Program Handbook: Guidance and Instructions For Accredited Certifying Agents and Certified Operations

摘要

The goal of the Program Handbook is to provide those who own, manage, or certify organic operations with guidance and instructions that can assist them in complying with the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations. The NOP is issuing this Program Handbook under the auspices of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Bulletin on Agency Good Guidance Practices (GGPs) published January 25, 2007 (72 FR 3432-3440). The purpose of the OMB's GGPs is to help ensure that program guidance documents are developed with adequate public participation, are readily available to the public, and are not applied as binding requirements. The OMB further requires agencies to maintain a current electronic list of all guidance documents as defined in the Bulletin. The NOP strives to ensure uniformity in the development, issuance, and use of guidance and instruction documents related to NOP's regulatory, accreditation, and enforcement activities. The use of guidance and instructions to assist in developing uniform regulatory decisions is a standard government practice.