FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL SERVICE
U.S. MISSION TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

Last update:  October 10, 2008

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Legislation

Council Regulation 2092/91 (consolidated text - last updated Jan. 2007) on organic products covers the following requirements and definitions:

	production and processing methods
	labeling and marketing
	inspection
	imports from third countries

It was supplemented by Regulation 1804/99 to include livestock production.  The term "organic" may only be used for product conforming these regulations.  The translation of the term "organic" in the official EU languages can be found under article 2 of regulation 2092/91.

A new framework regulation (Council Regulation 834/2007) on organic production and labeling of organic products and repealing Regulation 2092/91 was published on July 20, 2007 (Official Journal L 189).  It will enter into force on January 1, 2009.  Detailed rules for the implementation of the new regulation will be adopted by the European Commission.
 

Imports

While organic standards have been set at the EU level, implementation and enforcement of the regulation is the responsibility of the individual member states.  This member state responsibility also extends to imports of organic products.  In order to import U.S. organic products, EU importers must work through their designated member state authority to obtain an import authorization.  These authorizations are granted on a case-by-case basis, subject to the member state's review of two main elements:

	The organic standards and inspection measures applied by the certifier of the product; and
	The certifier's compliance with EN 45011 or ISO Guide 65

The importer must demonstrate that the product was produced according to standards equivalent to the EU standard.  In addition, the importer must provide evidence that the certifier of the product has been accredited to EN 45011/ISO 65 by an authority recognized by the member state.  Individual member states may have different criteria for judging compliance with these requirements.  In the U.S., USDA's Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) has been designated as the competent authority to accredit U.S. organic certifiers for compliance with ISO 65.  To date, Austria, Netherlands, Denmark, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom and certain German states have officially recognized AMS' ISO 65 accreditation.

On September 7, 2001, the EU published Commission Regulation 1788/2001, amended by Commission Regulation 1918/2002,  laying down detailed rules for a certificate of inspection for imports from third countries.  The regulation entered into force on November 1, 2002 but allows a transitional period of six months.  Certifiers of U.S. organic products will have to use the EU certificate format for products to be exported to the EU.  An original certificate must accompany the goods and will be verified at the border by member state authorities.  The goods will not be released until the authorities have verified that a valid import authorization has been granted for the consignment.  Member states have several options for implementing the regulation, which means that procedures may differ from member state to member state.  Depending on the procedure adopted by a particular member state, there is potential for delays at the border while verification of the import authorization takes place.  Member states had until April 2002 to communicate their procedures to the Commission.
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Reports

European Union

EU-27 | Organic Food Labeling - New EU Rules GAIN report E48106 (September 2008)

 

Member States

Italy | Organic Agriculture in Italy (May 2008)

Links

List of bodies or public authorities in charge of inspection in the EU
USDA's National Organic Program
USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service - Organic Products
USDA's Economic Research Service - Organic Farming & Marketing
Organic Trade Association (U.S.)
American Foods in Europe Directory (organic entries can be found under the different categories)
Stimulating Organic Farming in the EU (Center for Agriculture and Environment Study)
Organic farming in the EU - Guide to Community Rules
European Commission - Organic Farming
Organic Europe (Stiftung Okologie und Landbau Germany, co-funded by the European Commission)

Disclaimer:  Although we make an effort to refer to quality sites, we have no control over the timeliness, accuracy or content of the information on these sites.