Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

7 U.S.C. § 6511 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 7. Agriculture § 6511. Additional guidelines

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a)In general

The Secretary, the applicable governing State official, and the certifying agent shall utilize a system of residue testing to test products sold or labeled as organically produced under this chapter to assist in the enforcement of this chapter.

(b)Preharvest testing

The Secretary, the applicable governing State official, or the certifying agent may require preharvest tissue testing of any crop grown on soil suspected of harboring contaminants.

(c)Compliance review

(1)Inspection

If the Secretary, the applicable governing State official, or the certifying agent determines that an agricultural product sold or labeled as organically produced under this chapter contains any detectable pesticide or other non-organic residue or prohibited natural substance the Secretary, the applicable governing State official, or the certifying agent shall conduct an investigation to determine if the organic certification program has been violated, and may require the producer or handler of such product to prove that any prohibited substance was not applied to such product.

(2)Removal of organic label

If, as determined by the Secretary, the applicable governing State official, or the certifying agent, the investigation conducted under paragraph (1) indicates that the residue is--

(A) the result of intentional application of a prohibited substance; or

(B) present at levels that are greater than unavoidable residual environmental contamination as prescribed by the Secretary or the applicable governing State official in consultation with the appropriate environmental regulatory agencies;

such agricultural product shall not be sold or labeled as organically produced under this chapter.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - 7 U.S.C. § 6511 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 7. Agriculture § 6511. Additional guidelines - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-7-agriculture/7-usc-sect-6511/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard