The Organic Food Production Act created the National List of Permitted and Prohibited Substances (National List) as a tool to manage substances used in organic production over time.
In general, natural substances are allowed in organics and synthetic substances are prohibited. The National List identifies limited exceptions to these general rules. The National List also identifies non-agricultural and non-organic agricultural substances (ingredients) that can be used in organic handling.
Changes to the National List require a recommendation from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and USDA regulation, a process that provides multiple opportunities for public comment.
In June, the USDA published a final rule in the Federal Register amending the National List based on public comment and the April 2019 NOSB recommendations. This final rule provides additional options for organic farms and businesses, by adding three substances to the list of permitted substances for organic production and handling.
The final rule allows:
- Oxalic acid as a pesticide for use in beekeeping.
- Non-organic pullulan For use in dietary supplements with “made from organic” claims (capsules and tablets).
- Collagen gel It is a casing for organic products such as sausages.
This final rule takes effect on July 26, 2021.
The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances identifies synthetic substances that can be used and non-synthetic (natural) substances that cannot be used in organic crops and livestock production. It also identifies a limited number of non-organic substances that can be used in or on processed organic products.
In general, synthetic substances are prohibited for agricultural and livestock production unless specifically permitted and non-synthetic substances are permitted for agricultural and livestock production unless specifically prohibited.
Some substances on the National List can only be used in specific situations, for example only for certain crops or up to a maximum amount.
See the national list of allowed and prohibited substances>
Changes to the National List are initiated through a request to add or remove a substance or through the sunset review process. Anyone can file a petition to amend the National List. The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), a Federal Advisory Committee, reviews petitions and makes formal recommendations to USDA. The NOSB also reviews each substance on the National List every five years during the “sunset review” to confirm that the substance continues to meet the required criteria.
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