EN    EN  
 EUROPEAN  
COMMISSION 
Brussels, 24.3.2014  
COM(2014) 180 final 
2014/0100 (COD) 
  
Proposal for a 
REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PA RLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 
on organic production and labelling of or ganic products, amending Regulation (EU) 
No XXX/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council [Official controls 
Regulation] and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 
{SWD(2014) 65 final} 
{SWD(2014) 66 final}  EN 2   EN EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM  
1. CONTEXT  OF THE  PROPOSAL 
1.1. Grounds for and objectives of the proposal 
Over the last 10 years the organic market has been  characterised by dynamic development driven by 
strong growth in demand. The global world market fo r organic food has expanded fourfold since 1999. 
The area under organic production in the European  Union (the Union) ha s doubled. Each year 500000 
ha of land are converted  to organic farming. However, neither internal supply no r the legislative 
framework has kept up with this  market expansion. Production rule s do not sufficiently take into 
account evolving consumer and citizen concerns a nd expectations; labelli ng rules are complicated; 
weaknesses in the control system and in the trade regime have been identi fied. The legislation is 
complex and entails a high level of administrative bur den which is stopping small farmers from joining 
the Union's organic scheme. Some of the exemptions that were n eeded for the development of the 
sector seem no longer to be justified. 
The proposal aims at improving the legislation on organic production with the objectives of: 
(1) removing obstacles to the sustainable devel opment of organic production in the Union, 
(2) guaranteeing fair competition for farmers and operators and allowing the internal market 
to function more efficiently, 
(3) maintaining or improving consumer confidence in organic products. 
1.2. General context 
When adopting Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of organic 
products1, the Council earmarked a series of issues on which the Commission was required to submit a 
report to the European Parliament and the Council, after having reviewed the experience gained from 
the application of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. 
The Council adopted conclusions  on the Commission's report2 at its Agriculture and Fisheries meeting 
of 13-14 May 20133 and called on the Member States and on  the Commission to develop the organic 
production sector at an ambitious level by reviewi ng the current legal framework, with a view to 
improving its usability while provid ing for a period of stability and certainty, aiming at further 
clarification and simplification, and addressing the current outst anding issues requiring further 
development. 
The review of the organic productio n legislation is part of the Co mmission's Regulatory Fitness and 
Performance Programme4. 
The review provides an opportunity to align the Commission implementing powers in Council 
Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 to th e differentiation between delegate d and implementing powers of the 
Commission introduced by Articles 290 and 291 of the Treaty on the F unctioning of the European 
Union (TFEU). 
                                                 
1 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 L189, 20.7.2007, p. 1). 
2 COM (2012) 212 final of 11 May 2012 Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and to the 
Council on the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of 
organic products. 
3 8906/13 AGRILEG 56 – Organic Production: Application of the regulatory framework and development of the 
sector. 
4 Commission Communication on EU Regulatory Fi tness of 12 December 2012 – COM(2012)746. EN 3   EN 1.3. Existing provisions in this area 
The first piece of Union legislation on organic production was adopted in 1991. Council Regulation 
(EEC) No 2092/91 provided a legal definition of organic production through production rules, and set 
out control and labelling requirem ents and rules for importing organi c products. This provided a basis 
for protecting consumers and organic producers against false and misleading organic claims. 
That legislation was revised with  the adoption of Council Regulati on (EC) No 834/2007 in June 2007, 
which in particular: 
– defined organic production further by desc ribing its objectives and principles, 
– improved the harmonisation of the organic pro duction rules within the Union, by putting an 
end to national rules for animal products, 
– introduced the possibility of exceptions to the ru les under the responsibility of Member States 
(MS) but with strict limitations and for a limited period of time, 
– linked the organic control system to the official  food and feed controls system provided for in 
Regulation (EC) No 882/20045 and made the accreditation of private control bodies 
obligatory, 
– restructured the import regime: in addition to the recognition of third countries for the purpose 
of equivalence,  the European Union recognise s control bodies (CBs) ac tive in third countries 
for the purpose of equivalence or complian ce. The previous system of individual 
authorisations granted by MS consignment by consignment was removed from the basic 
Regulation and is now being phased out. 
1.4. Consistency with other policies 
This initiative pursues the objectives of the Communication on Smart Regulation in the European 
Union. One of the aims of the review  is to simplify legislative burdens. 
It is in line with the general framework of the Europe 2020 Strate gy, in particular regarding the 
sustainable growth priority and the promotion of a more resour ce-efficient, greener and more 
competitive economy.  
It is consistent with the reform of the Common Ag ricultural Policy (CAP), which shapes the overall 
framework for the development of agricu lture in the Union for the period 2014-20206. The new 
provisions aim at sustainable competitiveness to  achieve an economically viable food production 
                                                 
5 Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls 
performed to ensure the verification of compliance with fe ed and food law, animal hea lth and animal welfare rules 
(OJ L 165, 30.4.2004, p. 1).  
6 Regulation (EU) No 1307/201 3 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 Decembe r 2013 establishing 
rules for direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 637/2008 and Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 (OJ L 347, 
20.12.2013, p. 608); Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 
December 2013 establishing a common or ganisation of the markets in agricultu ral products and repealing Council 
Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007 (OJ L 347, 
20.12.2013, p. 671); Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 
December 2013 on support for rural development by th e European Agricultural Fu nd for Rural Development 
(EAFRD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 487); Regulation (EU) 
No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on the financing, management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 352/78, (EC) No 
165/94, (EC) No 2799/98, (EC) No 814/2000, (EC) No 1290/2005 and (EC) No 485/2008 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, 
p. 549).  EN 4   EN sector, together with sustainabl e management of the Union's natu ral land-based resources, in which 
organic production has been id entified as a key-element. 
The proposal takes into account the new Common Fish eries Policy as regards aquaculture, which plays 
a key role in ensuring sustainable, long-term food s ecurity as well as grow th and employment while 
reducing pressure on wild fish stocks, in a context of growing global aquatic food demand. 
It is also consistent with the Commission's propos al for a new Council and Parliament regulation on 
official controls7, which aims at consolidating the integrated  approach in all areas related to the food 
chain by rationalisi ng and simplifying the overall  legislative framework whilst simultaneously pursuing 
the objective of better regulation. In particular, defin itions are aligned and/or cl arified as appropriate, 
and the necessary specific control provisions are proposed to be integr ated into the si ngle legislative 
framework for official controls. 
Finally, the organic produc tion scheme forms part of the Union' s agricultural product quality schemes 
together with geographical indicatio ns, traditional specialities guara nteed, and products of the EU's 
outermost regions and mountain area s as underlined in th e Communication from the Commission to the 
European Parliament and to the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the 
Committee of the Regions on agricu ltural product quality policy and indicated in Regulation (EU) 
No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on quality schemes8. 
2. RESULTS  OF CONSULTATIONS  WITH  THE  INTERESTED  PARTIES  AND  
IMPACT  ASSESSMENTS 
2.1. Consultations 
The current situation was analysed in depth on the ba sis of the information collected during a series of 
stakeholder hearings to which the Commission invited over 70 experts and academics to discuss fully 
the current and future challenges facing the organic sector. 
The Commission launched an on-line consulta tion at the beginning of 2013. Around 45 000 replies 
were submitted in response to the questionnaire a nd almost 1 400 free contribu tions were received. The 
majority (96%) of responses were submitted by ci tizens of the European Union, while the remaining 
4% were sent by stakeholders. 
In addition, stakeholders of the se ctor were informed and consulted on the review in several meetings 
of the Advisory Group on Organic Farming. 
Member States, as competent authorities in charge of implementing the legisla tion, were kept informed 
and were consulted on techni cal aspects of the review. 
2.2. Main outcome of the consultations 
The respondents to the public cons ultation are concerned mainly with environmental and quality issues. 
They would like the European organic rules to be st rengthened and wish to ha ve uniformity of organic 
                                                 
7 Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on official controls and other official 
activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant 
health, plant reproductive material, plant protection products and amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, 
1829/2003, 1831/2003, 1/2005, 396/2005, 834/2007, 1099/2009, 1069/2009, 1107/2009, Regulations (EU) No 
1151/2012, [….]/2013 [Office of Publications, please insert number of Regulation laying down provisions for the 
management of expenditure relating to the food chain, an imal health and animal welfare, and relating to plant 
health and plant reproductive material], and Directives 98/58/EC, 1999/74/EC, 2007/43/EC, 2008/119/EC, 2008/120/EC and 2009/128/EC (Official controls Regulation), COM(2013)265 final of 6.5.2013. 
8 Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliame nt and of the Council of 21 November 2012 on quality 
schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs (OJ L 343, 14.12.2012, p. 1). EN 5   EN rules for farmers and other operato rs throughout the Union.  Therefore the major ity are in favour of 
putting an end to the exceptions to the rules. High e xpectations were expressed as regards residues of 
products and substances that are not  authorised for use in organic production. The organic logo of the 
European Union was ranked equal to national logos  as a means of recogni sing organic products. The 
majority of citizens and stakeholders  trust the organic control system while considering that it could be 
improved, mainly by introducing electr onic certification. They are also in favour of group certification 
for small farmers. 
The need to improve the legislation on organic production is widely acknowledged in the organic 
sector. There is also broad agreement that organic production should remain close to its principles and 
objectives and that exceptions to the rules should be ended. 
2.3. Impact assessment 
The impact assessment compared th ree alternative policy scenarios: 
– The improved status quo, based on improvements and better enforcement of the current 
legislation. 
– The market-driven option, which aims at providing the conditions needed to respond 
dynamically to further market developments with more flexible rules. Long-standing 
exceptional rules would be integr ated in the production rules. 
– The principle-driven option aiming at re-focus ing organic production on its principles, which 
would be better reflected in the producti on rules. Exceptional rules would be ended. 
The three policy options have been  assessed against their potential to achieve the CAP 2020 objectives, 
specific policy objectives and operati onal objectives for the review, and in terms of effectiveness and 
efficiency. The principle-driven option performs be tter according to all criter ia evaluated, followed by 
the market-driven option and la stly the improved status quo. 
The principle-driven option is expect ed to produce the following results: 
– A positive market outlook, thanks to greater cons umer confidence, which is likely to support 
organic product prices an d to attract newcomers, 
– The removal of exceptions to the rules should contribute to the development of organic inputs, 
notably seeds, 
– Clearer and simpler production rules w ill make the sector more attractive, 
– Competition will become fairer as a result of stronger harmonisation, simpler and clearer rules 
and the move from equivalence to compliance for the recognition of control bodies in third 
countries, 
– Consumer confidence will rise with an improved control system and harmonised production 
rules taking account of evolving societal conc erns (environmental management system for 
processors and traders, animal welfare), 
– A risk-based approach is expected to improve th e effectiveness and efficiency of controls and 
contribute, together with a more relia ble import regime, to fraud prevention, 
– Positive environmental impacts associated with organic production will be stressed by ending 
exceptional rules, 
– Animal welfare conditions will be impr oved through the removal of exceptions. EN 6   EN The impact assessment concluded that the preferred option was the principle-driven option, together 
with the inclusion of the impr ovements proposed in the improved status quo, and with some sub-
options. 
Particular attention has been paid to simplificatio n during the whole process. The preferred option will: 
– clarify the provisions on scope, production rules, labelling and controls, 
– remove ineffective provisions, 
– limit the MS' scope for granting exceptions to the rules, 
– simplify the import regime, 
– simplify requirements for small farmers, in particular with the introduction of group 
certification. 
As regards administrative costs, the current proposal  will lead to the remova l of 37 out of the 135 
existing information obligations imposed on organic operators and administrations. 
3. LEGAL  ELEMENTS  OF THE  PROPOSAL 
3.1. Summary of the proposed action 
Organic production must continue to adhere to a set of  principles that reflect closely the expectations of 
consumers. 
Specific production rules are brought together in an Annex to the pr oposed Regulation, thus addressing 
the issue of readability. 
Production rules are strengthened and harmonised by removing exceptions, except where temporary 
measures are necessary in order to allow organic pr oduction to continue or reco mmence in the case of 
catastrophic circumstances. Organic agricultural holdings have to be entirely managed in compliance 
with the requirements applicable to organic production and retroactive acknowledgement of the 
conversion period is in principle not possible any more. The agricult ural ingredients used in the 
composition of organic processed pr oducts have to be exclusively or ganic. With the exceptions of 
micro-enterprises, organic operators other than farm ers or operators produci ng seaweed or aquaculture 
animals are required to develop a system fo r improving their environmental performance. 
The control system is improved by in tegrating all control-re lated provisions into a single legislative text 
under the Commission proposal for a Regulation on official  controls and other offi cial activities in food 
and feed. Consequently, operators, co mpetent authorities, control authorities and control bodies will no 
longer need to rely on two different legislativ e texts for the provisions related to controls. 
Controllability is enhanced by clarification, simp lification and harmonisation of the production rules 
and the removal of a series of po ssible exceptions to such rules. 
The proposal seeks to do away with the possibility to  exempt certain types of retailers provided for in 
Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, which ha s led to different interpretati ons and practices across Member 
States and has made management, supe rvision and control more difficult. 
The risk-based approach to official controls is reinforced by removing the requirement for mandatory 
annual verification of compliance of all operators  provided for in Regula tion (EC) No 834/2007. This 
will make it possible to adapt the control frequency, th rough delegated acts to be  adopted in accordance 
with Regulation (EU) No XX/XXX (O fficial Controls Regulation, so that operators with a low risk 
profile may be physically inspected less than  annually and/or subject to  reduced annual physical 
inspections, while higher risk oper ators would be more closely target ed. There will thus be a fairer EN 7   EN balance of the control pressure on operators, with a reduced burden on those w ith a proven track record 
of compliance with the rules, and more effectiv e and efficient use of resources by the competent 
authorities, contro l authorities and control bodies. 
Specific provisions are introduced in  order to increase transparency with regard to fees that may be 
collected for the controls, and th e provisions related to  publication of operators together with 
information on their certification status are reinforced. 
A system of group certification is introduced for sm all-scale farmers in the Union with a view to 
reducing inspection and certification costs and the associated administrative burden, strengthening local 
networks, contributing to better ma rket outlets, and ensuring a level playing field with operators in 
third countries. 
Specific provisions are introduced for purposes of  enhanced traceability and fraud prevention: 
operators may not be controlled by different cont rol authorities or bodies for the same groups of 
products across different stages of the organic chain.  
Specific provisions are also introduced to harmonise  action to be taken when non-authorised products 
or substances are detected. In th is context, there may be instances  where farmers are prevented from 
marketing their products as organi c due to the unintentional presen ce of non-authorised products or 
substances. Member States may be authorised by the Commission to grant national payments to 
compensate for the losses incurred in such inst ances. In addition, Member States may use the 
instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy to cover totally or partially such losses. 
Lastly, the proposal sets out action to be taken th roughout the Union on the same broad categories of 
non-compliance so as to ensure a level playing fi eld in the treatment of  operators, a properly 
functioning  internal market a nd maintenance of consumers' tr ust, while not prejudging the  
determination of sanctions that is within  Member States' competence. 
The trade regime is adapted to improve the level playing for the organic operators of the European 
Union and in Third Countries and to  better ensure consumer confiden ce. The possibility of equivalence 
agreements with Third Countries re mains while the system of unilateral equivalency is phased out. The 
recognition of control bodies is proposed to be progressively shifted to a compliance regime. 
3.2. Legal basis  
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the first paragra ph of Article 42 and Article 43(2) 
thereof. 
3.3. Subsidiarity and propor tionality principles 
The proposal revises an existing quality scheme set within the CAP. Pr oduction of and trade in 
agricultural products an d foodstuffs on the market of the European  Union and ensuring that the internal 
market in organic products func tions properly, are matters of Un ion competence shared with MS. 
As part of the overall CAP, to ensure smooth deve lopment of the single market, a Union-wide organic 
scheme is more efficient than 28 different scheme s. In addition, it allows for a stronger and more 
consistent trade policy vis-à-vis global trading partners, in partic ular by enhancing the bargaining 
power of the Union. 
The proposal leads to further harm onisation in the following areas: 
– The current scope offered to Member States for granting exceptions to the rules, which leads to 
unfair competition among operators, risk of loss of consumer confidence, complexity in the 
legislation and trade issues (difficultie s in enforcing compliance), is reduced. EN 8   EN – The fact that the response to the same non-co mpliance with EU organic legislation can vary 
between Member States is an issue leading to unfair competition and ineffective functioning of 
the single market. 
3.4. Choice of instruments 
The proposed instrument is a regulation, since the ex isting provisions have been  proven to provide an 
appropriate framework for Member States; no other t ype of measure would be appropriate. A directive 
would lay down more flexible rules, which could entail unfair competition among operators and lead to 
confusion and deception of consumers. A regulation pr ovides a consistent approach for Member States 
to follow and reduces the administrative burden becau se operators are required to comply with a single 
set of rules. Soft law instruments such as guidelines are considered inadequate to tackle differences in 
the interpretation and implementation of the rule s and in view of the international context. 
4. BUDGETARY  IMPLICATIONS   
The proposal allocates a budget for t echnical assistance measures. Details  of the budgetary implications 
can be found in the legislat ive financial statement. 
5. OPTIONAL  ELEMENTS:  SIMPLIFICATION 
The proposal provides for simplifications and clarificat ions and fills several gaps in the legislation. It 
involves the removal of 37 of the 135 existing oblig ations in the organic fa rming legislation. The 
proposal involves significant reduc tion of the administrative burden. De legated acts stemming from the 
proposal will be drafted according to the same principles. 
On production rules, the proposal gr eatly simplifies things for operato rs and national administrations 
with a limitation on the Member States' scope for granting exceptions. Several ineffective provisions 
are removed, particularly through re inforcement of the risk-based appr oach to controls. On the import 
side, the compliance regime for control bodies will be  easier to manage for the producers, the control 
bodies and the Commission. 
A significant simplification for small farmers is brought about by group certification, which entails 
more proportionate inspection and record-keeping requirements. 
The proposal intends to make the legislation more user-friendly. In  particular, while the general 
production rules remain in the text of the Re gulation, the specific orga nic production rules are 
contained in an Annex to the Regulation. 
6. ALIGNMENT 
 
