This fact sheet from WSDA outlines how to determine if an input material meets the USDA organic regulations and would be allowed for use on an organic farm.
Input Materials for Use in
Organic Crop Production
O rg a n i c C e rt i f i c a t i o n F a c t S h e e t
USDA’s national organic regulations list inputs that are allowed in organic crop production. With
some exceptions, all natural (non-synthetic) inputs are allowed and synthetic products are
prohibited. This fact sheet outlines how to determine if an input material meets the USDA
organic regulations and would be allowed for use on an organic farm.
To be sold or labeled as organic, products must be produced and handled without
the use of synthetic products, excluded methods, such as GMO technology, ionizing
radiation, and sewage sludge. The National List of Allowed and Prohibited
Substances outlines criteria and exceptions to this rule. 7CFR §205.105
Recognized input lists
WSDA Organic Input List https://agr.wa.gov/departments/organic/input-material-registration
National List of Allowed & Prohibited Substances
https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/national-list
Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI): http://omri.org
California Dept. of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Organic Input Material Program
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/fertilizer_OIM.html
Helpful Tips
Input labels may use “organic” to refer to the product chemistry (containing carbon
compounds) rather than its approval for use in organic agriculture. Look for the WSDA
Approved for use in Organic Production seal or the OMRI logo on product labels.
Consider how the input is being used. Products may be approved for a specific use and
prohibited under other circumstances.
Check names carefully. A one letter difference in a brand name may distinguish a compliant
product from a noncompliant version.
Input materials may not disclose all the inactive ingredients on a label. 100% of the
ingredients must be evaluated for compliance. If you cannot determine all the ingredients,
don’t use the input on your organic or transitional site.
Definitions
Non-synthetic (natural): A substance derived from a mineral, plant, or animal matter and does
not undergo a synthetic process.
Synthetic: A substance formulated or manufactured by a chemical process or by a process
that chemically changes a substance extracted from naturally occurring plant, animal, or mineral
sources. It does not apply to substances created by naturally occurring biological processes.
AGR 3022 – Updated July 2019
Input Materials for Use in Organic Crop Production
Page 2
Input Material Decision Tree
Additional Resource:
NOP Guidance: Materials for Organic Crop Production (NOP 5034)
https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/NOP-5034.pdf
WSDA Organic Program
PO Box 42560 | Olympia WA 98504-2560
(360) 902-1805 | organic@agr.wa.gov
http://agr.wa.gov/organic
AGR 3022 – Updated July 2019
All Regions
External Link
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https://cms.agr.wa.gov/WSDAKentico/Documents/FSCS/Organic/Pubs_organic/3022_InputMaterialsforCropProduction.pdf?/3022_InputMaterialsforCropProduction