The National Organic Program (NOP) is pleased to announce an updated fact sheet describing its oversight of organic products.   

Additionally, the NOP has posted new certifying agents' corrective action reports along with their accreditation certificates.   

To provide a better overview of NOP's role in overseeing organic products, NOP's general fact sheet now includes updated background information on:  

• The USDA organic regulations.
• Allowed and prohibited substances. 
• The certification process.
• Compliance and enforcement.
• NOP's history and regulatory authority. 
• USDA's Organic Literacy Initiative.  

Fact Sheet: USDA Oversight of Organic Products

NOP-accredited certifying agents are responsible for ensuring that certified organic operations comply with the USDA organic regulations.     

USDA officials conduct an on-site assessment of accredited certifying agents about once every two and a half years. This multi-day assessment includes on-farm witness inspections and thorough documentation reviews. Throughout this process, USDA auditors identify any non-compliances. The NOP then reviews the noncompliances and requests corrective actions from the certifying agent.  

To continue our effort to increase transparency, NOP has posted each certifying agent's most recent corrective action report along with its current accreditation certificate.

These materials are now linked from all three lists of certifying agents (sorted by certifying agent name and those serving specific U.S. states and foreign countries).

Lists of NOP-Accredited Certifying Agents 

The NOP facilitates trade and ensures integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.