NOSB Seeks Public Comments on
"Transition to Organic" Labels in USA

USA: NOSB "TRANSITIONAL" LABELING ITEM FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is seeking public comment on
recommendations regarding the labeling of "transitional" product from
October 4 to November 3, 2001.

"Transitional product" recommendation Submitted to the NOSB Crops Committee
By Jim Riddle Draft 3, September 7, 2001 E-mail Comments to Crops
Committee: NOSB.Crops@usda.gov

§ 205.2 Terms defined.
Transition. The act of establishing organic management practices in
accordance with the Act and the regulations in this part.
Transition period. The time between the start of organic management and
certification of an operation or portion of an operation as organic.
Transitional product. A product from an operation or portion of an operation
which has completed one or more years of the transition period towards
becoming a certified organic operation and is certified by an accredited
certifying agent as operating in accordance with the Act and the regulations
in the part.

§ 205.104 Use of the term "transitional."

(a) Products of farms in transition to organic certification may be labeled
or represented as "certified transitional " or "transitional" after 12
months of production using organic methods which comply with the Act and the
regulations in this part.

(b) In order to market products as "certified transitional" or
"transitional" an operation must maintain records as set forth in § 205.103
and develop an organic production plan as set forth in § 205.201.

(c) At least one inspection must occur prior to harvest of a transitional
crop in order for the crop to be labeled or represented as "certified
transitional" or "transitional".

(d) Transitional status may only be granted where the applicant can provide
evidence of:

(1) At least 12 months active organic management prior to harvest; or

(2) Twelve (12) months with no application of prohibited materials prior to
planting and organic management of any area of the farm that is or will be
used for transitional crop production.

(e) "Transitional" and "certified transitional" products must not:

(1) Be labeled or represented as "organic" or "transition to organic";

(2) Be used as organic ingredients in the formulation of products labeled as
"100% organic," "organic," or "made with organic (specified ingredients or
food group(s))";

(3) Use the USDA organic seal; or

(4) Use the seal of a certifying agent, unless that seal is specifically
designed for transitional products and is clearly distinguishable from the
certifying agent¹s seal used on organic products.
For details of how to submit comments see:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/nop2000/nosb%20recommedations/translbl1001.htm