The Fall 2024 Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) took place in-person from October 22 to 24 in Portland, OR.
In welcoming remarks, USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jennifer Lester Moffitt gave updates on the successes of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) and Organic Market Development Grant program. Moffitt also shared that USDA has received 42 applications for the five vacating Board seats and expects announcements of appointments to be made later this fall. During the meeting, USDA National Organic Program (NOP) Deputy Administrator Dr. Jennifer Tucker shared highlights on the implementation of Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) and shared some statistics demonstrating SOE’s impact. The Board considered 10 proposals, of which nine passed and one was returned to subcommittee, and six discussion documents on topics including residue testing, risk-based certification and consistency in organic seed use. The Board voted to renew all listings of materials on the National List under sunset review at the meeting.
As a service to our members, OTA’s Regulatory Team compiled a report on the meeting highlights, outcomes and next steps.
Livestock Subcommittee
Crops Subcommittee
Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification Subcommittee (CACS)
- Residue Testing for a Global Supply Chain – discussion document
- Risk-based Certification – discussion document
- Consistency in Organic Seed Use – discussion document
Materials Subcommittee
Handling Subcommittee
The NOSB Spring 2025 Meeting Agenda and Meeting Packet (all proposals, discussion documents, and Sunset Reviews to be considered at the meeting) are available and the comment period is open. NOSB is requesting feedback on proposals, discussion documents and Sunset Reviews. As a service to our members, we have created an At-A-Glance Summary so you can quickly identify topics that may impact your organic business. The deadline to submit written comments is April 28, 2025, and to sign up for oral comments is April 9, 2025.
Coming soon!
The NOSB invites the public to submit written comments and/or provide oral comments at its public meetings and public comment webinars. Slots for both virtual and in-person oral comments fill quickly, and we encourage you to sign up early. OTA staff are signed up and will be providing comments. Details on how to submit written comments and to register for oral comments can be found on the NOSB Spring 2025 Meeting page.
Public Comment Webinars
- Day 1: Tuesday, April 22 from Noon - 5:00 pm Eastern
- Day 2: Thursday, April 24 from Noon - 5:00 pm Eastern
How to Participate
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) invites the public to submit written comments and/or provide oral comments at its Spring 2025 business meeting.
- Written public comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on April 28, 2025.
- Requests for oral comment speaking slots must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on April 9, 2025.
Written Comments
- Please submit feedback on the NOSB Subcommittee proposals via Regulations.gov. (Docket # AMS-NOP-24-0081).
- Go to Regulations.gov. Search for docket # AMS-NOP-24-0081
- Choose the “Documents” tab
- Under the Notice for the Meeting choose the “Comment Button”
- Read the “Commenters Checklist” and/or visit the NOP Learning Center for best practices on writing comments, and submit your comment. See page for accepted file formats.
- The deadline to submit written comments is 11:59 p.m. Eastern on April 28, 2025.
Oral Comments
Oral comment registration is open. The Board will hear comments during the following dates and times:
- Tuesday, April 22 and Thursday, April 24, 12:00 - 5:00 pm Eastern: Virtually via Zoom
If you wish to provide oral testimony, please register for an oral comment slot by 11:59 pm Eastern on April 9, 2025 using the form below. This form will close automatically once registration is full.
Register here to speak during the webinar.
Watch/Listen to the public comment webinars (Use the same link for both days.):
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device.
Join the Webinar.
Meeting ID: 160 711 8111
Or One tap mobile
+16692545252,,1607118111# US (San Jose)
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To join by phone only, dial by your location
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NOSB Spring 2025 Meeting dates:
Public Comment Webinars (virtual)
- Day 1: Tuesday, April 22 from Noon - 5:00 pm Eastern
- Day 2: Thursday, April 24 from Noon - 5:00 pm Eastern
The meeting will be held virtually
- April 29 - May 1, 2025, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Eastern: Public Meeting
Watch/Listen to the meeting virtually (Use the same link for all three days.):
Join from a PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone or Android device:
Join the webinar.
Meeting ID: 161 675 2643
Or One tap mobile
+16692545252,,1616752643# US (San Jose)
+16469641167,,1616752643# US (US Spanish Line)
To join by phone only, dial by your location
+1 669 254 5252 US (San Jose)
+1 646 964 1167 US (US Spanish Line)
+1 646 828 7666 US (New York)
+1 551 285 1373 US (New Jersey)
+1 669 216 1590 US (San Jose)
+1 415 449 4000 US (US Spanish Line)
International numbers available
The meetings are free, open to the public, and no registration is required, except to sign up for oral comments. Times shown for in-person meetings are always in the meeting location’s local time zone. Webinars and commenting deadlines are always based on the Eastern time zone.
Scott Rice
Sr. Director, Regulatory Affairs
(503) 784-7393