The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have reached a provisional agreement on updated rules for the production, labeling, certification and trade of organic products. Under the agreed rules, products imported from non-EU countries whose organic production rules are recognized as equivalent to EU standards can continue to be marketed using terms such as “organic.” These products may also use the organic logo of their country of origin. Products already labeled under the existing rules may continue to be sold until stocks are exhausted.
Moreover, under the current rules, small operators selling unpackaged organic products, such as loose fruit and vegetables, directly to consumers are exempt from certification requirements. Under the revised rules, the annual turnover threshold for this exemption will increase from €20,000 to €40,000 per year, calculated as the annual average over the previous five years. The annual sales volume threshold will also rise from 5,000 kg to 10,000 kg.
The provisional agreement must now be formally endorsed by the Council and the Parliament. The aim is to complete its adoption before the end of 2026, when the current recognition arrangements for imported organic products are due to expire.