Baier System Certification Services 7TH: EU Organic
EU Organic Certification is a hallmark certification system aimed at ensuring that agricultural products and food comply with the strict standards of EU organic agriculture throughout the production, processing, and distribution processes.
Introduction to EU Organic
EU organic standards focus on environmental protection, biodiversity, conservation of natural resources, and high animal welfare standards. Products certified with the EU organic certification can use a specific EU organic labelin the EU market, helping consumers identify organic products and enhancing the market value of the products.
Benefits of EU Organic
1. Using the EU organic label can increase product visibility in the market and consumer trust.
2. Certified organic products usually achieve higher market prices and better consumer recognition.
3. Ensures that products comply with the legal and regulatory requirements for organic products entering the EU market.
4. The certification process encourages more environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural practices, beneficial for long-term environmental protection.
Types of Enterprises Eligible for EU Organic Product Certification
I. Agricultural Production Enterprises and Organizations
1. Crop Farming Enterprises
Field Crop Cultivation: Enterprises engaged in the production of grains such as wheat, rice, and corn.
Vegetable and Fruit Cultivation: Producers of horticultural crops including vegetables, fruits, and edible fungi.
Specialized Crops: Plantations growing cash crops like tea, coffee, and spices.
Seed and Propagating Material Production: Enterprises producing organic seeds, seedlings, and bulbs.
2. Breeding Enterprises
Livestock and Poultry Breeding: Farms raising livestock and poultry such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry.
Ruminant Breeding: Subject to the special requirement of outdoor grazing time ≥ 60%.
Specialized Breeding: Enterprises raising economic insects like bees and silkworms (certification for bee products has been launched in China).
3. Wild Harvest Enterprises
Wild Harvest: Organizations engaged in the collection of wild medicinal materials, wild edible fungi, etc.
Must provide: Ecological certification of the collection area and pollution-free test reports.
II. Processing and Primary Processing Enterprises
1. Food Processing Enterprises
Primary Processing: Enterprises engaged in primary processing such as grain hulling, oil pressing, and flour milling.
Food Manufacturing: Processing plants producing bread, dairy products, canned foods, condiments, etc.
Beverage Production: Manufacturers of organic beverages like fruit juice, wine, and beer.
Special requirement: Products can only be labeled "organic" if organic content ≥ 95% during processing; non-organic ingredients ≤ 5% and must be included in the permitted list.
2. Non-Food Processing Enterprises
Organic Textiles: Textile mills using natural fibers such as cotton, linen, silk, and wool.
Personal Care Products: Manufacturers of cosmetics including skin care products, shampoos, and makeup (organic content ≥ 95%).
Feed Processing: Enterprises producing organic livestock, poultry, and aquatic feed.
III. Trading and Sales Enterprises
1. Wholesale and Retail Enterprises
Organic Product Wholesalers: Establish an incoming inspection system to ensure products are sourced from certified enterprises.
Retail Enterprises: Sales terminals such as supermarkets and specialty stores (simplified procedures available for those with annual turnover ≤ 20,000 euros).
E-commerce Platforms: Online trading websites selling organic products.
2. Import and Export Enterprises
Importers: Enterprises importing organic products from third countries must apply for certification from EU-recognized bodies.
Exporters: EU enterprises exporting organic products to third countries (must comply with the importing country's requirements).
Must provide: Certificate of origin, organic certification, and translated copies.
IV. Special Entity Types
1. Small-Scale Farmers and Cooperatives
Individual Farmers: Eligible to apply through joint certification or by joining cooperatives.
Small-Scale Farmer Organizations:
Each member's land area ≤ 5 hectares (greenhouse area ≤ 0.5 hectares);
Or annual turnover ≤ 25,000 euros with certification costs > 2% of turnover.
New regulation highlight: Since 2018, such organizations can be established in any country (including EU member states), not limited to developing countries.
2. Other Organizational Forms
Agricultural Consortia: Cross-regional and multi-variety agricultural production cooperation organizations.
Scientific Research Institutions: Agricultural research institutions with independent legal person status (eligible to apply for certification qualifications to serve member enterprises).
Foreign-Funded and Joint-Venture Enterprises: May carry out EU organic certification business upon EU recognition.
3. Aquaculture Enterprises
Freshwater Aquaculture: Farms raising aquatic animals such as fish, shrimp, and crabs.
Marine Aquaculture: Enterprises cultivating marine organisms such as seaweed and shellfish.
Special requirement: Must comply with the specific standards for aquaculture stipulated in Regulation (EU) 2018/848.
As a trusted testing and certification body, Baier Testing is capable of providing clients with EU organic product certification services. It offers comprehensive and end-to end solutions including certification and consulting, assisting enterprises in establishing sound production and management systems. These services support clients in enhancing product quality, ensuring compliance, and strengthening their competitiveness in the market.
About Baier Testing
Baier Testing, located in Shandong Province, a major agri-food production region of China, is a third-party testing and certification body with strong expertise in agri-food and environmental sectors. Covering 34 major food categories, Baier provides testing services for agri-food and food-related products, and system certification services against key international standards including ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO45001, HACCP and ISO22000. The solutions span all stages from production and distribution to catering. With efficient, comprehensive, and precise service, Baier is committed to safeguarding food safety from farm to table.