82 FR 49311 - National Organic Program: Notice of Interim Instruction, Maintaining the Integrity of Organic Imports

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 205 (October 25, 2017)

Page Range		49311-49312
FR Document		2017-23093

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the availability of an interim instruction document intended for use by USDA-accredited organic certifying agents (certifiers). The interim instruction is entitled as follows: Maintaining the Integrity of Organic Imports (NOP 4013). This interim instruction explains the USDA organic regulations' current requirements for certifiers engaged in the oversight of organic products imported into the United States. It also recommends best practices that certifiers may use in order to comply with the existing regulations. AMS invites organic handlers, certifying agents, importers, consumers, and other interested parties to submit comments on the interim instruction. Specifically, comments should address the parts of the instruction that recommend best practices that certifiers may use to ensure compliance with the USDA organic regulations. This document is not intended to request comments on the existing USDA organic regulations found at 7 CFR part 205.

Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 205 (Wednesday, October 25, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 25, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49311-49312]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23093]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 25, 2017 / 
Notices

[[Page 49311]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-NOP-17-0043; NOP-17-07]


National Organic Program: Notice of Interim Instruction, 
Maintaining the Integrity of Organic Imports

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of availability of interim instruction with request for 
comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing the 
availability of an interim instruction document intended for use by 
USDA-accredited organic certifying agents (certifiers). The interim 
instruction is entitled as follows: Maintaining the Integrity of 
Organic Imports (NOP 4013). This interim instruction explains the USDA 
organic regulations' current requirements for certifiers engaged in the 
oversight of organic products imported into the United States. It also 
recommends best practices that certifiers may use in order to comply 
with the existing regulations. AMS invites organic handlers, certifying 
agents, importers, consumers, and other interested parties to submit 
comments on the interim instruction. Specifically, comments should 
address the parts of the instruction that recommend best practices that 
certifiers may use to ensure compliance with the USDA organic 
regulations. This document is not intended to request comments on the 
existing USDA organic regulations found at 7 CFR part 205.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before December 26, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for hard copies of this interim 
instruction to Paul I. Lewis, Ph.D., Standards Division Director, 
National Organic Program (NOP), USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. 
SW., Room 2646--So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268. See the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for electronic access to the draft 
guidance document.
    You may submit comments on this interim instruction by any of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Paul I. Lewis, Ph.D., Standards Division Director, 
National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., 
Room 2646--So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268.
    Instructions: Written comments responding to this request should be 
identified with the document number AMS-NOP-17-0043; NOP-17-07. You 
should clearly indicate your position and the reasons supporting your 
position. If you are suggesting changes to the draft instruction 
document, you should include recommended language changes, as 
appropriate, along with any relevant supporting documentation. AMS is 
specifically requesting that stakeholders comment and quantify any 
impacts that the instruction will have on certified operations.
    USDA intends to make available all comments, including names and 
addresses when provided, regardless of submission procedure used, on 
www.regulations.gov and at USDA, AMS, NOP, Room 2646--South Building, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC, from 9 a.m. to noon and 
from 1 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (except official Federal 
holidays). Persons wanting to visit the USDA South building to view 
comments from the public to this notice are requested to make an 
appointment by calling (202) 720-3252.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul I. Lewis, Ph.D., Standards 
Division Director, National Organic Program (NOP), USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646--So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 
20250-0268; Telephone: (202) 720-3252; Fax: (202) 260-9151; Email: 
[email protected]; or visit the NOP Web site at: 
www.ams.usda.gov/nop.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The interim instruction announced via this notice explains the 
current regulatory requirements for organic certification and 
documentation needed to import organic products into the United States, 
and certifiers' responsibilities in reviewing or issuing import related 
documents. The instruction also recommends best practices that 
certifiers may use in order to comply with existing regulatory 
requirements.
    The USDA AMS National Organic Program (NOP) facilitates 
international trade of organic products by authorizing certifiers 
around the world to certify farms and businesses to the USDA organic 
regulations and by establishing trade arrangements with foreign 
countries. Foreign operations are subject to the same requirements as 
domestic operations, and organic products verified to be in compliance 
with these regulations or arrangements can be imported for sale into 
the United States.
    The interim instruction is available from AMS on its Web site at 
http://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic. When finalized, the 
final instruction will be available in ``The Program Handbook: Guidance 
and Instructions for Accredited Certifying Agents (ACAs) and Certified 
Operations''. This Handbook provides those who own, manage, or certify 
organic operations with guidance and instructions that can assist them 
in complying with the USDA organic regulations. The current edition of 
the Program Handbook is available online at http://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/handbook.

