Review of EU organic production rules

Organic production rules – targeted amendment (Regulation (EU) 2018/848) [download]

Update

The European Union (EU) is reviewing certain organic production rules to establish greater clarity on the use of organic logos and to simplify some more complex rules, aiming to reduce the burden on the organic sector. This includes the eligibility criteria for groups of operators.

The European Commission has indicated that the review will cover “a limited number of elements of existing legislation”, but is not intended to affect the overall high standards set by the rules.

To support this review, there is an important opportunity for all stakeholders to provide information – where possible supported by documentary evidence – relating to the issues raised by the Commission, and to give views on other aspects of the organic rules that could be simplified. Feedback must be provided before 18 November 2025.

Impacted Products

Organic products

What is changing?

The current organic production rules (Regulation 2018/848) have been in application since 2022. In this review, the EU is addressing certain problems that have arisen regarding these rules.

Use of organic logos

The EU recognises that some non-EU countries have rules and systems in place that provide guarantees around organic production equivalent to EU Regulations. A recent judgement by the European Court of Justice (Herbaria II Court case) raises questions around the use of the EU organic logo by operators in countries that are recognised under equivalency schemes (see EU trade policy digest September–December 2024). In light of this judgement, further clarity on the use of EU organic logos is needed.

Extension of equivalency schemes

The EU is in the process of renegotiating agreements with non-EU countries on organic equivalence. However, not all these negotiations may be completed by the 31 December 2026 deadline foreseen in Regulation 2018/848. This deadline would have to be extended to avoid disruption in trade of organic products from these countries.

Complexity

On the basis of feedback from stakeholders and Member States, the European Commission considers that there are a number of unnecessary complexities to current rules that can be removed. This includes the eligibility criteria for groups of operators and small sellers of unpacked organic products, where the current rules have been identified as particularly problematic by organic sectors in countries exporting to the EU.

Other areas for consideration include:

• livestock production rules on quails
• the withdrawal period following allopathic veterinary medical treatment
• poultry houses for fattening
• access to open-air areas for poultry until a certain age
• products and substances for cleaning and disinfection in processing and storage facilities.

This public consultation aims to collect evidence from stakeholders with practical experience of applying the current rules.

Why?

This review of the EU organic production rules is part of a more general initiative to simplify the rules that affect farmers and the food chain, as announced in the European Commission’s March 2025 Vision for Agriculture(see EU Vision for Agriculture and Food 2025–2029).

Timeline

Feedback to the consultation must be provided before 18 November 2025.

The European Commission intends to adopt a Proposal for a Regulation with revised rules in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Recommended Actions

Producers and operators in non-EU countries are encouraged to take this opportunity to provide feedback to this review. Where possible, it is important that feedback is supported by evidence of their practical experience of complying with the new organic production rules set out in Regulation 2018/848, and identifies aspects of those rules that potentially could be simplified.

Stakeholders can give feedback through the European Commission’s Have Your Say webpage until 18 November 2025. Stakeholders wishing to respond must be registered. Those who do not already have an account will first need to Create an EU login account, then register their organisation on the Transparency register.

If there are any difficulties in accessing consultation and providing feedback, please contact the AGRINFO Helpdesk.

Background

The Organic Regulation 2018/848 lays down the EU rules on organic production and labelling of organic products. It revised and strengthened the controls system, trade regime, and production rules that had been in place since 2007. The move from the principle of equivalence to the principle of conformity marked a fundamental change to the regulatory approach.

The earlier Regulation 834/2007 recognised that organic goods could be produced in ways that were different, but equivalent in terms of their outcome and alignment with organic principles. Under the new Regulation, producers in non-EU countries that do not have equivalence recognised in a trade agreement with the EU, or are not recognised as an equivalent country under Regulation 834/2007, have to conform with the same set of rules as those that apply to EU producers.

Resources

Sources