EU agrees to simplify organic production standards

The Council of the European Union and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement to modify the standards on the production, labelling, certification and trade of organic products. The review seeks to improve the sector's competitiveness, reduce administrative burdens, and maintain production standards and consumer confidence.

The agreement introduces specific modifications to Regulation (EU) 2018/848, in force since 2022, with measures designed to facilitate its application, especially among small operators.

Among the provisions of interest for the livestock sector, temporary flexibility is contemplated for the use of non-organic protein feeds for pigs and poultry. These exceptions will be temporary in nature and will be phased out.

In terms of administrative simplification, limits are being expanded so that certain small operators that sell unpackaged organic products directly to the consumer can continue to be exempt from certification. Under the revised rules, the annual turnover threshold for this exemption will increase from €20 000 to €40 000 per year, calculated as the annual average over the previous five years. The annual sales volume threshold will also rise from 5 000 kg to 10 000 kg annually. The exception may also apply, under certain conditions, to small online businesses that sell packaged organic products.

Another central aspect is the clarification of conditions for the import of organic products from third countries whose standards are considered equivalent to European ones. These products may continue to be marketed as organic and use the logo of their country of origin, but may only carry the EU's organic logo if they meet additional production and control requirements, including certain criteria on animal well-being, living soil and processing methods.

Furthermore, the recognition of equivalence of organic standards in 11 third countries, including Argentina, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, is being extended until December 31, 2036, which was initially due to expire at the end of 2026.

The agreement also eliminates the proposal to allow the use of the European organic logo on products that contain less than 5% of ingredients from third countries that do not comply with the additional requirements established.

To facilitate the transition, products labeled according to current regulations can continue to be sold until they are out of stock.

The agreement must still receive formal approval from the Council and the European Parliament, following the legal-linguistic revision of the text. The objective is to complete its adoption before the end of 2026 to avoid interruptions in the international trade of organic products.