Organic certification

An organic label is a certification and seal to be labeled with which organic products.

Approval for the use of a seal is regulated by the publisher and is subject to compliance with certain standards and requirements. Compliance with the criteria by the generator is to be ensured by a documentation requirement and regular sampling and analysis of samples. Compliance with the provisions for all organic products in the EU by the relevant competent organic control, when using an association seal is additionally monitored by the respective farming association.

  • 2.1 German state organic seal
  • 2.2 German Association Seal 2.2.1 Comparison of the organic label
  • 3.1 Structure and responsibility
  • 3.2 Basic requirements
  • 3.3 Red-white- red with AMA label of origin
  • 3.4 Black White AMA label without indication of origin
  • 3.5 Control System

Europe

Protected term, organic '

The term organic ( to " Organic Agriculture " ) is a European protected by EU law concept. The same applies to the names of certified organic and eco. Products that are described as organic must also comply with the criteria of the organic label, the seal logo itself but not necessarily wear.

Differences between organic and association seals

The organic label identifies products that meet at least the requirements of the EU Regulation on Organic Farming. In addition, there are private label, provide the advanced, some more stringent requirements. ( In the article on organic farming shows a comparison of the policies of both certification methods. ) The private standards such as Demeter, Naturland Biokreis or are in fact associated with more stringent requirements. However, any standard lie as basis for certification based on the requirements of the EU Organic Regulation. That is, the products must be certified according to the EU Organic Regulation and additionally meet the standards of the associations in order to obtain a certificate association. An association certification is not possible without an organic certification.

European state organic seal

In July 2010, a binding new organic label was introduced across the EU ( also referred to as the EU organic logo). A product can preserve the European organic label if

  • Not more than 0.9% GM material is contained and
  • At least 95 % of the ingredients come from organic production.

Foods with organic label, the products include the highest legal secured food law standard. Due to the uniformity a wider market is saved - even non-EU countries align their regulations now under food law of the European Biosiegels from.

The non-state organic seal meet the state guidelines as the minimum. Traditional organic seal ( Demeter, organic, natural land, etc.) secure additional higher standards as a wholly-owned organic farming.

In many EU Member States, the EU organic logo has prevailed. In Germany, there has been relatively little used because of the greater awareness of the German state seal and the logo of the farming associations, or in combination with the German Logo. From 1 July 2012, it is now mandatory.

Precursor

In March 2000 the European Commission adopted a logo that says Organic Farming - EC Control System in accordance with Regulation (EEC ) No 2092/ 91 and ( EC) 834/2007 on the ecological / organic production and labeling of organic / biological products to which producers may use on a voluntary basis when checks have revealed that their economy and their products comply with the relevant EU regulations.

Commission Regulation ( EEC) The European Commission No 2092/ 92, the use of the Community logo is regulated. The EU organic logo ' is published in all official EU languages ​​and in different versions; in German the term Organic farming and organic farming are allowed.

Germany

German state organic seal

In September 2001, the German state organic seal was introduced. It is a hexagonal, green-black - white symbol in Germany food and other products can be marked with the satisfying the criteria of the EU Organic Regulation.

Thus, foods may be marked with the seal of

  • Be suspended for preserving non-ionizing radiation
  • Are not produced by and with genetically modified / n organisms
  • Not with the use of synthetic pesticides and
  • Are not produced with the aid of readily soluble mineral fertilizers
  • Not more than 5% of conventionally grown ingredients included (limited to in Regulation in Annex VI c -listed commodities)
  • Not contain flavor enhancers, artificial flavors, colors, and emulsifiers
  • Only contain the additives and auxiliaries, which are specified in Annex VI a and b,

Other requirements:

  • Imports of raw materials and products from third countries is regulated and is strictly controlled on a batch basis.
  • Crop rotations ( two-, three -and four -field system ) must be constructed varied.
  • It sets minimum indoors and outdoor spaces.
  • Animals shall be fed with organically produced feed without added antibiotics and growth promoters.

For biological products, a GMO content may be used above the threshold of 0.9 % in exceptional cases, if at the time at which the farmer has to buy food on the market no food is offered, which is completely free of genetic engineering.

In December 2010 3.803 companies took advantage of the organic seal on 61 744 products. In January 2012 there were 3,992 companies now on 63 633 products.

The organic seal is known to consumers today almost universally. According to a survey conducted in May 2013 study, 95.3 % of respondents familiar with the organic seal. However, appreciate, despite the high profile, only slightly more than half of the respondents ( 57.2 %) as safe in the knowledge of the assessment content ( criteria and requirements ) of the organic label a, (12.9% said they were uncertain). The confidence in the organic label is after the same study at a more " low level ". On average, the respondents who know the seal that organic seal rated 51.7 out of 100 scale points.

