2021 US Code
Title 7 - Agriculture
Chapter 94 - Organic Certification
Sec. 6511 - Additional guidelines

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Citation 7 U.S.C. § 6511 (2021)
Section Name §6511. Additional guidelines
Section Text (a) In general

The Secretary, the applicable governing State official, and the certifying agent shall utilize a system of residue testing to test products sold or labeled as organically produced under this chapter to assist in the enforcement of this chapter.

(b) Preharvest testing

The Secretary, the applicable governing State official, or the certifying agent may require preharvest tissue testing of any crop grown on soil suspected of harboring contaminants.

(c) Compliance review (1) Inspection

If the Secretary, the applicable governing State official, or the certifying agent determines that an agricultural product sold or labeled as organically produced under this chapter contains any detectable pesticide or other non-organic residue or prohibited natural substance the Secretary, the applicable governing State official, or the certifying agent shall conduct an investigation to determine if the organic certification program has been violated, and may require the producer or handler of such product to prove that any prohibited substance was not applied to such product.

(2) Removal of organic label

If, as determined by the Secretary, the applicable governing State official, or the certifying agent, the investigation conducted under paragraph (1) indicates that the residue is—

(A) the result of intentional application of a prohibited substance; or

(B) present at levels that are greater than unavoidable residual environmental contamination as prescribed by the Secretary or the applicable governing State official in consultation with the appropriate environmental regulatory agencies;


such agricultural product shall not be sold or labeled as organically produced under this chapter.

Source Credit

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXI, §2112, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3942; Pub. L. 102–237, title X, §1001(4), Dec. 13, 1991, 105 Stat. 1893; Pub. L. 113–79, title X, §10005(a), Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 944.)


Editorial Notes EDITORIAL NOTES AMENDMENTS

2014—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–79 struck out subsec. (d) which related to recordkeeping requirements for producers who operate a certified organic farm or handling operation.

1991—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–237 substituted "Preharvest" for "Pre-harvest" in heading.

Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, Supplement 3, Title 7 - AGRICULTURE
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 7 - AGRICULTURE
CHAPTER 94 - ORGANIC CERTIFICATION
Sec. 6511 - Additional guidelines
Contains section 6511
Date 2021
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 3, 2022
Positive Law No
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 104 Stat. 3942
105 Stat. 1893
128 Stat. 944
Public Law References Public Law 101-624, Public Law 102-237, Public Law 113-79
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