USDA refreshes organic farmers' paperwork through 2030—comments open!
Published Date: 9/25/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s National Organic Program is planning to extend and update its paperwork rules for organic farmers and businesses through 2030. This means folks involved in organic farming will see some changes in how they report info, helping keep organic standards strong and clear. Comments on these updates are open until November 24, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
NOP Paperwork Continued Through 3-Year Extension
USDA/AMS is asking OMB to extend the National Organic Program information collection for three years past the current expiration date of May 31, 2027, so the paperwork requirements that support USDA organic rules would continue during that extension period. The collection currently estimates 56,827 respondents, about 9.1 responses per respondent, about 8.3 hours per response, and a total annual respondent burden of 4,274,732.82 hours.
Some New Burden Estimates Incorporated into NOP
AMS will incorporate and revise burden estimates from four related collections into the main National Organic Program collection. This includes adding estimates such as specific training hour requirements for certain organic personnel (from Strengthening Organic Enforcement) and burdens for livestock operations submitting Origin of Livestock variance requests.
Less Upfront Paperwork for Accreditation Applicants
The TM-10CG Application for Accreditation form will be revised so applicants no longer must attach evidence of staff expertise and ability with their initial submission; that evidence will be submitted later in the application process. AMS says this will reduce duplicative and incomplete submissions and streamline the application process for certifying agents.
Clearer Importer Field to Reduce Errors
The NOP 2110-1 Import Certificate form will change item 7 from "RECIPIENT IN THE U.S. (NAME AND ADDRESS)" to "CERTIFIED ORGANIC IMPORTER IN THE U.S. (NAME AND ADDRESS)" to clarify what must be reported and to lower erroneous or duplicative responses from respondents.
Transition-to-Organic Program Burdens Removed After 2026
AMS will remove burden estimates tied to the Transition to Organic Partnership Program because that program concludes on December 31, 2026; respondents who were included under that program (e.g., operations transitioning to organic or serving as mentors) will no longer be counted in those burden estimates going forward.
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