§ 6518. National Organic Standards Board
(a)
In general
The Secretary shall establish a National Organic Standards Board (in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act) (hereafter referred to in this section as the “Board”) to assist in the development of standards for substances to be used in organic production and to advise the Secretary on any other aspects of the implementation of this chapter.
(b)
Composition of Board
The Board shall be composed of 15 members, of which—
(3)
one shall be an individual who owns or operates a retail establishment with significant trade in organic products;
(4)
three shall be individuals with expertise in areas of environmental protection and resource conservation;
(6)
one shall be an individual with expertise in the fields of toxicology, ecology, or biochemistry; and
(7)
one shall be an individual who is a certifying agent as identified under section
6515 of this title.
(c)
Appointment
Not later than 180 days after November 28, 1990, the Secretary shall appoint the members of the Board under paragraph (1) through (6) of subsection (b) of this section (and under subsection (b)(7) of this section at an appropriate date after the certification of individuals as certifying agents under section
6515 of this title) from nominations received from organic certifying organizations, States, and other interested persons and organizations.
(d)
Term
A member of the Board shall serve for a term of 5 years, except that the Secretary shall appoint the original members of the Board for staggered terms. A member cannot serve consecutive terms unless such member served an original term that was less than 5 years.
(e)
Meetings
The Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Board not later than 60 days after the appointment of its members and shall convene subsequent meetings on a periodic basis.
(f)
Compensation and expenses
A member of the Board shall serve without compensation. While away from their homes or regular places of business on the business of the Board, members of the Board may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as is authorized under section
5703 of title
5 for persons employed intermittently in the Government service.
(h)
Quorum
A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting business.
(i)
Decisive votes
Two-thirds of the votes cast at a meeting of the Board at which a quorum is present shall be decisive of any motion.
(j)
Other terms and conditions
The Secretary shall authorize the Board to hire a staff director and shall detail staff of the Department of Agriculture or allow for the hiring of staff and may, subject to necessary appropriations, pay necessary expenses incurred by such Board in carrying out the provisions of this chapter, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
(k)
Responsibilities of Board
(1)
In general
The Board shall provide recommendations to the Secretary regarding the implementation of this chapter.
(2)
National List
The Board shall develop the proposed National List or proposed amendments to the National List for submission to the Secretary in accordance with section
6517 of this title.
(3)
Technical advisory panels
The Board shall convene technical advisory panels to provide scientific evaluation of the materials considered for inclusion in the National List. Such panels may include experts in agronomy, entomology, health sciences and other relevant disciplines.
(4)
Special review of botanical pesticides
The Board shall, prior to the establishment of the National List, review all botanical pesticides used in agricultural production and consider whether any such botanical pesticide should be included in the list of prohibited natural substances.
(5)
Product residue testing
The Board shall advise the Secretary concerning the testing of organically produced agricultural products for residues caused by unavoidable residual environmental contamination.
(6)
Emergency spray programs
The Board shall advise the Secretary concerning rules for exemptions from specific requirements of this chapter (except the provisions of section
6511 of this title) with respect to agricultural products produced on certified organic farms if such farms are subject to a Federal or State emergency pest or disease treatment program.
(l)
Requirements
In establishing the proposed National List or proposed amendments to the National List, the Board shall—
(1)
review available information from the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute of Environmental Health Studies, and such other sources as appropriate, concerning the potential for adverse human and environmental effects of substances considered for inclusion in the proposed National List;
(m)
Evaluation
In evaluating substances considered for inclusion in the proposed National List or proposed amendment to the National List, the Board shall consider—
(1)
the potential of such substances for detrimental chemical interactions with other materials used in organic farming systems;
(2)
the toxicity and mode of action of the substance and of its breakdown products or any contaminants, and their persistence and areas of concentration in the environment;
(3)
the probability of environmental contamination during manufacture, use, misuse or disposal of such substance;
(n)
Petitions
The Board shall establish procedures under which persons may petition the Board for the purpose of evaluating substances for inclusion on the National List.
(o)
Confidentiality
Any confidential business information obtained by the Board in carrying out this section shall not be released to the public.