National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce

The National Standard for Organic and Bio-dynamic Produce (the National Standard) is Australia’s technical export standard for organic and bio-dynamic goods. The National Standard 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. The National Standard includes requirements for production, processing, storage, transportation, labelling and importation of goods and aligns with the requirements of our international trading partners.

On 1 January 2022, the department resumed direct management of the National Standard and gained oversight of the National Standard Advisory Committee (NSAC). The NSAC is a technical committee that supports the department with technical advice and by making recommendations for amendments, revisions and updates to the National Standard.

National Standard Amendment Submissions

Any section of the National Standard is open for review.

Please visit the department’s National Standard amendment process webpage for information on submitting an application to amend the National Standard.

For more information on current amendment proposals, and to submit your feedback, please visit the department’s Have Your Say webpage

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

On 9 December 2022, Edition 3.8 of the National Standard was released by the department.

Edition 3.8 comes into force - 1 January 2023

Edition 3.8 has changes relating to the following:

• Section 1.15 – Amendment - Livestock Breeds and Breeding - semen sexing in livestock intended for milk production
• Section 3.1.6 – Amendment – Cosmetics and Skincare - Sodium Hydroxide may be used as a pH adjuster (and appendices)
• Section 3.2 – New commodity – Wine Production (and applicable appendices).

Edition 3.8 also has edits relating to administration changes, Machinery of Government changes, and structure changes for readability and access purposes.

Further information

Contact OrganicExports@agriculture.gov.au if you have any queries.