The organics industry is set to benefit from the release of Edition 3.8 of National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce.
The updated edition of the standard introduces:
- Section 1.15 – Amendment – Livestock Breeds and Breeding – semen sexing in livestock intended for milk production; and
- Section 3.1.6 – Amendment – Cosmetics and Skincare – Sodium Hydroxide may be used as a pH adjuster (and appendices); and
- Section 3.2 – New commodity – Wine Production (and applicable appendices)
- Minor administrative changes in line with recent Machinery of Government changes.
Edition 3.8 of National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce will come into effect on 1 January 2023.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry resumed direct management of the National Standard for Organic and Bio-dynamic Produce and gained oversight of the National Standard Advisory Committee (NSAC) on 1 January 2022.
We intend to make continual improvements to the National Standard so that it is both reflective of current practices and provides a framework aimed at increasing opportunities for negotiating broader equivalent market access with trading partners.
The release of the new edition of the standard has been made possible through the collaborative and consultative efforts of industry representative associations, industry participants, certifying bodies, and the National Standard Advisory Committee (NSAC). The department is grateful for the assistance in developing and finalising these significant changes to the National Standard.
In conjunction with the work on the updated National Standard, Ms Jo-Anne Harrison, has been appointed independent chair to the NSAC.
The NSAC is the technical committee which supports amendments and provides advice and recommendations to the department on the National Standard.
Ms Harrison’s appointment is an opportunity to further increase the transparency, independence, and impartiality of the NSAC and ensures it is known as a committee that has the betterment of the organic and bio-dynamic produce industry at its heart.
Ms Harrison brings extensive experience in standards development and has been the chair of one of Standards Australia’s technical committees for 15 years. She is also a lecturer on corporate governance, risk management, business continuity, reputational risk and project governance at the Governance Institute of Australia.
