Section 10-1401 – Certification Program
The Department shall establish the Organic Certification Program governing the production and handling of organic agricultural commodities.
Section 10-1402 – Regulations
The Organic Certification Program established by the Department shall conform to the requirements of the federal Organic Food Production Act, 7 U.S.C. § 6501 et seq., including implementing federal regulations and all subsequent amendments and revisions.
Section 10-1403 – Powers and Duties of Department
The Department may: (1) Certify producers or handlers who apply for certification under the Department’s organic certification program; (2) Establish requirements governing the production or handling of commodities that are certified by the Department as organically produced; (3) Adopt logos for organically produced commodities that are certified by the Department; and (4) Deny, suspend, or revoke the logo or […]
Section 10-1404 – Prohibited Acts
(a) A person may not represent any uncertified commodity as certified under this subtitle. (b) In addition to the denial, suspension, or revocation of a certificate issued under this subtitle, the Secretary may impose a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 for a violation of this section. (c) Each uncertified commodity represented as certified constitutes a separate […]
Section 10-1405 – Promotion
The Department may provide assistance in promoting organically produced commodities certified as provided in regulations adopted under this subtitle.
Section 10-1406 – Fees
The Secretary shall set a reasonable fee to defray the cost of conducting field inspections and laboratory analysis as required by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Organic Food Program for accredited certifying agents.
Section 10-1407 – Confidentiality of Information
Except as provided by regulations adopted by the United States Department of Agriculture pursuant to the federal Organic Food Production Act, 7 U.S.C. § 6501 et seq., the record custodian shall deny access to any business-related information concerning any person regulated under this subtitle.