In 2010, the Commission adopted COM (2010)759 concerning the alignmen t to the Treaty of Lisbon of 
Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. A detailed disc ussion in trialogues in 2011 and 2012 lead in 
practice to a standstill on the alignment proposal. The current proposal incorporates the necessary 
elements of the alignment proposal, including archit ecture of legal provisions  in basic act, delegated 
acts and implementing acts.  . COM (2010) 759 will therefore be wit hdrawn as obsolete. EN 9   EN 2014/0100 (COD) 
Proposal for a 
REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL 
on organic production and labelling of organ ic products, amending Regulation (EU) 
No XXX/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council [Official controls 
Regulation] and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE CO UNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty on th e Functioning of the European Union, and in particular the 
first paragraph of Article 42 and Article 43(2) thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, 
After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national Parliaments, Having regard to the opinion of the Eu ropean Economic and Social Committee
9, 
Having regard to the opinion of  the Committee of the Regions10, 
Acting in accordance with the or dinary legislative procedure, 
Whereas: (1) Organic production is an overall system of farm management and food production that 
combines best environmental and climate ac tion practices, a high le vel of biodiversity, 
the preservation of natural resources, the a pplication of high anim al welfare standards 
and production standards in line with the de mand of a growing number of consumers 
for products produced using natural substanc es and processes. Organic production thus 
plays a dual societal role, where it, on th e one hand, provides for a specific market 
responding to consumer demand for organi c products and, on the other hand, delivers 
publicly available goods contributing to the protection of the environment and animal 
welfare, as well as to rural development. 
(2) The observance of high health, environm ental and animal welfare standards in the 
production of organic products is intrinsic to the high quality of  those products. As 
underlined in the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament 
and to the Council, the European Economic  and Social Committee and the Committee 
of the Regions on agricultural product quality policy
11, organic production forms part 
of the Union's agricultural product qual ity schemes together with geographical 
indications, traditional specialti es guaranteed and products of the outermost regions of 
the Union, as laid down in Regulation (EU)  No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament 
and of the Council12 and Regulation (EU) No 228/2013 of the European Parliament 
                                                 
9 OJ C , , p. . 
10 OJ C , , p. . 
11 COM (2009) 234 final. 
12 Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 November 2012 
on quality schemes for agricultural products and foodstuffs (OJ L 343,  14.12.2012, p. 1). 
 EN 10   EN and of the Council13, respectively. In this sense, organic produc tion pursues the same 
objectives within the common agricultural pol icy (‘CAP’) which are inherent to all the 
agricultural produc t quality schemes of the Union. 
(3) In particular, the objectives of the organic production policy are embedded in the 
objectives of the CAP by ensuring that farm ers receive a fair return for complying 
with the organic production rules. In addition, the growing consumer demand for organic products creates conditions for fu rther development and expansion of the 
market in those products and t hus for an increase in the return of farmers engaged in 
organic production.  
(4) Furthermore, organic production is a system  that contributes to the integration of 
environmental protection requirements into  the CAP, and promotes sustainable 
agricultural production. That  is why, measures financ ially supporting organic 
production have been introduced under the CA P, most recently under Regulation (EU) 
No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council
14, and in particular 
strengthened in the recent reform of the legal framework for rural development policy as established by Regulation (EU) No 1305/ 2013 of the European Parliament and of 
the Council
15. 
(5) Organic production also contributes to the achievements of the Union environmental 
policy objectives, in particular t hose of the 2020 Biodiversity Strategy16, the Green 
Infrastructure Communication17, the Soil Thematic Strategy18 and environmental 
legislation such as the Birds19 and Habits20 Directives, the Nitrates Directive21, the 
Water Framework Directive22, the National Emissions Ceiling Directive23 and the 
Directive on the sustai nable use of pesticides24. 
(6) In view of the objectives of the Union's organic production policy, the legal 
framework established for implementing th at policy should aim at ensuring fair 
competition and a proper functioning of the in ternal market in organic products, and at 
                                                 
13 Regulation (EU) No 228/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 March 2013 laying 
down specific measures for agriculture in the outermost regions of the Union and repealing Council 
Regulation (EC) No 247/2006 (OJ L 78, 20.3.2013, p. 23). 
14 Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of  the European Parliament and of  the Council of 17 December 2013 
establishing rules for direct payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the 
common agricultural policy and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 637/2008 and Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 608). 
15 Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on 
support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and 
repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005 (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 487). 
16 COM(2011) 244 final, ‘Our life insurance, our natura l capital: an EU biodiversity strategy to 2020’. 
17 SWD(2013) 155 final, ‘Green Infrastructure (GI) – Enhancing Europe's Natural Capital’. 
18 COM(2006) 231 final, ‘Thematic  Strategy for Soil Protection’. 
19 Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the 
conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.1.2010, p.7). 
20 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna 
and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p.7). 
21 Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against 
pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (OJ L 375, 31.12.1991, p.1). 
22 Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a 
framework for Community action in the field of water policy (OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p.1). 
23 Directive 2001/81/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2001 on national 
emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants (OJ L 309, 27.11.2001, p. 22). 
24 Directive 2009/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 establishing a 
framework for Community action to achieve the sustainable use of pesticides (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 
71) EN 11   EN maintaining and justifying consumer confiden ce in products labelled  as organic. It 
should further aim at providing conditions unde r which the policy can progress in line 
with production and market developments.  
(7) The policy priorities of the Europe  2020 strategy as set out in the Commission 
Communication entitled ‘Europe  2020: A strategy for smart,  sustainable and inclusive 
growth’25 include the aims of achieving a competitive economy based on knowledge 
and innovation, fostering a high-employment ec onomy delivering social and territorial 
cohesion and supporting the shift toward s a resource-efficient and low-carbon 
economy. The organic production policy should therefore provide op erators with the 
right tools to better identify and promote th eir products while protecting them against 
unfair practices. 
(8) Given the dynamic evolution of the organic sector, Council Regulation (EC) 
No 834/200726 identified the need for a future re view of the Union rules on organic 
production, taking into account the experience gained from the application of those 
rules. The results of that review carried  out by the Commission show that the Union 
legal framework governing organic productio n should be improved to provide for 
rules that correspond to the high expectations of consumers and that guarantee sufficient clarity for those to whom they are addressed. Therefore, Regulation (EC) 
No 834/2007 should be repealed and replaced by a new Regulation. 
(9) Experience gained so fa r with the application of Re gulation (EC) No 834/2007 shows 
a need to clarify the products to which th is Regulation applies.  Primarily, it should 
cover agricultural products, including aqu aculture products, listed in Annex I to the 
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘the Treaty’). Moreover, it should 
cover processed agricultural products for us e as food or feed because the placing on 
the market of such products as organi c provides a major outlet for agricultural 
products and ensures visi bility to the consumer  of the organic nature  of the agricultural 
products from which they are processed. Likewise, this Regulation should cover 
certain other products which are linked to ag ricultural products in a similarly close 
way as processed agricultural products becaus e those other products either constitute a 
major outlet for agricultural products or fo rm an integral part of the production 
process. Finally, sea salt should be included in the scope of this Regulation because it 
is produced by applying natu ral production techniques a nd its production contributes 
to the development of rural areas, and thus falls within the objectives of this Regulation. For reasons of cl arity, those other products, no t listed in A nnex I to the 
Treaty, should be listed in an  Annex to this Regulation.  
(10) In order to supplement or amend certain non-essential elements of this Regulation, the 
power to adopt acts in accordance with Ar ticle 290 of the Treat y should be delegated 
to the Commission. It is of particular  importance that th e Commission carry out 
appropriate consultations during its preparat ory work, including at  expert level. The 
Commission, when preparing and drawing- up delegated acts, should ensure a 
simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and to the Council. 
(11) In order to take into account new production methods or  material or international 
committments, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission 
in respect of the amendment of the list of other products falling within the scope of 
                                                
 
25 COM(2010)2020 final. 
26 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, p. 1). EN 12   EN this Regulation. Only products which are clos ely linked to agricultural products should 
be eligible for inclusion in that list. 
(12) Because of the local na ture of mass catering operations, measures taken by Member 
States and private schemes in this area are considered adequa te to ensure the 
functioning of the single mark et. Therefore, food prepared by mass caterers on their 
premises should not be subject to this Regulation. Equally, products of hunting and 
fishing of wild animals should not be cove red by this Regulation since the production 
process cannot be fully controlled. 
(13) Research projects have demonstrated that consumer confidence is crucial in the market 
for organic food. In the long run, rules that are not trustworthy can jeopardise public 
confidence and lead to market failure. Therefore the sustainable development of 
organic production in the Union should be  based on sound production rules which are 
harmonised at Union level. In addition, t hose production rules should meet operators' 
and consumers' expectations regarding th e quality of organic products and the 
compliance with the principles and rules laid down in this Regulation. 
(14) This Regulation should apply without prej udice to related legisla tion, such as in the 
field of safety of the food chain, animal  health and welfare, plant health, plant 
reproductive material, labelling and the envir onment. More specifica lly, as regards the 
authorisation of products and substances that may be used for the production of 
organic products, it is important  to highlight that such produc ts and substances have to 
be authorised at Union leve l first. Therefore this Re gulation should apply without 
prejudice to other specific Union provisions  relating to the aut horisation and placing 
on the market of those products and susbstances. 
(15) As a matter of principle,  the general production rules of this Regulation should include 
a prohibition on the use of ionising radia tion and genetically modified organisms 
(GMOs) and products produced from or by GMOs. Since consumers are more and 
more concerned about environmental impact s of food processing and transportation, 
organic operators other than farmers and operators producing seaweed or aquaculture 
animals should be required to manage their environmental performance according to a harmonised system. With the objective of mi nimising the regulatory burden of micro-
enterprises as defined in Co mmission Recommendation 2003/361/EC
27 involved in 
organic production, it is appropria te to exempt them from this requirement. In order to 
ensure the correct applicat ion of the general production rules, the power to adopt 
certain acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of establishing the 
criteria to which the environmental management system is to correspond. 
(16) The risk of non-compliance with the orga nic production rules is considered higher in 
agricultural holdings which in clude units not managed under organic production rules. 
Therefore, after an appropriate conversion period, all agricultura l holdings in the 
Union which aim to become organic should be entirely managed in compliance with 
the requirements applicable to organic production. Organic agricultural holdings 
should undergo the same conversion period in all Member States, irrespective of 
whether they have previously adhered to  agri-environmental measures supported by 
Union funds. However, no conversion period is necessary in the case of fallow land.  
In order to ensure quality, traceability and compliance with this Regulation and 
adaptation to technical developments, the power to adopt certain acts should be 
                                                 
27 Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small 
and medium-sized enterprises (OJ L 124,  of 20.05.2003, p. 36). EN 13   EN delegated to the Commission in respect of establishing rules supplementing the 
general conversion rules or supplementing a nd amending the specific conversion rules. 
(17) Specific production rules s hould be established with rega rd to plant, livestock and 
aquaculture production, including rules for the collection of wild plants and seaweeds, 
and with regard to the produc tion of processed food and fee d, as well as of wine and 
yeast to ensure harmonisation and respect of  the objectives and principles of organic 
production. 
(18) As organic plant production is based on nourishing the plants primarily through the 
soil ecosystem, hydroponic production should not be allowed. In addition, organic 
plant production should involve the use of  production techniques that prevent or 
minimise any contribution to the co ntamination of the environment.  
(19) Concerning soil management and fertilis ation, conditions should be laid down for the 
use of cultivation practices allowed in or ganic plant production and for the use of 
fertilisers and conditioners. 
(20) The use of pesticides,  sh ould be significantly restricte d. Preference should be given to 
the application of measures  that prevent any damage by pests and weeds through 
techniques which do not involve the use of  plant protection products such as crop 
rotation. Presence of pests and weeds shoul d be monitored to decide whether any 
intervention is economically  and ecologically justified. The use of certain plant 
protection products should be allowed if such techniques do not provide adequate 
protection and only if those plant protection products have been authorised in 
accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of  the European Parliament and of the 
Council28, after having been assessed to be comp atible with objectives and principles 
of organic production, including with restrictiv e  conditions of use, and consequently 
authorised in accordance with this Regulation. 
(21) In order to ensure quality, traceabili ty and compliance with this Regulation and 
adaptation to technical developments, the power to adopt certain acts should be 
delegated to the Commission in respect  of establishing rules amending or 
supplementing the specific plant production ru les as regards cultivation practices, soil 
management and fertilisation, plant health  and management of pests and weeds, 
management of mushroom production and ot her specific plants and plant production 
systems, the production origin of plant reproduc tive material and th e collection of wild 
plants. 
(22) As livestock production na turally involves the management of agricultural land, where 
the manure is used to nourish crop production, landless livestock production should be prohibited. The choice of breeds should take account of their capacity to adapt to local 
conditions, their vitality and th eir resistance to disease, and a wide biological diversity 
should be encouraged. 
(23) Organic livestock and aquaculture pr oduction housing, including where relevant the 
aquatic medium, should satisfy the behaviour al needs of the animals. Specific housing 
conditions and husbandry practices should be laid down with regard to certain animals, including bees. Those conditions and practices should ensure a high level of 
animal welfare, which in certain aspect s should go beyond the Un ion animal welfare 
standards applicable to livesto ck production in general. In most cases livestock should 
                                                
 
28 Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 
concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repealing Council Directives 
79/117/EEC and 91/414/EEC (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 1). EN 14   EN have permanent access to open air areas for grazing and such open air areas should in 
principle be organised under an appropriate system of rotation. 
(24) In order to avoid enviro nmental pollution of natural res ources such as soil and water 
by nutrients, an upper limit for the use of manure per hectare and for keeping livestock per hectare should be set. That limit should be related to the nitrogen content of the 
manure.  
(25) Mutilations which lead to stress, harm , disease or suffering of  animals should be 
prohibited. 
(26) Livestock should be fed on feed materials produced in a ccordance with the rules of 
organic production, and pref erably coming from the ow n holding, taking their 
physiological needs into account. In addition, in order to provide for the basic nutritional requirements of liv estock, certain minerals, tr ace elements and vitamins 
may need to be used under well-defined conditions. 
(27) Animal health management should mainly  be based on preven tion of disease. In 
addition, specific cleaning and disinfection measures  should be applied. The 
preventive use of chemically-synthesised al lopathic medicinal pr oducts should not be 
permitted in organic production, except in the event of sickness or injury of an animal requiring immediate treatment and limited to  the minimum necessary to re-establish 
the well-being of the animal. In such cases , in order to guarant ee the integrity of 
organic production for consumers, it should be possible to take restrictive measures 
such as doubling the official withdrawal peri od after use of such medicinal products as 
specified in the relevant Un ion legislation. Regarding beek eeping, it is necessary to lay 
down specific rules for disease preven tion and veterinary treatment.  
(28) In order to ensure quality, traceabili ty and compliance with this Regulation and 
adaptation to technical developments, the power to adopt certain acts should be 
delegated to the Commission in respect  of establishing rules amending or 
supplementing the specific livesto ck production rules as regard s the origin of animals, 
livestock housing, including minimum su rface areas indoors and outdoors and the 
maximum number of animals per hectare,  husbandry practices, breeding, feed and 
feeding, disease prevention a nd veterinary treatment. 
(29) This Regulation reflects the objectives of the new Comm on Fisheries Policy as regards 
aquaculture, which plays a key role in ensu ring sustainable, long-te rm food security as 
well as growth and employment while reducin g pressure on wild fish stocks, in a 
context of growing global aquatic food demand. The 2013 Comm unication from the 
Commission to the Council and the European  Parliament on Strategic Guidelines for 
the sustainable development of European aquaculture
29 highlights the main challenges 
faced by the Union aquaculture and its pot ential for growth. It identifies organic 
aquaculture as a particularly promisi ng sector, and highlights the competitive 
advantages deriving from  organic certification. 
(30) Organic aquaculture is a relatively new field of organic production compared to 
organic agriculture where long experience ex ists at the farm level. Given consumers’ 
growing interest in organic aquaculture pr oducts, further growth in the conversion of 
aquaculture units to organic production is likely. This is leading to increased experience, technical knowledge and deve lopment, with improvements in organic 
aquaculture that should be refl ected in the production rules. 
                                                
