EU organic certification

"Organic", "bio", " ecological" and " eco" are classified as legally protected designations in the EU. In order to be allowed to use these in relation to products, the possession of the EU organic certification is a prerequisite by law for companies for the production, processing and import of organic products. This has existed since 1991 and ensures the minimum requirements according to the EC Organic Regulation, which must be verified annually by a state-approved private inspection body. These include, for example, the following criteria:

• the product must consist of at least 95% organic ingredients
• Ingredients may not be used as organic and non-organic ingredients at the same time
• Food must not contain colorants, flavor enhancers, synthetic sweeteners, artificial or nature-identical flavors, or stabilizers
• Prohibition of the use of nitrogen fertilizers and chemical pesticides.

Finally, the EU organic certificate signals to consumers that every company involved along the value chain is registered and that the minimum requirements are verified by means of regular official controls.