Table 1 — Prohibited Natural Substances
7 CFR §205.602
| Substance | Category | NOP Section | Status | Typical Organic Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | Natural | 205.602 | Prohibited | Pesticide | Arsenic compounds are toxic and prohibited in organic crop production due to environmental persistence and toxicity. |
| Lead salts | Natural | 205.602 | Prohibited | Pesticide | Lead-based compounds historically used in agriculture are banned due to toxicity. |
| Rotenone | Natural | 205.602 | Prohibited | Insecticide | Rotenone is a botanical insecticide derived from plant roots but prohibited due to ecological and health risks. |
| Strychnine | Natural | 205.602 | Prohibited | Rodenticide | Strychnine is a highly toxic natural compound banned in organic agriculture. |
| Tobacco dust (nicotine sulfate) | Natural | 205.602 | Prohibited | Insecticide | Derived from tobacco plants but prohibited because of toxicity risks. |
(Table continues for the complete §205.602 list.)
Table 2 — Allowed Synthetic Substances (Livestock Production)
7 CFR §205.603
| Substance | Category | NOP Section | Status | Typical Organic Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aspirin | Synthetic | 205.603 | Allowed | Veterinary medicine | Used to reduce inflammation and fever in livestock under veterinary supervision. |
| Electrolytes | Synthetic | 205.603 | Allowed | Animal health | Used to treat dehydration and electrolyte imbalances in livestock. |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Synthetic | 205.603 | Allowed | Disinfectant | Used to sanitize livestock equipment and facilities. |
| Iodine | Synthetic | 205.603 | Allowed | Teat dip | Used for sanitation in dairy operations. |
| Lidocaine | Synthetic | 205.603 | Allowed | Local anesthetic | Used during veterinary procedures. |
| Oxalic acid | Synthetic | 205.603 | Allowed | Apiculture | Used to control Varroa mites in beehives. |
| Xylazine | Synthetic | 205.603 | Allowed | Sedative | Veterinary sedative used in livestock treatment. |
(Table continues for the full §205.603 livestock materials list.)
NOP Allowed Synthetic Substances ( CFR205.601) Single Table (95 rows)
| Substance | Category | NOP Section | Status | Typical Use | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohols — Ethanol | Synthetic | 205.601(a)(1)(i) | Allowed | Disinfectant / sanitizer | Used for sanitation of tools, benches, containers, and hard surfaces to reduce transfer of plant pathogens during organic crop production and handling. Not a crop nutrient or field input. [1] |
| Alcohols — Isopropanol | Synthetic | 205.601(a)(1)(ii) | Allowed | Disinfectant / sanitizer | Used for rapid disinfection of pruning tools and contact surfaces in production areas to limit disease spread between plants and blocks. Applied as a sanitation measure, not as a pesticide. [1] |
| Chlorine materials — Calcium hypochlorite | Synthetic | 205.601(a)(2)(i) | Allowed (restricted) | Water / equipment sanitation | Permitted for sanitation of water and equipment. For pre-harvest crop-contact water, residual chlorine must not exceed the Safe Drinking Water Act MRDL; sprouts may follow EPA label directions. [1][2] |
| Chlorine materials — Chlorine dioxide | Synthetic | 205.601(a)(2)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Water / equipment sanitation | Allowed sanitizer for water systems and contact surfaces. Residual limits apply for pre-harvest crop-contact water under the Safe Drinking Water Act MRDL; sprouts may follow EPA label directions. [1][2] |
| Chlorine materials — Hypochlorous acid (electrolyzed water) | Synthetic | 205.601(a)(2)(iii) | Allowed (restricted) | Water / surface sanitation | Generated from electrolyzed water for sanitation. Pre-harvest crop-contact water must meet Safe Drinking Water Act MRDL limits; use per label and organic system plan controls. [1][2] |
| Chlorine materials — Potassium hypochlorite (irrigation water) | Synthetic | 205.601(a)(2)(iv) | Allowed (restricted) | Irrigation water sanitation | Allowed only for use in water for irrigation purposes, with MRDL limits where water contacts crops/soil. Used to reduce microbial load and biofilm issues in irrigation systems. [1][2] |
| Chlorine materials — Sodium hypochlorite | Synthetic | 205.601(a)(2)(v) | Allowed (restricted) | Water / equipment sanitation | Allowed sanitizer for equipment and water systems. Residual disinfectant limits apply for crop-contact water and irrigation-system cleaning water applied to soil; sprouts may follow EPA label directions. [1][2] |
