Application to amend the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce

Important Information

Approved applications will be shared with industry for consultation via the departments ‘Have Your Say’ website.  Any commercial-in-confidence information submitted as part of an application must be clearly marked. Where indicated, this information will remain with the department and the NSAC, and not be released to industry.

Application procedure

1. Application received and checked to confirm that all relevant information has been included.
2. The department will notify the applicant of receipt of their submission and assign an application number.
3. The NSAC will review the application and make recommendations to the department.

Decision making process

1. In NSAC’s initial review of a submission, they will only decide if the submission is valid if it meets one or more of the following criteria (if yes, investigate further* if no, reject application):
   • The submission is allowed in an international organic standard
   • The submission is allowed in an overseas organic country regulation
   • The submission meets the general principles and fundamental principles for organic/bio-dynamic processes.
2. The NSAC will provide the department (the administrator of the National Standard) with their recommendation to either accept or reject the application based on the above criteria.
   • If a recommendation is made to the department to accept an application, the department will then consult with industry via the department’s ‘Have Your Say’ portal. The department will provide the NSAC with the ‘Have Your Say’ results for assessment with the original application.
   • If a recommendation is made by the NSAC to reject an application, the department will assess all information provided as part of the recommendation and notify the applicant of the decision.
3. The NSAC will provide the department (the administrator of the National Standard) with their formal recommendation to either accept or reject the proposed amendment.
4. The department will make the final decision regarding amendments and, if approved (following consultation), an amendment to the National Standard will be scheduled, with updates provided on the department’s website.

*Note:

• Where the application is for a product/substance the criteria listed/outlined in Appendices M and N of the National Standard is used as a basis for decision making.
• Where an application is for a management practice, both the general principles and fundamental principles for organic/biodynamic are used as a basis for decision making.
• The NSAC will decide to accept or reject an application based on the above decision-making process.

Please note: Both the department and the NSAC may request further information or clarification from the applicant during the decision-making process. Where this occurs, the applicant will be advised how long they have to respond to the additional request(s). Failure to respond within this timeframe will result in the application being deemed withdrawn and will no longer be considered.