USDA's National Organic Rule

Shelton Weinberg,
World Board member, IFOAM

The USA is the largest and most dynamic organic market in the world, and while there is substantial organic production in the US, this market offers plentiful export opportunities for organic producers in Asia and around the world.

In October 2002, the US Government enacted the National Organic Program (NOP) which regulates how organic food to be sold in the US is produced and labelled. NOP requires any farmer, wild harvester, processor, manufacturer or handler, whether within or outside the USA, to comply with the NOP. There is government enforcement with a penalty for violations.

The NOP is codified in a set of standards that covers crop standards, livestock standards and handling standards. The NOP standards are process standards, regulating how a product is produced, not end-check standards measuring the qualities of the finished product. Certain substances and production methods, such as use of Genetically Modified Organisms, are expressly prohibited.

Products sold in the USA must be certified by an NOP Accredited Certifying Agent. Any company wishing export organic products the USA must contract a certifier who has applied has been granted accreditation from USDA. As of September 25, 2003 there were 88 certifiers accredited to certify to the NOP standards. Of these 53 were US based (60%) and 35 were based outside of the USA (40%). Of the certifiers outside the USA, 18 are from Europe (51%), 9 are from Latin America (26%), 6 are from Canada, and 2 are from Australia. There are currently no Asian certifiers recognized by USDA as accredited to the certify to NOP. Organic Agriculture Certification Thailand has applied.

Choice of a certification service provider is a critical decision for any Asian producer wishing tap the US market. Since there are no NOP accredited certifiers in Asia today, I recommend contracting with a US based certifier who has invested in building international certification and cultural expertise. While there is no substitute for a producer being directly and thoroughly familiar with the NOP, a qualified certifier can be of great assistance.

I also recommend that Asian producers work with directly with national and regional certifiers in Asia, emphasize the importance of gaining NOP accreditation, and encourage them to apply. This may seem a daunting task, but in the long run, is will worth the investment of time and resources. US certification expert consultants can be hired to help guide them through this process and help them learn to understand and overcome the hurdles.

Sheldon Weinberg
Weinberg & Associates
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +1 360 299 3579

Weinberg is an organic industry professional with 20 years' experience. He has a successful track record of business development, project management and entrepreneurism, domestic and international, for both small and large companies.

Weinberg spent 10 years with USA organic foods pioneer Cascadian Farm, and its successor companies Small Planet Foods and General Mills. Positions he has held at Small Planet include Director of Purchasing, Vice President of Operations ,Vice President of International Sales and Business Development and Vice President of Global Organic Initiatives. He also served as Business Development Director, Organic Foods for the International Division of General Mills.

He is currently the principal of, a business development consultancy with focus on organic trade, international development, project management, brand development, strategic planning, third-world crop improvement and sustainable growth. Weinberg & Associates combines Mr Weinberg's years of experience with the expertise of his world-wide network to add value to a broad range of clients including multi-national companies as well as regional and local companies, start-ups, and not-for-profits.

Weinberg is the North American World Board Member of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), with a special focus on organic trade issues. He also serves on the Organic Trade Association's International Relations Committee, and on the UK Food and Drink Federation's Organic Liaison Committee. He has an international reputation as a speaker and champion of the organic movement.