WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 23, 2026, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). The National List is a section of the USDA organic regulations that identifies synthetic substances that are allowed, and natural substances that are prohibited, in organic production and handling.
The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) prohibits synthetic substances in organic production unless they meet specified criteria, are recommended by the National Organic Standards Board, and are added to the National List. This rule would implement several recommendations from the Board from their public meetings, held in October 2021, October 2022, and October 2024:
- Allow carbon dioxide in organic crop production.
- Allow meloxicam as a pain treatment in organic livestock.
- Remove restrictions on the use of methionine in organic poultry feed.
- Affirm that natural sodium nitrate is allowed in organic crop production, with certain conditions to protect soil quality.
A complete description of the proposed amendments to the National List is available in the Federal Register proposed rule.
More information on the National List, including how and why substances are added, modified, or removed, is available on the National List webpage.
Submit an Effective Public Comment
USDA welcomes comments on the proposed changes published in the
Federal Register. The public comment period will close 60 days after publication.
See NOP’s Organic Integrity Learning Center microlearning module
Writing an Effective Public Comment to learn how to submit an effective public comment. This module helps members of the organic community more effectively participate in the process of developing organic standards. Effective commenting lets us hear your voice and helps USDA better balance the needs of everyone impacted in the organic market.
