The National Organic Program (NOP) is a regulatory program housed within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. We are responsible for developing national standards for organically-produced agricultural products. These standards assure consumers that products with the USDA organic seal meet consistent, uniform standards. Our regulations do not address food safety or nutrition.
What's New
- New Short Video for Certified Organic Handlers: Organic Integrity in the Supply Chain
Key Activities
- Maintain the list of certified organic operations and help new farmers and business learn how to get certified
- Develop regulations and guidance on organic standards
- Manage the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
- Accredit certifying agents to certify organic producers & handlers
- Establish international organic import and export policies
- Investigate and take action on regulatory violation complaints
- Facilitate the work of the National Organic Standards Board, a Federal Advisory Committee
- Oversee the Organic Certification Cost Share programs to support certified organic operators
- Provide training to certifying agents, USDA staff, & other stakeholders
- Engage and serve the organic community
Resources
- Contact information (pdf)
- Fact Sheet: About the National Organic Program
- Benefits of Organic Certification
- NOP Strategic Plan 2015-2018 (PDF)
- Sound & Sensible Resources: Series of resource materials aimed at identifying and removing barriers to certification and streamlining the certification process
- Resources in Spanish (pdf)
- Program Updates: The Organic Insider is an email notification service that the AMS National Organic Program uses to send out program updates to the organic community. Learn more and sign up.