High Nitrogen Liquid Fertilizer Certificate Updates
May 20, 2026
To increase transparency and better serve our clients and stakeholders, OMRI now distinguishes High Nitrogen Liquid Fertilizer (HNLF) products that can be produced on a commercial scale from those that lack the facility infrastructure to support commercial production.
Under the NOP standards and in accordance with NOP Guidance 5012, liquid fertilizers with a nitrogen content over 3% require annual announced and unannounced inspections, as well as complete infrastructure to produce the approved finished product. Although most HNLF products undergo inspection at operating facilities with complete infrastructure, there are a small, but increasing number of sites that are not currently operating. For example, some companies have shut down their manufacturing due to market conditions. Other products are developed in R&D facilities, and the company may pursue OMRI listing to acquire the funding and permits required to build out commercial infrastructure. These companies want to keep these products listed while they commercialize their manufacturing capabilities.
All HNLF product certificates that we issue identify the products as a liquid fertilizer subject to the requirements of NOP Guidance 5012. Certificates for products undergoing inspection at operating facilities with complete infrastructure also carry the statement, “this product has been inspected and approved for use in NOP organic production by OMRI.” Certificates for products with inspection sites under long-term shutdown or with incomplete infrastructure carry an alternate statement, “this product has been inspected but is not being produced for commercial use and should not be available in the stream of commerce.”
This change allows companies to keep their HNLF product listed with OMRI while they are building out new facility infrastructure, and avoids unreasonable deadlines for commercial production, permitting, and other required activities. This change will also support streamlined inspection procedures. Due to the lack of facility infrastructure, OMRI will require only one annual on-site inspection focused on verifying the last production and confirming facility and infrastructure updates. OMRI will also conduct an annual desk-audit with a request for information and updates.
We will continue to work closely with companies that are developing new facilities and moving forward with commercial production. Certificates will be updated to reflect when these companies have demonstrated full compliance with NOP Guidance 5012 and obtained the complete infrastructure necessary to produce the product.
Our intention with this change is to increase transparency and better serve our customers and stakeholders. You can use our online search to view all HNLF products approved for use in organic production, as well as those that carry the new statement indicating the product is not being produced for commercial use. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to reach out to OMRI if you observe a product in the stream of commerce in contradiction with the OMRI Listed certificate.
Contact Information:
Heather Hawthorne
Inspections Manager
(541) 343-7600, ext. 143
