- As we blogged about earlier this year, USDA will begin enforcing (i.e., implementing) the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule on March 19, 2024.
- The SOE rule, which makes changes to the Nation Organic Program (NOP) regulations at 21 CFR Part 205, is intended to improve oversight of organic integrity.
- One of the many significant impacts of the rule is to increase the number of persons/businesses that are required to be certified as organic. For example, most importers, traders, and brokers of organic products, and facilities storing organic products, are now required to be certified (most retail operations remain exempt from certification).
- More information on the SOE rule can be found at USDA’s website or, if you have questions on the rule, including whether you are now required to be certified, Keller and Heckman is ready to assist.