 
29 COM(2013) 229 of 29.4.2013. EN 15   EN (31) In order to ensure common understanding,  avoid ambiguities and guarantee uniform 
application of the organic aquaculture an imal and seaweed production rules, certain 
definitions relating to aquaculture should accompany those production rules. 
(32) In order to ensure quality, traceabili ty and compliance with this Regulation and 
adaptation to technical developments, the power to adopt certain acts should be 
delegated to the Commission in respect  of establishing rules amending or 
supplementing the specific seaweed production rules as regards the suitability of the 
aquatic medium and the sustainable manageme nt plan, the harvesting of wild seaweed, 
seaweed cultivation, and antifouling measur es and cleaning of production equipment 
and facilities, and in respect of the esta blishment of rules supplementing the specific 
production rules for aquaculture animals as regards the suitability of the aquatic 
medium and the sustainable management pl an, the origin of aquaculture animals, 
aquaculture husbandry, including aquatic containment systems, production systems 
and maximum stocking density, breeding, mana gement of aquaculture animals, feed 
and feeding, and disease preven tion and veterinary treatment. 
(33) Operators producing organic food or feed  should follow appropriate procedures based 
on systematic identification of critical pr ocessing steps in orde r to ensure that 
processed products comply with the orga nic production rules. Organic processed 
products should be produced by means of processing methods which guarantee that 
the organic integrity and v ital qualities of the products  are maintained through all 
stages of organic production.  
(34) Provisions concerning the composition of organic processed food should be laid down. 
In particular, such food should be produced mainly from agricultu ral ingredients that 
are organic with a limited possibility to  use certain non-orga nic agricultural 
ingredients specified in this  Regulation. In addition, only cer tain substances authorised 
in accordance with this Regulation should be allowed for use in the production of 
organic processed food. 
(35) Processed food should be labelled as organic only where all or almost all the 
ingredients of agricultural or igin are organic. However, special labelling provisions 
should be laid down for processed foods wh ich include agricultura l ingredients that 
cannot be obtained organically, as is th e case for products of hunting and fishing. 
Moreover, for the purposes of consumer info rmation and transparency in the market, 
and to encourage the use of organic ingredients, it shoul d also be made possible to 
refer to organic production in the ingr edients list under certain conditions. 
(36) Provisions concerning the composition of  organic processed feed and the use of 
certain substances and techniques in the pr oduction of that feed should be laid down. 
(37) In order to ensure quality, traceabili ty and compliance with this Regulation and 
adaptation to technical developments, the power to adopt certain acts should be 
delegated to the Commission in respect  of establishing rules amending or 
supplementing the specific production rules fo r processed food and feed as regards the 
procedures to be followed, preventive m easures to be taken, the composition of 
processed food and feed, cleaning measures, the placing on the market of processed 
products including their labell ing and identification, sepa ration of organic products, 
agricultural ingredients and feed materials from non-or ganic products, agricultural 
ingredients and feed material s, the list of non-organic ag ricultural ingredients which 
may exceptionally be used in the production of organic processed products, calculation 
of the percentage of agricultural ingredient s, and the techniques used in food or feed 
processing. EN 16   EN (38) Organic wine should be produced entirely from organic raw material and only certain 
substances authorised in accordance with this Regulation should be allowed to be 
added. Certain oenological prac tices, processes and treatments should be prohibited in 
the production of organic wine. Other practi ces, processes and treatments should be 
permitted under well-defined conditions. 
(39) In order to ensure quality, traceabili ty and compliance with this Regulation and 
adaptation to technical developments, the power to adopt certain acts should be 
delegated to the Commission in respect  of establishing rules amending or 
supplementing the specific wine production ru les as regards oenol ogical practices and 
restrictions. 
(40) Initially yeast was not c onsidered an agricultural ingred ient under Regulation (EC) No 
834/2007 and therefore it did not count for th e agricultural composition of organic 
products. However, Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/200830 introduced the 
obligatory calculation of yeast and yeast pr oducts as agricultural ingredients for the 
purposes of organic production as of 31 December 2013, which gave the industry 
sufficient time to adjust to that rule. Acco rdingly, only organically produced substrates 
should be used in the production of organi c yeast and only certain substances should 
be allowed for use in its production, conf ection and formulation. In addition, organic 
yeast should not be present in organic food or feed together with non-organic yeast.  
(41) In order to ensure quality, traceabili ty and compliance with this Regulation and 
adaptation to technical developments, the power to adopt certain acts should be 
delegated to the Commission in respect  of establishing rules amending or 
supplementing the specific production rules fo r organic yeast as re gards the processing 
and the substrates used in its production. 
(42) In order to take account of any future  need to have specif ic production rules for 
products whose production does not fall with in any of the categories of specific 
production rules laid down in th is Regulation, as well as in order to ensure quality, 
traceability and compliance with this Re gulation and, subsequently, adaptation to 
technical developments, the power to adopt certain acts should be  delegated to the 
Commission in respect of establishing sp ecific production rules for such products, 
including amendments or supplements thereof. 
(43) Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 provided for different  exceptions from organic 
production rules. The experience gained from  the application of those provisions has 
shown that such exceptions have a ne gative impact on organic production. In 
particular, it has been found that the very existence of such exceptions impedes the 
production of inputs in organic form and th at the high level of animal welfare 
associated with organic production is not  ensured. In addition, the management and 
control of exceptions entail considerable ad ministrative burden, both for the national 
administrations and operators. Finally, th e existence of exceptions has created 
conditions for distortions in competition a nd has threatened to undermine consumer 
confidence. Accordingly, the scope for a llowing exceptions from organic production 
rules should be further rest ricted and limited to cases of  catastrophic circumstances. 
(44) In order to allow organic production to continue or recommence in cases of 
catastrophic circumstances, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the 
                                                 
30 Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 of 5 September 2008 laying down detailed rules for 
implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 on organic production and labelling of 
organic products with regard to organic production, labelling and control (  OJ L 250, 18.9.2008, p. 1). EN 17   EN Commission in respect of establishing the cr iteria for qualifying cases of catastrophic 
circumstances and to lay down specific rule s for addressing such cases and for the 
necessary monitoring and reporting requirements.  
(45) Under certain conditions organic products  and non-organic products can be collected 
and transported simultaneously. In order to  duly separate organic from non-organic 
products during handling and to avoid any commingling, specific provisions should be 
laid down. 
(46) In order to ensu re the integrity of organic produc tion and adaptation to technical 
developments, the power to adopt certain act s should be delegated to the Commission 
in respect of establishing rules amending or supplementing the specific rules on 
collection, packaging, transport a nd storage of organic products. 
(47) The use in organic production of products  and substances such as plant protection 
products, fertilisers, soil conditioners, nutri ents, components of animal nutrition, feed 
or food additives, processing ai ds and products for cleaning  and disinfection should be 
limited to the minimum and under the specific conditions laid down in this Regulation. 
The same approach should be followed rega rding the use of produc ts and substances 
as food additives and processing aids in the production of organic processed food. Therefore,  provisions should be laid down to define any possible use of such products 
and substances in organic production in general and in  the production of organic 
processed food in particular, subject to the principles laid down in this Regulation and 
to certain criteria.  
(48) In order to ensure quali ty, traceability and compliance w ith this Regulation as regards 
organic production in general and the production of organic processed food in 
particular, and adaptation to technical deve lopments, the power to adopt certain acts 
should be delegated to the Commission to provide for additional criteria for the 
authorisation or withdrawal of  the authorisation of products and substances for use in 
organic production in general and in the production of organic processed food in 
particular, and other requirements for th e use of such aut horised products and 
substances.  
(49) In the absence of specific Union rules on the measures to take when non-authorised 
substances or products are present in organi c products, different approaches have been 
developed and implemented across the Union. This situation creates uncertainties for 
operators, control authoritie s and control bodies. It ma y also entail a different 
treatment of operators in the Union and a ffect consumers' confidence in organic 
products. It is therefore appropriate to lay down clear and uniform provisions to 
prohibit marketing as organic those products in which any non-authorised products or 
substances are present beyond given levels. Those levels should be established taking 
account in particular of Commission Directive 2006/125/EC
31 on processed cereal-
based foods and baby foods for infants and young children.    
(50) In order to ensure the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency of the organic 
production and labelling system, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to 
the Commission  in respect of specific cr iteria and conditions for the establishment 
and application of the levels of presence of non-authorised produc ts and substances 
beyond which products shall not be marketed  as organic and w ith respect to the 
                                                 
31 Commission Directive 2006/125/EC of 5 December 2006  on processed cereal-b ased foods and baby 
foods for infants and young children (OJ L 339, 6.12.2006, p. 16). EN 18   EN establishment of those levels and thei r adaptation in the light of technical 
developments.   
(51) Organic production is based on the genera l principle of restriction of the use of 
external inputs. Farmers are required to take measures to prevent the risk of 
contamination by non-authorised products or substances. Despite such measures, there 
may be instances where farmers are prev ented from marketing their agricultural 
products as organic due to the unintentiona l presence of non-authorised products or 
substances. It is therefore appropriate to provide for the possibility whereby Member 
States may, in accordance with Article 42 of the Treaty, be authorised by the Commission to grant national payments to compensate for the losses incurred in such instances. Member States may also use the instruments of the Common Agricultural Policy to cover totally or partially such losses. 
(52) The labelling of agricultural products a nd foodstuffs should be subject to the general 
rules laid down in Regula tion (EU) No 1169/2011 of the Eu ropean Parliament and of 
the Council
32, and in particular the provisions ai med at preventing labelling that may 
confuse or mislead consumers. In addition, sp ecific provisions rela ting to the labelling 
of organic products should be laid down in this Regulation. They  should protect both 
the interests of operators in having their products correctly identified on the market 
and enjoying conditions of fair competiti on, and those of consumers in enabling them 
to make informed choices. 
(53) Accordingly, the terms used to indicate organic produc ts should be protected from 
being used in the labelling of non- organic products throughout the Union and 
independently of the language used. The pr otection should also apply to the usual 
derivatives or diminutives of those terms, whether they are used alone or combined. 
(54) In order to create clarity for consum ers throughout the Union market, the use of the 
organic production logo of the European Union should be made obligatory for all 
organic pre-packed food produ ced within the Union. It shoul d otherwise be possible to 
use that logo on a voluntary basis in th e case of non pre-pack ed organic products 
produced within the Union or any organic products imported from third countries. The 
model of the organic production logo of the European Union should be set out in this 
Regulation. 
(55) However, in order not to  mislead consumers as to the organic nature of the entire 
product, it is considered a ppropriate to limit th e use of that logo to products which 
contain only, or almost only, organic ingredients. It should therefore not be allowed to 
use it in the labelling of in-conversion produc ts or processed produc ts of which less 
than 95 % of their ingredients of agricultural origin are organic. 
(56) For the sake of avoiding any possible confusion amongst consumers about the Union 
or non-Union origin of a product, whenever the organic production logo of the European Union is used, consumers should be informed about the place where the agricultural raw materials of which the product is composed have been farmed. In this 
context, it should be allowed to refer to aquaculture in the label of products from 
organic aquaculture instead of  referring to agriculture. 
                                                
 
32 Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on 
the provision of food information to consumers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) 
No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC, Directive 2000/13/EC 
of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Directives 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and 
Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004 (OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p. 18).
– EN 19   EN (57) In order to provide cl arity for consumers and to en sure that the appropriate 
information is communicated to them, th e power to adopt certain acts should be 
delegated to the Commission in respect of adapting the list of terms referring to 
organic production set out in this Regulation, establishing the specific labelling and 
composition requirements applicable to feed  and ingredients thereof, laying down 
further rules on labelling and the use of the indications, othe r than the organic 
production logo of the European Union, set out in this Regulation, and amending the organic production logo of the European Union and the rules relating thereto.  
(58) Organic production is only credible if accompanied by effec tive verification and 
controls at all stages of production, pr ocessing and distribu tion. Organic production 
should be subject to official  controls or other official  activities ca rried out in 
accordance with Regulation (EU) No (XXX/XX XX) of the European Parliament and 
of the Council
33 to verify compliance with th e rules on organi c production and 
labelling of organic products. 
(59) Specific requirements shoul d be laid down to ensure comp liance with the rules that are 
peculiar to organic production. In par ticular, provisions should be made for 
notification of the activities of the operator s and for a certification system to identify 
the operators that comply with the rules governing organic production and labelling of 
organic products. Those provi sions should also apply to any subcontractors of the 
operators concerned. The tran sparency of the certificati on system should be ensured 
by requiring Member States to make public the list of operators that  have notified their 
activities and any fees that may be collected  in relation to the controls for verifying 
compliance with the organic production rules.  
(60) Small farmers in the Union face, indi vidually, relatively high inspection costs and 
administrative burden linked to organic certif ication. A system of group certification 
should be allowed with a view to reduci ng the inspection and certification costs and 
the associated administrative burden, stre ngthening local networ ks, contributing to 
better market outlets and ensuring a leve l playing field with operators in third 
countries. For that reason, the concept of ‘group of operators’ should be introduced 
and defined. 
(61) In order to ensure the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency of the organic 
production and labelling system, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to 
the Commission in respect of the requirement s for keeping of records by operators or 
groups of operators, the requirements for publication of the lis t of operators, the 
requirements and procedures to be applied for  publication of th e fees that may be 
collected in relation to the controls fo r verifying compliance with the organic 
production rules and for supervision by the comp etent authorities of the application of 
those fees, as well as the criteria for defining the groups  of products in respect of 
which operators should be entitled to have  only one organic cer tificate issued by the 
control authority or control body concerned. 
                                                 
33 Regulation (EU) No XX/XXX of the European Parliament and of the Council of […] on official 
controls and other official activities performed to ensu re the application of food and feed law, rules on 
animal health and welfare, plant health, plant reproductive material, plant protection products and amending Regulations (EC) No 999/2001, 1829/2003, 1831/2003, 1/2005, 396/2005, 834/2007, 
1099/2009, 1069/2009, 1107/2009, Regulations (EU) No 1151/2012, [….]/2013 [Office of Publications, 
please insert number of Regulation laying down provisions for the management of expenditure relating to the food chain, animal health and animal welfare, and relating to plant health and plant reproductive 
material], and Directives 98/58/EC, 1999/74/EC, 2007/43/EC, 2008/119/EC, 2008/120/EC and 
2009/128/EC (Official controls Regulation)  (OJ L …). EN 20   EN (62) In order to ensure that the certificat ion of a group of operators  is done effectively and 
efficiently, the power to adopt certain act s should be delegated to the Commission in 
respect of the responsibilities of the individual members of a group of operators, the 
composition and size of that group, the cat egories of products to be produced by a 
group of operators, the condi tions for participation in the group, and the set up and 
functioning of the group's system for inte rnal controls, including the scope, content 
and frequency of the contro ls to be carried out.  
(63) The experience with the arrangements fo r import of organic products into the Union 
under Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 has shown th at there is a need to revise those 
arrangements in order to respond to consum er expectations that imported organic 
products meet rules as high as those of the Union, as well as  to better ensure the access 
of Union organic products to the internati onal market. In additi on, it is necessary to 
provide for clarity regarding the rules appl icable to export of  organic products, in 
particular by establishing a certificate of export and layi ng down provisions for export 
to third countries recognised for the purpos e of equivalence under Regulation (EC) No 
834/2007.  
(64) The provisions governing the import of  products that comply with the Union 
production and labelling rules and in respect of which operators have been subject to 
the control of control author ities and control bo dies recognised by the Commission as 
competent to carry out controls and certifi cation in the field of  organic production in 
third countries, should be further reinforce d. In particular, requi rements concerning the 
accreditation bodies which accredit control b odies for the purposes of import of 
compliant organic products into the Union s hould be laid down, aiming at ensuring a 
level playing field for the supervision of the contro l bodies by the Commission. 
Furthermore, it is necessary to provide for the possibility for the Commission to 
contact directly the ac creditation bodies and competent authorities in third countries to 
render the supervision of control authori ties and control bodies  respectively more 
efficient.  
(65) The possibility for organic products to get access to the Union market where such 
products do not comply with the Union ru les on organic production but come from 
third countries whose organic production and control systems have been recognised as 
equivalent to those of the Union should be preserved. However, the recognition of 
equivalence of third countries, as laid down in Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, should 
only be granted through an in ternational agreemen t between the Union and those third 
countries, where a reciprocal recognition of equivalence w ould be also pursued for the 
Union.  
(66) Third countries recognised for the purpos e of equivalence under Regulation (EC) No 
834/2007 should continue to be recognised as such under this  Regulation, for a limited 
period of time necessary to ensure a smooth transition to  the scheme of recognition 
through an international agreement, provide d that they continue to ensure the 
equivalence of their organic production and cont rol rules to the relevant Union rules in 
force and that they fulfil all requirements relating to the supervision of their recognition by the Commission. That supervisi on should be based in particular on the 
annual reports the third countries send to the Commission.  
(67) The experience with the scheme of contro l authorities and control bodies recognised as 
competent to carry out controls  and issue certificates in th ird countries for the purpose 
of import of products providing equivalent gua rantees shows that the rules applied by 
those authorities and bodies are different a nd could be difficult to  be considered as EN 21   EN equivalent to the respective Union rules. Furthermore, multiplication of control 
authorities and control bodies standard s hampers adequate supervision by the 
Commission. Therefore that scheme of recognition of equivalence should be 
abolished. However, sufficient time should be  given to those control authorities and 
control bodies so that they can prepare themselves for obtaining recognition for the purposes of import of products complying with Union rules.  
(68) The placing on the market  as organic of  any organic product imported into the Union, 
under any of the import arrangements prov ided for in this Regulation, should be 
subject to the availability of the informati on necessary to ensure the traceability of the 
product on the food chain. 
(69) In order to ensure fair competition am ong operators, the traceability of the imported 
products intended to be placed on the market within the Union as organic or the transparency of the recognition and supervis ion procedure for cont rol authorities and 
control bodies within the context of import of compliant  organic products, and in order 
to ensure the management of  the list of third countries recognised for the purpose of 
equivalence under Regulation (EC) No 834/ 2007, the power to adopt certain acts 
should be delegated to the Commission in  respect of the documents intended for 
customs authorities in third countries, in pa rticular an organic e xport certificate, in 
electronic form wherever possible, the documents necessary for the purposes of 
import, also in electronic form wherever possible, the criteria for recognition or 
withdrawal of the recognition of control authori ties and control bodies in the context 
of import of compliant organic products, and in respect of the information to be sent 
by third countries recognised under that Re gulation necessary for the supervision of 
their recognition and the exercise of th at supervision by the Commission, including 
on-the-spot examination. 
(70) Provision should be made to ensure that the movement of organic products that have 
been subject to a control in one Member St ate and which comply with this Regulation 
cannot be restricted in anothe r Member State. In order to ensure the proper functioning 
of the single market and trad e between Member States, the power to adopt certain acts 
should be delegated to the Commission to  lay down rules relating to the free 
movement of organic products. 
(71) For the purpose of obtainaing reliable in formation needed for the implementation of 
this Regulation, Member States should provide the Commission annually with the 
necessary information. For reasons of clarity  and transparency, Member States should 
keep updated lists of competen t authorities, control author ities and control bodies. The 
lists of control authorities and control bodi es should be made public by the Member 
States and annually publish ed by the Commission.   
(72) It is necessary to lay down measures  to ensure a smooth transition to some 
modifications of the legal framework govern ing the import of organic products into 
the Union, as introduced by this Regulation. In  particular, in orde r to ensure a smooth 
transition from the old to the new legal framework, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the rules relating to conversion periods starting under Regulation (EC) No  834/2007, by way of derogation from the 
general rule that no previous periods may be  recognised retroactivel y as being part of 
the conversion period.  
(73) Furthermore, a date for the expiration of the recognition of c ontrol authorities and 
control bodies for the purpose of equivalen ce should be set and provisions to address 
the situation until the expiration of their recognition should be laid down. Provisions EN 22   EN should also be laid down regard ing applications from third countries for th e purpose of 
equivalence which have been submitted under Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 and which are pending at the time of entr y into force of this Regulation.  
(74) In order to ensure the management of th e list of control author ities and control bodies 
recognised for the purpose of equivalen ce under Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 and to 
facilitate the completion of the examination of applications from third countries for 
recognition for the purpose of equivalence that  are pending at the date of entry into 
force of this Regulation, th e power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the 
Commission in respect of the information to  be sent by those c ontrol authorities and 
control bodies that is necessa ry for the supervision of th eir recognition and in respect 
of the exercise of that supervision by th e Commission, as well as in respect of any 
procedural rules necessary for the examinati on of the pending applications from third 
countries.   
(75) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, 
implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission as regards the technical 
details for the establishment of the database for the listing of the varieties for which plant reproductive material obtained by the or ganic production method is available, as 
regards the authorisation or the withdrawal of the author isation of the products and 
substances that may be used in organic production in general a nd in the production of 
processed organic food in particular, including the procedures to be followed for the authorisation and the lists of those products  and substances and, where appropriate, 
their description, compositional requirement and conditions for use, as regards the specific and practical modalities regarding the presentation, composition and size of 
the indications referring to the code number s of control authorit ies and control bodies 
and of the indication of th e place where the agricultura l raw materials have been 
farmed, the assignment of code numbers to control authorities a nd control bodies and 
the indication of the place where the agricult ural raw materials have been farmed, as 
regards the details and specifications re garding the content, form and way of 
notification of the notif ications by operators and groups of operators of their activity to 
the competent authorities and the form of pub lication of the fees that may be collected 
for the controls, as regards  the exchange of information between groups of operators 
and competent authorities, control authori ties and control bodies and between Member 
States and the Commission, as regards the recognition or w ithdrawal of the 
recognition of control authori ties and control bodies which are competent to carry out 
controls in third countries and the establishm ent of the list of those control authorities 
and control bodies and rules to ensure the app lication of measures in relation to cases 
of non-compliance, or suspicion thereof, a ffecting the integrity of imported organic 
products, as regards the esta blishment of a list of th ird countries recognised under 
Article 33(2) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 and the amendment of that list as well 
as rules to ensure the application of measures in relation to cases of non-compliance, or suspicion thereof, affecting the integrity  of organic products  imported from those 
countries, as regards the system to be used  to transmit the information necessary for 
the implementation and monitoring of this Regulation, and as regards the 
establishment of the list of control aut horities and control bodi es recognised under 
Article 33(3) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 and the amendment of that list. Those EN 23   EN powers should be exercised in accordan ce with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the 
European Parliament and of the Council34. 
(76) The Commission should be empowered to adopt immediately applicable implementing 
acts where, in duly justified cases relating to  the protection against unfair practices or 
practices which are incompatible with th e principles and rules on organic production, 
the protection of consumers' confidence or the protection of fair  competition between 
operators, imperative grounds of urgency so require to ensure the application of 
measures in relation to cases of non-complian ce, or the suspicion thereof, affecting the 
integrity of imported organic products under the control of recognised control 
authorities or control bodies. 
(77) In order to ensure a smooth transition  between on the one hand the rules on the organic 
origin of plant reproductive material a nd on animals for breeding purposes provided 
for in Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 and th e exception to production rules adopted 
pursuant to Article 22 of that Regulati on, and on the other hand the new production 
rules for plants and plant products and lives tock provided for in this Regulation, the 
power to adopt certain acts s hould be delegated to the Commission in respect of the 
granting of exceptions where exceptions ar e deemed necessary, in order to ensure 
access to plant reproductive material and liv e animals for breeding purposes that may 
be used in organic production. Since those acts are transitional in nature, they should 
apply for a limited period of time. 
(78) The Commission should consider the situa tion of the availability of organic plant 
reproductive material and animals for breedi ng purposes and presen t a report to this 
end to the European Parliament and the Council in 2021.  
(79) Provision should be made to allow the exhaustion of st ocks of products which have 
been produced in accordance with Regula tion (EC) No 834/2007 and placed on the 
market before this Regulation starts to apply. 
(80) The review of the legislative framew ork for organic production and labelling of 
organic products showed that the specific n eeds relating to the official controls and 
other official activities ca rried out in accord ance with Regulation (EU) No XXX/XXX 
(Official controls Regulation) require provi sions to better address instances of non-
compliance. In addition, the provisions of Regulation (EU) No XXX/XXX [official 
controls Regulation] relating to  the tasks and responsibilitie s of competent authorities, 
the approval and supervision of delegated bodies, official certification,  reporting 
obligations and administrative assistance should be adapted to  the specific needs of the 
organic production sector. Regulation (E U) No XXX/XXX [o fficial controls 
Regulation] should therefore be amended accordingly. 
(81) Since the objectives of this Regulati on, in particular fair competition and proper 
functioning of the internal market in orga nic products as well as ensuring consumer 
confidence in those products and in the organic production l ogo of the European 
Union, cannot be sufficiently achieved by th e Member States themselves but can 
instead, because of the required harmonisa tion of the rules on organic production, be 
better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the 
principle of subsidiarity as set out in Ar ticle 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In 
                                                 
