USDA amends National List for Organic Handling, Crops and Livestock

The Organic Foods Production Act created the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) as a tool for managing the substances used in organic production over time. In general, natural substances are allowed in organics and synthetic substances are prohibited. The National List identifies the limited exceptions to these general rules.

The National List also identifies nonagricultural and nonorganic agricultural substances (ingredients) that may be used in organic handling. Changes to the National List require a National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommendation and USDA rule-making, a process that provides multiple opportunities for public comment.

On Feb. 28, USDA published a final rule in the Federal Register amending the National List for substances scheduled to sunset in 2022, based on NOSB recommendations and public input.

National List Amendments: 2022 Sunsets final rule This final rule addresses recommendations from previous NOSB public meetings to remove:

• One substance currently allowed in organic crop production (Vitamin B1).
• One substance currently allowed in organic livestock production (procaine).
• 14 nonorganic ingredients (including eight nonorganic colors) currently allowed in organic handling. See the linked notice below for details.

Based on public comment, this rule also renews the allowance for:

• Sucrose octanoate esters for use in organic crops, and livestock production.
• Oxytocin for use in organic livestock production.

This final rule is effective March 30, 2022.

View the Final Rule

More information on the National List, including how and why substances are added or removed, is available on The National List page.