| Copper sulfate (algicide in aquatic rice) | Synthetic | 205.601(a)(3) | Allowed (restricted) | Algicide (aquatic rice) | Allowed only as an algicide in aquatic rice systems, limited to one application per field per 24 months, with rates limited so baseline soil copper values do not increase beyond a timeframe agreed with the certifier. [1] |
| Hydrogen peroxide (sanitizer + disease control) | Synthetic | 205.601(a)(4); 205.601(i)(5) | Allowed | Sanitation / disease control | Allowed for sanitation (including irrigation system cleaning) and also listed for crop disease control uses. Applied to reduce microbial contamination and certain disease pressures, with use controlled by label and organic system plan. [1] |
| Ozone gas (irrigation system cleaner only) | Synthetic | 205.601(a)(5) | Allowed (restricted) | Irrigation system cleaning | Allowed only as an irrigation system cleaner to address biofilms and microbial contamination in irrigation infrastructure. Not permitted as a general field pesticide or broad crop treatment. [1] |
| Peracetic acid (disinfection + fire blight) | Synthetic | 205.601(a)(6); 205.601(i)(8) | Allowed (restricted) | Disinfection; fire blight control | Allowed to disinfect equipment, seed, and asexually propagated planting material, and also listed for control of fire blight bacteria. Also permitted in certain hydrogen peroxide formulations up to 6% per label. [1] |
| Soap-based algicide/demossers | Synthetic | 205.601(a)(7) | Allowed | Algae / moss control | Allowed for algae and moss control where these issues affect production surfaces or water infrastructure. Use should prevent contamination of crops/soil/water and fit within sanitation and maintenance needs. [1] |
| Sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate (CAS 15630-89-4) | Synthetic | 205.601(a)(8) | Allowed (restricted) | Sanitizer (label-limited food uses) | Allowed, but federal law restricts use in food crop production to approved food uses identified on the product label. Commonly used for sanitation and certain labeled plant-surface uses. [1] |
| Herbicides, soap-based (farmstead/ornamental only) | Synthetic | 205.601(b)(1) | Allowed (restricted) | Weed control (limited sites) | Allowed only for farmstead maintenance (roadways, ditches, rights-of-way, building perimeters) and ornamental crops. Not approved as a general field herbicide for crop rows. [1] |
| Mulch — Newspaper/recycled paper (no glossy/colored inks) | Synthetic | 205.601(b)(2)(i) | Allowed | Weed barrier / soil cover | Allowed as a weed barrier mulch if made from newspaper or recycled paper without glossy or colored inks. Used to suppress weeds and conserve moisture, often topped with organic mulch. [1] |
| Mulch — Plastic mulch/covers (no PVC) | Synthetic | 205.601(b)(2)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Row cover / plastic mulch | Petroleum-based plastic mulch and covers are allowed if not PVC. Used for weed suppression, moisture retention, and soil warming; managed to prevent residue and removed as required by the system plan. [1] |
| Mulch — Biodegradable biobased mulch film | Synthetic | 205.601(b)(2)(iii) | Allowed (restricted) | Biobased weed barrier | Allowed only if it meets the NOP definition and is produced without organisms or feedstock derived from excluded methods. Used as a weed barrier where retrieval/removal is impractical. [1] |
| Compost feedstocks — Newspaper/recycled paper (no glossy/colored inks) | Synthetic | 205.601(c) | Allowed | Compost carbon source | Allowed as a compost feedstock when it is newspaper or recycled paper without glossy or colored inks. Used as a carbon source to balance C:N ratio in compost recipes under compliant composting practices. [1] |
| Soaps, ammonium (large animal repellent only) | Synthetic | 205.601(d) | Allowed (restricted) | Large animal repellent | Allowed only as a large animal repellent with no contact with soil or edible portion of the crop. Used as a deterrent at field edges or vulnerable areas under plan controls. [1] |
| Ammonium carbonate (bait in insect traps only) | Synthetic | 205.601(e)(1) | Allowed (restricted) | Trap bait | Allowed only as bait in insect traps with no direct contact with crop or soil. Used to attract targeted insects into traps for monitoring or population reduction. [1] |
