Amendments to the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce

Share your feedback on amendments to the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce.

The National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce is Australia’s export standard for organic and bio-dynamic produce.

This page is used to consult with you on proposed amendments to the National Standard. It also outlines the outcomes of past amendment proposals.

Your feedback helps us to keep Australia’s National Standard relevant and practical for the industries it supports.

The National Standard Advisory Committee (NSAC) meets quarterly to review and make decisions on new applications to amend the National Standard. The NSAC also leverages these meetings to discuss feedback from any recent ‘closed consultations’ on Have Your Say and make recommendations and decisions on those to the department.

The NSAC also identifies sections of the National Standard that require analysis and potential changes.

Open consultations – provide your feedback.

We are currently seeking industry feedback on the inclusion of a proposed new algae section to the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce.

The department and the NSAC established an expert working group in 2024 to develop the organic algae standards for the National Standard.

The expert algae working group completed a comprehensive review of the applications received from industry to amend the National Standard (edition 3.8) to include algae and conducted a comparative study of international organic algae standards.

The working group has proposed the following sections in the National Standard (edition 3.8) be amended or added to support the inclusion of the proposed new algae section in the National Standard:

• Scope of this standard

• Definitions

• New section 1.25 Algae added

• Existing section 1.25 Bio-dynamic production to be renumbered to section 1.26

• Appendix K

You can read more about the National Standard on the department’s website.

Key documents

National Standard: Proposed new algae section [Word 774 KB]

Closed consultations

Industry feedback was sought on proposed amendments to the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce, relating to:

1.13 to 1.22 Livestock Standards, 1.25 Bio-dynamic production and Appendix D

This survey is now closed. Review of feedback is underway by the NSAC to finalise the amendments to the National Standard.

Proposed addition of analgesic
This survey is now closed. Further public consultation was undertaken in September 2024 following the NSAC livestock working group’s review.

1.24 Proposed addition of algae

This survey is now closed. A working group has been formed to finalise the algae standards.

1.25.2 Bio-dynamic preparations
This survey is now closed. Proposed amendments accepted.

1.15 Livestock Breeds and Breeding (semen sexing in dairy cattle)
This survey is now closed. Proposed amendments accepted.

1.23 Bee Products (pest and disease control)
This survey is now closed. Proposed amendments rejected.

1.13 to 1.22 Livestock Standards and Appendices D, J and L
This survey is now closed. Further public consultation was undertaken on Appendix D in September 2024 following the NSAC livestock working group’s review.

6.1.1 to 6.1.6 Imported Products Section
This survey is now closed. Currently on hold.

Please contact the Organic Exports Program if you have any questions OrganicExports@aff.gov.au

About the National Standard

The National Standard is Australia’s technical export standard for organic and bio-dynamic goods. It is owned and managed by the department and provides the basis for equivalence (government-to-government) arrangements with trading partners.

The National Standard provides the requirements for the labelling of goods which either state or imply they have been produced under organic or bio-dynamic systems. It includes requirements for production, processing, storage, transportation, labelling and importation of produce and aligns with the requirements of our international trading partners.