to the USDA. They do not represent 

official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP 

policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, November 12, 2019 1:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Rick Greenwood (RG), Chair; Tom Chapman (TC), Vice Chair; Ashley Swaffar (AS); Harriet Behar 

(HB); Jesse Buie (JB); Steve Ela (SE)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Member guide updates

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• Member guide updates. 

o The PDS reviewed the member guide and modified sections and text as needed. HB will 

incorporate suggestions from other members and the PDS will continue to review the 

document in anticipation of the new member training at the end of February. 

• Additional Items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 1:00 ET/10:00 PT)

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

December 10, 2019

January 14, 2020

February 11, 2020

March 10, 2020

April 14, 2020

May 12, 2020

June 9, 2020

July 14, 2020

August 11, 2020

September 8, 2020

October 13, 2020

November 10, 2020

December 8, 2020
Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM) 

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed TBD

Update to member guide MA/TC Update as needed 9 10 2019

10 08 2019

11 12 2019

12 10 19

NA

Spring 2020 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Nov 15, 2019

NOSB - Spring 2020 proposals due to NOP Feb 20, 2020

New NOSB member training Feb 25 - 26, 2020

NOP - Draft Spring 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Mar 2, 2020

NOP - Post proposals Mar 5, 2020

Public comment closes Apr 3, 2020

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 7, 2020

Public comment webinars Apr 21 & 23, 2020

Spring 2020 NOSB meeting – Crystal City, VA Apr 28 - May 1, 2020
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from 

the National List. Proposals must be voted on by the NOSB, to become recommendations to the USDA. They do not represent 

official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP 

policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, September 10, 2019 1:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Rick Greenwood (RG), Chair; Ashley Swaffar (AS); Harriet Behar (HB); Jesse Buie (JB); Steve Ela 

(SE)

Absent: Tom Chapman (TC), Vice Chair 

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Member guide updates

• Adjourn

Discussion

• Member guide updates. 

o Members will make updates in anticipation of 5 new Board members who will start in 

January. The PDS Chair noted that the updates are minimal. 

o The PDS members will review the draft Word document and make edits in track changes.

o Members discussed the chemistry section, and whether or not to keep it, and also discussed 

adding a section with an overview and definitions of GMO’s/GE. 

o NOP will update the section on travel.

o Once the PDS completes proposed updates, it will be sent to the rest of the Board for review. 

• Additional Items. None

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 1:00 ET/10:00 PT)

July 9, 2019

August 13, 2019 - cancelled

September 10, 2019

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

December 10, 2019

Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM) 

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed 06 12 19

07 09 19

Fall 2019
Update to member guide MA/TC Update as needed NA NA

Fall 2019 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

New NOSB member training TBD Feb/Mar 2020

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 3, 2019

NOSB Request for TRs for 2022 sunset materials Jun 12, 2019

NOP - Draft Fall 2019 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 5, 2018

NOSB - Fall 2019 proposals due to NOP Aug 15, 2018

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 4, 2018

Public comment closes Oct 3, 2019

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 7, 2019

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Oct 14, 2019

Public comment webinars Oct 15 & 17, 2019

Fall 2019 NOSB meeting - Pittsburgh, PA Oct 23-25, 2019
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from 

the National List. Proposals must be voted on by the NOSB, to become recommendations to the USDA. They do not represent 

official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP 

policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, July 9, 2019 2:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Rick Greenwood (RG), Chair; Tom Chapman (TC), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Ashley Swaffar

(AS); Harriet Behar (HB)

Absent: Jesse Buie (JB)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Notes from the June 12 PDS call

• Policy & Procedures Manual (PPM) updates - Discuss revisions (SE)

• Discuss the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for posting documents between NOSB meetings

(RG). 

• OFPA citation for sunset reviews (DP). 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• Notes from the June 12 PDS call were accepted as is.

• Policy & Procedures Manual (PPM) updates - Discuss revisions (SE). Members discussed the list of 

minor revisions to the PPM and voted on the proposal. MA will re-circulate the final version with the 

changes highlighted and the PDS Chair will complete an executive summary/coversheet.

Motion to accept the changes to the PPM

Motion by: SE

Seconded by: TC

Yes: 5 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 Recuse: 0 

• Discuss the SOPs for posting documents (RG). The PDS discussed the NOP’s suggested SOPs for 

posting documents between NOSB meetings in the open docket. In addition to some language added 

to the PPM in the revisions, the PDS also discussed adding a sentence or two to Member Guide.

Members will review the Member Guide and provide suggestions and edits. 

• OFPA citation for sunset reviews (DP). Deferred to next call. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 1:00 ET/10:00 PT)

June 12, 2019

July 9, 2019

August 13, 2019

September 10, 2019

October 8, 2019
November 12, 2019

December 10, 2019

Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM) 

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed 06 12 19

07 09 19

Fall 2019

Update to member guide MA/TC Update as needed NA NA

Fall 2019 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

New NOSB member training TBD Feb/Mar 2020

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 3, 2019

NOSB Request for TRs for 2022 sunset materials Jun 12, 2019

NOP - Draft Fall 2019 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 5, 2018

NOSB - Fall 2019 proposals due to NOP Aug 15, 2018

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 4, 2018

Public comment closes Oct 3, 2019

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 7, 2019

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Oct 14, 2019

Public comment webinars Oct 15 & 17, 2019

Fall 2019 NOSB meeting - Pittsburgh, PA Oct 23-25, 2019
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from 

the National List. Proposals must be voted on by the NOSB, to become recommendations to the USDA. They do not represent 

official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP 

policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, June 12, 2019 2:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Rick Greenwood (RG), Chair; Tom Chapman (TC), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Ashley Swaffar 

(AS); Jesse Buie (JB)

