European Organic Standards: 834/2007 and 889/2008
In 2007 the European Commission revised the European Union (EU) Organic Standards from EEC 2092/91 to (EC) 834/2007: Basic Regulations and 889/2008: Detailed Implementation Rules. Together these standards mark a new era for the EU organic program. Under this revision a new EU organic logo is being developed and new approaches to imports will be implemented. The revision also opens up the standards development process for wine, aquaculture, and other specialized products that were not previously included in the EU organic regulations.
For complete information on the revision, major changes to the standards, and the new EU approach to imports, download the IFOAM EU Group Dossier- The New EU Regulation for organic Food and Farming: (EC) 834/2007 Background, Assessment, Interpretation. |
Background and What CCOF is Doing to Help
CCOF has integrated the requirements in the new EU regulations into our existing Global Market Access program. All references to 2092/91 have been replaced with updated references to the new standards. From a practical perspective, very little has changed about the standards that requires new or different practices from CCOF operators who already enrolled in CCOF's Global Market Access program (GMA). CCOF remains accredited under ISO Guide 65 to provide certificates of equivalency to the new standards. Operations that produce organic products that are either shipped directly to Europe or are eventually shipped to the EU are strongly encouraged to enroll in CCOF's GMA program.
All differences between US National Organic Program requirements and CCOF's EU Equivalency program are detailed in CCOF's Manual 3: A Guide to Global Market Access. This manual details CCOF's GMA program and the practices and procedures that must be met by CCOF operators to achieve recognition as EU Equivalent by CCOF. CCOF has worked hard to analyze EU standards and compare them to the US National Organic Program. Where critical differences in practices, materials or standards exist CCOF has included these in our GMA program applications, manual, and inspection reports.
New Import Rules, Third Party Approval, and Certifier Equivalency
Under the revised standard the European Union is phasing out current import systems in favor of a centralized approval and recognition system. On October 31, 2009 the EU Commission is accepting applications from foreign certifiers to be formally recognized as equivalent to EU standards. CCOF is among the certifiers applying.
CCOF's EU Equivalency program has been found to be compliant with ISO Guide 65 (similar to EEC regulation EN 45011. In addition CCOF has achieved several third party reports over many years from the International Organic Accreditation Service documenting the equivalent status of CCOF's EU program to both the previous EEC 2092/91 and current (EC) 834/2007 standards.
Once the first list of equivalent countries and foreign certifiers is published the existing import license system will expire one year later. Certifiers deemed equivalent will then be permitted to grant EU certifications to foreign operators and will be able to issue export documents directly. This will eliminate the member state import license authorizations that must be approved currently. Additionally, operations certified by an equivalent certifier will be able to us a new EU Imported Organic Product logo and produce organic packaged retail goods for the EU market. This is a significant development.
List of CCOF EU Equivalent Operations
As required by the EU commission CCOF maintains a publicly available list of operations found to comply with CCOF's EU program. Exporters are designated by "EX" in their Sales Text area. The scope of certification is listed in the "complexity" column while items certified as EU Equivalent are indicated in the "Organization Items" column.
CCOF list of EU Equivalent Operations
EU Labeling Requirements
In June of 2010 the European Union issued CCOF a certifier identification number. This number provides CCOF operations found to be EU Equivalent and possing valid import licenses to utilize the EU logo and produce organic retail products for the European market. CCOF's EU Control Body number US-BIO-660 should appear on all labeled organic products shipped to the EU under CCOF certification. This number may change upon approval of CCOF's control body equivalency application discussed above.
Additional European Organic Labeling Requirements are included in CCOF Manual III - A Guide to CCOF Global Market Access
Visit the EU Commission's Organic Logo and Labeling page for more information.
New EU Logo
Download the new EU logo by visiting CCOF's logo and application download page. Use of the EU logo is optional for imported products. If the EU logo is used, it must be accopanied by both the certifier ID number above and an indication of "non-EU Agriculture" for products not produced in the EU.
Operations utilizing the EU logo are strongly encouraged to review the following:
EU Frequently Asked Questions about the EU logo
EU User Manual for the EU Logo - critical for understanding the graphical elements and use options associated with the new logo
European Commission Terms of use for the EU Logo
Additional Information Sources Back to top
Please call CCOF at (831) 423-2263 or email us at export@ccof.org with any international organic marketplace questions.
Complete Standards and Additional Information Back to top
The standards and information below are included as a reference for interested parties. Please note that as an equivalency program CCOF clients and inspectors are only responsible for the standards, processes, and procedures contained in CCOF Manual 3: A Guide to Global Market Access.
Complete overview of EU Standards compiled by the IFOAM EU group and published in the dossier above:
Commission Regulation 207/93 of 29 January 1993, defined the additives, processing aids and non-organic
agricultural ingredients allowed in processed organic foods.
Commission Regulation 1804/1999 of 19 July 1999, set requirements for organic animal production, defining
common rules for organic livestock husbandry for the first time.
Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 of 24 June 1991 on organic production of agricultural products
and indications referring thereto on agricultural products and foodstuffs. Official Journal of the European
Communities, L198 (22.7.1991), and subsequent amendments.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of 29 April 2004 on official food and feed controls performed to
ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and welfare rules. Also referred
to as the OFC regulation (Official Food and Feed Control).
Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labeling of organic
products and repealing Regulation (EEC ) No 2092/91. Official Journal of the European Communities, L189/1
(20.7.2007), 1-23.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 404/2008 of 6 May 2008 amending Annex II to Council Regulation (EEC )
No 2092/91 on organic production of agricultural products as concerns the authorization of spinosad, potassium
bicarbonate and copper octanoate and the use of ethylene. Official Journal of the European Communities,
L120/8 (7.5.2008), 8-10.
Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 of 5 September 2008 laying down detailed rules for the implementation
of Council Regulation (EC ) No 834/2007 on organic production and labeling of organic products
with regard to organic production, labeling and control. Official Journal of the European Communities, L250/1
(18.9.2008), 1-84.
Regulation 889/2008 is often referred to as ‘NIROF ’ (New Implementing Rules for Organic Farming).
On 1 January 2009 Regulation 834/2007 came into force, together with the implementing rules, regulations
889/2008 and 1235/2009.
Council Regulation 967/2008 of 29 September 2008 amending Regulation 834/2007 to delay the introduction
of the EU logo.
Commission Regulation 1235/2008 of 8 December 2008, establishing under Regulation 834/2007 the implementing
rules for imports from third countries.
Commission Regulation 1254/2008 of 15 December 2008, the first amendment to Regulation 889/2008 allowing
use of 100% own-farm conversion feed and festive colouring of eggs and adding standards for yeast.
All regulation texts are available in the official form and in all European languages at:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu.
A chronological list can also be found at the IFOAM EU Group info page on the revision of the organic
Regulation at: www.ifoam-eu.org |
