80 FR 35177 - National Organic Program: USDA Organic Regulations
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 118 (June 19, 2015)
Agricultural Marketing Service
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 118 (June 19, 2015)
| Page Range | 35177-35178 | |
| FR Document | 2015-14865 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 118 (Friday, June 19, 2015)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 35177-35178] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-14865] ======================================================================== Rules and Regulations Federal Register ________________________________________________________________________ This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510. The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each week. ======================================================================== Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 118 / Friday, June 19, 2015 / Rules and Regulations [[Page 35177]] DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service 7 CFR Part 205 [Document Number AMS-NOP-15-0009; NOP-15-01] National Organic Program: USDA Organic Regulations AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of 2015 Sunset Review. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This document addresses the 2015 Sunset Review submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) through the Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) following the NOSB's May and October 2014 meetings. The 2015 Sunset Review pertains to the NOSB's review of the need for the continued allowance for seven substances on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). Consistent with the NOSB's review, this publication provides notice on the renewal of three synthetic and two nonsynthetic substances on the National List, along with any restrictive annotations. For substances that have been renewed on the National List, this document completes the 2015 National List Sunset Process. DATES: This document is effective June 22, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for a copy of this document should be sent to Jennifer Tucker, Ph.D., Associate Deputy Administrator, National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646-S., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268. Telephone: (202) 720-3252, email: [email protected] or by accessing the Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Organic Program (NOP) is authorized by the Organic Foods Protection Act (OFPA) of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501--6522). The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) administers the NOP. Final regulations implementing the NOP, also referred to as the USDA organic regulations, were published December 21, 2000 (65 FR 80548), and became effective on October 21, 2002. Through these regulations, the AMS oversees national standards for the production, handling, and labeling of organically produced agricultural products. Since becoming fully effective, the USDA organic regulations have been frequently amended, mostly for changes to the National List in 7 CFR 205.601-205.606. This National List identifies the synthetic substances that may be used and the nonsynthetic (natural) substances that may not be used in organic production. The National List also identifies synthetic, nonsynthetic nonagricultural, and nonorganic agricultural substances that may be used in organic handling. The OFPA and the USDA organic regulations, as indicated in Sec. 205.105, specifically prohibit the use of any synthetic substance in organic production and handling unless the synthetic substance is on the National List. Section 205.105 also requires that any nonorganic agricultural substance, and any nonsynthetic nonagricultural substance used in organic handling appear on the National List. As stipulated by OFPA, recommendations to propose or amend the National List are developed by the 15 member NOSB, organized under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App. 2 et seq.) to assist in the evaluation of substances to be used or not used in organic production and handling, and to advise the Secretary on the USDA organic regulations. OFPA also requires a review of all substances included on the National List within 5 years of their addition to or renewal on the list. If a listed substance is not reviewed by NOSB and renewed by USDA within the five year period, its allowance or prohibition on the National List is no longer in effect. The NOSB sunset review includes considering any new information pertaining to a substance's impact on human health and the environment, its necessity, and its compatibility with organic production and handling. To implement the sunset review requirement, AMS initially published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on the National List sunset review process on June 17, 2005 (70 FR 35177). This document described the process used by the NOSB to complete their responsibility to review National List substances within the OFPA required five year period. Since announcing the first sunset review process, the NOSB and the USDA completed five separate sunset reviews in 2007 (72 FR 58469), 2008 (73 FR 59479), 2011 (76 FR 46595), 2012 (77 FR 33290) and in 2013 (78 FR 61154). AMS published a revised sunset review process in the Federal Register on September 16, 2013 (78 FR 56811). This provides public notice on the renewal of National List substances. This renewal occurs after the NOSB review. At its May and October 2014 meetings, the NOSB considered seven substances that were added to the National List in 2010. AMS has reviewed and accepted the NOSB sunset review and recommendations. Substances in Table 1 having final actions of ``renew'' will continue to be listed on the National List and will be included in the 2020 sunset review. [[Page 35178]] Table 1--Overview of Final Action for Sunset 2015 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ National list section Substance listing Final action ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sec. 205.601(a)(8)........ Sodium carbonate Renew. peroxyhydrate (CAS #- 15630-89-4)--Federal law restricts the use of this substance in food crop production to approved food uses identified on the product label. Sec. 205.601(e)(2)........ Aqueous potassium Renew. silicate (CAS #-1312-76- 1)--the silica, used in the manufacture of potassium silicate, must be sourced from naturally occurring sand. Sec. 205.601(i)(1)........ Aqueous potassium Renew. silicate (CAS #-1312-76- 1)--the silica, used in the manufacture of potassium silicate, must be sourced from naturally occurring sand. Sec. 205.601(j)(9)........ Sulfurous acid (CAS # Renew. 7782-99-2) for on-farm generation of substance utilizing 99% purity elemental sulfur per paragraph (j)(2) of this section. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nonagricultural (nonorganic) substances allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as ``organic'' or ``made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)).'' ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sec. 205.605(a)........... Gellan gum--(CAS # 71010- Renew. 52-1)--high-acyl form only. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nonorganically produced agricultural products allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as ``organic.'' ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sec. 205.606(w)........... Tragacanth gum (CAS #- Renew. 9000-65-1). ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501-6522. Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 2015-14865 Filed 6-18-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE P
