USDA Organics Board Rejects Compostable Polymers, Puts Paper on Watch

The vote at Tuesday’s meeting wraps up a multiyear review process, but questions on implications remain.

In October 2023, USDA’s National Organic Program, which develops and enforces consistent national standards for organic products sold in the U.S., asked the NOSB to evaluate a petition from the Biodegradable Products Institute for rulemaking.

A BPI spokesperson said in a statement that following its petition regarding compostable feedstocks, “NOSB chose to expand its consultation on the matter, opening its own work item to consider adding compostables to the National List.”

Adding synthetic compost feedstocks to the National List would require a recommendation by NOSB and rulemaking by NOP.