USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 

National Organic Program (NOP) 

NOP Update for the National Organic 

Standards Board (NOSB) – Part 2 

Jennifer Tucker, Ph.D.

Deputy Administrator

National Organic Program

October 24, 2023
NOP Update in Learning Center! 

• Transition to Organic Partnership 

Program (TOPP) 

• Standards Update 

• Accreditation & Audits

• Compliance & Enforcement 

• Trade Activities

• Learning Center 

• Human Capital Initiative 

• And More ... 

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USDA Agricultural Marketing Service | National Organic Program ‹#›

NOP Team: 88 People in Fall 2023 

Standards, Accreditation, Compliance & Enforcement, 

Trade Activities, Office of Deputy Administrator 
National Organic Program Goal Areas for 2023 

Grow and develop the 

organic sector through 

transition initiatives and 

technical assistance

Develop and implement 

organic standards

through open, transparent, 

collaborative processes

Protect organic integrity 

through strong oversight 

systems

Protect organic integrity 

through robust 

enforcement

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Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) 

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Related USDA Support for Transition 

• Organic Market Development Grants 

• Organic Integrity Database: Transitional Operation 

Reporting 

• Coordination with Risk Management Agency (RMA) 

on Transitioning Farmer Insurance

• Live Training for USDA Teams on Climate-Smart Ag 

& Transitioning Farmer Training 

• Publishing Soon: Interactive module in Learning 

Center with “Climate-Smart Crosswalk”

• Transitioning Producer Plan Template (Pre-OSP)

(Coming Soon) 

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Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Final Rule 

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GOAL: Protect organic integrity and bolster 

consumer confidence in the USDA organic seal 

Reduce the number of 

uncertified entities

Strengthen recordkeeping 

and supply chain traceability

Strengthen oversight of 

accredited certifiers

Require use of electronic 

import certificates
SOE Implementation Activities • Outreach to Regulated 

Community: New and Existing 

Players – Focusing on 

Certification; Import Certificates 

• Outreach through Accredited 

Certifier Association (ACA) 

• Online Resources: SOE Primers, 

Learning Center Course

• Technology Modules: 

Trade Partner Module, 

Import Certificate Module 

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Global Organic Control Systems 

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Standards: Rules, Policies; Advisory Board & Community Input 

Accreditation: Oversight of Third-Party Organic Certifiers 

Certification: Certifiers Oversee Organic Farms & Businesses

Enforcement: Actions to Protect Compliant Businesses 

Trade Systems: Use Data to Drive & Inform Oversight 

International: Trade Arrangements Facilitate Global Growth & Protection 
Compliance and Enforcement

USDA: NOP & 

Office of Inspector 

General + Other Agencies

Customs and Border 

Protection (CBP)

Department of 

Justice (DOJ) 

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Training and 

Outreach to Build 

Capabilities

Surveillance 

(Operations, 

Certifiers, Sectors, 

Countries)

Complaint 

Investigations & 

Resulting Actions

Certifier Directives, 

Testing and Related 

Actions

Loss of Certification 

(Suspension, 

Revocation) under 

NOP 

Legal Penalties 

Covered by 

Trademark 

Protections 

Significant 

Fees and Fines 

(Civil Penalties)

Prison Time 
Compliance and Enforcement – Complaint View 

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Tracking Progress on NOSB Recommendations 

• NOP Updates for NOSB in Learning Center 

• NOSB Recommendation Indices: 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/NOSBRecommendationsLibrary.pdf

• Memos to the NOSB: https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb/memos-nosb

• OMB Regulatory Agenda (Spring/Fall) 

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USDA Agricultural Marketing Service | National Organic Program ‹#›

Organic Integrity From Farm to Table

Consumers Trust the Organic Label 

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