What Do FAO and USDA Say about Vermicompost?

What does FAO say about vermicompost?

FAO materials discuss vermicompost as a form of organic fertilizer and describe its general role in organic matter management. This is information about methods and materials in general, rather than product certification. See FAO materials on vermicompost and FAO's definition of organic fertilizer.

What guidance does USDA provide?

USDA National Organic Program guidance states that vermicomposting may be an acceptable processing method when requirements for feedstock, aerobic conditions, moisture, time and records are met. For certified operations, the certifier must review the specific process. See USDA guidance 5021.

Does this mean HLX50 is USDA Organic certified?

That conclusion cannot be drawn from general guidance alone. USDA Organic is a certification program. The fact that a material or method may be considered does not mean a particular brand has been certified. Farms wishing to use an input in a USDA Organic system must work with their certifier and provide product records. See USDA organic certification information.

Which records does HLX50 currently publish?

Ha Long Xanh publishes Decision No. 320/QĐ-BVTV-PB and Vietnamese conformity records. Readers can view scans of HLX50 records. These records have their own scope and do not replace certification under an international organic program.

How to verify a certification claim

1. Find the name of the certification program and issuing organization.
2. Check the legal entity, product or operational scope certified.
3. Check the certificate number, validity period and public database where available.
4. Distinguish general guidance from certification of a particular product.

Main sources

• FAO - materials on vermicompost.
• USDA NOP - guidance on compost and vermicompost.
• USDA - organic certification process.

Disclosure of interests: Ha Long Xanh sells HLX50. The FAO and USDA links above are not product endorsements.