The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 requires the Secretary of Agriculture to establish a National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances which identifies synthetic substances that may be used, and the nonsynthetic substances that cannot be used, in organic production and handling operations.

Updated January 7, 2002: Section 6517(e) of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, as amended, provides a sunset provision of 5 years for substances on the National List. The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has asked if it can recommend the addition of a substance to the National List for a period of time less than 5 years. We have determined that the NOSB may recommend the addition of a substance to the National List for a period of time less than 5 years.