EU organic sector rule changes advance after Parliament, Council agreement

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EU organic sector rule changes

Highlights

European Parliament and Council reached a political agreement amending production, labelling, and certification rules for the EU organic sector and non-EU trade provisions.
Recognition of 11 non-EU countries under the equivalence regime for organic imports is extended until 31 December 2036 to prevent trade disruptions.
The revised rules streamline certification, adjust livestock and crop production requirements, and are expected to boost investment and employment in the EU organic sector.

Revised framework for imports and certification

As reported by European Commission Press Corner, citing the European Commission, the political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council amends rules on production, labelling and certification in the organic sector, alongside trade provisions covering non-EU countries. The changes are intended to help consumers make more informed choices about imported organic products and to simplify parts of the regulatory framework for organic operators.

Under the revised framework, imported organic products from non-EU countries with equivalent systems may use the EU organic logo if they also meet additional EU production and control requirements. The agreement also extends the current recognition of 11 non-EU countries under the equivalence regime until 31 December 2036, a step aimed at avoiding disruption to organic imports and exports while trade agreements are negotiated.

The package also adapts and streamlines certification eligibility conditions for small retailers, groups of operators and their members. It further adjusts selected livestock and crop production rules, including provisions on poultry, feed, conversion periods, veterinary treatments and the management of soil fertility in greenhouses.

Investment and sector impact in the EU

The Commission says the targeted amendments are meant to improve the operating framework for businesses active in organic farming and food supply chains. In its assessment, the revised rules support investment, create employment opportunities in the organic sector and encourage farming practices with high environmental standards.

The agreement still requires formal approval by the co-legislators. Once adopted, the regulation enters into force on the day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

In our earlier article on Menara Asia’s Menarabena platform in Malaysia, we covered how the construction sector is using digital tools to connect contractors with building material suppliers while centralising certification, documentation and compliance information. We also noted the role of collaboration with CIDB Malaysia to speed up approval and product certification processes for imported materials, aiming to improve supply-chain efficiency without replacing existing regulatory requirements.

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