| Aqueous potassium silicate (CAS 1312-76-1) | Synthetic | 205.601(e)(2); 205.601(i)(1) | Allowed (restricted) | Insect/disease management | Allowed for insecticide and disease control uses; silica used to manufacture potassium silicate must be sourced from naturally occurring sand. Commonly used as a foliar material in labeled applications. [1] |
| Boric acid (structural pest control only) | Synthetic | 205.601(e)(3) | Allowed (restricted) | Structural pest control | Allowed only for structural pest control with no direct contact with organic food or crops. Used in buildings and storage areas to manage ants and other pests as part of facility protection. [1] |
| Copper sulfate (tadpole shrimp control in aquatic rice) | Synthetic | 205.601(e)(4) | Allowed (restricted) | Tadpole shrimp control | Allowed in aquatic rice only, limited to one application per field per 24 months, with rates limited so baseline soil copper values do not increase beyond a timeframe agreed with the certifier. [1] |
| Elemental sulfur (multiple uses) | Synthetic | 205.601(e)(5); 205.601(h)(2); 205.601(i)(10); 205.601(j)(2) | Allowed | Insect/disease/slug bait/amendment | Listed for insect control, slug/snail bait, crop disease control, and as a crop/soil amendment. Used as labeled for pest/disease suppression and (where appropriate) amendment functions under system plan needs. [1] |
| Lime sulfur (incl. calcium polysulfide) | Synthetic | 205.601(e)(6); 205.601(i)(6) | Allowed (restricted) | Insect & disease control | Allowed for insect and crop disease control, including calcium polysulfide. Often used in dormant-season programs and specific disease/pest situations; application timing and crop sensitivity controls are essential. [1] |
| Horticultural oils — Dormant oils (narrow range) | Synthetic | 205.601(e)(7); 205.601(i)(7) | Allowed | Dormant pest/disease suppression | Narrow-range oils are allowed as dormant oils to suppress overwintering pest stages and reduce certain disease inoculum on woody crops. Used with careful temperature and phytotoxicity management. [1] |
| Horticultural oils — Suffocating oils (narrow range) | Synthetic | 205.601(e)(7); 205.601(i)(7) | Allowed | Contact pest control | Allowed as suffocating oils to control certain insects/mites by smothering. Applied for contact control with emphasis on coverage; used within IPM when cultural and biological methods are insufficient. [1] |
| Horticultural oils — Summer oils (narrow range) | Synthetic | 205.601(e)(7); 205.601(i)(7) | Allowed | In-season pest/disease suppression | Allowed as summer oils for in-season management of certain insects/mites and some disease-related surface effects. Use is timed to avoid heat stress and crop injury while meeting labeled directions. [1] |
| Soaps, insecticidal | Synthetic | 205.601(e)(8) | Allowed | Soft-bodied insect control | Allowed contact material for aphids, whiteflies, mites, and similar pests. Works by disrupting insect membranes and protective coatings; efficacy depends on thorough coverage and appropriate timing. [1] |
| Sticky traps | Synthetic | 205.601(e)(9) | Allowed | Pest monitoring/trapping | Allowed for monitoring and trapping insects (common in greenhouses and protected culture). Supports threshold-based decisions and targeted interventions without broadcast pesticide exposure. [1] |
| Sticky barriers | Synthetic | 205.601(e)(9) | Allowed | Crawling insect exclusion | Allowed as barriers on trunks, benches, or greenhouse structures to intercept crawling pests. Used as a physical control method that complements sanitation and exclusion practices. [1] |
| Sucrose octanoate esters (CAS 42922-74-7; 58064-47-4) | Synthetic | 205.601(e)(10) | Allowed (restricted) | Labeled insect/mite control | Allowed in accordance with approved labeling. Used as a contact insecticide/miticide in certain crops and settings; compliance depends on label directions and documented necessity in the organic system plan. [1] |
| Pheromones | Synthetic | 205.601(f) | Allowed | Monitoring / mating disruption | Allowed for insect management via monitoring traps and mating disruption. Used to reduce reproduction and to time interventions precisely, often lowering reliance on broader materials. [1] |
| Vitamin D3 | Synthetic | 205.601(g) | Allowed | Rodent control | Allowed as a rodenticide for managing rodents around production areas and structures. Used in secured baiting programs with non-target protections and label compliance. [1] |
