On January 1, 2009, Council Regulation 834/2007 on organic production and labeling enters into force.  This new EU regulation sets out objectives, principles and basic rules for organic production.  Detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation 834/2007 are established by Commission Regulation 889/2008 (production and labeling) and Commission Regulation 1235/2008 (arrangements for imports of organic products from third countries).  Commission Regulation 710/2009 lays down detailed rules as regards aquaculture animal and seaweed production.

Under the new rules, the use of the EU organic logo becomes mandatory for pre-packaged organic food produced in the EU but may be accompanied by national or private logos.  On March 31, 2010, a new EU organic logo was published as Commission Regulation 271/2010 in Official Journal L 84.  On July 1, 2010, the use of the logo becomes mandatory for all pre-packaged organic products produced in the EU (with a 2-year transitional period) and optional for products form third countries complying with EU organic standards.  In addition to the model logo and the technical reproduction information, the Annex to Commission Regulation 271/2010 also sets out the format of the code number of the control body or authority.  This code number together with an indication of the place of farming of the agricultural raw materials must be placed below the EU organic logo.  For more information on EU organic food labeling rules see GAIN report E48106.

 There are currently 7 countries on the EU’s equivalency list: Argentina, Australia, Costa Rice, India, Israel, New Zealand and Switzerland.  For other third countries, like the U.S., the Commission will compile a list of control bodies and control authorities.  To be included in the EU list, U.S. control bodies/authorities must submit a technical dossier. Only complete requests that have received before October 31, 2011 will be considered.  To avoid trade disruptions, transitional rules have been established to allow Member States to continue to grant authorizations to importers of U.S. organic products on a case-by-case basis.  These authorizations will expire at the latest 24 months after the publication of the first EU list of control bodies/authorities.  Import authorizations that have been granted before December 31, 2008 will expire on December 31, 2009.  Shipments of organic products must be accompanied by the model certificate established by Commission Regulation 1235/2008.