Title 7, AgricultureRelease 119-102
§6504 National Standards for Organic Production
Title 7 › CHAPTER 94 — ORGANIC CERTIFICATION › § 6504
Summary
To be sold or labeled as organic, a farm product must be grown and handled without using synthetic chemicals, except where the law allows. Except for livestock, the land used cannot have had prohibited substances, including synthetic chemicals, applied during the 3 years before harvest, unless the law provides otherwise. The producer, handler, and the certifying agent must agree to and follow an organic plan.
Full Legal Text
Title 7, §6504
Agriculture, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
To be sold or labeled as an organically produced agricultural product under this chapter, an agricultural product shall—
(1)have been produced and handled without the use of synthetic chemicals, except as otherwise provided in this chapter;
(2)except as otherwise provided in this chapter and excluding livestock, not be produced on land to which any prohibited substances, including synthetic chemicals, have been applied during the 3 years immediately preceding the harvest of the agricultural products; and
(3)be produced and handled in compliance with an organic plan agreed to by the producer and handler of such product and the certifying agent.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1991—Par. (2). Pub. L. 102–237 substituted “; and” for period at end.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
7 U.S.C. § 6504
Title 7, Agriculture
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102