The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will meet for its Fall 2019 meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 23-25. The meeting will include updates from various subcommittees, votes to retain or remove substances from the National List of Allowed & Prohibited Substances (National List), and votes on other proposals.
NOSB encourages public comments on proposals that will be discussed and voted on during the meeting. The deadline to submit written comments or requests for oral comment speaking slots is October 3. Opportunities for oral comments will be available via webinar on October 15 and 17, and on October 23 and 24 during the in-person meetings.
NOSB is a federal advisory board comprised of volunteers from the organic community. Among other responsibilities, NOSB reviews materials on the National List and makes recommendations to the National Organic Program about retaining or removing these substances. Criteria for removal includes the substance
- being harmful to human health or the environment,
- no longer being necessary due to the availability of a non-synthetic alternative,
- or its use being inconsistent with organic farming and handling practices.
CCOF members are encouraged to participate in the NOSB public comment process. More information about NOSB proposals and opportunities to comment will be covered in future blog posts.
To provide feedback to CCOF regarding NOSB, please contact Peter Nell.