NOSB in Albuquerque: Spring 2012 Meeting Summary

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) held its public meeting May 22 – 25, 2012, in 

Albuquerque, New Mexico. The meeting began with an update from the NOP about its activities, 

priorities, and the role of the NOSB. Over the course of four days, the NOSB heard comments from 

approximately 80 members of the public on a wide range of issues. In addition to the oral testimony, the 

Board also received approximately 1700 written public comments, which were discussed and 

incorporated into the recommenations. A summary of the NOSB’s subsequent votes is provided below.

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 standards unless such action 

is taken.

Petitioned Substances

The NOSB responded to several petitions to add the following substances to the National List:

Substance Section Petitioned 

Action

NOSB 

Recommendation

Notes

Gibberellic 

Acid

§ 205.605(a) Add to the list 

(allow)

Motion failed

Choline § 205.605(b) Add to the list 

(allow)

Add to the list with the 

following annotation:

Choline chloride (CAS# 67-48-

1) and Choline bitartrate (CAS 

# 87-67-2) for use in infant 

formula and medical 

nutritional enteral products 

Inositol § 205.605(b) Add to the list 

(allow)

Add to the list with the 

following annotation:

CAS # 87-89-9 (myo-inositol) 

and 6917-35-7 (non-specific 

isomer) for use in infant 

formula and medical 

nutritional enteral products 

Citrus Hystrix § 205.606 Add to the list 

(allow)

Add to the list

Curry Leaf § 205.606 Add to the list 

(allow)

Add to the list
Sunset 2013 Substances

The NOSB must review all National List substances every five years and make a recommendation to 

either renew, remove, or change each listing. This process is commonly referred to as “Sunset” review. 

The NOSB made recommendations for the following National List substances as part of their Sunset 

2013 review.

Substance Section NOSB 

Recommendation

Notes

EPA List 3 Inerts § 205.601 Relist with the 

following amended 

annotation:

Inert ingredients exempt from the 

requirement of a tolerance under 40 CFR 

180.1122 that were formerly on EPA List 3 in 

passive polymeric dispenser products may be 

used until October 21, 2017.

Agar Agar § 205.605(a) Relist

Calcium sulfate § 205.605(a) Relist

Carrageenan § 205.605(a) Relist with the 

following new 

annotation:

CAS # 9000-07-1 (general), 9062-07-1 (iota), 

11114-20-8 (kappa), and 9064-57-7 

(lambda). Carrageenan would not be allowed 

for use in infant formulas.

Glucono deltalactone§ 205.605(a) Relist

Cellulose § 205.605(b) Relist with the 

following amended 

annotation:

For use in regenerative casing, powdered 

cellulose as an anti-caking agent (nonchlorine bleached) and filtering aid.

Materials review organizations. In December 2011, the NOSB recommended that all material review 

organizations be accredited or formally recognized in a new material review scope. At the May 2012 

meeting, the NOSB recommended that the NOP develop guidance materials to material review 

organizations to promote consistency and uniformity in the short term. Their recommendation outlined 

a range of criteria and processes that these groups should use when reviewing substances.

Letter to Secretary Vilsack. The NOSB voted to send a letter to the Secretary of Agriculture regarding 

their establishment of a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) ad hoc Subcommittee. The letter 

outlined some of the issues this Subcommittee intends to address.
Research priorities framework. The NOSB recommended a set of criteria for identifying research needs 

and a process for the NOSB to develop and publish a yearly recommendation on emerging research 

needs.

GMO vaccines. The NOSB requested additional information from the NOP before it makes a 

recommendation.

Policy and Procedures Manual. Based on additional information from the NOP, the NOSB intends to do 

additional work on its three Policy and Procedures Manual proposals before voting on them.

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