Absent: Harriet Behar (HB)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Notes from the May 14 PDS call

• PPM updates

o Add to Secretary’s duties - monitoring open docket for public comments, during period 

between the Federal Register notice posting and the proposal posting. 

o Consistent terminology - re: proposals/recommendations

o Codify use of petition discussion document process 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• Notes from the May 14 PDS call were accepted as is

• PPM Updates. Members discussed the following proposed changes to several sections in the PPM:

o Add to Secretary’s duties - monitoring open docket for public comments, during the period 

between the Federal Register notice posting and the proposal posting. 

o Check for consistent terminology re: proposals/recommendations. There were no instances 

found and no changes made. 

o Codify use of petition discussion document process. Members suggested some language and 

locations for this language. 

o Possible additions to the petition submission guidance document to specify how a listing 

should read. NOP will review the current guidelines and provide some feedback to the PDS on 

the next call. 

o Use of the phrase “as petitioned” in the motions. This level of detail is not in the PPM, and 

could be included in either the member guide or the petition review templates, or both. The 

group discussed the necessity of using this phrase or whether to “annotate” by stating clearly 

what the material was petitioned for. Most members are of the opinion that unless there is a 

clear need to restrict use, it should be motioned without annotation, and without the phrase 

“as petitioned” as that is not necessary, and is not how it will appear on the National List.

• Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for posting draft discussion documents. The NOP drafted 

SOPs for posting draft documents in between board meetings for public comment. The members will 

review the PPM and determine a location to add a bullet noting the process. The PDS Chair will 

contact the Standards Division Director to discuss further. 

• Materials review templates and TR templates. The NOSB is seeking to eliminate redundancy and 

better align these two documents. Currently the questions are not in the same order, and the NOSB 

would like to revise that to assist in more expedient reviews.
• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 1:00 ET/10:00 PT)

May 14, 2019

June 12, 2019

July 9, 2019

August 13, 2019

September 10, 2019

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

December 10, 2019

Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM) 

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed 06 12 19 Fall 2019

Update to member guide MA/TC Update as needed NA NA

Fall 2019 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

New NOSB member training TBD Feb/Mar 2020

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 3, 2019

NOSB Request for TRs for 2022 sunset materials Jun 12, 2019

NOP - Draft Fall 2019 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 5, 2018

NOSB - Fall 2019 proposals due to NOP Aug 15, 2018

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 4, 2018

Public comment closes Oct 3, 2019

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 7, 2019

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Oct 14, 2019

Public comment webinars Oct 15 & 17, 2019

Fall 2019 NOSB meeting - Pittsburgh, PA Oct 23-25, 2019
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from 

the National List. Proposals must be voted on by the NOSB, to become recommendations to the USDA. They do not represent 

official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP 

policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, May 14, 2019 1:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Rick Greenwood (RG), Chair; Harriet Behar (HB); Jesse Buie (JB); Steve Ela (SE); Ashley Swaffar 

(AS)

Absent: Tom Chapman (TC), Vice Chair

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Devon Pattillo (DP)

Agenda

• PPM updates

o Add to Secretary’s duties – monitoring open docket for public comments, during period 

between the Federal Register notice posting and the proposal posting. 

o Consistent terminology – re: proposals/recommendations

o Codify use of petition discussion document process 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• PPM Updates

o Add to Secretary’s duties - monitoring open docket for public comments, during period 

between when the Federal Register notice is posted and when the proposals are posted. The 

PDS Chair will edit the existing PPM by adding a bullet to the Secretaries duties and will 

circulate the draft. 

o Consistent terminology - re: proposals/recommendations. MA will make changes and 

circulate the marked-up version for the PDS to review.

o Codify use of petition discussion document process. The process of posting a brief (one page) 

summary of a petition was developed and implemented to allow the Board more time to read 

a proposal before having to vote on it, and also allows for additional and earlier public 

participation. This process is optional and is most useful while a Subcommittee is waiting for a 

pending technical report. The PDS discussed the best location within the PPM to add this 

process. Tentatively on page 23 within the steps in the material review process. 

o Petition sufficiency: The PDS will add some language regarding determination of petition 

sufficiency, on page 23, # 1: steps in the material review process. 

o Wording of motions. In an effort to be clear, the NOSB would like to include the specific use 

in its motion, rather than referring readers back to the proposal to determine what “as 

petitioned” means. This may be a detail to include in the member guide and not codified in 

the PPM. MA will send the proposal templates and the member guide to PDS members. 

o Update change in sunset language that was codified in the farm bill with regard to the 2/3 

vote to remove a substance. The NOP will locate and send the correct OFPA citation about the 

sunset review. 

o The group discussed the sunset reorganization timeline, and determined there was no need 

to add it to the PPM.
o Expert panels. Members discussed the NOPs request to add language about standard 

operating procedures (SOPs) for convening an expert panel. Members discussed what should 

be included in the PPM and where that would fit. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 1:00 ET/10:00 PT)

May 14, 2019

June 11, 2019

July 9, 2019

August 13, 2019

September 10, 2019

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

December 10, 2019

Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Vote Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM) 

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed Ongoing

Update to member guide MA/TC Update as needed NA NA

Fall 2019 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

New NOSB member training TBD Feb/Mar 2020

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 3, 2019

NOSB Request for TRs for 2022 sunset materials Jun 12, 2019

NOP - Draft Fall 2019 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 5, 2018

NOSB - Fall 2019 proposals due to NOP Aug 15, 2018

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 4, 2018

Public comment closes Oct 3, 2019

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 7, 2019

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Oct 14, 2019

Public comment webinars Oct 15 & 17, 2019

Fall 2019 NOSB meeting - Pittsburgh, PA Oct 23-25, 2019