Ensure consistent implementation of the USDA organic regulations through collaboration and education

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) awarded a $234,000 Cooperative Agreement to the Accredited Certifiers Association Inc. under the Market Protection and Promotion program (CFDA 10.163) effective September 1, 2025, through August 31, 2026. The awardee will partner with the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) to ensure consistent implementation of organic regulations through collaborative initiatives and educational support. Key deliverables include the establishment of working groups to address identified project areas, development of best practices documents for organic certification, creation of training content for annual NOP certifier trainings, and production of instructional resources and guidance memos for NOP-accredited certifiers.

These products and services will benefit all NOP-accredited certifiers, certified organic operations, entities transitioning to organic production, and broader organic stakeholders including consumers. The agreement leverages feedback models and collaborative working groups to identify emerging issues and maintain standardization across the organic certification ecosystem. This award represents continued federal investment in technical assistance and regulatory support, consistent with AMS's broader Market Protection and Promotion program focus on maintaining fair and open marketing distribution systems for agricultural products.

The accredited certifiers association (ACA) will partner with the national organic program (NOP) to address several project areas and identify others as needed. The work for this agreement will include creating working groups, using feedback models, developing resources, and creating content for the annual NOP certifier trainings. Deliverables may include best practices documents, training, and working versions of instructions and/or memos to certifiers. This project will be relevant to all NOP-accredited certifiers, which would subsequently affect all certified organic operations, those interested in transitioning to organic production, and other organic stakeholders such as consumers.