USDA National Organic Program (Agricultural Marketing Service)
Government AdministrationDistrict of Columbia, United States51-200 Employees
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) operates within the Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a regulatory body for organic agriculture. It develops and enforces national standards for organically produced products and ensures that items bearing the USDA organic seal meet consistent requirements for production, handling, and distribution. The program investigates violations, enforces organic regulations, and oversees a network of third-party certifiers that certify organic farms and related businesses. It also develops regulations and policies, reviews new materials for use in organic farming, and collaborates with other USDA agencies and international partners on equivalency arrangements, while providing outreach and training for the organic community. Based in Washington, D.C., the program serves organic producers, certifiers, and other stakeholders across the supply chain, helping to assure consumers that organic products meet uniform standards. As part of the government administration sector, it functions as a standards setter and compliance enforcer within the U.S. organic agriculture landscape, coordinating with other agencies and international partners to support consistent practices.