Strengthening Organic Enforcement

In Janaury 2023, the USDA National Organic Program published the final rule on Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE), the biggest change to organic regulations since the creation of the National Organic Program. The rule closes gaps in the current regulations and builds consistent certification practices to detect and prevent fraud, improve the transparency and traceability of organic products across the supply chain, and protect organic integrity to support the continued growth of the organic market.

Who Is Impacted?

• All producers, processors, and handlers of organic products
• All organic certifying agents and inspectors
• Organic supply chain participants who are currently not certified organic

Compliance Dates

Operations and certifying agents must comply with new requirements by March 19, 2024. This includes both currently certified and uncertified operations required to become certified as a result of this final rule (e.g., importers, exporters, certain brokers, and traders).