![35177
Rules and Regulations Federal Register
Vol. 80, No. 118
Friday, June 19, 2015
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER should be sent to Jennifer Tucker, Ph.D., Federal Advisory Committee Act (5
contains regulatory documents having general Associate Deputy Administrator, U.S.C. App. 2 et seq.) to assist in the
applicability and legal effect, most of which National Organic Program, USDA– evaluation of substances to be used or
are keyed to and codified in the Code of AMS–NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. not used in organic production and
Federal Regulations, which is published under SW., Room 2646–S., Ag Stop 0268, handling, and to advise the Secretary on
50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
Washington, DC 20250–0268. the USDA organic regulations. OFPA
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by Telephone: (202) 720–3252, email: also requires a review of all substances
the Superintendent of Documents. Prices of Jennifer.tucker@ams.usda.gov or by included on the National List within 5
new books are listed in the first FEDERAL accessing the Web site at http:// years of their addition to or renewal on
REGISTER issue of each week. www.ams.usda.gov/nop. the list. If a listed substance is not
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The reviewed by NOSB and renewed by
National Organic Program (NOP) is USDA within the five year period, its
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE authorized by the Organic Foods allowance or prohibition on the
Protection Act (OFPA) of 1990, as National List is no longer in effect. The
Agricultural Marketing Service
amended (7 U.S.C. 6501—6522). The NOSB sunset review includes
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service considering any new information
7 CFR Part 205
(AMS) administers the NOP. Final pertaining to a substance’s impact on
[Document Number AMS–NOP–15–0009; regulations implementing the NOP, also human health and the environment, its
NOP–15–01] referred to as the USDA organic necessity, and its compatibility with
regulations, were published December organic production and handling.
National Organic Program: USDA
21, 2000 (65 FR 80548), and became To implement the sunset review
Organic Regulations
effective on October 21, 2002. Through requirement, AMS initially published
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, these regulations, the AMS oversees an advanced notice of proposed
USDA. national standards for the production, rulemaking on the National List sunset
ACTION: Notice of 2015 Sunset Review. handling, and labeling of organically review process on June 17, 2005 (70 FR
produced agricultural products. Since 35177). This document described the
SUMMARY: This document addresses the becoming fully effective, the USDA process used by the NOSB to complete
2015 Sunset Review submitted to the organic regulations have been frequently their responsibility to review National
Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) amended, mostly for changes to the List substances within the OFPA
through the Agricultural Marketing National List in 7 CFR 205.601–205.606. required five year period. Since
Service’s (AMS) National Organic This National List identifies the announcing the first sunset review
Program (NOP) by the National Organic synthetic substances that may be used process, the NOSB and the USDA
Standards Board (NOSB) following the and the nonsynthetic (natural) completed five separate sunset reviews
NOSB’s May and October 2014 substances that may not be used in in 2007 (72 FR 58469), 2008 (73 FR
meetings. The 2015 Sunset Review organic production. The National List 59479), 2011 (76 FR 46595), 2012 (77 FR
pertains to the NOSB’s review of the also identifies synthetic, nonsynthetic
need for the continued allowance for 33290) and in 2013 (78 FR 61154).
nonagricultural, and nonorganic
seven substances on the U.S. agricultural substances that may be used AMS published a revised sunset
Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) in organic handling. The OFPA and the review process in the Federal Register
National List of Allowed and Prohibited USDA organic regulations, as indicated on September 16, 2013 (78 FR 56811).
Substances (National List). Consistent in § 205.105, specifically prohibit the This provides public notice on the
with the NOSB’s review, this use of any synthetic substance in renewal of National List substances.
publication provides notice on the organic production and handling unless This renewal occurs after the NOSB
renewal of three synthetic and two the synthetic substance is on the review.
nonsynthetic substances on the National National List. Section 205.105 also At its May and October 2014
List, along with any restrictive requires that any nonorganic meetings, the NOSB considered seven
annotations. For substances that have agricultural substance, and any substances that were added to the
been renewed on the National List, this nonsynthetic nonagricultural substance National List in 2010. AMS has
document completes the 2015 National used in organic handling appear on the reviewed and accepted the NOSB sunset
List Sunset Process. National List. review and recommendations.
DATES: This document is effective June As stipulated by OFPA, Substances in Table 1 having final
22, 2015. recommendations to propose or amend actions of ‘‘renew’’ will continue to be
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: the National List are developed by the listed on the National List and will be
Requests for a copy of this document 15 member NOSB, organized under the included in the 2020 sunset review.
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![35178 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 118 / Friday, June 19, 2015 / Rules and Regulations
TABLE 1—OVERVIEW OF FINAL ACTION FOR SUNSET 2015
National list section Substance listing Final action
Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production
§ 205.601(a)(8) ........ Sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate (CAS #–15630–89–4)—Federal law restricts the use of this sub- Renew.
stance in food crop production to approved food uses identified on the product label.
