USDA Updates National Organic Program Handbook

USDA published an updated version of the National Organic Program (NOP) Handbook, which provides USDA-accredited certifiers and certified operations with guidance, instructions, and other policy documents that can help them comply with the USDA organic regulations. Several handbook documents have been updated or archived because they have been replaced by new regulations, such as the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule. In addition, USDA relocated general education resources from the handbook to more relevant locations on NOP’s website and in the Organic Integrity Learning Center. A list of changes to the handbook is available online. USDA has also published responses to frequently asked questions regarding the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Final Rule.