34 Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 
laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by the Member States 
of Commission's exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13). EN 24   EN accordance with the principle of proportional ity, as set out in that Article, this 
Regulation does not go beyond what  is necessary in order to  achieve those objectives. 
(82) It is appropriate to provide for a date of application of this Regulation that would give 
the possibility to operators to adap t to the new requirements introduced. 
HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: 
Chapter I 
Subject matter, scope and definitions 
Article 1 
Subject matter 
This Regulation establishes th e principles of organic produ ction and lays down the rules 
concerning organic production and the use of i ndications referring ther eto in labelling and 
advertising. 
Article 2 
Scope 
1. This Regulation shall apply to agricultura l products listed in A nnex I to the Treaty on 
the Functioning of the European Union (‘t he Treaty’) and to some other products 
listed in Annex I to this Regulation, insofa r as those agricultural products and those 
other products are intended to be produce d, prepared, distributed, placed on the 
market, imported or exported  as organic. 
The products of hunting and fishing of wild  animals shall not be considered as 
organic products. 
2. This Regulation shall apply to any operator involved in activities, at any stage of 
production, preparation and distribution, re lating to the products referred to in 
paragraph 1. EN 25   EN  
Mass catering operations carried out by a ma ss caterer as define d in point (d) of 
Article 2(2) of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the 
Council35 shall not be subject to this Regulation. 
Member States may apply national rules or, in the absence thereof, private standards 
on labelling and control of products or iginating from mass-catering operations.  
3. This Regulation shall appl y without prejudice to  related Union legislation in the 
fields of inter alia  safety of the food chain, animal health and welfar e, plant health, 
and plant reproductive material, and in part icular to Regulation (EU) No XX/XXX of 
the European Parliament and of the Council36 (plant reproductive material) and 
Regulation (EU) No XX/XXXX of the Euro pean Parliament and of the Council37 
(protective measures against pests of plants).  
4. This Regulation shall appl y without prejudice to othe r specific Union provisions 
relating to the placing of products on the market and, in particular, to Regulation 
(EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council38, and to 
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. 
5. In order to take into acc ount new information on production  methods or material or 
international commitments, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated 
acts in accordance with Article 36 amending th e list of products set out in Annex I. 
Only products which are closely linked to agricultural products sh all be eligible for 
inclusion in that list. 
Article 3 
Definitions 
For the purposes of this Regulation, th e following definitions shall apply: 
(1) ‘organic production’ means the use of pr oduction methods compliant with this 
Regulation, at all stages of productio n, preparation and distribution;  
(2) ‘organic’ means coming from or related to organic production; 
(3) ‘agricultural raw material’ means an agricu ltural product that has not been subjected 
to any operation of preservation or processing; 
(4) ‘preventive measures’ means measures to be taken in order to ensure soil quality as 
well as prevention and control of pests and weeds, and to prevent contamination with 
products or substances that are not authorised under this Regulation; 
                                                 
35 Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on 
the provision of food information to consumers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) 
No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC, Directive 2000/13/EC 
of the European Parliament and of the Council, Commission Directives 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and 
Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004 (OJ L 304, 22.11.2011, p. 18).  
36 [ full title ] (OJ L,…). 
37 [ full title ] (OJ L,…). 
38 Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of  the European Parliament and of  the Council of 17 December 2013 
establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council 
Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007 (OJ L 
347, 20.12.2013, p. 671). EN 26   EN (5) ‘conversion’ means the transition from non- organic to organic production within a 
given period of time;  
(6) ‘operator’ means the natural or legal pe rson responsible for ensuring that this 
Regulation is complied with at all stages of production, preparat ion and distribution 
under their control; 
(7) ‘group of operators’ means a group in which each operator is a farmer who has a 
holding of up to 5 hectares of utilised agricultural area and w ho may, in addition to 
producing food or feed, be engaged in processing of food or feed; 
(8) ‘farmer’ means a natural or legal person, or a group of natural or legal persons, 
regardless of the legal status granted to such group and its members by national law, 
who exercises an agricultural activity.  
(9)  ‘agricultural area’ means agricultural area as  defined in point (e) of Article 4(1) of 
Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013; 
(10) ‘plants’ means plants as defined in poi nt 5 of Article 3 of Regulation (EC) 
No 1107/2009; 
(11) ‘plant production’ means production of  agricultural crop products including 
harvesting of wild plant products for commercial purposes; 
(12) ‘plant products’ means plant products as defi ned in point 6 of Article 3 of Regulation 
(EC) No 1107/2009; 
(13) ‘pest’ means a pest as defined in Artic le 1(1) of Regulation (EU) No XX/XXXX 
(protective measures against pests of plants);  
(14) ‘plant protection products’ means the products  referred to in Article 2 of Regulation 
(EC) No 1107/2009; 
(15) ‘livestock production’ means the production of  domestic or domesticated terrestrial 
animals, including insects; 
(16) ‘veranda’ means an additional, roofed, uninsulated, outdoor part of a livestock 
building, the longest si de being usually equipped with wire fencing or netting with 
outdoor climate, natural and artificial illumination and a littered floor;  
(17) ‘aquaculture’ means aquaculture as define d in point (25) of  Article 4(1) of 
Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the Eur opean Parliament and of the Council39; 
(18) ‘veterinary treatment’ means all courses of a curative or preventive treatment against 
one occurrence of a specific disease; 
(19) ‘veterinary medicinal products’ means veteri nary medicinal products as defined in 
point 2 of Article 1 of Directive 2001/82/EC  of the European Parliament and of the 
Council40; 
(20) ‘preparation’ means the operations of pres erving or processing of organic products, 
including slaughter and cutting for live stock products, packag ing, labelling or 
alterations made to the labelli ng relating to organic production; 
                                                 
39 Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on 
the Common Fisheries Policy,  amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1954/2003 and (EC) No 
1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 2371/2002 and (EC) No 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC (OJ L 354, 28.12.2013, p. 22).  
40 Directive 2001/82/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 November 2001 on the 
Community code relating to veterinary medicinal products (OJ L 311, 28.11.2001, p.1). EN 27   EN (21) ‘food’ means food as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the 
European Parliament and of the Council41; 
(22) ‘feed’ means feed as defined in point 4 of  Article 3 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002;  
(23) ‘feed material’ means feed ma terial as defined in point (g) of Article 3(2) of 
Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 of the Eur opean Parliament and of the Council42; 
(24) ‘in-conversion feed’ means feed produced  during the conversion period, with the 
exclusion of those harvested in the 12 months following the beginning of the 
conversion;  
(25) ‘placing on the market’ means placing on the ma rket as defined in point 8 of Article 
3 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002; 
(26) ‘traceability’ means traceability as defined in point 15 of Article 3 of Regulation 
(EC) No 178/2002; 
(27) ‘stages of production, prep aration and distribution’ means any stage from and 
including the primary production of an organic product up to and including its 
storage, processing, transpor t, sale or supply to the final consumer, and where 
relevant labelling, advertising, import,  export and subcontracting activities;   
(28) ‘catastrophic circumstances’ means circumstan ces deriving from an ‘adverse climatic 
event’, an ‘environmental incident’, a ‘natur al disaster’ or a ‘cat astrophic event’ as 
defined respectively in points (h), (j), (k) and (l) of Article 2(1)  of Regulation (EU) 
No 1305/2013; 
(29) ‘ingredient’ means an ingredient  as defined in point (f) of  Article 2(2) of Regulation 
(EU) No 1169/2011; 
(30) ‘labelling’ means labelling as defined in point  (j) of Article 2(2) of Regulation (EU) 
No 1169/2011; 
(31) ‘advertising’ means any presentation of or ganic products to the public, by any means 
other than a label, that is intended or is likely to influence and shape attitude, beliefs 
and behaviours in order to promote directly or indirectly the sale  of organic products; 
(32) ‘competent authorities’ means competent aut horities as defined in point 5 of Article 
2 of Regulation (EU) No XXX/XXXX [ Official controls Regulation ]; 
(33) ‘control authority’ means control authority for organic production and labelling of 
organic products as defined in point 39 of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) No 
XXX/XXXX [ Official controls Regulation ]; 
(34) ‘control body’ means a delegated body as de fined in point 38 of Article 2 of 
Regulation (EU) No XXX/XXXX [ Official controls Regulation ], as well as a body 
recognised by the Commission or by a thir d country recognised  by the Commission 
to carry out controls in third countries for the import of organic products into the 
Union; 
                                                 
41 Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying 
down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1). 
42 Regulation (EC) No 767/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on the 
placing on the market and use of feed, amending European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 and repealing Council Directive 79/373/EEC, Commission Directive 80/511/EEC, Council 
Directives 82/471/EEC, 83/228/EEC, 93/74/EEC, 93/113/EC and 96/25/EC and Commission Decision 
2004/217/EC (OJ L 229, 1.9.2009, p. 1). EN 28   EN (35) ‘non-compliance’ means non-complia nce with this Regulation; 
(36) ‘genetically modified organi sm’ means a genetically modifi ed organism as defined in 
point (2) of Article 2 of Di rective 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the 
Council43 which is not obtained through the techniques of genetic modifications 
listed in Annex I.B to that Directive, hereinafter referred to as ‘GMO’; 
(37) ‘produced from GMOs’ means derived in whole or in part from GMOs but not 
containing or consisting of GMOs;  
(38) ‘produced by GMOs’ means derived by using a GMO as the last living organism in 
the production process, but not containing or  consisting of GMOs nor produced from 
GMOs; 
(39)  ‘food additive’ means a food additive as de fined in point (a) of  Article 3(2) of 
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the Eur opean Parliament and of the Council44 ; 
(40) ‘feed additive’ means a feed additive as defined in point (a) of Article 2(2) of 
Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 of the Eur opean Parliament and of the Council45; 
(41) ‘equivalence’ means meeting the same obj ectives and principl es by applying rules 
which ensure the same level of assuran ce of conformity; ‘processing aid’ means 
processing aid as defined in  point (b) of Article 3(2) of Regulation (EC) No 
1333/2008; 
(42) ‘food enzyme’ means a food enzyme as defi ned in point (a) of Article 3(2) of 
Regulation (EC) No 1332/2008 of the Eur opean Parliament and of the Council46; 
(43) ‘ionising radiation’ means ionising radia tion as defined in Article 1 of Council 
Directive 96/29/Euratom47. 
                                                 
