The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has sent two memos to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) related to substances in organic production and handling.
Memos to NOSB
AMS published memos to the NOSB on the following topics: Due to the absence of Federal standards for organic personal care products, AMS will no longer accept petitions to add substances to the National List when the requested use is limited to personal care products. Personal care products include cosmetics and body care products that are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Organic personal care products that are comprised of agricultural ingredients and meet the USDA organic regulations remain eligible for certification. Personal care product manufacturers can use substances on the processed product sections of the National List (such as non-organic colors when organic colors aren't commercially available). AMS requested that the NOSB review a petition from 2002 regarding the use of phosphoric acid for pH adjustment of aquatic plants. NOSB action is needed to resolve ongoing differences in interpretation on this issue among material evaluation programs and accredited certifying agents.
USDA Conservation Program Deadline
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Application deadline: January 17, 2014
CSP rewards farmers and ranchers for current conservation practices and for implementing additional enhancements over a 5-year contract period. It provides funding to help operations improve the condition of their soil, water, and wildlife habitat.
Memos to NOSB
AMS published memos to the NOSB on the following topics: Due to the absence of Federal standards for organic personal care products, AMS will no longer accept petitions to add substances to the National List when the requested use is limited to personal care products. Personal care products include cosmetics and body care products that are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Organic personal care products that are comprised of agricultural ingredients and meet the USDA organic regulations remain eligible for certification. Personal care product manufacturers can use substances on the processed product sections of the National List (such as non-organic colors when organic colors aren't commercially available). AMS requested that the NOSB review a petition from 2002 regarding the use of phosphoric acid for pH adjustment of aquatic plants. NOSB action is needed to resolve ongoing differences in interpretation on this issue among material evaluation programs and accredited certifying agents.
USDA Conservation Program Deadline
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Application deadline: January 17, 2014
CSP rewards farmers and ranchers for current conservation practices and for implementing additional enhancements over a 5-year contract period. It provides funding to help operations improve the condition of their soil, water, and wildlife habitat.
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