SearchWhat the rule says
Under 7 CFR 205.100(a), except for exempt operations described in 7 CFR 205.101, an operation or portion of an operation that produces or handles agricultural products intended to be sold, labeled, or represented as organic must be certified.
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Official sources
Important conditions, exceptions, and duties
Certification ruleSection 205.100(a) requires certification for operations or portions of operations producing or handling agricultural products intended to be sold, labeled, or represented as 100 percent organic, organic, or made with organic specified ingredients or food groups, except for the exemptions in § 205.101. 7 CFR 205.100(a)
Exempt operationsSection 205.101 describes operations exempt from certification and from submitting an organic system plan for approval, while still requiring compliance with applicable organic production and handling requirements. 7 CFR 205.101
Organic system planThe organic system plan provisions identify the information an operation must submit when certification is required, including practices and substances used in production or handling. 7 CFR 205.201
Labels and recordsPart 205 contains separate production, handling, recordkeeping, and labeling requirements; the label category and product composition matter to the analysis. 7 CFR 205.301–205.311; 205.400–205.406
What this source does not answer
- The cited federal sources do not classify a particular farm's product or labeling category.
- An exemption from certification is not a blanket exemption from every organic production or handling requirement.
- The relevant certifying agent, product composition, handling steps, and current implementation dates must be checked separately.
What to check next
- List the products, ingredients, handling steps, sales channels, and exact organic wording proposed for labels or advertising.
- Compare each operation with 7 CFR 205.100 and the precise exemption conditions in 205.101; ask which applicable duties remain even if certification is exempt.
- Ask the responsible certifying agent or USDA organic office which system-plan, production, handling, records, and label provisions fit those facts.
- Check current implementation dates and any separate State or local requirements before using the proposed organic claim.