43 Directive 2001/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 March 2001 on the 
deliberate release into the environment of genetically modified organisms and repealing Council Directive 90/220/EEC (OJ L 106, 17.4.2001, p. 1).  
44 Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on 
food additives ( OJ L 35 4, 31.12.2008, p. 16). 
45 Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 
on additives for use in animal nutrition (OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 29). 
46 Regulation (EC) No 1332/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on 
food enzymes and amending Council Directive 83/417/EEC, Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999, 
Directive 2000/13/EC, Council Directive 2001/112/EC and Regulation (EC) No 258/97 (OJ L 354, 
31.12.2008, p. 7) 
47 Council Directive 96/29/Euratom of 13 May 1996 laying down basic safety standards for the   
protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing 
radiation (OJ L 159, 29.6.1996, p. 1). EN 29   EN Chapter II 
Principles of organic production  
Article 4 
General principles 
Organic production is a sustaina ble management system for agri culture that is based on the 
following general principles: 
(a) respect for nature's systems and cycles and sustainment and enhancement of the state 
of soil, water, air and biodive rsity, of the health of plants and animals and of the 
balance between them; 
(b) contribution to a high le vel of biodiversity; 
(c) responsible use of energy and natural resour ces, such as water,  soil, organic matter 
and air; 
(d) respect of high animal welfare standards a nd, in particular, fulfilment of animals’ 
species-specific behavioural needs; 
(e) appropriate design and management of biological processes based on ecological 
systems using natural resources which are internal to the syst em by methods that: 
(i) use living organisms and mechanical production methods; 
(ii) practice land-related crop cultivati on and livestock production or practice 
aquaculture which complies with the prin ciple of sustainable exploitation of 
fisheries; 
(iii) exclude the use of GMOs and produc ts produced from or by GMOs with the 
exception of veterinary medicinal products; 
(iv) are based on the use of prev entive measures, when appropriate; 
(f) restriction of the use of ex ternal inputs. Where external inputs are required or the 
appropriate management practices and methods  referred to in point  (e) do not exist, 
these shall be limited to: 
(i) inputs from organic production; (ii) natural or naturally-derived substances; (iii) low solubility mineral fertilisers; 
(g) adaptation, where necessary, a nd within the framework of this Regulation, of the 
production process, taking account of the sa nitary status, regional differences in 
ecological balance, climate a nd local conditions, stages of  development and specific 
husbandry practices. EN 30   EN Article 5 
Specific principles applicable to agri cultural activities and aquaculture 
In the framework of agricultu ral activities and a quaculture, organic production shall in 
particular be based on the following specific principles: 
(a) maintenance and enhancement of soil life and natural soil fertilit y, soil stability, soil 
water retention and soil biodiversity prev enting and combating loss of soil organic 
matter, soil compaction and soil erosion, and the nourishing of plants primarily 
through the soil ecosystem; 
(b) limitation of the use of non-renewable resour ces and external inputs to a minimum; 
(c) recycling of wastes and by-pr oducts of plant and animal or igin as input in plant and 
livestock production; 
(d) maintenance of plant health by preventive measures, in particular the choice of 
appropriate species, varieties or heteroge neous material resistant to pests and 
diseases, appropriate crop rotations, mechan ical and physical methods and protection 
of the natural enemies of pests; 
(e) choice of breeds having regard to the capacity of animals to adapt to local conditions, 
their vitality and their resist ance to disease or health problems; the practice of site-
adapted and land-related livestock producti on; the application of animal husbandry 
practices, which enhance the immune system and strengthen the natural defence against diseases, in particul ar including regular exercise  and access to open air areas 
and pastureland, where appropriate; 
(f) observance of a high level of animal we lfare respecting species-specific needs; 
(g) feeding of livestock with organic feed co mposed of agricultural ingredients from 
organic production and of natura l non-agricultural substances; 
(h) exclusion of genetic engineering, animal cloning, artificially i nduced polyploidy and 
ionising radiation from the whole organic food chain; 
(i) continuing health of the aquatic envir onment and the quality of surrounding aquatic 
and terrestrial ecosystems;  
(j) feeding of aquatic organisms with feed from  sustainable exploitation of fisheries in 
accordance with Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 or with organic feed composed of agricultural ingredients from  organic production, includi ng organic aquaculture, and 
of natural non-agricultural substances. 
Article 6 
Specific principles applicable to the processing of organic food and feed 
Production of processed organic f ood and feed shall in particul ar be based on the following 
specific principles: 
(a) production of organic food from orga nic agricultural  ingredients; 
(b) production of organic feed from  organic feed materials; 
(c) limitation of the use of food additives, of non-organic ingredients with mainly 
technological and sensory functions, and of  micronutrients and processing aids, so EN 31   EN that they are used to a minimum extent a nd only in cases of essential technological 
need or for particular  nutritional purposes; 
(d) limitation of the use of feed additives and processing aids to a minimum extent and 
only in cases of essential technological or  zootechnical needs or for particular 
nutritional purposes; 
(e) exclusion of substances and processing met hods that might be misleading as regards 
the true nature of the product; 
(f) processing of food or feed with care, pr eferably through the use of biological, 
mechanical and physical methods. EN 32   EN Chapter III 
Production rules 
Article 7 
General production rules 
1. Operators shall comply with the following general production rules: 
(a) the entire agricultural holding or aquaculture operation shall be managed in 
compliance with the requirements applicable to organic production; 
(b) save as otherwise provided in point 2.2 of  Part IV and point 1.3 of Part VI of 
Annex II, only products and substances au thorised pursuant to  Article 19 may 
be used in organic agriculture and aqu aculture, provided that the product or 
substance in question has been aut horised for use in agriculture and 
aquaculture, in accordance with the re levant provisions of Union law and, 
where necessary, in the Member States concerned, in accordance with national provisions based on Union law;  
(c) the use of ionising radiation for the treatme nt of organic food or feed, or of raw 
materials used in organic food or feed shall be prohibited; 
(d) organic operators other than micro-enterprises, farmers and operators 
producing seaweed or aquaculture animals, shall put in place an environmental management system with a view to improving their environmental 
performance. 
2. In order to ensure the correct applica tion of the general production rules, the 
Commission shall be empowered to adopt de legated acts in accordance with Article 
36 providing the criteria to which the environmental management system referred to in point (d) of paragraph 1 is to correspond. Those criteria shall take into account the 
specificities of small and medium size enterprises. 
Article 8 
Conversion 
1. Farmers and operators producing seaweed or aquaculture animals shall respect a 
conversion period. During the whole conversio n period they shall apply the rules on 
organic production laid down in  this Regulation and, in pa rticular, the specific rules 
on conversion set out in Annex II. 
2. The conversion period shall start at the earliest when the farmer or the operator 
producing seaweed or aquaculture animals ha s notified his activity to the competent 
authorities in accordance with this Regulation. 
 (2a) By way of derogation from paragraph 2, in cases where the land has been left 
fallow before the notification referred to in Article 24(1) for at least the time period 
required for conversion and provided that ot her necessary requirements are fulfilled, 
no conversion period shall be necessary for this fallow land  EN 33   EN 3. No previous period may be recognised retr oactively as being pa rt of the conversion 
period. 
4. Products produced during the conversion pe riod shall not be marketed as organic. 
5. By way of derogation from Article 7(1)(a), during the conversion period, the 
agricultural holding may be split into cl early separated units which are not all 
managed under organic production. As regard s livestock, different species shall be 
involved in organic production during the conversion period.  As regards 
aquaculture, the same species may be i nvolved, provided that there is adequate 
separation between the production sites. As re gards plants, different varieties that can 
easily be distinguished shall be involved  in organic production during the conversion 
period.  
6. In order to ensure qualit y, traceability and compliance with this Regulation as 
regards organic production and adapta tion to technical developments, the 
Commission shall be empowered to adopt de legated acts in accord ance with Article 
36 supplementing the rules laid down in this  Article or supplementing and amending 
the rules set out in Anne x II as regards conversion. 
Article 9 
Prohibition of the use of GMOs 
1. GMOs and products produced from or by GMOs  shall not be used in   food or feed or 
as food, feed, processing aids, plant protect ion products, fertilisers, soil conditioners, 
plant reproductive material, micro-organi sms and animals in organic production.   
2. For the purposes of paragraph 1, with rega rd to GMOs or products produced from or 
by GMOs for food and feed, operators may rely on the labels of a product or any other accompanying document, affixed or provided pursuant to Directive 
2001/18/EC, Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of th e European Parliament and of the 
Council
48 or Regulation (EC) No 1830/2003 of th e European Parliament and of the 
Council49. 
3. Operators may assume that no GMOs or products produced from or by GMOs have 
been used in the manufacture of purchased food and feed when such products are not 
labelled, or accompanied by a document, pursu ant to the Regulations referred to in 
paragraph 2, unless they have  obtained other information i ndicating that the labelling 
of the products concerned is not in conformity with those Regulations. 
Article 10 
Plant production rules 
1. Operators producing plants or plant products  shall in particular comply with the 
specific production rules set out  in Part I of Annex II. 
                                                 
48 Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on 
genetically modified food and feed (OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 1). 
49 Regulation (EC) 1830/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 
concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically  modified organisms and the traceability of food 
and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC 
(OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 24). EN 34   EN 2. Each Member State shall ensure that a computerised database is established for 
listing the varieties and heterogeneous ma terial, according to Regulation (EU) No 
XX/XXX (PRM law) for which plant reproduc tive material obtained by the organic 
production method is ava ilable on its territory. 
3. In order to ensure qualit y, traceability and compliance with this Regulation as 
regards organic plant production and adap tation to technical developments, the 
Commission shall be empowered to adopt de legated acts in accordance with Article 
36 amending or supplementing the specifi c plant production rules as regards: 
(a) cultivation practices; 
(b) soil management and fertilisation; 
(c) plant health and management of pests and weeds; 
(d) management of mushroom production a nd other specific plant and plant 
production systems; 
(e) the origin of plant reproductive material; 
(f) the collection of wild plants. 
4. The Commission shall adopt implementing ac ts laying down the technical details for 
establishing the database referred to in  paragraph 2. Those implementing acts shall 
be adopted in accordance with the examina tion procedure referred to in Article 37(2). 
Article 11 
Livestock production rules 
1. Livestock operators shall in particular co mply with the specific production rules set 
out in Part II of Annex II. 
2. In order to ensure qualit y, traceability and compliance with this Regulation as 
regards organic livestock production and ad aptation to technical developments, the 
Commission shall be empowered to adopt de legated acts in accordance with Article 
36 amending or supplementing the specific livestock production rules as regards: 
(a) the origin of animals; 
(b) livestock housing, including mini mum surface areas indoors and 
outdoors and the maximum number of animals per hectare; 
(c) husbandry practices; 
(d) breeding; 
(e) feed and feeding; 
(f) disease prevention and veterinary treatment. 
Article 12 
Production rules for seaweed  and aquaculture animals 
1. Operators producing seaweed and aquacultur e animals shall in particular comply 
with the specific production rules se t out in Part III of Annex II. EN 35   EN 2. In order to ensure qualit y, traceability and compliance with this Regulation as 
regards organic seaweed production and adap tation to technical developments, the 
Commission shall be empowered to adopt de legated acts in accordance with Article 
36 amending or supplementing the specifi c seaweed production rules as regards: 
(a) the suitability of the aquatic medi um and the sustainable management 
plan; 
(b) the harvesting of wild seaweed; 
(c) seaweed cultivation; 
(d) antifouling measures and cleaning of production equipment and facilities. 
3. In order to ensure qualit y, traceability and compliance with this Regulation as 
regards organic aquaculture animals production and adaptation to technical 
developments, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 36 amending or supp lementing the specific production rules 
for aquaculture animals as regards: 
(a) the suitability of the aquatic medi um and the sustainable management 
plan; 
(b) the origin of aquaculture animals; 
(c) aquaculture husbandry, including aquatic containment systems, 
production systems, maximum stocki ng density and, where appropriate, 
minimum stocking density; 
(d) breeding; 
(e) management of aquaculture animals; 
(f) feed and feeding; 
(g) disease prevention and veterinary treatment. 
Article 13 
Production rules for processed food and feed 
1. Operators producing processed food and feed  shall in particular comply with the 
specific production rules set out  in Part IV of Annex II. 
2. In order to ensure qualit y, traceability and compliance with this Regulation as 
regards organic processed food and feed production and adaptation to technical 
developments, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 36 amending or supp lementing the specific production rules 
for processed food and feed as regards: 
(a) procedures to be followed; 
(b) preventive measures to be taken; 
(c) the composition and conditions of use of processed food and feed, 
including products and substances al lowed for use in processed food and 
feed; 
(d) cleaning measures; EN 36   EN (e) the placing on the market of processed products in cluding their labelling 
and identification; 
(f) separation of organic products, agricultu ral ingredients and feed materials 
from non-organic products, agricultural  ingredients and feed materials; 
(g) the list of non-organic agricultural ingredients which may exceptionally 
be used for the production of  organic processed products; 
(h) calculation of the percentage of agri cultural ingredients referred to in 
Article 21(3)(a)(ii) and (b); 
(i) techniques used in food or feed processing. 
Article 14 
Production rules for wine 
1. Operators producing products of  the wine sector shall in particular comply with the 
specific production rules set out  in Part V of Annex II. 
2. In order to ensure qualit y, traceability and compliance with this Regulation as 
regards organic wine production and adap tation to technical developments, the 
Commission shall be empowered to adopt de legated acts in accordance with Article 
36 amending or supplementing the specifi c wine production rules as regards 
oenological practices and restrictions. 
Article 15 
Production rules for yeast used as food or feed 
1. Operators producing yeast to be used as food or feed shall in part icular comply with 
the specific production rules set out in Part VI of Annex II. 
2. In order to ensure qualit y, traceability and compliance with this Regulation as 
regards organic yeast production and adap tation to technical developments, the 
Commission shall be empowered to adopt de legated acts in accordance with Article 
36 amending or supplementing the specifi c yeast production rule s as regards the 
processing and the substrates used. 
Article 16 
Production rules for other products 
In order to take account of any future need to  have specific production rules for products other 
than those referred to in Articles 10 to 15, an d in order to ensure quality, traceability and 
compliance with this Regulation as regards organic production of those additional other products and adaptation to tec hnical developments, the Commission shall be empowered to 
adopt delegated acts in accordance with Arti cle 36 amending or supplementing Annex II with 
regard to specific production rules for those products.  EN 37   EN Article 17  
Adoption of exceptional production rules 
In order to allow organic produc tion to continue or recommence in the event of catastrophic 
circumstances and subject to the principles la id down in Chapter II, the Commission shall be 
empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 36 providing for the criteria to 
qualify such situations as catas trophic and laying down specific rules on how to deal with 
them, on monitoring and on reporting requirements. 
Article 18 
Collection, packaging, transport and storage 
1.  Organic products shall be collected, packag ed, transported and stored in accordance with 
the rules set out in Annex III. 
2. In order to ensure the integrity of or ganic production and adaptation to technical 
developments, the Commission shall be empowe red to adopt delegated acts in accordance 
with Article 36 amending or supplemen ting the rules set out in Annex III. 
Article 19 
Authorisation of products and substances used in organic production 
1. The Commission may authorise certain produc ts and substances for use in organic 
production and include them in restrict ed lists, for the following purposes: 
(a) as plant protection products; 
(b) as fertilisers, soil cond itioners and nutrients; 
(c) as feed materials; 
(d) as feed additives and processing aids; 
(e) as products for cleaning and disinfection of ponds, cages, tanks, 
raceways, buildings and installati ons used for animal production; 
(f) as products for cleaning and disinfec tion of buildings and installations 
used for plant production, including storage on an agricultural holding. 
In particular, the Commission may authoris e certain products and substances for use 
in the production of organic processed food an d include them in restricted lists, for 
the following purposes:  
(a) as food additives, food enzymes and processing aids; 
(b) as processing aids for the producti on of yeast and yeast products. 
2. The authorisation of the products and substa nces referred to in the first subparagraph 
of paragraph 1 for use in organic production shall be subject to the principles laid 
down in Chapter II and to the following criter ia which shall be evaluated as a whole: 
(a) their use is necessary for sustaine d production and essential for its 
intended use; EN 38   EN (b) all products and substances are of pl ant, animal, microbial or mineral 
origin, except where products or s ubstances from such sources are not 
available in sufficient quantities or qua lities or if alternatives are not 
available; 
(c) in the case of products referred to in point (a) of the fi rst subparagraph of 
paragraph 1, the following shall apply: 
(i) their use is essential for the control of a pest for which other 
biological, physical or breeding alternatives or cultivation practices or other effective management practices are not available; 
(ii) if products are not of plant, an imal, microbial or mineral origin and 
are not identical to their natural form, they may be authorised only 
if their conditions for use preclude any direct contact with the edible parts of the crop; 
(d) in the case of products referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph of 
paragraph 1, their use is essentia l for obtaining or maintaining the 
fertility of the soil or to fulfil speci fic nutrition requirements of crops, or 
for specific soil-c onditioning purposes; 
(e) in the case of products referred to in points (c) and (d) of the first 
subparagraph of paragraph 1, the following shall apply: 
(i) their use is necessary to maintain  animal health, animal welfare and 
vitality and contribute to an appropriate diet fulfilling the physiological and behavioral need s of the species concerned or 
their use is necessary to produce or preserve feed because the 
production or preservation of feed is not possible without having 
recourse to such substances; 
(ii) feed of mineral origin, trace elements, vitamins or provitamins 
shall be of natural origin, except where products or substances from 
such sources are not available in su fficient quantities or qualities or 
if alternatives ar e not available. 
The authorisation of the products and s ubstances referred to in the second 
subparagraph of paragraph 1 for use in the production of organic processed food 
shall be subject to the principles laid dow n in Chapter II and to the following criteria 
which shall be evaluated as a whole: 
(a) alternatives authorised in accordance with this Article are not available; 
(b) it would be impossible to produce or pr eserve the food or  to fulfil given 
dietary requirements provided for on th e basis of the Union legislation, 
without having recourse to t hose products and substances; 
(c) they are to be found in nature and may have undergone only mechanical, 
physical, biological, enzymatic or mi crobial processes, except where 
products and substances from such s ources are not available in sufficient 
quantities or qualities. 
The authorisation of the use of chemically synthesised products or substances shall 
be strictly limited to cases where the use of  external inputs referre d to in Article 4(f) 
would contribute to unacceptable environmental impacts. EN 39   EN 3. In order to ensure qualit y, traceability and compliance with this Regulation as 
regards organic production in general and the production of processed organic food 
in particular, and adaptati on to technical developmen ts, the Commission shall be 
empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Artic le 36 providing for 
additional criteria for the authorisation or w ithdrawal of the authorisation of products 
and substances referred to in paragraph 1 for use in organic pr oduction in general and 
in the production of organic processed food in particular, and ot her requirements and 
conditions for the use of such authorised products and substances.  
4. Where a Member State considers that a pr oduct or substance shoul d be added to, or 
withdrawn from the lists of authorised products and substanc es referred to in 
paragraph 1, or that the sp ecifications of use menti oned in the production rules 
should be amended, the Member State concer ned shall ensure that a dossier giving 
the reasons for the inclusion, withdrawal or amendments is sent officially to the 
Commission and to the other Member States. 
Requests for amendment or withdrawal shall be published by Member States. 
5. The Commission shall adopt implementi ng acts authorising or  withdrawing the 
authorisation of products and substances th at may be used in organic production in 
general and products and substances that may be used in the production of processed organic food in particular, and establishing the procedures to be followed for the 
authorisation and the lists of those produc ts and substances and, where appropriate, 
their description, compositional require ments and conditions for use. Those 
implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 37(2). 
Article 20 
Presence of non-authorised products or substances 
1. Products in which the pres ence of products or substan ces that have not been 
authorised in accordance with Article 19 is detected beyond the levels established 
taking account in particular of Direc tive 2006/125/EC, shall not be marketed as 
organic. 
2. In order to ensure the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency of the organic 
production and labelling system, the Comm ission shall be empowered to adopt 
delegated acts in accordance with Article 36 regarding the spec ific criteria and 
conditions for the application of the levels  referred to in paragraph 1 and regarding 
the establishment of those levels and th eir adaptation in the light of technical 
developments. 
3. By way of derogation from Article 211( 1) of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013, and 
subject to an authoriza tion by the Commission adopt ed without applying the 
procedure referred to in Article 37(2) or (3) of this Regulation, Member States may 
grant national payments to compensate farmers for the losses they have incurred due to the contamination of their agricultura l products by non-aut horised products or 
substances which prevents them from mark eting those products as organic provided 
that the farmers have taken all appropriate  measures to prevent the risk of such 
contamination. Member States may also  use the instruments of the Common 
Agricultural Policy to cover totally or partially such losses. EN 40   EN Chapter IV  
Labelling 
Article 21 
Use of terms referring to organic production 
1. For the purposes of this Regulation, a product shall be regarded as bearing terms 
referring to organic production where, in the labelling, advertising material or 
commercial documents, such a product, its  ingredients or f eed materials are 
described in terms suggesting to the purchaser  that the product, its ingredients or feed 
materials have been obtained in accordance with this Regul ation. In particular, the 
terms listed in Annex IV, their derivatives or diminutives, such as ‘bio’ and ‘eco’, 
alone or combined, may be used throughout the Union and in any language listed in 
that Annex for the labelling and advertising of products which comply with this 
Regulation. 
2. For the products referred to in Article 2(1) ,the terms referred to in paragraph 1 of this 
Article shall not be used anywhere in the Union, in any language listed in Annex IV, for the labelling, advertising and commerc ial documents of a product which does not 
comply with this Regulation . 
Furthermore, any terms, including terms us ed in trademarks, or practices used in 
labelling or advertising liable to mislead the consumer or user by suggesting that a 
product or its ingredients comply with  this Regulation shall not be used. 
3. As regards processed food, the terms re ferred to in paragraph 1 may be used: 
(a) in the sales description, provided that: 
(i) the processed food complies with th e production rules set out in Part IV 
of Annex II; 
(ii) at least 95% by weight of its agricultural ingredients are organic; 
(b) only in the list of ingredients, where less than 95% of agricultural ingredients 
are organic and provided th at those ingredients comply with the production 
rules set out in this Regulation. 
The list of ingredients referred to in point (b) of the first subparagraph shall indicate 
which ingredients are organic.  The references to organi c production may only appear 
in relation to the organic i ngredients. That list of ingredients shall include an 
indication of the total percentage of orga nic ingredients in proportion to the total 
quantity of agricultural ingredients.  
The terms referred to in paragraph 1 and th e indication of the pe rcentage referred to 
in point (b) of the first subparagraph of this paragraph shall appear in the same 
colour, identical size and style of letteri ng as the other indications in the list of 
ingredients. 
4. In order to provide clarity for consum ers and to ensure that the appropriate 
information is communicated to them, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt 
delegated acts in accordance with Article  36 concerning adapta tion of the list of 
terms set out in Annex IV, taking into account linguistic developments within the EN 41   EN Member States and concerning the establishment of specific labelling and 
compositional requirements applicable to feed and ingredients thereof. 
Article 22 
Compulsory indications 
1. Where terms as referred to in Article 21(1) are used: 
(a) the code number of the c ontrol authority or contro l body to which the operator 
who has carried out the last production or preparation operation is subject, shall 
also appear in the labelling; 
(b) the organic production logo of the European  Union referred to in Article 23 as 
regards pre-packed food as defined in poi nt (e) of Article 2(2) of Regulation 
(EU) No 1169/2011 shall also appear on the packaging. 
2. Where the organic production logo of the European Union is used, an indication of 
the place where the agricultural raw material s of which the product is composed have 
been farmed shall also appear in the same visual field as the logo and shall take one 
of the following forms, as appropriate: 
(a) ‘EU Agriculture’, where the agricultural raw material has been farmed in the 
Union; 
(b) ‘non-EU Agriculture’, where the agricultur al raw material has been farmed in 
third countries; 
(c) ‘EU/non-EU Agriculture’, where a part of the agricultural raw materials has 
been farmed in the Union and a part of  it has been farmed in a third country. 
The word ‘Agriculture’ may be repl aced by ‘Aquaculture’ where appropriate. 
The indication ‘EU’ or ‘non-EU’ may be re placed or supplemented by the name of a 
country if all agricultural raw materials of  which the product is composed have been 
farmed in that country. 
For the indication ‘EU’ or ‘non-EU’ small qua ntities by weight of ingredients may be 
disregarded provided that th e total quantity of the disr egarded ingredients does not 
exceed 5% of the total quantity by weight of agricultural raw materials. 
The indication ‘EU’ or ‘non-EU’ shall not appear in a colour, size and style of 
lettering more prominent than the name of the food. 
3. The indications referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this  Article and in Article 23(3) 
shall be marked in a conspicuous place in such a way as to be easily visible, clearly legible and indelible. 
4. In order to provide clarity for consum ers and to ensure that the appropriate 
information is communicated to them, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt 
delegated acts in accordance with Article 36 laying down further rules on labelling 
and the use of the indications referred to in  point (a) of paragra ph 1 and in paragraph 
2 of this Article a nd in Article 23(3). 
5. The Commission shall adopt implemen ting acts relating to the following: EN 42   EN (a) specific and practical modalities as re gards the presentation, composition and 
size of the indications referre d to in point (a) of para graph 1 and in paragraph 2 
of this Article and in Article 23(3); 
(b) the assignment of code numbers to c ontrol authorities a nd control bodies; 
(c) the indication of the place where the ag ricultural raw materials have been 
farmed, in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article and Article 232(3). 
Those implementing acts shall be adopted  in accordance with the examination 
procedure referred to in Article 37(2).  
Article 23 
Organic production logo of the European Union 
1. The organic production logo of the European  Union may be used in the labelling, 
presentation and advertising of products  which comply with  this Regulation. 
2. The organic production logo of the European  Union is an official attestation in 
accordance with Articles 85 and 90 of Regulation (EU)  No XXX/XXXX [Official 
controls Regulation]. 
3. The use of the organic production logo of the European Union shall be optional for 
products imported from third countries. In addition, where that logo appears in the 
labelling, the indication referred to in Article  22(2) shall also a ppear in the labelling. 
4. The organic production logo of the European  Union shall follow the model set out in 
Annex V and shall comply with th e rules set out in that Annex. 
5. National and private logos may be used in  the labelling, presen tation and a dvertising 
of products which comply with this Regulation.  
6. In order to provide clarity for consum ers and to ensure that the appropriate 
information is communicated to them, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt 
delegated acts in accordance with Articl e 36 amending the organic production logo 
of the European Union and the rules relating thereto set out in Annex V. EN 43   EN Chapter V 
Organic certification 
Article 24 
Organic certification system  
1. Operators or groups of operators that pr oduce, prepare or store organic products, who 
import such products from a third country or export such products to a third country 
or who place such products on the market shall, prior to the placing on the market as 
organic or prior to conversion, notify their ac tivity to the competen t authorities of the 
Member State(s) where the activity is carried out. 
2. Where operators or groups of operators s ubcontract any of their activities to a third 
party, both the operators a nd groups of operators and the third party to whom 
activities have been subcontracted  shall comply with paragraph 1. 
3. Operators and groups of operators shall keep  records on the diffe rent activi ties they 
engage in, in accordance with this Regulation. 
4. Competent authorities shall keep an upda ted list containing the names and addresses 
of operators and groups of ope rators that have notified th eir activities in accordance 
with paragraph 1 and shall make that list public, together with the information relating to their organic certificates as re ferred to in Article 25(1). The competent 
authorities shall respect th e requirements of the prot ection of personal data under 
Directive 95/46/EC of the Europ ean Parliament and of the Council
50. 
5. Member States shall ensure that the f ees that may be collected by the competent 
authorities, control authorit ies or control bodies in acco rdance with Article 76 of 
Regulation (EU) No XX/XXXX (official c ontrols Regulation) are made public. 
6. In order to ensure the effectiveness, efficiency and transparency of the organic 
production and labelling system, the Comm ission shall be empowered to adopt 
delegated acts in accordance with Article 36 concerning the requirements for keeping 
records, the requirements for publication of th e list referred to in paragraph 4 of this 
Article and the requirements and procedures to be applied for publication of the fees 
referred to in paragraph 5 of this Artic le and for supervision by the competent 
authorities of the application of those fees. 
7. The Commission may adopt implementing act s to provide details and specifications 
regarding the content, form and way of notification referre d to in paragraph 1 and the 
form of publication of the fees referred to in paragraph 5. Those implementing acts 
shall be adopted in accordan ce with the examination proced ure referred to in Article 
37(2). 
                                                 
