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NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD MEETING UPDATE

November 2016

MEETING SUMMARY

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) held its biannual public meeting in St. Louis, 

Missouri, November 16-18, 2016. Over the course of three days, the NOSB, under the leadership 

of NOSB Chair Ms. Tracy Favre, evaluated 20 proposals, 6 discussion documents, and 2 

reports/updates, and completed its review of 15 materials due to sunset in 2018. The NOSB 

received over 2,800 written public comments and heard oral comments from 187 members of the 

public on a wide range of issues. Forty-six of those commenters presented testimony during a 

webinar held prior to the meeting, and 141 gave oral comments at the in-person meeting.

The meeting began with introductions by each Board member and acceptance of the Spring 2016

meeting summary. The Board then heard introductory remarks from Miles McEvoy, Deputy 

Administrator of the National Organic Program (NOP), who presented an update on the National 

Organic Program. Dr. Jean Richardson, as a member of the peer review team, presented the 

results of the peer review of the National Organic Program that was completed by American 

National Standards Institute (ANSI). Dr. Lisa Brines, NOP National List Manager, provided an 

update about materials under sunset review, and petitions for changes to the National List of 

Allowed and Prohibited Substances. A summary of the NOSB’s recommendations and actions is 

provided below. The final recommendations from the November 2016 meeting are posted 

at www.ams.usda.gov/NOSBMeetings.

Summary of Recommendations 

1. Petitioned Substances/National List Recommendations. The NOSB recommended one 

amendment to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). This 

section of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic regulations includes synthetic 

substances allowed in crop and livestock production, nonsynthetic substances prohibited in crop 

and livestock production, and non-organic substances allowed in the handling of organic 

products. 

Substance Section NOSB Recommendation

Ivermectin §205.603(a)(18)(ii) The motion to remove ivermectin from 

the National List, §205.603, passed.

The NOSB reviewed and supported the 

petition for removal of ivermectin from 

the National List. 
NOSB Meeting Update

November 2016

Page 2

Substance Section NOSB Recommendation

Aluminum sulfate §205.601 Classified as synthetic; not recommended 

for National List

Soy wax §205.601 Classified as synthetic; not recommended 

for National List

1-methylcyclopropene §205.601 Classified as synthetic; not recommended 

for National List

Ammonium citrate §205.601 Classified as synthetic; not recommended 

for National List

Ammonium glycinate §205.601 Classified as synthetic; not recommended 

for National List

Potassium cellulose 

glycolate

§205.601 Classified as synthetic; not recommended 

for National List

Aluminum sulfate §205.603 Classified as synthetic; not recommended 

for National List

Sodium bisulfate §205.603 Classified as synthetic; not recommended 

for National List

Acid-activated bentonite §205.603 Classified as synthetic; not recommended 

for National List

Sodium chlorite for the 

generation of chlorine 

§205.605(b) Returned to Subcommittee for further 

consideration

Oat protein concentrate §205.606 Classified as agricultural; not 

recommended for National List

Tocopherols §205.605(b) Motion to add listing at 205.605(a). 

Returned to Subcommittee for further 

consideration
NOSB Meeting Update

November 2016

Page 3

2. 2018 Sunset Review. The NOSB completed the 2018 sunset review for 15 substances. The 

NOSB considered motions to remove each of these substances from the National List. 

Upon completing the 2018 Sunset review, the NOSB recommended one substance for 

removal: Carrageenan.

Substance Section Action Considered by NOSB

NOSB Recommendation

Carrageenan §205.605(a) The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List, based on the OFPA criteria 

“availability of alternatives,” passed. The 

NOSB recommended removal from the 

National List as a result of its sunset review.

Copper sulfate §205.601(a); 

§205.601(e)

The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.

Ozone gas §205.601(a) The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.

Peracetic acid §205.601(a); 

§205.601(i)

The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.

EPA List 3 Inerts §205.601(m) The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.

Calcium chloride §205.602(c) The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.

Agar-agar §205.605(a) The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.

