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Proposed amendments to the Organic Export Requirements: Organic Production Rules

Update – 26 March 2024

Revised rules published; summary of submissions released.

MPI has published revised Organic Export Requirements: Organic Production Rules (OER: OPR), amending the list of generic inputs, registration requirements, and requirements for official organic assurances.

Organic Export Requirement: Organic Production Rules (OER: OPR) [PDF, 1017 KB]

This Requirement took full effect on 22 March 2024. 

MPI has released a summary of submissions from this consultation.

Review of submissions [PDF, 251 KB]

If you have any questions, email organics@mpi.govt.nz  

Table: Summary of changes to organic export requirements
Clause 1.1 Application

Clarified the products that applies to the OOAP.
Clause 1.2 Definition

Added definition for export non-compliance.

Added definition for OMP verification report.
Clause 2.1 Registration

Clarified registration requirements (and guidance) for operators.

Added new clauses on:

  • voluntary suspension
  • transferring between agencies
  • voluntary withdrawal
  • non-voluntary withdrawal
  • registration to participate in the OOAP again, after a period of withdrawal.
Clause 2.9 Official organic assurance

Clarified steps to apply for an official organic assurance.

Clarified steps for revoking and replacing an organic export certificate.
Schedule 1

Updates to the list of fertilisers and soil conditioners to clarify conditions for using lignosulphonate.

Background to this consultation

New Zealand Food Safety sought your feedback on proposed changes to the Organic Export Requirement: Organic Production Rules (OER: OPR) which forms part of MPI's Official Organic Assurance Programme. The OER: OPR sets out the requirements that organic operators must meet if they are to export, or supply for export, organic products under the programme.

In July 2023, New Zealand Food Safety invited applications to proposed changes to the generic inputs that could be used by organic producers under the Official Organic Assurance Programme. One application to amend the generic inputs was received and assessed by a panel of technical experts. The panel recommended that New Zealand Food Safety consult on the inclusion of lignosulphonate for use in organic production.

We also wanted your feedback on additional amendments to the OER: OPR including to the:

  • definitions
  • requirements for registration of organic operators
  • provision of official organic assurances (organic export certificates).

These changes were intended to provide organic operators, exporters, and recognised agencies with additional clarity.

Note, this consultation on the OER: OPR was a separate project to the development of the Organic Products and Production Act 2023 and the proposed new regulations and national standard for organic food, beverages, and plant and animal products.

Consultation document

Draft OER: OPR [PDF, 1.8 MB]

Related information

Existing OER: OPR [PDF, 1017 KB]

Exporting under the Official Organic Assurance Programme

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

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