NOSB meets twice a year in a public forum to discuss and vote on subcommittee proposals related to the National List or other organic standards issues. The meetings also allow NOSB to receive updates from USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) on issues pertaining to organic agriculture. NOSB meetings are an opportunity for stakeholders to give feedback on proposed NOSB recommendations and discussion items. NOSB first publishes proposals with a request for public comments.
Prior to the meeting, NOSB members review literally thousands of pages of comments. During NOSB meetings, the full Board listens to oral public comments, discusses the proposals, and then votes on whether to pass the subcommittee proposals. NOSB subsequently submits its final recommendations to USDA