German Association Seal

Biosiegel production organizations identify products that meet the stringent regulations of the Association on the minimum standards of the EU - Eco-regulation beyond.

Organic

Biopark

Demeter

Ecoland

Ecovin

Gaea

Naturland

Comparison of the organic label

The use of ingredients from conventional generation is not permitted. With proven non-availability of organic ingredients in exceptional cases corresponding conventional ingredients may be used up to a maximum of 5 %, provided that they are laid down in Regulation (EC ) No 889/2008, Annex IX listed. A BIOLAND product must not also contain an organically produced ingredient and a similar conventionally produced ingredient.

Austria

The Austrian government " AMA label " is managed and controlled by the Agricultural Market Austria GmbH. It is a proprietary, independent character that is 6259/98 registered at the Austrian Patent Office under registration number AM as word - picture brand. The AMA label is available in two versions, with and without indication of origin. The red-white- red with AMA label of origin "Austria " stands for organically produced agricultural products from Austria and for foods that are produced from organically produced ingredients Austrian. When black-and- white AMA label without indication of origin, the origin of biological agricultural raw materials is not restricted. The label may be awarded in each case in connection with a license agreement.

Structure and responsibility

Sign carrier is the Republic of Austria, represented by the Agricultural Austria Marketing GmbH. Licensees are producers, processors and marketers of organic products. As of October 2012 There are 214 licensees. , The red-white- red with AMA label of origin, and 74, use the black and white AMA label without indication of origin Of these, 31 licensees have signed a license agreement for both characters. ( A total of 178 product groups (as of carry October 2012 ), the red-white- red with AMA label of origin or the black and white AMA label without indication of origin. )

Basic requirements

Is awarded the red-white - red AMA label in connection with a license agreement only to foods that meet the requirements and quality standards of the AMA label Directive in the currently applicable version.

Must be Complied with the following basic requirements (according to EU organic regulation on the production and labeling of organic products ) - Extract from Regulation (EC ) No 834 /2007:

  • Banning the use of genetically modified organisms ( GMOs)

No use of GMOs and products produced using GMOs.

  • Prohibition of the use of ionizing radiation for the treatment of organic food or the raw materials used in organic foods.
  • No use of readily soluble mineral fertilizers.
  • Synthetic pesticides should not be used.
  • The use of growth promoters ( eg, hormones ) and synthetic amino acids is prohibited.
  • The product must consist of at least 95 % organic agricultural commodities.
  • Flavor enhancers, artificial flavor ( nature identical flavors, synthetic flavorings) and colorants are not allowed for the production of organic foods.
  • According to the implementing addition (EC ) No 889/2008 (September 2012), the use of additives restricted.

Foods marked with the AMA label not only meet the criteria of the EU Organic Regulation (EC ) No 834/2007 as amended. and the implementing Regulation ( EC) 889/2008 as amended., but the requirements to be fulfilled are going beyond these regulations.

Red-white- red with AMA label of origin

With the red-white- red with AMA label of origin "Austria" may only be food in the

For non- producible in this region and in the corresponding quality raw materials applies to processed foods, an allowable tolerance of up to one third. Example: For a banana yogurt that organic milk must always 100 % of Austria come, while the organic bananas, which make up about 7%, may be other origins. However, all loading and processing steps must take place in the specified region.

Black and white AMA label without indication of origin

The black and white AMA label without indication of origin guarantees that organic farming and the controlled biological cultivation of raw materials of the food. This Biozeichen only foods may be in the

The origin of biological resources is not restricted. This organic label comes for example in organic products are used, which consist of various commodity components, where the individual raw materials are produced in different countries. Often this character is also used in organic products especially for fresh products such as fruit and vegetables, which come in different seasons from different countries of origin.

Control system

Compliance with the rules and regulations of licensees ( direct marketers, processors and traders) will be checked on site at least once a year.

When farmer verify the inspectors due to the EU organic regulations, for example:

  • Animal Welfare
  • Fertilizer use
  • Tillage
  • Treatment and processing facilities
  • Feed use

Checks will be at the processor, for example:

  • The raw material origin and the mass flow
  • Exact separation between conventional and organic production ( separate processing processes)
  • The correct labeling of products

When it comes to complaints during an inspection, penalties shall be imposed and carried out further unannounced follow-ups.

Other States

Switzerland: Bio Suisse

France: Agriculture Biologique

Netherlands: EKO

USA: USDA

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