The new Congressional bill ensures continued advancement of organic standards and practices

The US Congress recently passed bipartisan legislation that ensures organic standards evolve and improve, while holding the federal government accountable for remaining familiar with the needs and expectations in the organic marketplace. The “Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act (CIAO) 2023” H.R. 5973 was introduced by a broad coalition of farmers, industry, environmental and other organizations working together with Congress to ensure organic continues to be a dynamic opportunity for growth and able to meet the future needs and desires of both producers and consumers.

Key components of the bill include:

Requiring the USDA to review and revise national organic standards “not less frequently than once every five years.”

Continuing established processes of consultation with the National Organic Standards Board and input from the public.

When proposing revisions, the USDA and the National Organic Standards Board “shall consider the best available information, including environmental and ecological data, consumer and market data, current organic production and handling practices, current organic research, and scientific data.”

The organic sector has grown to more than a $67 billion market in the US.

Source: The Organic Trade Association