Organic Materials Review Institute Publishes 2001 Editions of Materials Lists January 31, 2000 For immediate release Contact: Kathleen Downey OMRI Executive Director 541-343-7600 541-343-8971 fax Eugene, Ore.-The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) has released fourth editions of its Generic Materials List and Brand Name Products List, offering recommendations and opinions on the acceptability or unacceptability of generic materials and specific (brand name) products used in organic production, processing, and handling. The lists are compiled by the OMRI staff and other industry experts in advisory capacities, and are available to individuals, organizations, companies, certifiers, and state/province programs as part of an annual subscription that includes updates and industry news. The OMRI Brand Name Products List is also available on-line at www.omri.org. "These lists represent the organic industry's most comprehensive catalog to date of substances permitted in organic agriculture and processing," says Bill Wolf, president of OMRI's board of directors. "They provide an essential tool for organic certifiers auditing organic farming and processing practices under the provisions of the new national organic standards released in December by the U.S. Department of Agriculture." The OMRI Generic Materials List contains information on more than 700 substances, including: status (Allowed, Regulated, or Prohibited) class (e.g., fertilizer, livestock health care, processing production aids) restrictions or qualifications applicable recommendations by the U.S. National Organic Standards Board comparison of status of crops and processing materials lists from the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and OMRI. The OMRI Brand Name Products List includes more than 450 brand-name materials evaluated using OMRI's own standards, cross-referenced to generic materials. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its final version of national organic standards in December 2000, and USDA's National Organic Program will become the oversight agency for the organic industry. "OMRI will play an important role in the growing organic marketplace by maintaining and distributing its Brand Name Product List," says Kathleen Downey, OMRI's executive director. "The National List provides only generic names of allowed and prohibited materials, and OMRI's Brand Name Products List provides a U.S.-based brand name list for certifiers and the public to reference." OMRI will also assist certification organizations and product suppliers in the necessary interpretation and implementation of the new rules, Downey says. Before summer, OMRI will review the rule and make changes to the OMRI 2001 lists, if any, that will be needed to comply with the federal program, which is expected to have an implementation deadline by fall 2002. To subscribe to the OMRI lists or to apply for a product review, contact OMRI at Box 11558, Eugene, OR 97440 USA, 541-343-7600, fax 541-343-8971, info@omri.org, www.omri.org. OMRI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose work is overseen by a 15-person board of directors representing all sectors of the organic community, an expert advisory council, and professional review panels for the brand name product review process.