USDA Finalizes Rule to Stamp Out Fraud in Organic Supply Chains
Today, the National Organic Coalition is celebrating the publication of new regulation aimed at protecting the integrity of organic supply chains. This massive rewrite of the organic regulations, known as the ‘Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule’, implements significant changes to tackle fraud in organic supply chains plus new requirements for additional organic handlers and brokers to become certified as organic.
The National Organic Coalition (NOC) submitted extensive comments in 2020 on a proposed Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule. Since then, NOC has advocated forcefully for finalization of the rule to create a fair marketplace for organic producers, who must follow strict requirements to protect the environment and human health, and to conserve biodiversity.
“NOC applauds the USDA for their sustained work to bring this rule to completion,” said Abby, Executive Director at the National Organic Coalition. “Organic producers’ livelihoods depend on strong and consistent enforcement of organic regulations. For more than a decade, operations have been undercut by fraudulent products that have no business carrying the organic seal. NOC strongly supports provisions in this rule that will give USDA and certification agencies more authority to crack down on bad actors.”
NOC supports provisions in the rule that will improve oversight and enforcement, including:
Regulatory changes to require import certificates and additional handling operations to become certified.
Codification of the requirement that certifiers conduct unannounced inspections for a minimum of 5% of the operations they certify annually.
Consistent implementation of existing and additional record keeping requirements for operations and certification agencies to ensure traceability.
A requirement that certifiers conduct supply chain audits for high risk operations.
Requirements for certified operations to develop fraud prevention plans.
NOC recognizes that the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule is a first step to address fraud and ensure consistency across certification agencies. We look forward to continued partnership with USDA to bolster enforcement of the USDA organic regulations.