| Ferric phosphate (CAS 10045-86-0) | Synthetic | 205.601(h)(1) | Allowed | Slug/snail bait | Allowed bait material for slug and snail control. Applied as bait placements to protect crops from mollusk feeding while supporting targeted pest management. [1] |
| Coppers, fixed — Copper hydroxide | Synthetic | 205.601(i)(2) | Allowed (restricted) | Disease control (copper) | Allowed fixed copper for disease control; copper-based materials must minimize soil accumulation and may not be used as herbicides. Used as protective fungicide/bactericide where justified. [1] |
| Coppers, fixed — Copper oxide | Synthetic | 205.601(i)(2) | Allowed (restricted) | Disease control (copper) | Allowed fixed copper for crop disease control with the same restrictions: minimize soil accumulation and not used as herbicide. Used in labeled disease management programs when needed. [1] |
| Coppers, fixed — Copper oxychloride | Synthetic | 205.601(i)(2) | Allowed (restricted) | Disease control (copper) | Allowed fixed copper for disease control; use must minimize copper buildup and cannot be used as herbicide. Typically applied preventively under disease-conducive conditions. [1] |
| Copper sulfate (disease control; minimize accumulation) | Synthetic | 205.601(i)(3) | Allowed (restricted) | Disease control (copper) | Allowed for crop disease control only when used to minimize copper accumulation in soil. Often applied as a protectant material under strict justification and soil protection controls. [1] |
| Hydrated lime | Synthetic | 205.601(i)(4) | Allowed (restricted) | Disease control | Allowed for crop disease control uses. Applied as part of specific disease management strategies; use is targeted and recorded to prevent unintended impacts on soil chemistry and surrounding resources. [1] |
| Potassium bicarbonate | Synthetic | 205.601(i)(9) | Allowed | Fungicide | Allowed for crop disease control, commonly used against powdery mildew. Acts as a contact material influencing surface conditions unfavorable to fungal growth; coverage and timing are key. [1] |
| Polyoxin D zinc salt | Synthetic | 205.601(i)(11) | Allowed | Fungicide | Allowed fungicide used for certain crop diseases. Applied per label and organic system plan documentation when prevention and cultural practices alone do not adequately control the targeted disease. [1] |
| Aquatic plant extracts (other than hydrolyzed) | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(1) | Allowed (restricted) | Soil/crop amendment | Allowed when extraction is limited to potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide and solvent amount is limited to what is necessary for extraction. Used as amendment/stimulant inputs under plan controls. [1] |
| Humic acids (water/alkali extracts only) | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(3) | Allowed | Soil conditioner | Allowed only from naturally occurring deposits using water and alkali extraction. Used to support soil conditioning and nutrient interaction strategies consistent with organic soil health management. [1] |
| Lignin sulfonate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(4) | Allowed | Chelating agent / dust suppressant | Allowed as a chelating agent and dust suppressant. Commonly used to chelate micronutrients and improve handling/application performance rather than to provide primary fertility. [1][3] |
| Magnesium oxide (CAS 1309-48-4) | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(5) | Allowed (restricted) | Humate clay suspension viscosity | Allowed only to control viscosity of a clay suspension agent for humates. Not a general fertilizer allowance; strictly a formulation/processing function within humate-related products. [1] |
| Magnesium sulfate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(6) | Allowed (restricted) | Deficiency correction | Allowed only with a documented soil deficiency. Used to correct magnesium limitation verified by soil/tissue testing or other certifier-approved documentation. [1] |
| Micronutrients — Soluble boron products | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(i) | Allowed (restricted) | Boron deficiency correction | Allowed for correcting boron deficiency when deficiency is documented. Must not be used as defoliant, herbicide, or desiccant; nitrates/chlorides not allowed; documentation required. [1][3] |
| Zinc sulfate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Zinc deficiency correction | Allowed micronutrient form (sulfate) for zinc when deficiency is documented by soil/tissue testing or other verifiable method. Not permitted if made from nitrates or chlorides; not for defoliation. [1][3] |
