§ 6505. — Compliance requirements.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC6505]
TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 94--ORGANIC CERTIFICATION
Sec. 6505. Compliance requirements
(a) Domestic products
(1) In general
On or after October 1, 1993--
(A) a person may sell or label an agricultural product as
organically produced only if such product is produced and
handled in accordance with this chapter; and
(B) no person may affix a label to, or provide other market
information concerning, an agricultural product if such label or
information implies, directly or indirectly, that such product
is produced and handled using organic methods, except in
accordance with this chapter.
(2) USDA standards and seal
A label affixed, or other market information provided, in
accordance with paragraph (1) may indicate that the agricultural
product meets Department of Agriculture standards for organic
production and may incorporate the Department of Agriculture seal.
(b) Imported products
Imported agricultural products may be sold or labeled as organically
produced if the Secretary determines that such products have been
produced and handled under an organic certification program that
provides safeguards and guidelines governing the production and handling
of such products that are at least equivalent to the requirements of
this chapter.
(c) Exemptions for processed food
Subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to agricultural
products that--
(1) contain at least 50 percent organically produced ingredients
by weight, excluding water and salt, to the extent that the
Secretary, in consultation with the National Organic Standards Board
and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has determined to
permit the word ``organic'' to be used on the principal display
panel of such products only for the purpose of describing the
organically produced ingredients; or
(2) contain less than 50 percent organically produced
ingredients by weight, excluding water and salt, to the extent that
the Secretary, in consultation with the National Organic Standards
Board and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has determined
to permit the word ``organic'' to appear on the ingredient listing
panel to describe those ingredients that are organically produced in
accordance with this chapter.
(d) Small farmer exemption
Subsection (a)(1) of this section shall not apply to persons who
sell no more than $5,000 annually in value of agricultural products.
(Pub. L. 101-624, title XXI, Sec. 2106, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3937.)
