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.  For any organic products (pre-packaged and non pre-packaged) imported from third countries, the use of the EU logo is optional.  However, when the EU logo appears on the label, the indication of the place where the products were farmed is required.  Technical reproduction rules are laid down in Annex XI to Regulation 889/2008.  The introduction of a new EU organic logo was initially planned for January 1, 2009 but due to similarities with existing logos has been delayed until July 1, 2010. 

 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.