Animal enzymes §205.605(a) The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.
NOSB Meeting Update

November 2016

Page 4

Substance Section Action Considered by NOSB

NOSB Recommendation

Calcium sulfatemined§205.605(a) The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.

Glucono deltalactone§205.605(a) The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.

Tartaric acid §205.605(a) The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.

Cellulose §205.605(b) The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.

Potassium 

hydroxide

§205.605(b) The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.

Silicon dioxide §205.605(b) The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.

Colors: Betacarotene extract§205.606 The motion to remove this substance from the 

National List failed.

The NOSB completed its sunset review.

3. Other Recommendations

Policy and Procedure Manual Revisions

The NOSB issued a recommendation to adopt the September 13, 2016, draft version of the 

NOSB Policy and Procedures Manual. The objective of the recommendation is to revise the 

manual to reflect the current procedures for the collaborative and productive functioning of the 

NOSB. 
NOSB Meeting Update

November 2016

Page 5

Sunset Review - Efficient Workload Reorganization

The NOSB recommended a reorganization of the sunset review schedule to distribute the 

workload more evenly over the course of the five-year review timeline. The new timeline was 

widely supported by organic stakeholders, as it also lessens the workload for stakeholders who 

provide public comment. 

Research Priorities

The NOSB submitted a current list of research priorities that would support the organic sector, 

and urges researchers to consider whole farm systems when undertaking research topics. New 

priorities added to the 2016 list include: prevention of GMO contamination; biodegradable 

biobased mulch film; prevention and management of parasites for organic livestock; evaluation 

of methionine; a systems-based approach for organic poultry; chlorine materials for handling; 

and alternatives to copper for plant disease and algae control. The NOSB recommended 

adopting the proposal on the 2016 NOSB Research Priorities.

Excluded Methods Terminology

The NOSB passed a recommendation on excluded methods terminology that creates a structure 

for reviewing new technologies and disseminating the results of the review in a transparent 

manner. The Board voted to approve various definitions for excluded methods, and approve 

principles and criteria for evaluating new technologies and terminologies. 

Discussion Documents, Updates and Reports

The Compliance, Accreditation and Certification Subcommittee presented a discussion document 

on the personnel performance evaluations of inspectors (NOP Instruction 2027), and provided a 

verbal report on assessment of soil conservation practices. 

The Materials Subcommittee presented a discussion document on excluded methods 

terminology, and the NOSB voted to send a report to the Secretary of Agriculture on the progress 

to prevent GMO incursion into organic.

The Handling Subcommittee provided two discussion documents: one on the cumulative impacts 

of phosphates in organic processed foods; and the second on marine algae listings on the 

National List. The Subcommittee also provided an update on the possible reclassification of 

xanthan gum, which the Subcommittee will not pursue at this time.

The Crops Subcommittee provided two discussion documents: one on strengthening and 

clarifying the requirements for use of organic seed (NOP 5029), and one on further clarifications 

for container and greenhouse production. 
NOSB Meeting Update

November 2016

Page 6

Other Business

Hydroponics/Aquaponics/Bioponics

The NOSB presented a proposal on hydroponics/aquaponics/bioponics, which was referred back 

to Subcommittee for additional work. The Board voted on a resolution presenting its stand on 

hydroponics, which was to uphold the 2010 NOSB recommendation that hydroponics is not 

compatible with organic production systems.

NOSB Officer Elections

Tom Chapman was elected as the next Chair of the National Organic Standards Board. Ashley 

Swaffar was elected Vice Chair and Jesse Buie was elected Secretary.

Presentation on the State of Organic Seed

The NOSB invited a presentation by Kristina (Kiki) Hubbard of the Organic Seed Alliance on 

the state of the organic seed report. The presentation is available on the NOSB meeting website.

Note: The NOSB is an advisory body to the Secretary of Agriculture. NOSB recommendations 

are not NOP policy unless the NOP issues final rules, final guidance, final instructions, or a 

policy memorandum that adopts the NOSB recommendations. They are not part of the USDA 

organic regulations unless such action is taken.

For additional information about the meeting, please visit www.ams.usda.gov/NOSBMeetings.