We are currently experiencing some service outages and portions of our website may not be functioning properly at this time. Thank you for your understanding.

OMRI welcomes media inquiries. Feel free to contact our materials and organic policy experts by calling the office and describing the nature of your inquiry. Our staff will connect you with the best person for your inquiry. Media visitors are also encouraged to download this overview of OMRI with frequently asked questions.

Download OMRI Information

The OMRI communications team maintains a press list for occasional press releases about the activities of the organization and regulations on materials for organic use. Please email marketing@omri.org to add your email to our press list.

Want to receive timely updates from OMRI direct to your inbox? Sign up for our free eNews! In addition to our monthly OMRI eNews, we also offer quarterly Canada updates and Spanish-language updates.

Below you will find our most recent press releases.


(June 17,2013) OMRI is pleased to announce the much anticipated launch of the OMRI Canada Pilot Program. Applications for review to Canada Organic Regime (COR) standards are now being accepted, exclusively for products already OMRI Listed® to USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards. The fee for the OMRI Canada “add-on” review service is $215 U.S., renewable annually.

(April 9, 2013) OMRI is pleased to welcome several new staff members to help the organization provide a robust and efficient service for the organic community. In order to expand OMRI's resources and provide enhanced support for organic integrity, the organization is actively creating a sustainable organizational and management structure.

(December 13, 2012) In order to continue improving review policies, procedures, and standards, OMRI plans to revise the Policy and Standards Manual© and Generic Materials List©. OMRI encourages participation by all interested parties in the continuous improvement and development of OMRI policies and standards.

(November 1, 2012) In response to changes from the National Organic Program (NOP), the OMRI Board of Directors recently voted to make several changes to the OMRI Generic Materials List© (GML). The update became effective on October 17, 2012.

(October 15, 2012) The USDA has contracted with OMRI to complete two critical projects for the organic industry. Once again, OMRI was chosen to produce a list of substances allowed in organic production, this time focusing on livestock materials. The list will be published by the National Organic Program (NOP) as a draft guidance.

(July 30, 2012) Responding to recent changes in policy from the National Organic Program (NOP), the Board of Directors has voted to update the OMRI Generic Materials List© (GML). The update became effective on June 27, 2012.

(June 29, 2012) In the past, OMRI charged product suppliers for all direct inspection costs, plus 25% of costs not related to inspector travel, for all high nitrogen liquid fertilizer and for-cause inspections and sampling. A deposit was collected before the inspection, and OMRI billed or refunded additional money after the inspection costs were calculated.

(June 12, 2012) OMRI (The Organic Materials Review Institute) announces the appointment of Margaret McGrath, Ph.D.; Jennifer Scott, "Coach" Mark Smallwood, and Jackie von Ruden to the OMRI Board of Directors. OMRI, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the largest materials review organization for the U.S. organic industry.

(March 1, 2012) In a federal court last week, Peter Townsley quietly entered a plea of guilty to two charges of mail fraud in connection with his former company, California Liquid Fertilizer.

(September 21, 2012) On October 21, 2012, there will be a change to the status of sodium nitrate used in organic production.  On September 12, 2012, the National Organic Program (NOP) issued a notice to the organic industry regarding the use of sodium nitrate (also known as Chilean nitrate) in organic crop production.  You may view the notice here: