PCO Prohibited Substances & Allowed Inputs 2

Question 1

An operator claims that a soil amendment they used is 'natural' and therefore allowed. As an inspector, what is the CORRECT basis for evaluating this claim?

Accepted Answer

Determine if the material is listed or classified correctly under the NOP National List and the operator's Organic System Plan

Answer

Accept the claim since natural substances are always permitted under organic regulations

Answer

Require an independent lab analysis to confirm the material is nonsynthetic

Answer

Consult only the product label to determine organic compliance

Question 2

Which regulation section specifically lists synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production?

Accepted Answer

7 CFR 205.601

Answer

7 CFR 205.602

Answer

7 CFR 205.603

Answer

7 CFR 205.238

Question 3

During an inspection, an inspector discovers that sewage sludge was applied to a field three years before the operator sought organic certification. What is the primary concern?

Accepted Answer

Sewage sludge is a prohibited substance and its prior use must be evaluated for the 3-year transition period compliance

Answer

There is no concern because the application occurred before certification began

Answer

The field only needs a soil test to confirm it is now free of prohibited residues

Answer

The operator must immediately reapply for a new transition period starting from the inspection date

Question 4

Which of the following substances is allowed as a livestock feed supplement under the NOP National List?

Accepted Answer

Trace minerals (including copper sulfate) at nutritionally recommended levels

Answer

Synthetic growth hormones such as rBST

Answer

Urea as a nitrogen source in ruminant feed

Answer

Subtherapeutic antibiotics for disease prevention

Question 5

An organic operator wants to use a chlorine-based sanitizer on food-contact surfaces in a handling operation. Under NOP regulations, this is permissible only if:

Accepted Answer

The residual chlorine in rinse water does not exceed maximum EPA safe water standards

Answer

The certifier provides written authorization for each use

Answer

The sanitizer is listed on the EPA's approved organic sanitizer list

Answer

An OMRI-listed alternative is unavailable in the operator's region

Question 6

A crop inspector notes that a neighboring conventional farm sprays pesticides near a certified organic field. What is the inspector's primary duty in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Document the proximity risk and assess whether the operator's buffer zones and contamination prevention practices are adequate

Answer

Immediately revoke organic certification pending laboratory testing

Answer

Require the operator to erect physical barriers before the next inspection

Answer

Report the neighboring farm to the EPA for pesticide drift violations

Question 7

Under the NOP, which of the following is the correct classification for Chilean nitrate (sodium nitrate) used as a crop fertilizer?

Accepted Answer

A nonsynthetic substance restricted on the National List, allowed only when the total nitrogen from nonsynthetic sources comprises at least 20% of the total nitrogen applied

Answer

A fully prohibited synthetic substance that cannot be used in any organic production system

Answer

An unrestricted allowed nonsynthetic substance that can be applied without limitation

Answer

A synthetic substance allowed with a specific annotation permitting unlimited use in vegetable production