From 1 January 2021, a new EU regulation on organic products and their labelling will apply. These new rules aim to guarantee fair competition for farmers and operators, prevent food fraud as well as a sustainable development of organic farming in the European Union.
Until now, the rules in the EU have not been uniform and there have been many different practices and exceptions. Due to the principle of equivalence for imported organic food, different standards applied to different producers from the same country.
New rules were needed here to build a clear and stable framework in this sector.
The new regulation includes:
- simplified production rules
- phasing out of exceptions & derogations
- same set of rules for producers in third countries as these who are producing in the EU
- enlargement of organic and production rules to cover a wider list of products (e.g. salt, cork, beeswax, maté, vine leaves, palm hearts)
- easier certification for small farmers
- uniform approach to reduce the risk of accidental contamination from pesticides
Further development:
The new regulation will enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union and will apply from 1 January 2021.
Click here for the complete regulation paper.
Source: Consilium Europe
Source: https://www.tentamus-web.com/eu-rules-organics/