| Zinc carbonate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Zinc deficiency correction | Allowed zinc micronutrient form (carbonate) when deficiency is documented. Use is limited to correcting verified deficiency and must align with organic system plan constraints and labeling. [1][3] |
| Zinc oxide | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Zinc deficiency correction | Allowed zinc form (oxide) for correcting documented deficiency. Applied at minimal effective rates and recorded to demonstrate necessity, avoiding routine or prophylactic micronutrient use. [1][3] |
| Zinc silicate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Zinc deficiency correction | Allowed zinc form (silicate) only with documented deficiency. Used to address zinc-limited growth and enzyme function issues where confirmed by testing and approved by the certifier. [1][3] |
| Copper sulfate (micronutrient use) | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Copper deficiency correction | Copper forms are allowed as micronutrients (including sulfate) only with documented deficiency. Must minimize accumulation risk and is prohibited if made from nitrates or chlorides. [1][3] |
| Copper carbonate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Copper deficiency correction | Allowed copper carbonate as a micronutrient form when deficiency is documented. Use is limited to correction, not routine supplementation, and must not be used as defoliant, herbicide, or desiccant. [1][3] |
| Copper oxide (micronutrient use) | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Copper deficiency correction | Allowed copper oxide for micronutrient correction only with documented deficiency. Applied carefully to reduce soil accumulation concerns while meeting the strict limitations in the micronutrient annotation. [1][3] |
| Copper silicate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Copper deficiency correction | Allowed copper silicate as a micronutrient form when deficiency is documented and product is not made from nitrates/chlorides. Use is limited to verifiable correction under certifier oversight. [1][3] |
| Iron sulfate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Iron chlorosis correction | Allowed iron sulfate as a micronutrient form with documented deficiency. Used to address iron chlorosis where soil conditions limit availability, consistent with organic system plan nutrient management. [1][3] |
| Iron carbonate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Iron deficiency correction | Allowed iron carbonate for correcting verified deficiency. Use requires documentation and must avoid nitrate/chloride forms; intended for targeted correction rather than ongoing supplementation. [1][3] |
| Iron oxide | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Iron deficiency correction | Allowed iron oxide when deficiency is documented. Used to support chlorophyll formation and photosynthesis in iron-limited conditions; applied only as needed with records supporting necessity. [1][3] |
| Iron silicate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Iron deficiency correction | Allowed iron silicate only for documented deficiency correction. Used where iron limitation is verified and certifier accepts the documentation method; not permitted if made from nitrates/chlorides. [1][3] |
| Manganese sulfate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Manganese deficiency correction | Allowed manganese sulfate as a micronutrient form when deficiency is documented. Used to correct limitations affecting photosynthesis/enzyme function; restricted to correction, not routine use. [1][3] |
| Manganese carbonate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Manganese deficiency correction | Allowed manganese carbonate with documented deficiency. Use must be justified and recorded; prohibited for defoliation, herbicidal, or desiccant purposes. [1][3] |
| Manganese oxide | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Manganese deficiency correction | Allowed manganese oxide for documented deficiency. Applied at minimal effective rates; compliance requires proof of deficiency and avoidance of nitrate/chloride forms. [1][3] |
| Manganese silicate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Manganese deficiency correction | Allowed manganese silicate only with documented deficiency and certifier approval. Used to correct manganese-limited plant function; not for routine or cosmetic applications. [1][3] |