II. Significance of Guidance

    This interim instruction is being issued in accordance with the 
Office of Management and Budget Bulletin on Agency Good Guidance 
Practices (GGPs) (January 25, 2007, 72 FR 3432-3440).
    The purpose of GGPs is to ensure that program guidance documents 
are developed with adequate public participation, are readily available 
to the public, and are not applied as binding requirements. The interim 
instruction represents AMS' efforts to clarify and strengthen 
compliance with existing regulations on these topics. It does not 
create or confer any rights for, or on, any person and does not operate 
to create additional regulatory requirements that legally bind AMS or 
the public. Guidance documents are intended to provide a uniform method 
for achieving compliance with the USDA organic regulations, thereby 
reducing the

[[Page 49312]]

burden on certified organic operations to develop their own methods and 
simplifying audits and inspections. Alternative approaches that can 
demonstrate compliance with the Organic Foods Production Act, as 
amended (7 U.S.C. 6501-6522), and its implementing regulations are also 
acceptable.

III. Electronic Access

    Persons with access to Internet may obtain the interim instruction 
at either AMS' Web site at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop or http://www.regulations.gov. Requests for hard copies of the interim 
instruction can be obtained by submitting a written request to the 
person listed in the ADDRESSES section of this Notice.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501-6522.

    Dated: October 19, 2017.
Bruce Summers,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-23093 Filed 10-24-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

49311

Notices Federal Register
Vol. 82, No. 205

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER 20250–0268. See the SUPPLEMENTARY certification and documentation needed
contains documents other than rules or INFORMATION section for electronic to import organic products into the
proposed rules that are applicable to the access to the draft guidance document. United States, and certifiers’
public. Notices of hearings and investigations, You may submit comments on this responsibilities in reviewing or issuing
committee meetings, agency decisions and interim instruction by any of the import related documents. The
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
following methods: instruction also recommends best
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// practices that certifiers may use in order
examples of documents appearing in this www.regulations.gov. Follow the to comply with existing regulatory
section. instructions for submitting comments. requirements.
• Mail: Paul I. Lewis, Ph.D., The USDA AMS National Organic
Standards Division Director, National Program (NOP) facilitates international
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Organic Program, USDA–AMS–NOP, trade of organic products by authorizing
1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room certifiers around the world to certify
Agricultural Marketing Service 2646—So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, farms and businesses to the USDA
DC 20250–0268. organic regulations and by establishing
[Doc. No. AMS–NOP–17–0043; NOP–17–07]
Instructions: Written comments trade arrangements with foreign
National Organic Program: Notice of responding to this request should be countries. Foreign operations are subject
Interim Instruction, Maintaining the identified with the document number to the same requirements as domestic
Integrity of Organic Imports AMS–NOP–17–0043; NOP–17–07. You operations, and organic products
should clearly indicate your position verified to be in compliance with these
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, and the reasons supporting your regulations or arrangements can be
USDA. position. If you are suggesting changes imported for sale into the United States.
ACTION: Notice of availability of interim to the draft instruction document, you The interim instruction is available
instruction with request for comments. should include recommended language from AMS on its Web site at http://
changes, as appropriate, along with any www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing relevant supporting documentation. organic. When finalized, the final
Service (AMS) is announcing the AMS is specifically requesting that instruction will be available in ‘‘The
availability of an interim instruction stakeholders comment and quantify any Program Handbook: Guidance and
document intended for use by USDA- impacts that the instruction will have Instructions for Accredited Certifying
accredited organic certifying agents on certified operations. Agents (ACAs) and Certified
(certifiers). The interim instruction is USDA intends to make available all Operations’’. This Handbook provides
entitled as follows: Maintaining the comments, including names and those who own, manage, or certify
Integrity of Organic Imports (NOP 4013). addresses when provided, regardless of organic operations with guidance and
This interim instruction explains the submission procedure used, on instructions that can assist them in
USDA organic regulations’ current www.regulations.gov and at USDA, complying with the USDA organic
requirements for certifiers engaged in AMS, NOP, Room 2646—South regulations. The current edition of the
the oversight of organic products Building, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Program Handbook is available online at
imported into the United States. It also Washington, DC, from 9 a.m. to noon http://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-
recommends best practices that and from 1 to 4 p.m., Monday through regulations/organic/handbook.
certifiers may use in order to comply Friday (except official Federal holidays). II. Significance of Guidance
with the existing regulations. AMS Persons wanting to visit the USDA
invites organic handlers, certifying This interim instruction is being
South building to view comments from
agents, importers, consumers, and other issued in accordance with the Office of
the public to this notice are requested to
interested parties to submit comments Management and Budget Bulletin on
make an appointment by calling (202)
on the interim instruction. Specifically, Agency Good Guidance Practices (GGPs)
720–3252. (January 25, 2007, 72 FR 3432–3440).
comments should address the parts of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul
the instruction that recommend best The purpose of GGPs is to ensure that
I. Lewis, Ph.D., Standards Division program guidance documents are
practices that certifiers may use to Director, National Organic Program developed with adequate public
ensure compliance with the USDA (NOP), USDA–AMS–NOP, 1400 participation, are readily available to the
organic regulations. This document is Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646— public, and are not applied as binding
not intended to request comments on So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC requirements. The interim instruction
the existing USDA organic regulations 20250–0268; Telephone: (202) 720– represents AMS’ efforts to clarify and
found at 7 CFR part 205. 3252; Fax: (202) 260–9151; Email: strengthen compliance with existing
DATES: Comments must be submitted on NOP.Guidance@ams.usda.gov; or visit regulations on these topics. It does not
or before December 26, 2017. the NOP Web site at:
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

