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OMRI Listed® Seal Licensing Policy

The OMRI Listed seal (the Seal) is a registered trademark of OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute). Manufacturers and distributors (Suppliers) of OMRI Listed products agree to follow this Licensing Policy when they use the Seal. The Seal is available only in electronic form. Variation in or changes to the Seal are in violation of this policy.

The OMRI Listed Seal

Suppliers of OMRI Listed products must ensure that the Seal is used only in direct connection with specific products that are currently OMRI Listed. Displaying the Seal in a way that could reasonably be thought to apply to a product that is not currently OMRI Listed is in violation of OMRI policy and U.S. trademark law. The product name, company name, and company contact information given on any product labels or in any advertising or promotional materials must match that which appears on the current OMRI Products List. Private label re-packages of OMRI Listed products are required to apply separately under OMRI’s re-packaged products policy (§2.2.8) if they wish to use the OMRI Listed seal.

Referencing OMRI Listed

Because some words carry very particular meanings in the context of the organic industry, it is important that products that appear on the OMRI Products List are referred to specifically as OMRI Listed or listed by OMRI. Referring to an OMRI Listed product as “OMRI approved,” “OMRI certified,” “OMRI registered,” or as anything other than OMRI Listed is inaccurate and in violation of OMRI policy. Any reference to a product’s OMRI status that OMRI finds to be false or misleading is considered a violation of OMRI policy under this section. Some appropriate wording options include:

Option 1: OMRI Listed
Option 2: Listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in production of organic food and fiber
Option 3: Listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic production

Third Party OMRI Listed Claims

It is ultimately the responsibility of the OMRI Listed supplier of record to see that use of the OMRI Listed seal and OMRI Listed claims in association with their product(s), including in promotional materials and on websites of distributors or other third parties, are in conformance with OMRI policy. OMRI Listed suppliers must be able to document a good faith effort to police third party use of the Seal in association with their products.

Product labels or promotional materials for non-OMRI Listed products that state or suggest that the product contains OMRI Listed ingredients are in violation of OMRI policy. Even if such statements are true, OMRI considers them to be misleading because OMRI has not reviewed and listed the final product.

'OMRI Listed Products Available' Logo

The OMRI Listed Products Available logo may be used by companies that produce, supply, or distribute OMRI Listed products. The Products Available logo may be used on company websites, brochures, catalogs, and other media that is not directly related to an OMRI Listed product. It is not a substitute for the OMRI Listed seal.

Force of Agreement

By participating in the OMRI Review Program and agreeing to have their products listed by OMRI, suppliers agree to abide by and comply with OMRI policy. In accordance with OMRI policy and U.S. trademark law, all parties who supply, market or distribute products for use in production, processing, and/or handling of food or fiber are required to honor the integrity of the Seal.

Should a product listing fail to be renewed, or if a product is de-listed for any other reason, all use of the Seal or certificate as well as any reference to the product’s OMRI Listed status must cease as of the date of de-listing. In such cases the Seal and any reference to a product’s OMRI status must be blocked out or removed immediately from labels on products delivered into commerce after termination of the product’s OMRI Listed status. The supplier must discontinue production and circulation of advertising, promotional materials, catalogue listings, and all other forms describing or promoting the product as OMRI Listed in print, electronic, and broadcast media. OMRI is not responsible for any loss related to the use of a product displaying the OMRI Listed seal when that product does not appear on the current OMRI Products List (see also §1.7).

If any party is found to be in violation of the OMRI Listed Seal Licensing Policy, OMRI will require that party to take immediate corrective action. Such actions may include, but are not limited to:

• Removal or modification of the OMRI Listed seal on product labels, in advertising and promotions (in print, electronic, or broadcast media).
• Removal or correction of references made to a product’s OMRI status in the text of advertising or marketing materials.
• Modification of a website or other materials in order to clarify which specific products have OMRI Listed status.
• Removal of product labels from the marketplace, by either buying back the product or blanking out the Seal and unauthorized references to OMRI.
• Discontinued circulation of advertising, promotional materials, catalogue listings, and all other forms describing or promoting the product as OMRI Listed.

OMRI reserves the right to take legal action against an OMRI Listed supplier or any other party for any unauthorized use of the trademarked OMRI Listed seal and to seek damages and reimbursement of attorney’s fees and costs incurred in bringing any civil action, arbitration, or mediation to enforce its rights in licensing the OMRI Listed seal. In addition to legal actions, OMRI reserves the right to forfeit a product review or remove a product from the OMRI Products List for violation of this policy.

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