NOSB Spring 2023 Meeting

The NOSB Fall 2022 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 2 proposals, 6 discussion documents and 44 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 and/or sign up for oral comments is April 5, 2023. 

* indicates topics that will be voted on at the meeting 

• Ion Exchange Resins (HANDLING) * 
• Organic Is Climate Smart * 
• Climate Induced Farming Risk and Crop Insurance  
• Consistent Location Identification  
• Potassium Sorbate (CROPS)  
• Research Priorities  
• Excluded Methods  
• Technical Report Template Update  
• Sunset Reviews (CROPS, LIVESTOCK, HANDLING) – see list of materials in the Sunset Reviews tab

OTA’s Final Comments: 

• OTA’s Final Comments - Bundled

• Organic is Climate-Smart (NOSB will VOTE on this topic) 

• Ion Exchange Filtration – Resins (NOSB will VOTE on this topic) 

• Sunset Review - The allowance of Natural Flavors in Organic Processed Products (Discussion Only) 

Do you use any of the substances listed below? This year, 44 substances on the National List for organic production and processing will be re-reviewed by the NOSB as part of the Sunset Review process. These National List inputs might not be renewed if new information indicates these substances are harmful to human health or the environment, are not necessary because natural or organic alternatives are available, and/or incompatible with organic production.  It’s critical that NOSB hear from certified farmers and handlers about whether these inputs are still necessary or whether there are other effective natural or organic alternatives available. 

Complete our Sunset Surveys! In preparation for the Spring 2023 NOSB Meeting, the Organic Trade Association has launched a new set of Sunset Surveys to help to facilitate a robust comment process by collecting information about the necessity/essentiality of these substances and delivering the information in a summarized anonymous format to the NOSB. Click the links below to weigh-in on the materials that matter to your organic operation. Each survey is anonymous and takes about five minutes to complete.  

Inputs Used in Crop Production 

• Ethanol (sanitizer)  
• Isopropanol (sanitizer)  
• Sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate (algicide) 
• Newspaper and other recycled paper (weed control and compost feedstock) 
• Plastic mulch (weed control) 
• Aqueous potassium silicate (insecticide and disease control) 
• Elemental sulfur (insecticide, disease control, soil amendment) 
• Lime sulfur  (insecticide and disease control) 
• Hydrated lime (disease control) 
• Liquid fish products (plant and soil amendment) 
• Sulfurous acid (plant and soil amendment) 
• Ethylene (for pineapple production) 
• Microcrystalline cheesewax (for mushroom production) 
• Potassium chloride - prohibited 

Inputs Used in Livestock Production 

• Ethanol (sanitizer) 
• Isopropanol (disinfectant) 
• Aspirin (inflammation control) 
• Vaccines (preventive health care) 
• Electrolytes 
• Glycerin (teat dip) 
• Phosphoric acid (equipment cleaner) 
• Hydrated lime (external pest control) 
• Mineral oil (topical use and lubricant) 

Inputs Used in Processing/Handling 

• Calcium carbonate 
• Flavors  
• Gellan gum, high-acyl 
• Oxygen  
• Potassium chloride  
• Alginates  
• Calcium hydroxide  
• Ethylene (postharvest fruit ripening) 
• Glycerides (drum drying) 
• Magnesium stearate  
• Phosphoric acid (equipment cleaner) 
• Potassium carbonate 
• Sulfur dioxide (in wine) 
• Xanthan gum  
• Fructooligosaccharides 
• Arabic gum 
• Guar gum 
• Locust/Carob bean gum 
• Lecithin (de-oiled) 
• Tamarind seed gum  
• Tragacanth gum  

Written Comments

Please submit feedback on the NOSB Subcommittee proposals via Regulations.gov. (Docket # AMS-NOP-22-0071). In early March, a detailed agenda and subcommittee proposals will be posted above and on Regulations.gov. The deadline to submit written comments is 11:59 p.m. Eastern on April 5, 2023.

Oral Comments

Oral comment registration is open. The Board will hear comments via Zoom on Tuesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 20. The deadline to register for an oral comment slot is 11:59 p.m. Eastern on April 5, 2023. Please use the form to register to speak.

NOSB public comment webinars and meeting days are free and open to the public. Registration is not required unless you wish to provide public comment.

Watch/Listen to the NOSB Public Comment Webinars on Tuesday, April 18 & 20, 2023:

• Day 1: Tuesday, April 18 from Noon - 5:00 pm Eastern
• Day 2: Thursday, April 20 from Noon - 5:00 pm Eastern

Please click this URL to join https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1606732698
Meeting ID: 160 673 2698

NOSB Public Meeting on April 25-27, 2023: 

• Day 1: Tuesday, April 25 from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Eastern
• Day 2: Wednesday, April 26 from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Eastern
• Day 3: Thursday, April 27 from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Eastern

Please click this URL to join. https://www.zoomgov.com/s/1612414222
Meeting ID: 161 241 4222

Meeting Information:
Crowne Plaza Atlanta Midtown
590 West Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, Georgia
(404) 464-4838