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Summaries of EU legislation
Production and labelling of organic products (until 2021)

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Production and labelling of organic products (until 2021)

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

It lays down a legal framework for organic products. It contains the basic objectives and general principles for organic farming and illustrates the rules on production, labelling, controls and trade with non-European Union (EU) countries.

In harmonising the rules on the production, labelling and control of organic products, it seeks to ensure that there is:

fair competition between producers; and
greater confidence in these products among consumers.

Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 was repealed and replaced by Regulation (EU) 2018/848 (see summary) as of 1 January 2022. However, it will remain in force until 31 December 2026 to complete the examination of pending applications from non-EU countries.

KEY POINTS

Scope

The framework governs:

agricultural products (including aquaculture products), either processed or unprocessed and intended for human consumption;
animal feed;
vegetative propagating material (e.g. roots and grafts) and seeds used for crops;
yeasts used as food or feed.

Objectives and principles

The objectives focus on sustainable agriculture and production quality, which must meet consumers’ needs.

The general principles concern, for example, specific production methods, the use of natural resources and strict restrictions on synthetic chemical inputs.

It also lays down specific principles concerning farming, the processing of organic food and organic animal feed.

Production rules

According to the general rules for organic production, genetically modified organisms are prohibited in all their forms. Rules concerning the labelling of food allow operators to ensure compliance with this prohibition. Treatment by ionising radiation is also prohibited.

Those wishing to operate both organic and non-organic agricultural production must ensure that animals and land for these two types of agriculture are separated.

Organic plant production must comply with certain rules concerning:

ground treatment, which must preserve life and the natural fertility of the ground;
the prevention of damage to plants, which must be based on natural methods but can make use of a limited number of plant protection products authorised by the European Commission (Article 16 of the regulation);
seed and plant propagation material, which must be produced using organic methods;
cleaning products, for which authorisation must be requested from the Commission.

Wild plants collected in some areas are also classified as organic products if they comply with certain conditions relating to their harvest and place of origin (e.g. the place where they are gathered has not been treated by products that are not authorised for at least 3 years). Seaweed may also be considered as an organic product as long as its area of production and harvest comply with certain conditions.

Organic livestock production must comply with certain rules concerning:

the animals’ origin – they must have been born and reared in organic holdings;
livestock management and care practices, which, among other things, relate to certain features of animal housing;
animal breeding methods, generally natural;
animal feed, which must be organic;
the prevention of diseases;
cleaning and disinfection, using only products authorised by the Commission.

Similar specific rules apply to aquaculture animals.

The Commission authorises the use of a limited number of products and substances in organic farming. These products may be for plant care, animal feed and the cleaning of buildings used for livestock and plant production. The Commission may also set certain limits and conditions for the application of these products.

Holdings that are starting a new organic farming activity must comply with a conversion period – a transition phase during which organic practices must be respected. The regulation lays down rules governing this conversion period.

Organic processed feed must contain organic raw materials and may not be processed using chemical solvents. Processed food must contain mainly ingredients of agricultural origin. Other ingredients are permitted if authorisation has been requested from the Commission. Organic yeast must be produced from organic substrates and other authorised ingredients.

The Commission may make exceptions to provisions concerning objectives, production rules and labelling. These exceptions must be limited in time and apply to certain particular cases.

Labelling

Labelling, advertising or commercial documents may use terms such as ‘eco’ and ‘bio’ to describe an organic product, its ingredients or raw materials.

The labelling of an organic product must be clearly visible on the packaging and contain a reference to the control body that certifies the product concerned.

Since 1 July 2010, the use of the EU logo on organic food products has been mandatory, together with an indication of the origin of raw materials used in the product. This indication must be shown in the same field of vision as the EU logo.

Controls

Compliance with the provisions contained in this regulation is guaranteed by a system of controls based on Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 and precautionary and control measures drawn up by the Commission. This system guarantees the traceability of food in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 178/2002.

An assessment of the risk of infringement determines the type and frequency of controls. These will be organised by authorities appointed by EU Member States. Under certain conditions, these authorities may delegate control duties to accredited bodies, but they remain responsible for the supervision of the controls carried out and the granting of exemptions. Member States must notify the Commission regularly of the list of authorities and control bodies.

The authorities must also control the activities of each operator involved in the marketing of an organic product before it is placed on the market.

Following this control, the operator receives certification that it complies with this regulation. If irregularities are noted, the authority must ensure that the labelling of the products at issue do not contain any reference to organic production.

Trade with non-EU countries

Products from non-EU countries may also be sold in the EU market as organic products as long as they comply with this regulation and if they have been subject to control. This control may be carried out either by a body recognised by the EU or by an accredited control body.

Marketing and statistical surveillance

The marketing of an organic product may not be hindered in any way by any authority of a Member State other than the authority that has inspected the product.

The Commission carries out statistical surveillance activities based on the data provided by Member States. The Regulatory Committee on Organic Farming assists the Commission in defining policies for organic farming.

Repeal

Regulation (EU) 2018/848 repeals and replaces Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 with effect from 1 January 2022, although the latter regulation will remain in force until 31 December 2026 to complete the examination of pending applications from non-EU countries.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 1 January 2009.

BACKGROUND

This regulation has been adopted as part of a series of initiatives to encourage organic farming.
In 2014, the Commission approved an action plan for the future of organic production in Europe.

For further information, see:

Organic farming: logo (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 (OJ L 189, 20.7.2007, pp. 1–23).

Successive amendments to Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.