7 USC 6503 – National organic production program
(a) In general
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) State program
Terms Used In 7 USC 6503
- handling operation: means any operation or portion of an operation (except final retailers of agricultural products that do not process agricultural products) that&mdash. See 7 USC 6502
- National List: means a list of approved and prohibited substances as provided for in section 6517 of this title. See 7 USC 6502
- Secretary: means the Secretary of Agriculture. See 7 USC 6502
- State: means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any other territory or possession of the United States. See 1 USC 7
- State organic certification program: means a program that meets the requirements of section 6506 of this title, is approved by the Secretary, and that is designed to ensure that a product that is sold or labeled as "organically produced" under this chapter is produced and handled using organic methods. See 7 USC 6502
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) Consultation
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) Certification
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.