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OMRI revises policies
and standards
April 4, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Miguel Guerrero
miguel (AT) omri.org
541-343-7600 x106
EUGENE, ORE.
(April 4, 2007) – The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), the
organization that reviews products to determine their suitability for
use as
inputs in producing, processing, and handling organic food and fiber,
has adopted
revised review program policies and standards. OMRI will begin to use
the
revised policies and standards, including new forms and instructions,
on May 7,
2007.
The
basic goal of the OMRI Review
Program will be the same. The standards will remain consistent with the
most
current National Organic Program Rule. OMRI Listed®
products will
continue to
be acceptable for use on a certified organic operation.
One
of the most significant changes
to the standards includes the development of maximum concentrations of
arsenic,
cadmium, and lead for all products intended for use on organic crops or
soils.
Also, under the revised policies, OMRI will perform a minimum number of
random
inspections.
“The
revised audit and inspections
policies will enable us to ensure the long-term integrity of our
program,”
states Dave DeCou, OMRI’s
executive
director.
The
new policies and standards were
developed in order to seek accreditation under the International
Organization
for Standardization (ISO) Guide 65—a
standard system for certification
services.
“The
commitment we are making to
ISO will yield more consistent results, while simplifying the process,”
adds
DeCou.
The
revised policies and standards
are contained in two forthcoming publications: the OMRI
Policy Manual and the OMRI
Standards Manual. Companies that have ordered an OMRI Application
Kit
within the last 12 months will automatically be mailed copies of the
new
manuals.
In
addition to applicants, the
changes affect companies that currently participate in the OMRI Review
Program.
All companies with one or more OMRI Listed® product(s) will be
subject to the
new policies upon their annual renewal.
The
revised policies contain the
first comprehensive fee change in the organization’s 10-year history.
New fees reflect
increased operating costs.
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