Title 7AgricultureRelease 119-73not60

§6504 National Standards for Organic Production

Title 7 › Chapter 94— ORGANIC CERTIFICATION › § 6504

Last updated Apr 3, 2026|Official source

Summary

To be labeled organic: no synthetic (man-made) chemicals can be used in growing or handling a product unless the law allows; excluding livestock, the land must have had no banned substances for 3 years before harvest; producer, handler, and certifier must agree on 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 7Agriculture

Last Updated

Apr 3, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60