50 Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the 
protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of 
such data (OJ L 281, 23.11.1995, p. 31). EN 44   EN Article 25 
Organic certificate 
1. Operators and groups of opera tors that have no tified their activity in accordance with 
Article 24(1) and comply with this Regula tion shall be entitled to be provided with 
an organic certificate. The organic certificat e, issued in electronic form wherever 
possible, shall at least allow the identification of the operator or group of operators, the type or range of products covered by th e certificate and its period of validity. 
2. The organic certificate is an official cer tification within the meaning of Articles 85 
and 86 of Regulation (EU) No XXX/ XXX (Official contro ls Regulation). 
3. Operators and groups of operators shall not  be entitled to be provided with an 
organic certificate by di fferent control authorities or  control bodies for the same 
group of products, including when those opera tors and groups of ope rators engage in 
different stages of production, preparation and distribution.  
4. Members of a group of operators shall not be entitled to be provided with an 
individual organic certificate for any of the activities covered by the certification of 
the group. 
5. Operators shall systematically verify the or ganic certificate of operators that are their 
suppliers. 
6.  In order to ensure the e ffectiveness, efficiency and transparency of the organic 
production and labelling system, the Comm ission shall be empowered to adopt 
delegated acts in accordance with Article 36 concerning the criteria for defining the 
groups of products referred to in paragraph 3.  
Article 26 
Group of operators 
1. Each group of operators shall establish a sy stem for internal controls. That system 
shall consist of a documented set of contro l activities and procedures, in accordance 
with which an identified person or body is responsible for verifying compliance with 
this Regulation of each member of the group. 
2. Deficiencies in the set-up or  functioning of the system fo r internal controls referred 
in to paragraph 1, in particular as re gards failures to detect or address non-
compliance by individual members of the group of operators that affect the integrity 
of organic products, may result in the withdr awal of the organic certification for the 
whole group. 
3. In order to ensure the effective and e fficient functioning of the certification of a 
group of operators, the Comm ission shall be empowered to  adopt delegated acts in 
accordance with Article 36 con cerning the responsibilities of the individual members 
of a group of operators, the composition and dimension of a group of operators, the 
categories of products to be produced by a group of operators, the conditions for participation in a group of operators, the se t-up and functioning of the group's system 
for internal controls, including the scope, cont ent and frequency of the controls to be 
carried out. EN 45   EN 4. The Commission may adopt implementi ng acts concerning the exchange of 
information between a group of operators and the competent authority  or authorities, 
control authorities or c ontrol bodies, and between the Member States and the 
Commission. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 37 (2). EN 46   EN Chapter VI 
Trade with third countries  
Article 27 
Export of organic products 
1. A product may be exported from the Union as organic and bear the organic 
production logo of the European Union if it complies with  this Regulation. 
However, a product intended to be exported as organic to a third country which is 
recognised in accordance with Article 31 may be exported to that third country if it 
complies with that third country’s requireme nts to be placed on the market in that 
third country as organic.  
2. In order to avoid creati ng unequal conditions for operato rs when exporting to third 
countries, the Commission shal l be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance 
with Article 36 concerning specific rules fo r exports of organic products to a third 
country which is recognised in  accordance with Article 31. 
3. In order to ensure fair competition among operators, the Commission shall be 
empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 36 concerning 
documents intended for customs authorities in third countries, in pa rticular as regards 
an organic export certificat e issued in electronic fo rm wherever possible and 
providing assurance that exported organic products comply with this Regulation. 
Article 28 
Import of organic products 
1. A product may be imported from a third country in order to be placed on the market 
within the Union as organic if the following conditions are met: 
(a) the product is an organic product as  referred to in Article 2(1); 
(b) the product: 
(i) complies with Chapters II, III a nd IV and all operato rs, including the 
exporters in the third co untry concerned, have been subject to the control 
of control authorities or control bodi es recognised in accordance with 
Article 29; or 
(ii) comes from a third country wh ich is recognised in accordance with: 
– Article 30; or 
– Article 31; 
(c) the operators in third countries are able to provide at any time, to the importers 
or the national authorities informati on allowing the identification of the 
operator who carried out the last ope ration with a view to ensuring the 
traceability of the organic product. 
2. In order to ensure the tra ceability of the imported products  intended to be placed on 
the market within the Union as organic,  the Commission shall be empowered to EN 47   EN adopt delegated acts in accordance with Ar ticle 36 concerning documents, issued in 
electronic form wherever po ssible, that are necessary for the purposes of import .  
3. The respect of the conditions and measures  for the import of organic products into 
the Union shall be ascertained at border control posts, in accordance with Article 
45(1) of Regulation (EU) No XXX/XXX (Off icial controls regul ation). The physical 
checks referred to in Article 47(3) of th at Regulation shall be performed at a 
frequency dependent on the risk of non-compliance with this Regulation. 
Article 29 
Recognition of control author ities and control bodies  
1. The Commission may adopt implementing acts recognising, or withdrawing the 
recognition of control authori ties and control bodies which fu lfil the criteria set out in 
a delegated act adopted pursuan t to paragraph 7 and which are competent to carry out 
controls in third countries, and establishing a list of those control authorities and control bodies. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 37(2). 
2. The control bodies shall be  accredited to the relevant  harmonised standard for 
‘Conformity assessment – Requirements fo r bodies certifying products, processes 
and services’, the reference of  which has been published in the Official Journal of the 
European Union .  
3. The accreditation referred to in paragraph 2 may only be granted by: 
(a) a national accreditation body in  the Union in accordance  with Regulation (EC) 
No 765/2008 of the European Pa rliament and of the Council
51; or 
(b) an accreditation body outside the Union that is a signatory of a multilateral 
recognition arrangement under the auspices  of the Interna tional Accreditation 
Forum. 
4. When examining requests for recognition, the Commission shall invite the control 
authority or control body to suppl y all the necessary information.  
The recognised control bodies  or control authorities shall provi de the certificate 
issued by the accreditation body or respectively the assessm ent report issued by the 
competent authority, and, as appropriate , reports on the regular on-the-spot 
evaluation, surveillance and multiannual re -assessment of their activities. 
5. Based on the information referred to under paragraph 4, the Commission shall ensure 
appropriate supervision of the recognised control authorities and control bodies by 
regularly reviewing their recognition. For the purposes of that supervision, the 
Commission may request additional informa tion from the accreditation bodies or, as 
appropriate, the competent authorities. 
6. The nature of the supervision shall be de termined on the basis of an assessment of 
the risk of non-compliance. 
7. In order to ensure the transparency of the recognition and supervision procedures, the 
Commission shall be empowered to adopt de legated acts in accordance with Article 
                                                 
51 Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 July 2008 setting out 
the requirements for accreditation and market surve illance relating to the marketing of products and 
repealing Regulation (EEC) No 339/93 (OJ L 218, 13.8.2008, p. 30). EN 48   EN 36 concerning the criteria to be applied to  the recognition, or the withdrawal of the 
recognition, of the control authorities and control bodies referred to in paragraph 1,  
as well as concerning the exercise of th e supervision by the Commission, including 
through on-the-spot examination. 
8. The Commission may adopt implementing acts to ensure the application of measures 
in relation to cases of non-compliance aff ecting the integrity of organic products 
imported under the recognition provided for in  this Article or suspicion of such 
cases. Such measures may consist in particular in the verification of the integrity of the organic products before placing the produc ts on the market within the Union and, 
where appropriate, the suspension of th e authorisation of placing on the market 
within the Union of such products as or ganic. Those implementing acts shall be 
adopted in accordance with the examination procedure refe rred to in Article 37(2). 
9. On duly justified imperativ e grounds of urgency relati ng to the protection against 
unfair practices or practices which are incompatible with the principles and rules on organic production, the protectio n of consumers' confidence or the protection of fair 
competition between operators, the Commi ssion shall adopt immediately applicable 
implementing acts in accordance with the proc edure referred to in Article 37(3) to 
take the measures referred to in paragraph 8 of this Article or to decide on the withdrawal of the recognition of the contro l authorities and control bodies referred to 
in paragraph 1 of this Article. 
Article 30 
Equivalence under a trade agreement 
A recognised third country referre d to in the first indent of Article 28(1)(b)(i i) is a third 
country which the Union has recognised under a trade agreement as having a system of 
production meeting the same objectives and prin ciples by applying rules which ensure the 
same level of assurance of confor mity  as those of the Union.  
Article 31 
Equivalence under Regulation (EC) No 834/2007   
1. A recognised third country referred to in th e second indent of Artic le 28(1)(b)(ii) is a 
third country which has been recognised fo r the purpose of equiva lence under Article 
33(2) of Regulation (EC) No 834/ 2007, including those recognised under the 
transitional measure provided for in Article 40. 
The recognition of the third countries refe rred to in the first subparagraph shall 
expire on [a date to be inse rted which corresponds to 5 years following the date of 
application of the Regulation]. 
2. On the basis of annual reports to be se nt to the Commission, by 31 March of each 
year, by the third countries referred to in  paragraph 1 regarding the implementation 
and enforcement of the control measures  established by them, the Commission 
assisted by the Member States shall ensure  appropriate supervision of the recognised 
third countries by regularly reviewing their recognition. The nature of the 
supervision shall be determined on the ba sis of an assessment of the risk of non-
compliance. EN 49   EN 3. The control bodies performing controls in th e third countries referred to in paragraph 
1 shall be accredited to the relevant ha rmonised standard for ‘Conformity assessment 
– Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services’, the reference 
of which has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union . If the 
accreditation is not granted by a national accreditation body in the Union in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 765/2008, it may only be granted by an 
accreditation body outside the Union that is a signatory of a multilateral recognition 
arrangement under the auspi ces of the Internationa l Accreditation Forum.  
4. The Commission shall, by means of an impl ementing act, establish a list of the third 
countries referred to in paragraph 1 and may amend that list by means of 
implementing acts. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the 
examination procedure referred to in Article 37(2). 
5. In order to ensure the management of th e list of third countries referred to in 
paragraph 4, the Commission shall be em powered to adopt delegated acts in 
accordance with Article 36 concerning the information to be sent by those third countries necessary for the supervision of their recognition by the Commission, as 
well as the exercise of that superv ision by the Commissi on, including through on-
the-spot examination. 
6. The Commission may adopt implementing acts to ensure the application of measures 
in relation to cases of non-compliance aff ecting the integrity of organic products 
imported from third countries referred to in this Article or suspicion of such cases. Such measures may consist in particular in the verification of the integrity of the organic products before placing the products  on the market within the Union and, 
where appropriate, the suspension of th e authorisation of placing on the market 
within the Union of such products as or ganic. Those implementing acts shall be 
adopted in accordance with the examination procedure refe rred to in Article 37(2). EN 50   EN Chapter VII 
General provisions 
SECTION 1 
FREE MOVEMENT OF ORGANIC PRODUCTS  
Article 32 
Non-prohibition and non-restriction of  the marketing of organic products 
1. Competent authorities, c ontrol authorities and control bodies may not, on grounds 
relating to the production, to the labelling or to the presentation of the products, 
prohibit or restrict the marketing of organic products controlled by another 
competent authority, control authority or  control body located in another Member 
State, if those products comply with th is Regulation. In particular, no official 
controls and other official activities ot her than those under Regulation (EU) No 
XXX/XXX (Official controls Regulation) may be performed and no fees for official 
controls and other official activities ot her than those under Article 76 of that 
Regulation may be collected.  
2. In order to ensure the proper functioni ng of the single market and trade between 
Member States, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in 
accordance with Article 36 laying down rule s relating to the free movement of 
organic products for the purposes of  paragraph 1 of this Article. 
SECTION 2 
INFORMATION AND REPORTING  
Article 33 
Information relating to the organic sector and trade 
1. Each year Member States shall tran smit to the Commission the information 
necessary for the implementation and m onitoring of the application of this 
Regulation. 
2. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts as regards the system to be used for 
transmitting the information referred to in paragraph 1, the details of information to be transmitted, and the date by which that  information is to be transmitted. Those 
implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 37(2).  
Article 34 
Information relating to the competent authorit ies, control authorities and control bodies 
1. Members States shall keep a re gularly updated list containing: EN 51   EN (a) the names and addresses of the competent authorities; 
(b) the names and addresses of the control authorities and cont rol bodies, and their 
code numbers.  
Member States shall make public the list referred to in point (b) of the first 
subparagraph. 
2. The Commission shall publish a nnually on the internet the list of control authorities 
and control bodies referred to in point (b) of paragraph 1. 
Article 35 
Report 
By 31 December 2021, the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and 
the Council on the availability of organic plant reproductive ma terial and animals for breeding 
purposes. EN 52   EN Chapter VIII 
Procedural, transitional and final provisions 
SECTION 1 
PROCEDURAL PROVISIONS  
Article 36 
Exercise of the delegation 
1. The power to adopt delegated acts is conferred on the Commission subject to the 
conditions laid down in this Article. 
2. The delegation of power referred to in  [……….] may be revoked at any time by the 
European Parliament or by the Council. A decision to revoke sha ll put an end to the 
delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect on the day 
following the publication of  the decision in the Official Journal of the European 
Union  or at a later date specified therein. It  shall not affect the validity of any 
delegated acts al ready in force. 
3. As soon as it adopts a delegated act, th e Commission shall notify it simultaneously to 
the European Parliament and to the Council. 
4. A delegated act adopted pursu ant to […..] shall enter into force on ly if no objection 
has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a 
period of two months of notification of that  act to the European Parliament and the 
Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the 
Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period 
shall be extended by two months at the initiati ve of the European Parliament or of the 
Council. 
Article 37 
Committee procedure 
1. The Commission shall be assisted by a Committee called the ‘Organic production 
Committee’. That committee shall be a comm ittee within the meaning of Regulation 
(EU) No 182/2011. 
2. Where reference is made to this pa ragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) 
No 182/2011 shall apply. 
3. Where reference is made to this pa ragraph, Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 
No 182/2011, in conjunction with Ar ticle 5 thereof, shall apply. EN 53   EN SECTION 2 
REPEAL , AMENDMENTS , TRANSITIONAL AND FINAL PROVISIONS  
Article 38 
Repeal 
Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 is repealed. 
However, Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 shall continue to apply for the purposes of 
completing the examination of pending applicati ons from third countries, as provided for in 
Article 42 of this Regulation. EN 54   EN  
Article  39 
Transitional measures relating to  conversion to organic farming 
 
