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 December 2022 the department appointed Ms Jo-Anne Harrison as the independent chair of the NSAC for a term of 4 years. Ms Harrison brings extensive experience in standards and governance including:
- 15 years as the Chair of one of Standards Australia’s Technical Committees - Project, Programme and Portfolio Management (TC258 MB‐012).
- lecturer at the Governance Institute of Australia on corporate governance, risk management, business continuity, reputational risk and project governance.
- more than 15 years experience spanning multiple Chair and Director roles within Australian and multinational organisations.
- Masters, Postgraduate and Graduate education in governance, finance, and project management.
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.
2025 NSAC quarterly meetings:
- March
- June
- September
- December
| 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
| 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.
Downloads
National Standard Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference (PDF 393 KB)
National Standard Advisory Committee - Working Group Terms of Reference (PDF 189 KB)
If you have difficulty accessing these files, email OrganicExports@aff.gov.au for assistance.