create or confer any rights for, or on, any
ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for www.ams.usda.gov/nop. person and does not operate to create
hard copies of this interim instruction to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: additional regulatory requirements that
Paul I. Lewis, Ph.D., Standards Division legally bind AMS or the public.
Director, National Organic Program I. Background Guidance documents are intended to
(NOP), USDA–AMS–NOP, 1400 The interim instruction announced provide a uniform method for achieving
Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646— via this notice explains the current compliance with the USDA organic
So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC regulatory requirements for organic regulations, thereby reducing the

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49312 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 25, 2017 / Notices

burden on certified organic operations meetings prior to attendance, please or other reasonable accommodation for
to develop their own methods and contact the person listed under FOR access to the facility or proceedings by
simplifying audits and inspections. FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. contacting the person listed in the
Alternative approaches that can ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at section titled FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
demonstrate compliance with the the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 4360 CONTACT. All reasonable
Organic Foods Production Act, as Town Center Boulevard, El Dorado accommodation requests are managed
amended (7 U.S.C. 6501–6522), and its Hills, California 95762. For anyone who on a case by case basis.
implementing regulations are also would like to attend via webinar and/or Dated: October 16, 2017.
acceptable. conference call, please visit the Web site Christopher French,
III. Electronic Access listed above or contact the person listed Associate Deputy Chief, National Forest
in the section titled FOR FURTHER System.
Persons with access to Internet may INFORMATION CONTACT. Written [FR Doc. 2017–23130 Filed 10–24–17; 8:45 am]
obtain the interim instruction at either comments may be submitted as BILLING CODE 3411–15–P
AMS’ Web site at http:// described under SUPPLEMENTARY
www.ams.usda.gov/nop or http:// INFORMATION. All comments, including
www.regulations.gov. Requests for hard names and addresses, when provided,
copies of the interim instruction can be COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS
are placed in the record and available
obtained by submitting a written request for public inspection and copying. The
to the person listed in the ADDRESSES Notice of Public Meeting of the Indiana
public may inspect comments received Advisory Committee To Prepare for Its
section of this Notice. at the USDA Forest Service Washington Public Meeting on Voting Rights
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501–6522. Office—Yates Building, 201 14th Street
SW., Mail Stop 1104, Washington, DC AGENCY: U.S. Commission on Civil
Dated: October 19, 2017.
20250–1104. Please call ahead to Rights.
Bruce Summers,
facilitate entry into the building. ACTION: Announcement of meeting.
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given,
[FR Doc. 2017–23093 Filed 10–24–17; 8:45 am]
Crystal Merica, Committee Coordinator, pursuant to the provisions of the rules
by phone at 202–205–3562, or by email and regulations of the U.S. Commission
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
at ckmerica@fs.fed.us. Individuals who on Civil Rights (Commission) and the
use telecommunication devices for the Federal Advisory Committee Act that
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE deaf (TDD) may call the Federal the Indiana Advisory Committee
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1– (Committee) will hold a meeting on
Forest Service 800–877–8339 between 8:00 a.m. and Wednesday November 1, 2017, at 3:00
8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, p.m. EST for the purpose of approving
Meeting of the National Advisory Monday through Friday. a project proposal and preparing for its
Committee for Implementation of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The public meeting on voting rights issues in
National Forest System Land purpose of this meeting is to provide: the state.
