7 U.S.C. § 6503

National organic production program

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(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

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.

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXI, § 2104, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3937.)Statutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesExclusions 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.”

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13 cases (2 in the last 5 years), 2007–2025 · leading case: Quesada v. Herb Thyme Farms, Inc., 361 P.3d 868 (Cal. 2015).
Quesada v. Herb Thyme Farms, Inc., 361 P.3d 868 (Cal. 2015). · cites it 4× “( 7 U.S.C. § 6503 .) Producers may label and sell their products as organic only if they have been produced in compliance with an approved organic plan.”
Johnson v. Paynesville Farmers Union Coop. Oil Co., 817 N.W.2d 693 (Minn. 2012). · cites it 2× “7 U.S.C. § 6503 (d) (stating that the OFPA is implemented by certifying agents authorized through the Secretary of Agriculture); 7 C.”
Organic Consumers Ass'n v. Hain Celestial Grp., Inc., 285 F. Supp. 3d 100 (D.C. Cir. 2018). · cites it 3× “Dismiss 15-20; 7 U.S.C. § 6503 (d). Defendant also contends that the OFPA does not provide for private enforcement, but instead empowers the USDA to lead enforcement efforts.”
Marentette v. Abbott Labs., Inc., 886 F.3d 112 (2d Cir. 2018). “" 7 U.S.C. § 6503 (a). The Act defines its purposes as "(1) to establish national standards governing the marketing of certain agricultural products as organically produced products; (2) to assure consumers that organically produced products meet a consistent standard; and (3)…”
In re Santa Fe Nat. Tobacco Co. Mktg. & Sales Practices & Prods. Liab. Litig., 288 F. Supp. 3d 1087 (D.N.M. 2017). “See 7 U.S.C. §§ 6503 - 6507 ; In re Aurora , 621 F.”
Marentette v. Abbott Labs., Inc., 201 F. Supp. 3d 374 (E.D.N.Y 2016). “” 7 U.S.C. § 6503 (a). In passing the statute, Congress articulated three main purposes: (1)to establish national standards governing the marketing of certain agricultural products as organically produced products; (2) to assure consumers that organically produced products meet…”
Harvey v. Johanns, 494 F.3d 237 (1st Cir. 2007). “See 7 U.S.C. §§ 6503 (a), 6504, 6505(a)(1)(A).”
Organic Trade Ass'n v. U.S. Dep't of Agric., 370 F. Supp. 3d 98 (D.C. Cir. 2019). “" 1 7 U.S.C. §§ 6503 (a), 6504(1) and (3). Each organic operator must develop and follow an "organic plan," which is defined as: a plan of management of an organic farming or handling operation that has been agreed to by the producer or handler and the certifying agent and that…”
Massachusetts Indep. Certification, Inc. v. Johanns, 486 F. Supp. 2d 105 (D. Mass. 2007). “MICI did so with the understanding that the Secretary establishes the standards for organic production, see generally 7 U.S.C. § 6503 et seq., and with the understanding that all of its decisions were subject to review by the Secretary, 7 U.”
Birdsong v. Nurture, Inc., 275 F. Supp. 3d 384 (E.D.N.Y 2017). · cites it 2× “” 7 U.S.C. § 6503 (a). Pursuant to the OFPA, the USDA adopted an extensive set of implementing regulations, known as the National Organic Program (the “NOP”), defining which agricultural products qualify as “Organic.”
Marenette v. Abbott Labs. (2d Cir. 2018). “” 7 U.S.C. § 6503 (a). 10 The Act defines its purposes as “(1) to establish national standards governing the 11 marketing of certain agricultural products as organically produced products; (2) 12 to assure consumers that organically produced products meet a consistent 13…”
Pratum Farm, LLC v. United States Dep't of Agric. (D. Or. 2024). “7 U.S.C. § 6503 (a). Consistent with that mandate, the USDA established the National Organic Program through rulemaking (“Program”).”
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