§ 205.601(e)(2) ........ Aqueous potassium silicate (CAS #–1312–76–1)—the silica, used in the manufacture of potassium Renew.
silicate, must be sourced from naturally occurring sand.
§ 205.601(i)(1) ......... Aqueous potassium silicate (CAS #–1312–76–1)—the silica, used in the manufacture of potassium Renew.
silicate, must be sourced from naturally occurring sand.
§ 205.601(j)(9) ......... Sulfurous acid (CAS # 7782–99–2) for on-farm generation of substance utilizing 99% purity ele- Renew.
mental sulfur per paragraph (j)(2) of this section.
Nonagricultural (nonorganic) substances allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as ‘‘organic’’ or ‘‘made with
organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)).’’
§ 205.605(a) ............ Gellan gum—(CAS # 71010–52–1)—high-acyl form only ..................................................................... Renew.
Nonorganically produced agricultural products allowed as ingredients in or on processed products labeled as ‘‘organic.’’
§ 205.606(w) ........... Tragacanth gum (CAS #–9000–65–1) ................................................................................................... Renew.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501–6522. reprocessing the product. In addition, Program Development; Telephone: (202)
Rex A. Barnes,
FSIS is removing the requirement for 205–0495.
establishments to report production SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Associate Administrator, Agricultural
Marketing Service.
volume and related information to FSIS
because the Agency now routinely Background
[FR Doc. 2015–14865 Filed 6–18–15; 8:45 am]
collects this information through its On February 27, 2001, FSIS proposed
BILLING CODE P
Public Health Information System (66 FR 12589) to establish several new
(PHIS). requirements for the processing of
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DATES: Effective September 17, 2015. ready-to-eat (RTE) and other meat and
Comments must be received on or poultry products. The Agency proposed
Food Safety and Inspection Service before August 18, 2015. food safety performance standards for
ADDRESSES: FSIS invites interested all RTE and all partially heat-treated
9 CFR Part 430 persons to submit comments on the meat and poultry products. FSIS also
changes. Comments may be submitted proposed to eliminate its regulations
[Docket No. FSIS–2014–0033]
by one of the following methods: that require both RTE and not-ready-to
RIN 0583–AD53 • Federal eRulemaking Portal: This eat pork and products containing pork
Web site provides the ability to type to be treated to destroy trichina
Control of Listeria monocytogenes in (Trichinella spiralis).
short comments directly into the
Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry Finally, FSIS proposed environmental
comment field on this Web page or
Products testing requirements for establishments
attach a file for lengthier comments. Go
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow to verify whether their processes were
Service, USDA. the on-line instructions at that site for addressing Lm in RTE meat and poultry
ACTION: Affirmation of the interim final submitting comments. products. Specifically, FSIS proposed to
rule with amendments; request for • Mail, including CD–ROMs, etc.: require establishments that produce
comments. Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department RTE meat and poultry products to test
of Agriculture, Food Safety and food contact surfaces for Listeria species
SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service, Patriots Plaza 3, to verify that the establishments are
Inspection Service (FSIS) is affirming, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., controlling the presence of Lm within
with changes and a request for Mailstop 3782, Room 8–163A, their processing environments. Under
comment, the interim final rule Washington, DC 20250–3700. the proposal, establishments that
‘‘Control of Listeria monocytogenes in • Hand- or courier-delivered developed and implemented Hazard
Ready-to-Eat Meat and Poultry submittals: Deliver to Patriots Plaza 3, Analysis and Critical Control Point
Products,’’ which was published in the 355 E. Street SW., Room 8–163A, (HACCP) controls for Lm would have
Federal Register on June 6, 2003. FSIS Washington, DC 20250–3700. been exempt from these testing
is making minor changes to the Instructions: All items submitted by requirements.
regulatory provisions in response to mail or electronic mail must include the
comments that the Agency received, on Agency name and docket number FSIS– Interim Final Rule
the basis of experience in implementing 2014–0033. Comments received in On June 6, 2003, FSIS published the
the provisions, and because the way response to this docket will be made interim final rule ‘‘Control of Listeria
available for public inspection and
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with RULES
FSIS obtains establishment profile monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Meat
information electronically has changed. posted without change, including any and Poultry Products’’ (68 FR 34208). In
FSIS is clarifying in the regulations that personal information, to http:// the interim final rule, FSIS amended its
establishments may not release into www.regulations.gov. regulations only in regard to the control
commerce product that has been in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. of Lm in RTE products. The Agency
contact with Listeria monocytogenes Daniel L. Engeljohn, Assistant decided to adopt these regulations
(Lm)-contaminated surfaces without Administrator, Office of Policy and before completing action on the other
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Document Created: 2018-02-22 11:10:03
Document Modified: 2018-02-22 11:10:03
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Rules and Regulations | |
| Action | Notice of 2015 Sunset Review. | |
| Dates | This document is effective June 22, 2015. | |
| Contact | Requests for a copy of this document should be sent to Jennifer Tucker, Ph.D., Associate Deputy Administrator, National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646-S., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268. Telephone: (202) 720-3252, email: [email protected] or by accessing the Web site at http:// www.ams.usda.gov/nop. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 35177 |
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