Management Planning Rule 1. Continued deliberations on DATES: The meeting will be held on
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA. formulating advice for the Secretary, Wednesday, November 1, 2017, at 3:00
2. Discussion of Committee work
ACTION: Notice of meetings. p.m. EST.
group findings, Public Call Information: Dial: 877–
SUMMARY: The National Advisory 3. Hearing public comments, and 397–0292, Conference ID: 2237390.
Committee for Implementation of the 4. Administrative tasks.
This meeting is open to the public. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
National Forest System Land Melissa Wojnaroski, DFO, at
Management Planning Rule Committee The agenda will include time for people
to make oral comments of three minutes mwojnaroski@usccr.gov or 312–353–
(Committee) will meet in El Dorado 8311.
Hills, California. Attendees may also or less. Individuals wishing to make an
oral comment should submit a request SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members
listen via webinar and conference call.
in writing by November 3, 2017, to be of the public can listen to the
The Committee operates in compliance
scheduled on the agenda. Anyone who discussion. This meeting is available to
with the Federal Advisory Committee
would like to bring related matters to the public through the following toll-
Act (FACA). Additional information
the attention of the Committee may file free call-in number: 877–397–0292,
relating to the Committee, including the
written statements with the Committee’s conference ID: 2237390. Any interested
meeting summary/minutes, can be
staff before or after the meeting. Written member of the public may call this
found by visiting the Committee’s Web
comments and time requests for oral number and listen to the meeting. An
site at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/
comments must be sent to Crystal open comment period will be provided
planningrule/committee.
Merica, USDA Forest Service, to allow members of the public to make
DATES: The meetings will be held in- a statement as time allows. The
Ecosystem Management Coordination,
person and streamed via webinar/ 201 14th Street SW., Mail Stop 1104, conference call operator will ask callers
conference call on the following dates Washington, DC 20250–1104, or by to identify themselves, the organization
and times: email at ckmerica@fs.fed.us. The agenda they are affiliated with (if any), and an
• Tuesday, November 7, 2017, from email address prior to placing callers
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES

and summary of the meeting will be
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST posted on the Committee’s Web site into the conference room. Callers can
• Wednesday, November 8, 2017, from within 21 days of the meeting. expect to incur regular charges for calls
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST Meeting Accommodations: If you are they initiate over wireless lines,
• Thursday, November 9, 2017, from a person requiring reasonable according to their wireless plan. The
8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PST accommodation, please make requests Commission will not refund any
All meetings are subject to in advance for sign language incurred charges. Callers will incur no
cancellation. For updated status of interpreting, assistive listening devices charge for calls they initiate over land-

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Document Created: 2017-10-25 01:17:58
Document Modified: 2017-10-25 01:17:58

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		Notices
Action		Notice of availability of interim instruction with request for comments.
Dates		Comments must be submitted on or before December 26, 2017.
Contact		Paul I. Lewis, Ph.D., Standards Division Director, National Organic Program (NOP), USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2646--So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268; Telephone: (202) 720-3252; Fax: (202) 260-9151; Email: [email protected]; or visit the NOP Web site at: www.ams.usda.gov/nop.
FR Citation		82 FR 49311

82 FR 49311 - National Organic Program: Notice of Interim Instruction, Maintaining the Integrity of Organic Imports

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREAgricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 205 (October 25, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service