In order to ensure a smooth transition from  the old to the new legal framework, the 
Commission shall be empowered to adopt dele gated acts in accordance with Article 36 
concerning rules providing for a derogation from Article 8(3) in relatio n to conversion periods 
for farmers initiating conversion before th e entry into force of this Regulation.  
Article  40 
Transitional measures relating to the origin  of plant reproductive material, animals for 
breeding purposes and young stock of aquaculture animals 
In order to ensure a smooth transition betw een the rules on organic origin of plant 
reproductive material provided for  in Article 12(1)(i) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 and on 
animals for breeding purposes provided for in Article 14(1)(a)(ii) of that Regulation and on 
young stock of aquaculture animals provided for in  Article 15(1)(a)(ii) of  that Regulation and 
the exception to producti on rules that the Commission adopted pursuant to Article 22 of 
Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, and the new production rules for plan ts and plant products and 
livestock and seaweed and aquaculture animal s provided for in Arti cles 10(1) and 11(1), 
respectively, of this Regulati on, the Commission shall be empow ered to adopt delegated acts 
in accordance with Article 36 providing for exceptions where granting exceptions is deemed necessary in order to ensure  access to plant reproductive ma terial and live animals for 
breeding purposes and young stock of aquaculture  animals, that may be used in organic 
production. The delegated acts adopted under this Article shall cease to apply on 31 
December 2021. 
Article 41 
Transitional  measures  relating to control authorities and control bodies recognised 
under Article 33(3) of Re gulation (EC) No 834/2007  
1. The recognition of control authorities a nd control bodies granted under Article 33(3) 
of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 shall expire  on [31 December 2018] at the latest. 
2. The Commission shall, by means of an implementing act, establish a list of the 
control authorities a nd control bodies rec ognised under Article 33(3) of Regulation 
(EC) No 834/2007 and may amend that list  by means of implementing acts. Those 
implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 37(2). 
3. In order to ensure the management of the list of control authorities and control bodies 
referred to in paragraph 2, the Commission shall be empow ered to adopt delegated 
acts in accordance with Article 36 concerni ng the information to be sent by those 
control authorities and c ontrol bodies necessary for the supervision of their 
recognition by the Commission, as well as th e exercise of that  supervision by the 
Commission, including through on-the-spot examination. EN 55   EN Article 42 
Transitional measures relatin g to applications from th ird countries submitted under 
Article 33(2) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 
1. The Commission shall complete the examina tion of applications from third countries 
submitted under Article 33(2) of Regulati on (EC) No 834/2007 which are pending at 
the date of entry into fo rce of this Regulation. Re gulation (EC) No 834/2007 shall 
apply to the examination of such applications.  
2. In order to facilitate the completion of the examination of the appl ications referred to 
in paragraph 1, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in 
accordance with Article 36 concerning the procedural rules necessary for the examination, including on the information to be submitted by the third countries. 
Article 43 
Transitional measures for stocks of organ ic products produced in accordance with 
Regulation (EC) No 834/2007  
Products produced in accordance with Re gulation (EC) No 834/ 2007 and placed on the 
market before 1 July 2017 may continue to be  marketed after that date until stocks are 
exhausted.   
Article 44 
Amendments to Regulation (EU) No […][ on official controls ] 
Regulation (EU) No XX X/XXXX (Official controls Regulation) is amended as follows: 
1. In Article 2, points 38 and 39 are replaced by the following: 
"38. 'delegated body' means a third party to  which the competent authorities have 
delegated specific official control ta sks or other official activities; 
39. 'control authority for organic production and labelling of organic products' means 
a public administrative organisation of a Member State to which the competent 
authorities have conferred, in whole or in part, their competences in relation to the 
application of the Union legislation in th e area referred to in Article 1(2)(j), 
including, where appropriate, the correspond ing authority of a third country or 
operating in a third country;";   
2. Article 3 is amended as follows: 
(a) Paragraph 3 is replaced by the following: "3. Competent authorities responsible for the verification of compliance with the 
rules referred to in point (j) of Article 1(2) may confer o fficial control tasks or other 
official activities to one or more cont rol authorities for or ganic production and 
labelling of organic products. In such cas es, they shall allocate a code number to 
each of them."; 
(b) In paragraph 4, point (c) is replaced by the following: " (c) the control authoritie s for organic production and labelling of organic products 
referred to in paragraph 3;"; EN 56   EN 3. Article 23 is replaced by the following: 
“Article 23 
Specific rules on official c ontrols and on action to be taken by the competent 
authorities in relation to organic products and  to protected designations of origin, 
protected geographical indications a nd traditional specialties guaranteed 
1. In relation to the rules referred to in poi nt (j) of Article 1(2), competent authorities 
shall: 
(a) in the event of non-compliance that affects the integrity of organic products 
throughout any of the stages of production, preparation and distribution and export, 
in particular due to the use of prohibited or non-authorised substances and techniques 
or commingling with non-organic products, ensure that no reference is made to 
organic production in the labe lling and advertising of the entire lot or production run 
concerned;    
(b) in the event of repetitive or continue d non-compliance, ensure  that the operators 
or the group of operators concerned, as de fined in points (6) and (7) of Article 3 of 
Regulation (EU) No [organic production] of the European Parliament and of the 
Council*, in addition to the measures referred to in point (a) of this paragraph, are prohibited from marketing products which re fer to organic produc tion, and that their 
organic certificate be suspended or withdrawn as appropriate.  
2. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with 
Article 139 concerning rules for the perf ormance of official controls and other 
official activities to verify compliance with  the rules referred to in points (j) and (k) 
of Article 1(2), and on action to be taken by the competen t authorities following such 
official controls and other official activities.  
3. In relation to the rules referred to in point (j) of Article 1( 2), the delegated acts 
referred to in paragraph 2 of this  Article shall lay down rules on: 
(a) the specific responsibilities and tasks of the competent authorities, in addition to 
those provided for in Articles 4, 8, 9, 10( 1), 11 to 13, 34(1) and (2), and 36, and in 
addition to Articles 25, 26, 28, 29, 30 and 32 for the appr oval and supervision of 
delegated bodies, and to Articles 85 to  90 concerning official certification; 
(b) requirements additional to those referred to in Article 8(1) for risk assessment and 
for establishing the frequency of official controls, and of sampling as appropriate, 
taking into account the risk of the occurrence of non-compliance; 
(c) the frequency of offici al controls on operators, and the cases where and 
conditions under which certain such operato rs are to be exempted from certain 
official controls; 
(d) methods and techniques for official cont rols additional to those referred to in 
Article 13 and Article 33(1) to (5), and sp ecific requirements for the performance of 
official controls aimed at ensuring the traceab ility of organic products  at all stages of 
production, preparation and distribution, and at providing assurances as to 
compliance with the rules referred to  in point (j) of Article 1(2); 
(e) actions and measures additional to those provided for in Article 134(2) and (3) in 
case of suspicion of non-compliance, criteri a additional to those referred to in the 
second subparagraph of Article 135(1), and cr iteria and measures additional to those EN 57   EN provided for in Article 135(2) and in paragraph 1 of this Article in the event of non-
compliance;  
(f) requirements additional to those provi ded for in point (f) of Article 4(1) in 
relation to the facilities and equipment nece ssary to carry out o fficial controls and 
specific and additional conditions and obligat ions to those referred to in Articles 25, 
26, 28, 29, and 30 to 32 for the delegation of o fficial control tasks and other official 
activities to delegated bodies;  
(g)  reporting obligations additional to t hose referred to in Ar ticles 12, 28 and 31 for 
the competent authorities, th e control authorities  and th e delegated bodies in charge 
of official controls and other official activities; 
(h) specific criteria and conditions for the activation and the functioning of the 
mechanisms of administrative assistance pr ovided for in Title IV, including  the 
exchange of information concerning instan ces of non-compliance or the likelihood of 
non-compliance between competent authoriti es, control authorities and delegated 
bodies. 
4. In relation to the rules referred to in poi nt (k) of Article 1(2) , the delegated acts 
referred to in paragraph 3 of this  Article shall lay down rules on: 
(a) requirements, methods and techniques addi tional to those referred to in Articles 
11 and 13 for official controls performe d to verify compliance with product 
specifications and labelling requirements; 
(b) methods and techniques additional to t hose referred to in Article 13 for the 
performance of official controls aimed at ensuring the traceability of products falling 
within the scope of the rules referred to in point (k) of Article 1(2) at all stages of production, preparation and distribution, and at providing assurances as to 
compliance with those rules; 
(c) specific criteria and c ontent additional to those provided for in Article 108, for the 
preparation of the relevant parts of the multi-annual national control plan provided 
for in Article 107(1), and specific additiona l content of the report provided for in 
Article 112; 
(d) specific criteria and conditions for act ivating the mechanisms  of administrative 
assistance provided for in Title IV; 
(e) specific measures to be taken, in additi on to those referred to in Article 135(2) in 
the event of non-compliance and of se rious or recurrent non-compliance. 
5. Where appropriate, the delegated acts refe rred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 shall 
derogate from the provisions of this Re gulation referred to in  those paragraphs. 
* OJ L …, p. …” 
4. In Article 128, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: 
"1. In the areas governed by the rules referred to in Article 1(2), with the exclusion of 
points (d), (e), (g), (h) and (j) of Ar ticle 1(2), the Commi ssion may, by means of 
implementing acts, recognise that measures  applied in a third country, or regions 
thereof, are equivalent to the requirements laid down in those rules, on the basis of:  
(a) a thorough examination of informati on and data provided by the third country 
concerned pursuant to Article 124(1); EN 58   EN (b) where appropriate, the satisfactory outco me of a control performed in accordance 
with Article 119(1); 
Those implementing acts shall be adopte d in accordance with the examination 
procedure referred to in Article 141(2)." 
5. In Article 141, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following: 
"1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Standing Committee on Plants, 
Animals, Food and Feed established by Article 58(1) of Regulation (EC) No 
178/2002. That Committee shall be a Committ ee within the meaning of Regulation 
(EU) No 182/2011. For measures falling within the area referred to in Article 1(2)(j) 
of this Regulation, the Commission sha ll be assisted by the Organic production 
Committee established by Article 37(1) of Regulation (EU) No  [organic production]."   
Article 45 
Entry into force and application 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in the 
Official Journal of the European Union . 
It shall apply from 1 July 2017
52. 
This Regulation shall be binding in  its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States. 
Done at Brussels, 
For the European Parliament For the Council 
The President The President […] […] 
                                                
 
52 At least 6 months after enter into force.  EN 59   EN Legislative financial statement  
1. FRAMEWORK  OF THE  PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE   
 1.1. Title of the proposal/initiative  
 1.2. Policy area(s) concerned in the ABM/ABB structure  1.3. Nature of the proposal/initiative  
 1.4. Objective(s)   1.5. Grounds for the proposal/initiative   1.6. Duration and financial impact   1.7. Management mode(s) envisaged  
2. MANAGEMENT
 MEASURES   
 2.1. Monitoring and reporting rules  
 2.2. Management and control system   2.3. Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities  
3. ESTIMATED
 FINANCIAL  IMPACT  OF THE  PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE   
 3.1. Heading(s) of the multiannual fina ncial framework and expenditure budget 
line(s) affected  
 3.2. Estimated impact on expenditure   
 3.2.1. Summary of estimated impact on expenditure  
 3.2.2. Estimated impact on operational appropriations   3.2.3. Estimated impact on appropriations  of an administrative nature 
 3.2.4. Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework  3.2.5. Third-party contributions   
 3.3. Estimated impact on revenue EN 60   EN LEGISLATIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT  
1. FRAMEWORK  OF THE  PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE   
1.1. Title of the proposal/initiative  
Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on organic production and 
labelling of organic products, amending Regul ation (EU) No XXX/XXX of the European 
Parliament and of the Council [Official cont rols Regulation] and repealing Regulation 
(EC) No 834/2007 
1.2. Policy area(s) concerned in the ABM/ABB structure53  
1.3. Nature of the proposal/initiative  
 The proposal/initiative relates to a new action  
 The proposal/initiative relates to a new action following a pilot project/preparatory action54  
 The proposal/initiative relates to the extension of an existing action   
X The proposal/initiative relates to an action redirected towards a new action   
1.4. Objective(s) 
1.4.1. The Commission's multiannual strategic objec tive(s) targeted by the proposal/initiative   
The proposal targets how rules concerning orga nic production contribute to the realisation 
of the policy priorities  of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive 
growth, in particular achieving a competitive economy based on knowledge and 
innovation, fostering a high employment ec onomy delivering social and territorial 
cohesion and supporting the shift towards a resource efficient and low-carbon economy. 
Specific objective(s) and ABM/AB B activity(ies) concerned  
The specific objectives of the proposal are  : 
- to remove the obstacles to the developm ent of organic production  in the Union, 
- to guarantee fair competition for farmers a nd operators and to impr ove the functioning of 
the internal market,  
- to maintain or improve consumer  confidence in organic products.  
In accordance with the 2014-2020 Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework 
(CMEF) for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)55, the proposal cont ributes to the 
general objectives: "Sustainable management of natural resources and climate action" by 
providing public goods (mos tly environmental) and by  pursuing "climate change 
mitigation and adaptation" and "Viable food production" by "meeting consumers 
expectations" and by "improving the competit iveness of the agricultural sector and 
enhancing the  share in food-chain", under the first Pillar of the CAP.  
In addition, the proposal contributes to the ge neral objective "sustainable management of 
natural resources and climate action"  by re storing, preserving and enhancing ecosystems 
(priority 4) under Pill ar II of the CAP.  
                                                 
53 ABM: activity-based management – ABB: activity-based budgeting. 
54 As referred to in Article 54(2)(a) or (b) of the Financial Regulation. 
55 Article 110 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financing, 
management and monitoring of the common agricultural policy. EN 61   EN The proposal is related to measures supported under both Pillar I (direct payments and 
markets) and  Pillar II of the CAP.  
ABB activity concerned: 05 04 Rural Developm ent (and 05 02 Interventions in agricultural 
markets and 05 03 Direct aids). 
1.4.2. Expected result(s) and impact  
Specify the effects which the proposal/initiative should have on the beneficiaries/groups targeted. 
A positive market outlook, thanks to improved consumer confidence, is expected to 
support organic products prices and to attract newcomers.  
The removal of exceptions to the rules  is ex pected to contribute to the development of 
organic inputs, notably seeds.  
Clearer and simpler production rules w ill make the sector more attractive. 
Fair competition will be improved notably by stronger harmonisation,  simpler and clearer 
rules and the move from equivalence to complia nce for the recognition of  control bodies in 
third countries.  
Consumer confidence will be addressed wi th harmonised production rules taking into 
account evolving societal concerns (animal welf are, environmental management system for 
processors and traders).  
A risk-based approach is expected to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of controls 
and contribute, together with a more reli able import regime, to fraud prevention 
Specify the indicators for monitoring implementation of the proposal/initiative. 
The main result indicators in the Common Monitoring and Evaluation Framework are: 
- Share of organic area in total utilised agricultu ral area (UAA); 
-  Share of organic livestock in total livestock. 
 
And the main output indicators are: 
- Organic land area (in convers ion and fully converted); 
- Number of certified organic operators. 
 
