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 listing of Magnesium Sulfate on 205.601 (J) as plant or 

soil amendments (5) Magnesium sulfate—allowed with a 

documented soil deficiency.

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): 

The Board recommends the relisting of magnesium sulfate on 205.601 as a 

plant or soil amendment by a vote of 13 in favor and 1 against.

 

Rationale Supporting Recommendation (including consistency with 

OFPA and NOP): 

The Crops Committee requested and received a new Technical Report on this 

material. The CC did not find the TR to be sufficient and has sent it back with 

questions addressing the differences in natural and synthetic magnesium 

sulfate, availability of both, and both form’s functionality as soil amendments 

and foliar sprays. The majority of the CC felt that having the synthetic form of 

magnesium sulfate on the National list was inconsistent with organic crop 

production. The minority voted to keep this material on the list pending further 

technical review because of its long use and historic acceptance for use in 

organic crop production. Based on public comment about the unavailability of 

magnesium sulfate in its non-synthetic form, the board voted to keep this 

material on the National List 205.601 Synthetic Substances Allowed for use in 

Organic Crop Production.

NOSB Vote:

Moved: John Foster Second: Tina Ellor

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

Crops Committee 

2012 Sunset Proposed Recommendation 

Magnesium Sulfate 

April 29, 2011 

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

(j) As plant or soil amendments. 

(5) Magnesium sulfate—allowed with a documented soil deficiency. 

Committee Summary 

The Crops Committee requested and received a new Technical Report on this material. The 

CC did not find the TR to be sufficient and has sent it back with questions addressing the 

differences in natural and synthetic magnesium sulfate, availability of both, and both form’s 

functionality as soil amendments and foliar sprays. The majority of the CC felt that having the 

synthetic form of magnesium sulfate on the National list was inconsistent with organic crop 

production. The minority voted to keep this material on the list pending further technical review 

because of its long use and historic acceptance for use in organic crop production. 

The Crops Committee considered new public comment in reviewing this material. 

Committee Recommendations 

The Crops Committee recommends the continued listing of Magnesium sulfate—allowed with 

a documented soil deficiency as a soil amendment. The motion was to continue the listing of 

magnesium sulfate—allowed with a documented soil deficiency as a plant or soil amendment. 

Committee Vote 

Motion: To relist magnesium sulfate on § 205.601 

Motion by: John Foster Second: Nick Maravell 

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