---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 6503"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "6503"
heading: "National organic production program"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/6503"
units:
  - "Chapter 94 — Organic Certification"
---

# §6503. National organic production program

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/6502.md?p=20) shall establish an organic certification program for [producers](/usc/7/6502.md?p=19) and [handlers](/usc/7/6502.md?p=9) of [agricultural products](/usc/7/6502.md?p=1) that have been produced using organic methods as provided for in this chapter.
- (b) **State program—** In establishing the program under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/7/6502.md?p=20) shall permit each [State](/usc/7/198.md?p=5) to implement a [State organic certification program](/usc/7/6502.md?p=21) for [producers](/usc/7/6502.md?p=19) and [handlers](/usc/7/6502.md?p=9) of [agricultural products](/usc/7/6502.md?p=1) that have been produced using organic methods as provided for in this chapter.
- (c) **Consultation—** In developing the program under [subsection (a)](#a), and the [National List](/usc/7/6502.md?p=12) under [section 6517 of this title](/usc/7/6517.md), the [Secretary](/usc/7/6502.md?p=20) shall consult with the National Organic Standards Board established under [section 6518 of this title](/usc/7/6518.md).
- (d) **Certification—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/6502.md?p=20) shall implement the program established under [subsection (a)](#a) through [certifying agents](/usc/7/6502.md?p=3-A). Such [certifying agents](/usc/7/6502.md?p=3-A) may certify a farm or [handling operation](/usc/7/6502.md?p=10) that meets the requirements of this chapter and the requirements of the organic certification program of the [State](/usc/7/198.md?p=5) (if applicable) as an organically certified farm or [handling operation](/usc/7/6502.md?p=10).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXI, § 2104, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3937.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Exclusions From Organic Certification

Pub. L. 115–334, title X, § 10104(a), Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4899, provided that: “Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 20, 2018], the Secretary [of Agriculture] shall issue regulations to limit the type of organic operations that are excluded from certification under section 205.101 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations, and from certification under any other related sections under part 205 of title 7, Code of Federal Regulations.”