Risk-based Oversight for Integrity Act

119th Congress Introduced by Dave McCormick and 1 co-sponsor

S. 4904 would study and implement risk-based oversight to modernize organic regulation, defining “risk” to organic integrity and guiding future reforms of standards, inspections, a

Introduced in Senate

Summary of Bill: S. 4904 (119th Congress)

Purpose and intent

S. 4904 seeks to amend the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) to modernize oversight of organic production and labeling.

The core aim is to strengthen and update regulatory approaches by introducing a risk-based framework for organic oversight, defining what constitutes risk to organic integrity, and authorizing regulatory reforms to address identified risks.

The bill directs a study on risk-based oversight to inform potential changes to how organic compliance is monitored, inspected, and enforced.

Key provisions and changes

Study on risk-based oversight: Requires a comprehensive study to determine how oversight of organic production can be conducted using risk-based methods. This would inform any future regulatory adjustments, inspections, and enforcement strategies.

Definition of risk to organic integrity: The bill would formalize the concept of “risk” as it relates to preserving the integrity of organic products. This likely includes factors such as fraudulent labeling, non-compliance, and vulnerabilities in supply chains, though the specific definitional text would be provided in the bill.

Regulatory reforms authorization: Based on the study’s findings and the risk framework, the bill authorizes subsequent regulatory reforms within OFPA’s implementing structure. These reforms could affect standards, inspections, recordkeeping, import controls, accreditation, and enforcement mechanisms.

Oversight modernization: Overall emphasis on modernizing how organic standards are administered to improve enforcement effectiveness, reduce fraud, and adapt to evolving industry practices.

Who and what is affected

Organic producers and handlers: Potentially affected by updated inspection regimes, recordkeeping requirements, and compliance expectations shaped by risk-based oversight.

Regulatory framework and agencies: The National Organic Program (part of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service) and related accreditation and enforcement activities would be the primary implementers of any reforms stemming from the study.

Consumers and marketplace: Enhanced oversight aims to protect organic integrity, thereby maintaining consumer trust in organic claims and reducing the risk of non-organic products being labeled as organic.

Stakeholders in the organic supply chain: Importers, certifiers, retailers, and distributors may be affected by changes in verification, certification processes, and enforcement.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced and referred: The bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on June 24, 2026.

Potential next steps: The committee would conduct hearings, markup, and votes to advance the bill. If reported, it would proceed to full Senate consideration and potentially to a conference process if there are companion measures in the House.

Notes

The bill currently outlines the framework for studying and implementing risk-based oversight rather than detailing specific regulatory amendments. The exact definitional text (e.g., how “risk” is measured) and the precise regulatory reforms would be clarified in the bill’s statutory language and any accompanying reports or amendments.

If you’d like, I can assemble a side-by-side comparison with current OFPA provisions or extract potential fiscal implications once the cost analyses or funding authority sections are available.