The following complementary indicators will also  be monitored within the context of this 
Regulation: 
- Livestock (number of organic animals and products of animal origin);  
- Crop production and processing (number of op erators and value/volu me of production by 
type of economic activity);  
- Number of exceptions used a nd number of exceptions removed, 
- Knowledge of, and confidence in, the Uni on organic logo (Eurobarometer survey).  
1.5. Grounds for the proposal/initiative  
1.5.1. Requirement(s) to be met in the short or long term  
The overall objective of the legi slative framework, which is th e sustainable development of 
organic production, is currently not fully met. It leads to lost opportunities for farmers and 
operators in the Union (the or ganic land area in the Union ha s only doubled in the last 10 
years, while the market has increased fourfold ), a risk of limitation to the organic market 
expansion and a risk of limitation to the envi ronmental benefits associated with organic 
production.  EN 62   EN The main drivers are: regulatory and non-regu latory obstacles to the development of 
organic production in the Union; a risk of er osion of consumer confidence, notably because 
of the many exceptions that are watering down organic production rules and because of the 
fraud cases that have developed in connection with shortcomings in the control system and 
in the import regime; unfair competition am ong operators in the Union and in Third 
Countries; and issues in  the design and the enforcement of  the legal provisions, notably 
issues with the functioning of the internal ma rket, because of gaps in the legislation and 
different approaches in implementation.  
1.5.2. Added value of EU involvement 
The current proposal is an updating of an ex isting quality scheme set within the Common 
Agricultural Policy.  
Production and trade of agricu ltural products and foodstuffs on the internal market and 
ensuring the functioning of the internal market  are matters of Union competence. Both are 
competences shared with MS.  
A Union wide scheme is more efficient than 28 different schemes and allows for a stronger 
and more consistent trade policy vis-à-vis global trading partners , most notably by 
enhancing the Union's bargaining power.  
The organic logo of the European Union s hould cover products comp lying with a common 
set of rules that are app lied across the whole Union. 
Areas where further harmonisation is needed in clude: exceptions to the rules and action to 
preserve the integrity of organic producti on, including a common approach to address the 
presence of non-authorised substa nce residues in organic products. 
1.5.3. Lessons learned from sim ilar experiences in the past 
An external evaluation of the Union legisl ation on organic farmi ng was completed in 
201356. In particular, it analysed the adequacy of the production rules and of the rules on 
controls, imports and labelling of organic products. The evalua tion concluded that most of 
the rules laid down in the organic legislat ive framework are in general adequate for 
achieving its global objectives. Yet, it also identified a number of shortcomings and 
proposed recommendations for improvement. These recommendations have been given 
due consideration in the present proposal.          
The European Court of Auditors  audited the effectiveness of  the control system governing 
the production, processing, distribution and impor ts of organic products as provided in 
Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. The results , published in ECA Special Report No 
9/2012, show a number of weaknesses and include recommendations for improvement that 
have been taken into account in the present proposal.    
1.5.4. Compatibility and possible synergy w ith other appropriate instruments 
The proposal is consistent with the new CA P, e.g. with the new Regulation on Direct 
Payments57, under which organic farms benefit ipso  facto from the new "green" payment, 
                                                 
56 Sanders, J (ed.) 2013: Evaluation of the EU legisla tion on organic farming, Thünen Institute of Farm 
Economics http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/evaluation/market-and-income-reports/organic-farming-
2013_en.htm  
57 Regulation EU No  1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing rules for direct 
payments to farmers under support schemes within the framework of the common agricultural policy and 
repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 637/2008 and Council Regulation (EC) No 73/2009. EN 63   EN and with the new Regula tion on Rural Development58, providing for specific measures 
benefitting  organic farming, and the new Common Fisheries Policy.  
The proposal is also consistent with the propos al for a new Regulation on official controls 
in Food and Feed and with smart Regulation principles.   
1.6. Duration and financial impact  
 Proposal/initiative of limited duration  
–  Proposal/initiative in effect fr om [DD/MM]YYYY to [DD/MM]YYYY  
–  Financial impact from YYYY to YYYY  
X Proposal/initiative of unlimited duration  
– Implementation with a start-up period from YYYY to YYYY, 
– followed by full-scale operation. 
1.7. Management mode(s) planned59  
Direct management  by the Commission 
– X by its departments, including by its staff in the Union delegations;  
–  by the executive agencies;  
X Shared management  with the Member States  
 Indirect management by delegating implementation tasks to: 
–  third countries or the bodi es they have designated; 
–  international organisations and th eir agencies (to be specified); 
– the EIB and the European Investment Fund; 
–  bodies referred to in Articles 208 and 209 of the Financial Regulation; 
–  public law bodies; 
–  bodies governed by private law with a public service mission to the extent that they 
provide adequate financial guarantees; 
–  bodies governed by the private law of a Member State that are entrusted with the 
implementation of a public-private partners hip and that provide adequate financial 
guarantees; 
–  persons entrusted with the implementati on of specific actions in the CFSP pursuant 
to Title V of the TEU, and identified in the relevant basic act. 
– If more than one management mode is indicated, pl ease provide details in the "Comments" section. 
Comments  
                                                 
58 Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on support for rural 
development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EARFD) and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 1698/2005. 
59 Details of management modes and references to the Financial Regulation may be found on the BudgWeb 
site:http://www.cc.cec/budg /man/budgmanag/b udgmanag_en.html  EN 64   EN 2. MANAGEMENT  MEASURES   
2.1. Monitoring and reporting rules  
Specify frequency and conditions. 
Member States shall provide the Commission a nnually with the information necessary for 
implementation and monitoring of application of  this Regulation. Member States shall also 
provide the Commission with annual informa tion on the controls carried out to ensure 
compliance with the requirements on organic production, as part of their Multi-annual 
national control plans and A nnual Reports referred to unde r the Official Controls 
Regulation.  
Third Countries recognised as equivalent, and Control Bodies or Control Authorities 
recognised as compliant for the import of orga nic products into the Union shall submit to 
the Commission annual reports w ith the necessary informati on for implementation of the 
requirements under this Regulation. 
2.2. Management and control system  
2.2.1. Risk(s) identified  
The general risks as regards to the rules in the proposal  that can be identified relate to the 
effectiveness of the proposal, and not as regard s to the EU expenditure given the relatively 
insignificant amounts which are involved:  
Harmonised production rules that remove excep tions may, in an initial stage, create 
problems for some operators and discour age uptake of the organic scheme. 
The transition period for the move from the equivalency to the compliance system, as 
concerns imports of organic products into th e Union, may not fully ensure a level-playing 
field.  
The replacement of the annual phys ical inspection of all operator s, regardless of their risk 
profile, by a fully risk-based approach to cont rols may be considered as inappropriate by 
some stakeholders and/or control aut horities or bodies in Member States. 
Other risks may be linked to shortcomings in enforcement: namely, implementation by the 
competent authorities and control authorities or  control bodies in Member States and Third 
Countries, and supervision by the Commission.  
Experience gained with implementation of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 - including 
through the results of audits, stakeholders ' input in the framework of the impact 
assessment, and the recommendations from external studies and the external evaluation 
have been duly taken into account in the desi gn of the proposal so as to mitigate these 
risks. Particular attention has also been pa id to mitigate the risk linked to possible 
shortcomings in enforcement through efforts for clearer rules, simpler to manage and 
control 
2.2.2. Information concerning the in ternal control system set up 
Expenditure entailed by this proposal sh all be implemented by the Commission under 
direct management, in accordance with the prin ciples set out in article 32 of Regulation 
(EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the 
Union – the Financial Regulation. 
As required by the Financial Regulation, the Di rector General for Agriculture and Rural 
Development has put in place the organisational structur e and the internal control EN 65   EN processes suited to the achievement of the policy and control objectives, in accordance 
with the internal control standards adopted  by the Commission and having regard to the 
risks associated with the environm ent in which the policy operates.  
2.2.3. Estimate of the costs and bene fits of the controls and assessment of the expected level of 
risk of error  
Expenditure entailed by this proposal will not lead to an increase in the error rate for the 
European Agricultural Rural Developmen t Fund (EARDF), taking into account the 
relatively insignifi cant amounts involved . 
2.3. Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities  
Specify existing or envisaged prevention and protection measures. 
The Commission shall take appropriate measur es ensuring that, when actions financed 
under this Regulation are implemented, the financ ial interests of the  Union are protected 
by the application of preventive measures ag ainst fraud, corruption and any other illegal 
activities, by the performance of effective checks and, if ir regularities are detected, by the 
recovery of the amounts wrongly paid as we ll as, where appropriate, by effective, 
proportional and deterrent penalties, in accord ance with Article 325 of  the Treaty on the 
Functioning of the European Union, with  Council Regulation (EC) No 2988/95 on the 
protection of the European Communities’ financ ial interests, and with title IV of the 
Financial Regulation app licable to the general budget of the  Union. 
The Commission or its representatives and the Court of Auditors shal l have the power of 
audit, on the basis of documents and on-the- spot, over all contractor s and subcontractors 
who have received Union funds. OLAF shall be authorised to carry out on-the spot checks 
and inspections on economic operators concerned directly or indirec tly by such funding in 
accordance with the procedures laid dow n in Council Regulation No 2185/96 of 11 
November 1996 with a view to establishing  that there has been fraud. Decisions, 
agreements and contracts resulting from the implementation of the Regulation shall 
expressly entitle the Commission, including OLAF , and the Court of Auditors to conduct 
such audits, on-the-spot checks and inspections. 
3. ESTIMATED  FINANCIAL  IMPACT  OF THE  PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE   
3.1. Heading(s) of the multiannual financial framework and expenditure budget line(s) 
affected   
• Existing budget lines  
In order  of multiannual financial framewor k headings and budget lines. 
Budget line  Type of  
expenditureContribution  
Heading of 
multiannual 
financial 
framework  Number  
[…] Heading ……………………………
…………...……….] Diff./non-
diff. 
(60) 
 from 
EFTA 
countries
61 from 
candidate 
countries62 
 from third 
countries  within the 
meaning of Article 
21(2)(b) of the 
Financial 
Regulation  
                                                 
60 Diff. = Differentiated appropriations / Non- Diff. = Non-differentiated appropriations. 
61 EFTA: European Free Trade Association.  
62 Candidate countries and, where applicable, poten tial candidate countries from the Western Balkans. EN 66   EN  
2 05 04 60 02 Assistance technique 
opérationnelle  Diff. /NO /NO NO NO 
3.2. Estimated impact on expenditure  
3.2.1. Summary of estimated impact on expenditure    
EN 67   EN EUR million  
Heading of multiannual financial  
framework  2 Sustainable growth : natural resources 
 
DG: AGRI    
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 TOTAL  
y Operational appropriations         
Commitments  (1) 0,800 0,230 0,170 0,170 0,170 0,170 1,710 05 04  60 02 Assistance technique opérationnelle * 
 Payments  (2) 0,800 0,230 0,170 0,170 0,170 0,170 1,710 
Appropriations of an administrative nature financed from the envelope of specific 
programmes63         
  (3)      
  
  
Commitments  =1+1a +3  0,800 0,230 0,170 0,170 0,170 0,170 1,710 
TOTAL appropriations ** 
for DG  AGRI Payments  =2+2a 
+3 0,800 0,230 0,170 0,170 0,170 0,170 1,710 
* Currently the control of imports of organic products takes pl ace via TRACES which is partly financed from this line and the pr oposal is not expected to 
increase the needs for this measure. Furtherm ore to the already existing tool for th e imports, the Regulation foresees that all  organic production put in the 
market in the EU be subject to an e-certificate, it is ther efore necessary to extend the e-certificate for import to cover prod ucts within the Union. An IT tool 
within Traces' architecture estimated at EUR 500 000 will have to be developed for the e-certificate for internal organic produ ction foreseen in Article 23 of 
the Commission proposal in order to ensure it will be operati onal as from 01.01.2016.The maintenance is estimated at EUR 110 00 0 per year. 
 * Furthermore harmonisation of the database for organic seeds is  foreseen in Article 10 of the proposal: To ensure the develop ment of this separate seeds 
database, technical assistance from the Union estimated at EU R 300 000 is to be financed from this line outside TRACES.  The maintenance is estimated to 
EUR 120 000 the first year after the development and to EUR 60 000  for the subsequent years. 
                                                 
63 Technical and/or administrative assistance and expenditure in support of the implementation of EU programmes and/or actions (f ormer "BA" lines), indirect research, 
direct research.  
EN 68   EN  
 
 
   2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Total 
Commitments  (4) 0,800 0,230 0,170 0,170 0,170 0,170 1,710 y TOTAL operational appropriations  
Payments  (5) 0,800 0,230 0,170 0,170 0,170 0,170 1,710 
y TOTAL appropriations of an administrative nature 
financed from the envelope for specific programmes  (6)        
Commitments  =4+ 6 0,800 0,230 0,170 0,170 0,170 0,170 1,710 TOTAL appropriations  
for HEADING 2 
of the multiannual financial framework  Payments  =5+ 6 0,800 0,230 0,170 0,170 0,170 0,170 1,710 
 
**  The IT tools will be financed  by the t echnical assistance  for the Commission  in  accordance with Article 58(2) of the Regulat ion (EU) N°XXX/2013 of 
the European Parliament and of the Council on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Develop ment (EARFD) and 
repealing Council Regulation (EC) N° 1698/200 5. These amounts are already foreseen in the MultiAnnual Financial framework for 2 014-2020. 
  
EN 69   EN  
Heading of multiannual financial  
framework  5 Administration 
EUR million 
    2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 TOTAL  
DG: AGRI  
y Human resources  - - - - - - - 
y Other administrative expenditure  0,127 0,127 0,055 0,055  0,055  0,055  0,474 
TOTAL DG  AGRI Appropriations  0,127  0,127  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,474 
 
TOTAL appropriations 
for HEADING 5 
of the multiannual financial framework   (Total commitments = 
Total payments)  0,127  0,127  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,474 
 
TOTAL appropriations 
for HEADING 5 
of the multiannual financial framework   (Total commitments = 
Total payments)  0,127  0,127  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,474 
EUR million 
   2015  2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 TOTAL 
Commitments  0,927 0,357 0,225 0,225 0,225 0,225 2.184 TOTAL appropriations  
under HEADINGS 1 to 5 
of the multiannual financial framework   Payments  0,927 0,357 0,225 0,225 0,225 0,225 2.184  
EN 70   EN 3.2.2. Estimated impact on opera tional appropriations  
–  The proposal/initiative does not requir e the use of operational appropriations  
–  The proposal/initiative requires the use of ope rational appropriations, as explained below: 
Commitment appropriations in EUR million 
    2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 TOTAL 
REALISATIONS (outputs)  Indicate 
objectives 
and 
outputs Type64 
 Average 
cost 
No 
Cost 
No 
Cost 
No 
Cost 
No 
Cost 
No 
Cost 
No 
Cost 
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE65  To provide the conditions for the sustainable management of 
natural resources  supporting the shift towards a resource efficient and low-carbon economy
  
Output Area under organic 
farming              
(Number of hectares)                           
Output Area under conversion 
(Number of hectares)              
Output Number of certified organic operatorsl
                        
Output Number of certified 
organic producers              
TOTAL COST                         
 
                                                 
64 Outputs are products and services to be supplied (e.g.: number of student exchanges financed, number of km of roads built, etc .). 
65 In line with the Common Monitoring and Evaluation framework of the CAP, a common monitoring an d evaluation framework will be e stablished  as from 2014 
onwards and indicators tables will therefore be duly completed at a later stage  
EN 71   EN 3.2.3. Estimated impact on appropriations  of an administrative nature 
3.2.3.1. Summary   
–  The proposal/initiative does not require  the use of appr opriations of an 
administrative nature  
– x The proposal/initiative requires the use of appropriations of an administrative 
nature, as explained below: 
EUR million (to three decimal places) 
 
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 TOTAL  
 
HEADING 5 
of the multiannual 
financial framework         
Human resources  - - - - - - - 
Other administrative 
expenditure  0,127  0,127  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,474  
Subtotal HEADING 5 
of the multiannual 
financial framework  0,127  0,127  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,474  
 
Outside HEADING 566 of 
the multiannual financial 
framework  
        
Human resources         
Other expenditure  
of an administrative 
nature        
Subtotal  
outside HEADING 5 
of the multiannual 
financial framework  0,127  0,127  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,474  
 
TOTAL  0,127  0,127  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,055  0,474  
The human resources appropriations required will be met by  appropriations from the DG that are already assigned to 
management of the action and/or have been  redeployed within the DG, together if necessary with any additional allocation 
which may be granted to the managing DG under the annual  allocation procedure and taking account of budgetary 
constraints. 
                                                 
66 Technical and/or administrative assistance and expenditure in support of the implementation of EU 
programmes and/or actions (former "BA" li nes), indirect research, direct research.  
EN 72   EN 3.2.3.2.  Estimated requirements of human resources  
–  The proposal/initiative does not require the use of human resources.  
– X The proposal/initiative re quires the use of human resources, as explained 
below: 
Estimate to be expressed in full time equivalent units 
 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 
XX 01 01 01 (headquarters and Commission's 
representatives)  18 18 18 18 18 18 
XX 01 01 02 (Delegations)       
XX 01 05 01 (Indirect research)       
10 01 05 01 (Direct reserach)       
XX 01 02 01 (CA, SNE, INT from the "global 
envelope")  3 3 3 3 3 3 
XX 01 02 02 (CA, LA,SNE, INT and JED  in the 
delegations)       
- at headquarters  
       XX 01 04 yy 
 
-  delegations        
XX 01 05 02 (CA,SNE, INT – indirect research)       
10 01 05 02 (CA,SNE, INT – direct research)       
Other budget lignes ( specify)       
TOTAL (*)  21 21 21 21 21 21 
 
XX is the policy area or  budget title concerned. 
The human resources required will be met by staff from th e DG who are already assigned to management of the 
action and/or have been redeployed within the DG, toge ther if necessary with any additional allocation which 
may be granted to the managing DG under the annual a llocation procedure and in the light of budgetary 
constraints. 
Description of tasks to be carried out: 
Officials and temporary staff  Policy development 
Policy implementation 
Planning, programming, monitoring and supervision 
Relations with Member States and stakeholders Negotiation, and representation of th e Commission, with Third Countries 
Relations with other Union institutions and bodies 
External staff  Assisting in policy implementation, monitoring and contacts with Member States and 
stakeholders  
EN 73   EN 3.2.4. Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework  
– X Proposal/initiative is compatible w ith the current multiannual financial 
framework. 
–  Proposal/initiative will entail reprogra mming of the relevant heading in the 
multiannual financial framework. 
–  Proposal/initiative requires application of the flexibil ity instrument or revision 
of the multiannual financial framework. 
3.2.5. Third-party contributions  
– X  The proposal/initiative does not provide  for co-financing by third parties.  
– The proposal/initiative provides for the co-financing estimated below 
3.3. Estimated impact on revenue  
– X Proposal/initiative has no financial impact on revenue. 
–  Proposal/initiative has the following financial impact: 
–  on own resources  
–  on miscellaneous revenue