Title 7 — AgricultureRelease 119-73not60
§6503 National Organic Production Program
Title 7 › Chapter 94— ORGANIC CERTIFICATION › § 6503
Summary
The Secretary must create a national program to certify farmers and handlers who use organic methods. States may run their own state organic certification programs instead. When making the program and the National List (section 6517), the Secretary must consult the National Organic Standards Board (section 6518). The program will use certifying agents who can certify a farm or handling operation as organic if it follows this chapter and any applicable state rules.
Full Legal Text
Title 7, §6503
Agriculture — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)The Secretary shall establish an organic certification program for producers and handlers of agricultural products that have been produced using organic methods as provided for in this chapter.
(b)In establishing the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall permit each State to implement a State organic certification program for producers and handlers of agricultural products that have been produced using organic methods as provided for in this chapter.
(c)In developing the program under subsection (a), and the National List under section 6517 of this title, the Secretary shall consult with the National Organic Standards Board established under section 6518 of this title.
(d)The Secretary shall implement the program established under subsection (a) through certifying agents. Such certifying agents may certify a farm or handling operation that meets the requirements of this chapter and the requirements of the organic certification program of the State (if applicable) as an organically certified farm or handling operation.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Exclusions From Organic Certification Pub. L. 115–334, title X, § 10104(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4899, provided that: “Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2018], the Secretary [of Agriculture] shall issue
Regulations
to limit the type of organic operations that are excluded from certification under section 205.101 of title 7, Code of Federal
Regulations
, and from certification under any other related sections under part 205 of title 7, Code of Federal
Regulations
.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
7 U.S.C. § 6503
Title 7 — Agriculture
Last Updated
Apr 3, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60