The OMRI list (www.omri.org) is a useful tool for certified operations to determine the suitability of inputs for use in organic production and handling. It’s always reassuring to know that a product you’d like to use on your farm or in your processing operation is OMRI listed before you go to your certifier for approval.
Recently, OMRI made some big changes to its Generic Materials List in response to changing National Organic Program (NOP) regulations. OMRI typically updates its Generic Materials List every two years, but the new updates, which will take effect on January 15, 2025, bring significant revisions to use classes, Generic Materials List categories, and technical evaluation criteria.
This year, the major update to the Processing and Handling classes includes the merger of two old classes into one materials class. The previous classes, Processing Agricultural Ingredients and Processing Aids (PA)and Processing Nonagricultural Ingredients and Processing Aids (PN), have been merged into a singular Processing Ingredients and Aids (PI) class.
What does this mean? It may mean that if you’re currently using an OMRI listed Processing Material that the use class will have changed, or the material may have been dropped from the OMRI list entirely. For example, if your OMRI listed processing material was agricultural, it may be dropped from the OMRI list and will now need to be reviewed by your certifying body. The material must either be a.) certified organic, or b.) on the list in part 205.606 of the organic regulations and not available in organic form. Your certifier may ask you for updated documents to demonstrate that the ingredient or processing aid is still compliant. These documents may include an SDS, label, commercial availability search form, and/or an organic certificate and Spec Sheet.
Processing Materials list updates also include:
- The creation of two new categories–Sanitizers, Disinfectants and Cleaners, and Odor Control Products (one allowed and one restricted) to allow the listing of these types of products when entirely formulated with allowed or restricted substances appearing on §205.605 of the National List.
- Updates to the Calcium Carbonate category and created a new prohibited category named Precipitated Calcium Carbonate to make it clear that precipitated calcium carbonate is not allowed under the current regulations.
- The Egg Wash and Vinegar categories have changed to classify eggs as raw agricultural commodities and only subject to post-harvest handling standards. This change removes the previous requirement that vinegar be certified organic when used as an egg wash.
- Pectin, low methoxy and Pectin, high methoxy have been merged into one category to align with the revised National List.
- Clay, Bentonite was removed because another category, Bentonite, already covered this information.
Insect Frass Updates:
- OMRI has changed how it reviews insect frass. Now, substances fed to insects will be reviewed similarly to how compost feedstock is reviewed rather than requiring full, detailed manufacturing processes for every component of insect feed used in the creation of frass.
- Frass from insects that were fed raw livestock manure is subject to the pre-harvest interval restriction (the “90-120 rule”) unless composted or heat-treated prior to use. All insect fras products are subject to pathogen and heavy metals testing in order to be OMRI listed.
- What does this mean? Raw agricultural materials and minimally processed waste materials (such as crop residue, yard waste, cannery waste, pomace, and brewery waste) won’t require full manufacturing process review. If OMRI can confirm that frass feedstocks do not contain intentionally added prohibited synthetics, then plant-based materials are allowed to be fed to insects without further detail. OMRI has also published educational materials describing permitted feedstocks for use in compost, vermicompost, and insect frass.
Crops Scope Changes:
- OMRI amended the Biological Controls and Biopesticides (Class CP) categories to align with EPA definitions. Specifically, only microorganisms are considered biopesticides, but OMRI previously listed nematodes there. By definition, nematodes are macroorganisms and will now be reviewed as Biological Controls.
- Seed Treatments which contain a fertilization function that are formulated with restricted synthetic materials can now appear on the National List. This means that your certifier will need to more closely evaluate seed treatments you want to use to verify that you meet the use restrictions. Even though materials may be OMRI listed, this does not mean they are “Allowed” for use. Producers must meet all use restrictions to be approved to use any restricted synthetic materials.
- Traps may no longer be listed as crop pesticide products because traps are devices outside of OMRI’s scope. Lures used in traps may still be OMRI listed.
- Mentions of NOP Policy Memo 15-4 have been removed from the OMRI List and Policy Manual. This NOP Policy Memo was archived by the NOP earlier this year because the compliance criteria for Chlorine materials now appears in the National List at 205.605 in the organic regulations.
OMRI has begun updating product listings that are impacted by these changes. This is a good time for crop producers and handlers to review their inputs and ingredients lists and verify that none of the materials you currently use are affected by these changes. If you have any questions about whether these changes to the OMRI list affect your operation, please reach out to OneCert for further guidance by emailing info@onecert.com.