USDA Appoints QAI Senior Vice President to National Organic Standards Board

Quality Assurance International, Inc (QAI, Inc), the leading global organic certifier, proudly announced today the USDA appointment of Joe Smillie, Sr. Vice President to the department’s 15 member National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).  Smillie will take his seat on the Board as the Certifier Member Representative on January 24th, 2006, in addition to continuing his current role with QAI. 

The Board is authorized by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and makes recommendations regarding the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for organic operations.  Some of the issues that will be taken up by the NOSB include the definition of synthetics; the determination of agricultural versus non-agricultural; and the implementation of the recent clarification about commercially unavailable organic ingredients. 

“I am honored to receive this appointment and ready to serve the interests of the organic community.  The NOSB has much work to do, in particular decisions about the National List which will dominate our deliberations,” said Joe Smillie. “I have devoted my professional life to organic agriculture and as the newly appointed certifier representative, I will continue my commitment to maintaining the integrity of the organic standards as organic becomes a mainstream industry.”

Smillie has been involved in the organic movement and industry since 1975 as a farmer, inspector, consultant, author and certification agent.  “Joe’s experience as Sr. Vice President of QAI, ideally positions him to serve the organic community as certifier representative on the NOSB,” said Kristen Holt, QAI President.

“As an executive officer of QAI, he has guided QAI to the leading position among Accredited Certification Agencies- with a 66% share of all organic product branded at retail representing over fifteen hundred clients.  Through his professional experience at QAI, Joe has become a recognized authority on all aspects of organic production, NOP regulations and international trade.  We are proud of Joe’s appointment and QAI will continue to support the work of the NOSB in protecting the integrity of organic products and advancing the growth of the organic industry,” said Holt.