How to streamline organic material compliance reviews in North America
November 10, 2025
Sales of certified organic goods continue to grow in the US and remain strong in Canada, creating corresponding demand for input and processing materials that comply with organic standards. Substantiating compliance gives farmers and processors assurance that materials meet certifier requirements and won’t compromise their own produce.
OMRI listing
The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is recognized by the US National Organic Program (NOP) as a reputable third-party reviewer. So, obtaining an OMRI listing is a critical step for input materials (e.g., fertilizers, pesticides) for organic crops. The same is true for materials used in post-harvest processing of organic crops and organic livestock production.
Before a product is listed by OMRI, it undergoes a stringent, multi-stage assessment. The median timeframe for this is three months, but many factors can delay or even halt progress. What’s more, after a product is deemed compliant with relevant standards, ongoing attention is needed to uphold its listing. Achieving and then maintaining an OMRI listing can be a complex and laborious task, but a well-informed, systematic approach makes things easier.
Read our Insight for expert guidance on obtaining and maintaining OMRI listings for materials used in the production or processing of organic goods, from Shannon Bryant-Spas, Principal Regulatory Consultant.
