MEPs and the Irish Presidency of the EU Council reached a provisional agreement on Tuesday 20 October to amend EU rules on the production and labelling of organic products (see EUROPE 13962/8).
The revision aims to clarify the regulatory framework, reduce administrative requirements for certain operators and maintain confidence in the EU organic logo.
Imports. The organic production rules of 11 third countries, including Argentina, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, are currently recognised as equivalent to EU standards. This recognition, which was due to expire on 31 December 2026, will be extended until 31 December 2036 to ensure predictability in trade. The Parliament, for its part, had voted in favour of a five-year extension.
The products concerned may continue to be marketed as organic and bear the organic logo of their country of origin. They may use the EU organic logo only if they also meet additional production and control requirements, particularly concerning living soil, animal welfare and processing methods.
The revision follows a judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union of 4 October 2024, which clarified the conditions under which products imported under equivalence agreements may use the EU logo.
Mixtures. The EU Council and the Parliament also agreed to remove the Commission’s proposal to allow the EU organic logo to be used on products containing less than 5% of ingredients from third countries that do not meet the additional criteria.
Small operators. The annual turnover threshold below which sellers of unpackaged organic products are exempt from certification will rise from €20,000 to €40,000. It will be calculated on the basis of the annual average over the preceding five years. The annual sales threshold will rise from 5,000 to 10,000 kg.
The co-legislators also agreed to extend the exemption, subject to certain conditions, to small online retailers selling prepacked organic products.
Other provisions. From 31 December 2031, the Commission will publish information on best practice for preventing contamination between organic and conventional farming. The agreement also provides for temporary derogations for the use of non-organic protein feed for poultry and pigs, as well as for juveniles in aquaculture. These derogations will be gradually phased out. Products already labelled under the current rules may be sold until stocks are exhausted.
The Parliament’s rapporteur, Camilla Laureti (S&D, Italian), argued for a “stable, coherent and predictable” regulatory framework that simplifies certain requirements while maintaining the sector’s high standards.
The provisional agreement must now be approved by the EU Council and the Parliament. After legal-linguistic revision, the regulation will be formally adopted by both institutions.
The aim is to complete its adoption before the end of 2026, when the current recognition agreements for imported organic products are due to expire, to provide legal certainty for operators and prevent any disruption to trade. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)