The production and placement of organic products with labels and logos on the EU market follows a strict certification process that must be complied with.

Conventional farmers must first undergo a conversion period of a minimum of two years before they can begin producing agricultural goods that can be marketed as organic. If they wish to produce both conventional and organic produce, they must clearly separate these two operations throughout every stage of production.

Both farmers and processors must at all times respect the relevant rules contained in the EU Regulation. They are subject to inspections by EU inspection bodies or authorities to ensure their compliance with organic legislation.

After the two year period successful operators are granted organic certification and their goods can be labelled as organic.

The Regulation contains clear and strict rules about labelling and logo use, to minimise any confusion among consumers, or potential misuse:

“Any terms such as organic, bio, eco, etc., including terms used in trademarks, or practices used in labelling or advertising liable to mislead the consumer or user by suggesting that a product or its ingredients satisfy the requirements set out under this Regulation shall not be used for non-organic products.”

In addition, the organic label can not be used for a product that contains GMOs.

To provide you with further confidence, by law all products labelled as organic must bear the name of the last operator who has handled the product, e.g. the producer, the processor or the distributor and the name or code number of their inspection body.

The EU organic logo and those of EU Member States are used to supplement the labelling and increase the visibility of organic food and drink for consumers.

So, consumers buying products bearing the EU logo can be confident that:

• at least 95% of the product's ingredients of agricultural origin have been organically produced;
• the product complies with the rules of the official inspection scheme;
• the product has come directly from the producer or preparer in a sealed package;
• the product bears the name of the producer, the preparer or vendor and the name or code of the inspection body

The placement of the EU logo is mandatory from 1 July 2010 for pre-packaged food. It remains voluntary for imported products after this date. From 1 July 2010, where the Community logo is used, an indication of the place where the agricultural raw materials were farmed should accompany it. It should be indicated that the raw materials originate from 'EU Agriculture', 'non-EU Agriculture' or 'EU/non-EU Agriculture'. If all raw materials have been farmed in only one country, the name of this specific country, in or outside the EU, can be indicated instead.

If operators wish to sell their products in another EU Member State than their own, they may place an additional national or private logo that will be recognised by the consumers of this particular country. However, the EU organic logo should in time be recognised by all European consumers. For further information on the new EU organic logo, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions about the logo.

Once the conversion process has been completed, operators continue to be subject to comprehensive annual inspections comprising:

• Inspection of documentation over purchases and sales, livestock and medication log books etc.
• Possible taking of samples
• Inspection of in- and outdoor livestock conditions
• Inspection of warehouses, fields, orchards, greenhouses and pastures

Additional inspections and “on the spot” visits may also be carried out by inspectors for operators presenting more risks.

Each EU Member State has established an inspection system and designated a number of public authorities and/or approved private inspection bodies to carry out the inspection and certification of organic production.

In the case of operators not complying with all the requirements, their organic certification can be withdrawn and their right to market their products as organic be removed.