| Molybdenum sulfate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Molybdenum deficiency correction | Allowed molybdenum sulfate as a micronutrient form when deficiency is documented. Used in very small amounts due to narrow need range; strictly correction-based under plan documentation. [1][3] |
| Molybdenum carbonate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Molybdenum deficiency correction | Allowed molybdenum carbonate with documented deficiency. Supports nitrogen metabolism in plants; use is minimal, targeted, and recorded to demonstrate necessity and prevent excess. [1][3] |
| Molybdenum oxide | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Molybdenum deficiency correction | Allowed molybdenum oxide only with documented deficiency. Used to correct verified limitations affecting nitrogen utilization; not allowed in nitrate/chloride forms and not used as desiccant. [1][3] |
| Molybdenum silicate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Molybdenum deficiency correction | Allowed molybdenum silicate form with documented deficiency and certifier acceptance. Applied in very small dosages to correct verified problems in nitrogen-related plant processes. [1][3] |
| Selenium sulfate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Selenium deficiency correction | Allowed selenium sulfate only for documented deficiency. Selenium has a narrow safe range; use is carefully controlled, minimized, and recorded under certifier oversight. [1][3] |
| Selenium carbonate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Selenium deficiency correction | Allowed selenium carbonate when deficiency is documented. Used as a trace correction input; strict records and rate controls are important due to potential toxicity at higher levels. [1][3] |
| Selenium oxide | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Selenium deficiency correction | Allowed selenium oxide for deficiency correction only. Used in trace amounts with verified need and certifier-accepted documentation; not permitted as nitrate/chloride form. [1][3] |
| Selenium silicate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Selenium deficiency correction | Allowed selenium silicate when deficiency is documented and approved. Applied conservatively due to narrow agronomic need range; recordkeeping demonstrates compliance and necessity. [1][3] |
| Cobalt sulfate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Cobalt deficiency correction | Allowed cobalt sulfate only with documented deficiency. Used as a trace micronutrient correction input and must not be used as defoliant/herbicide/desiccant; nitrates/chlorides not allowed. [1][3] |
| Cobalt carbonate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Cobalt deficiency correction | Allowed cobalt carbonate for documented deficiency correction. Used in small amounts under certifier-accepted documentation and within the micronutrient annotation limitations. [1][3] |
| Cobalt oxide | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Cobalt deficiency correction | Allowed cobalt oxide only when deficiency is documented. Applied conservatively to correct verified need and recorded to demonstrate necessity and avoid routine micronutrient dependence. [1][3] |
| Cobalt silicate | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(7)(ii) | Allowed (restricted) | Cobalt deficiency correction | Allowed cobalt silicate when deficiency is documented. Used for correction only and must comply with prohibition on nitrate/chloride-made micronutrients and non-agronomic uses. [1][3] |
| Liquid fish products (pH adjusted to 3.5 max) | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(8) | Allowed (restricted) | Fertility input stabilization | Allowed liquid fish products may be pH adjusted with sulfuric, citric, or phosphoric acid, limited to the minimum needed to lower pH to 3.5. Used as a stabilized fertility input under plan controls. [1] |
| Vitamins C and E | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(9) | Allowed | Amendment additive | Allowed as crop or soil amendment inputs in certain formulations. Used as functional additives rather than primary fertility; use is documented to show purpose and avoid unnecessary synthetic dependence. [1] |
