National Standard Advisory Committee

The National Standard Advisory Committee (NSAC) is the principal technical committee for the department's National Standard for Organic and Bio-dynamic Produce (the National Standard). The NSAC is a technical committee of individuals, acting independently of any organisation. The NSAC supports the department by delivering technical advice and recommendations on amendments, revisions, and updates to the National Standard.

The NSAC also assists the department in interpreting other international organic standards and regulations. NSAC members provide ad hoc advice to the department if within their area of expertise.

The NSAC is governed by a terms of reference.

The NSAC's experience includes:

Organic audit
Environmental management
Organic certification
Organic regulations
Dairy
Livestock
Livestock production
Horticulture
Organic supply
Consumer education
Meat marketing
Processing
Organic food formulations
International organic standards
Wine

In July 2026, the department appointed Mr David Ironside as the independent chair of the NSAC for a term of 4 years. Mr Ironside brings extensive experience in governance, standards administration, stakeholder engagement and regulatory leadership including:

more than 35 years of experience at the intersection of government, industry and technical expertise in leading regulatory reform and stakeholder consultation processes across Australian agriculture, biosecurity, export certification, regulatory standards and international trade.
extensive experience chairing industry-government consultative committees and facilitating technical advisory discussions.
formal governance training through the Australian Institute of Company Directors and extensive experience operating within Commonwealth governance frameworks.

The NSAC meets quarterly to review and make decisions on new applications to amend the National Standard and to discuss any questions submitted on the content of, or interpretation of, the National Standard.

The NSAC also leverages these meetings to discuss feedback from public consultations conducted through the department’s ‘Have Your Say’ website, and to provide recommendations on those amendment applications.

2026 NSAC quarterly meetings:

9 February
18 May
1 September
2 November

National Standard section	Current status
1.13 – 1.22, 1.25, Appendix D Livestock standards	In progress
New section – algae standards	In progress
Definitions review Soil Container growing Landless production Hydroponics	In progress
1.23 Bee Products	In queue
2 – 2.6 Transport and storage, preparation and packaging; Certified premises; Storage and transport; Preparation; Preservation; Use of additives and processing aids; Packaging	In queue
1.1 – 1.6 Farm; Conversion of land; Genetic modification; Landscape management and biodiversity; Soil management; Water management	In queue
1.9 – 1.12 Harvest of plants from natural environments; Landless production systems; Mushroom, production; Sprouts and barley/wheat grass Production	In queue

Industry working groups

Industry working groups may be leveraged by the NSAC if specific technical topics or sections of the National Standard require review.

Working group member responsibilities include, reviewing specific topics or sections of the National Standard and providing feedback to the NSAC and the department, identifying areas for improvement, and working collaboratively with other experts within the working group. Review time frames are dependent on the complexity of change identified by a working group.

Working group member nominations are issued by department through existing communication channels and industry advice notices published on the department’s Organic Notices webpage. To ensure you receive these communications, subscribe to receive organic exports updates via the department's subscription service.

Working group member positions are voluntary roles, providing an opportunity to contribute to the development of the organic and bio-dynamic export industry in Australia. Becoming a member of an industry working group also provides the opportunity to expand your professional network and knowledge in a particular field.

This role precludes membership from:

any persons who are leaders of an organic organisation/certifier or key spokespersons for an organic organisation/certifier and/or
any persons opposed to the principles of organic agriculture

National Standard amendment applications

Any section of the National Standard is open for review. An application to amend the National Standard can be submitted via the Application to amend the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce webform.

If an amendment application received by the department is deemed applicable to the National Standard the application will be provided to the NSAC to review and provide their recommendation to the department.

Approved applications will then be shared with industry for consultation via the department's ‘Have Your Say’ website.

Responses from the Have Your Say will be collated and reviewed by the NSAC and department for final decision.

To submit your feedback on any open consultations or to subscribe to future public consultations, please visit the department's Have Your Say webpage.

The department maintains a register of all submitted applications.

National Standard questions

An online form is available to ask questions on the content of, or an interpretation of, the National Standard. Questions are provided to the NSAC for review.

The department maintains a register of submitted questions and answers

Further information

Contact the Organic Exports Program at OrganicExports@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.

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