Rule 250-6-.10. Organic Human Reduction Facility Inspections

1. (1) A representative of the Board shall regularly inspect organic human reduction facilities no less frequently than annually between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday. The funeral director in full and continuous charge need not be present for the inspection, but the organic human reduction facility must be open during these hours for inspection. Requirements of inspections are as follows:

   1. (a) A room with seating for a minimum of thirty (30) people in which funeral services may be conducted; the fine for a violation under this subsection shall be $100.00;
   2. (b) A display room containing an adequate supply of urns; the fine for a violation under this subsection shall be $50.00;
   3. (c) One (1) operable motor hearse with current Georgia registration for the transportation of human remains which must be either owned or leased by said firm; the fine for a violation under this subsection shall be $100.00;
   4. (d) At least one (1) operable organic human reduction container; the fine for a violation of this subsection shall be $200.00;
   5. (e) At least one (1) operable processing station for grinding of organically reduced remains; the fine for a violation of this subsection shall be $200.00;
   6. (f) At least one (1) church truck; the fine for a violation of this subsection shall be $50.00;
   7. (g) A current license for the organic human reduction facility and funeral director, which must be conspicuously displayed; the fine for a violation of this subsection shall be $100.00;
   8. (h) The provisions of paragraphs (a), (b), and (f) of this Rule shall not apply to organic human reduction facilities which provide organic human reduction services only to funeral establishments; and
   9. (i) The Funeral Director in Full and Continuous Charge for each organic human reduction facility shall conspicuously display their name and valid license in all designated arrangement rooms; the fine for a violation of this subsection shall be $100.00.

   10. (j) An organic human reduction facility shall:

       1. 1. Collect material samples for analysis that are representative of each instance of organic human reduction using a sampling method such as described in the U.S. Composting Council 2002 Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost, Method 02.01-A through E;
       2. 2. Analyze each instance of organically reduced remains for physical contaminants. Reduced remains must have less than 0.01 mg/kg dry weight of physical contaminants which include, but are not limited to, intact bone, dental fillings, and medical implants;

       3. 3. Analyze, using a third-party laboratory, the organic human reduction facility's organically reduced remains according to the following schedule:

          1. (i) The organic human reduction facility's initial 20 instances of organically reduced remains for the parameters identified in Table 500-A, and any additional instances of organically reduced remains necessary to achieve 20 organically reduced remains meeting the limits identified in Table 500-A;
          2. (ii) Following 20 organically reduced remains meeting limits outlined in Table 500-A, analyze, at minimum, 25 percent of a facility's monthly instances of organically reduced remains (not to be less than one) for the parameters identified in Table 500-A;
          3. (iii) The Board may require tests for additional parameters under 2 and 3 of this subsection;
       4. 4. Not release any human remains that exceed the limits identified in Table 500-A;

       5. 5. Prepare, maintain, and provide upon request by the Board, an annual report each calendar year. The annual report must detail the facility's activities during the previous calendar year and must include the following information:

          1. (i) Name and address of the facility;
          2. (ii) Calendar year covered by the report;
          3. (iii) Annual quantity of organically reduced remains;
          4. (iv) Results of any laboratory analyses of organically reduced remains; and
          5. (v) Any additional information required by the Board; and

       6. 6. Test for arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury, and selenium, and either fecal coliform or salmonella in organically reduced remains to meet the testing parameters and limits identified in Table 500-A.

          Table 500-A

          Testing Parameters

          Metals and other testing parameters Limit (mg/kg dry weight), unless otherwise specified Fecal coliform < 1,000 Most probable number per gram of total solids (dry weight) or   Salmonella < 3 Most probable number per 4 grams of total solids (dry weight) and   Arsenic <= 20 ppm Cadmium <= 10 ppm Lead <= 150 ppm Mercury <= 8 ppm Selenium <= 18 ppm

2. (2) A representative of the Board shall be authorized to obtain information on the organic human reduction container(s) used by the establishment for organic human reduction. The information shall include, but not be limited to:

   1. (a) Manufacturer's name and description of each container;
   2. (b) Year installed;
   3. (c) Date of most recent manufacturer's inspection;
   4. (d) Copy of most recent inspection report from manufacturer; and
   5. (e) Documentation regarding necessary repairs to the facility.
3. (3) The Board shall require organic human reduction facilities to have inspections of all organic human reduction containers once every five years by the manufacturer or other authorized repair company to ensure proper operations. The Funeral Director in Full and Continuous Charge shall notify the Board within 5 (five) days of the inspection of a less than satisfactory report by presenting the Board with a copy of the inspection report. The Board shall require organic human reduction facilities to make necessary repairs to the organic human reduction containers immediately, not to exceed thirty (30) days without approval by the Board. Any organic human reduction facility that does not make the necessary repairs noted on the manufacturer's inspection within the time allowed by the Board shall be subject to immediate suspension of licensure until the Board is satisfied that proper repairs have been made.
4. (4) The Board shall require the Funeral Director in Full and Continuous Charge to hold a natural organic reduction operations certification from a course approved by the Board.

5. (5) The Board shall require organic human reduction facilities to pass an inspection of the facility prior to the closure of the facility. The Board shall be notified of the organic human reduction facility's intent to close fifteen (15) days prior to the intended closure. The inspection shall verify:

   1. (a) the status of any preneed contracts;
   2. (b) that organically reduced remains, biohazards, and any items detrimental to the public or the environment have been removed from the facility;
   3. (c) that all signs and indications of the facility have been removed;
   4. (d) that the facility has notified their local County Coroner/Medical Examiner and Vital Records registrar that facility intends to close;
   5. (e) that all death certificates and SSA-721 forms have been filed; and
   6. (f) that all known personal property of all deceased have been returned to the family or individual(s) authorized to direct disposition.

Authority: O.C.G.A. §§ 43-1-2, 43-1-19, 43-18-23, 43-18-46, 43-18-47.

History. Original Rule entitled "Organic Human Reduction Facility Inspections" adopted. F. May 21, 2026; eff. June 10, 2026.