| Squid byproducts (food waste processing only; pH adjustment to 3.5 max) | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(10) | Allowed (restricted) | Fertility input stabilization | Allowed only from food waste processing. May be pH adjusted with sulfuric, citric, or phosphoric acid, limited to the minimum needed to lower pH to 3.5. Used as an input under plan documentation. [1] |
| Sulfurous acid (on-farm generation; 99% sulfur reference) | Synthetic | 205.601(j)(11) | Allowed (restricted) | On-farm generated input | Allowed for on-farm generation utilizing 99% purity elemental sulfur per the regulation reference. Use is process-controlled and documented to show purity, generation method, and intended function. [1] |
| Ethylene gas (pineapple flowering) | Synthetic | 205.601(k)(1) | Allowed (restricted) | Plant growth regulator | Allowed specifically for regulation of pineapple flowering. This is a narrowly limited use; records typically document timing and need under the organic system plan. [1] |
| Fatty alcohols — C6 | Synthetic | 205.601(k)(2) | Allowed (restricted) | Tobacco sucker control | Allowed for sucker control in organic tobacco production (C6). Use is crop-specific and applied per labeled directions when mechanical controls are insufficient, with documentation in the system plan. [1] |
| Fatty alcohols — C8 | Synthetic | 205.601(k)(2) | Allowed (restricted) | Tobacco sucker control | Allowed for sucker control in organic tobacco production (C8). Used to manage sucker growth per label in the defined crop context; not a general plant growth regulator for other crops. [1] |
| Fatty alcohols — C10 | Synthetic | 205.601(k)(2) | Allowed (restricted) | Tobacco sucker control | Allowed for sucker control in organic tobacco production (C10). Use is limited to the stated purpose and requires standard organic plan documentation and recordkeeping. [1] |
| Fatty alcohols — C12 | Synthetic | 205.601(k)(2) | Allowed (restricted) | Tobacco sucker control | Allowed for sucker control in organic tobacco production (C12). Applied in compliance with label restrictions and only within the crop/purpose specified in the National List. [1] |
| Sodium silicate (floating agent; postharvest) | Synthetic | 205.601(l) | Allowed (restricted) | Postharvest handling | Allowed as a floating agent in postharvest handling for tree fruit and fiber processing. This is a functional processing/handling use rather than a field input. [1] |
| EPA List 4 inerts (Inerts of Minimal Concern) | Synthetic | 205.601(m)(1) | Allowed | Formulation inert ingredient | Allowed as synthetic inert ingredients for use with permitted active pesticide ingredients, subject to any limitations on active substances. Supports formulation needs while maintaining a lower-risk inert profile. [1] |
| EPA List 3 inerts (unknown toxicity; passive pheromone dispensers only) | Synthetic | 205.601(m)(2) | Allowed (restricted) | Passive pheromone dispensers | Allowed only in passive pheromone dispensers. This does not broadly approve List 3 inerts for general pesticide formulations; allowance is limited to the specified dispenser use case. [1] |
| Seed preparations — Hydrogen chloride (CAS 7647-01-0) | Synthetic | 205.601(n) | Allowed (restricted) | Cotton seed delinting | Allowed for delinting cotton seed for planting. This is a narrow seed-preparation use that improves handling and planting performance; use is documented and confined to the listed purpose. [1] |
| Microcrystalline cheesewax (CAS 64742-42-3; 8009-03-08; 8002-74-2) | Synthetic | 205.601(o)(1) | Allowed (restricted) | Log-grown mushroom production | Allowed for log-grown mushroom production only, and must be made without ethylene-propylene copolymer and without synthetic colors. Used as a production aid rather than a pesticide or fertilizer. [1] |
| Paper-based crop planting aids (no glossy/colored inks) | Synthetic | 205.601(o)(2) | Allowed | Planting aids | Allowed as defined in §205.2 using virgin or recycled paper without glossy paper or colored inks. Used for planting aids (e.g., paper-based seed/planting assist materials) under contamination controls. [1] |
Citations
[1] Cornell Law School, Legal Information Institute. 7 CFR §205.601 — Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production.
[2] USDA AMS National Organic Program Handbook. 5026 — The Use of Chlorine Materials in Organic Production and Handling.
[3] USDA AMS / NOSB Crops Subcommittee. Micronutrients annotation and restrictions (deficiency documentation; nitrates/chlorides not allowed).