Organic Sub-Program

TERMINATION NOTICE:

This program is being terminated as of January 1, 2016. Conformity assessment bodies currently recognized under the sub-program will remain recognized until January 1, 2016, provided they continue to meet the program requirements. 

Please refer to the following Federal Register Notice (September 9, 2014).

On December 6, 2002 NIST received a request from an accreditation body (IOAS) to establish a sub program under NIST's National Voluntary Conformity Assessment System Evaluation (NVCASE) program for Organic Production and Processing. The purpose of their request was to provide confidence in their quality of work and provide assurance that the accreditation body complies with the international criteria as outlined in ISO/IEC 17011 and specific technical requirements.

Thus NIST decided to proceed with establishing a NVCASE sub-program for Organic Production and Processing. In accordance with NVCASE regulations, NIST published a notice in the Federal Register to invite all interested parties to a workshop held on May 9, 2003. The purpose of this workshop was to consult the public and develop criteria for the sub program. The workshop was attended by USDA, ANSI, IOAS, Organic Trade Association, and other Organic Agriculture experts. No body objected to establishing the sub program while the draft criteria were accepted.

On November 4, 2003 NIST published another notice in the Federal Register to announce the establishment of the sub program for Organic Production and Process and invited applications from all interested accreditation bodies.

Reminder: Applications are no longer accepted for this program.  Please see the termination notice above.

Recognized Accreditation Bodies for the Organic Sub-Program:

IOAS

IOAS Terms of Recognition