Organic Production

Regulation (EU) 2018/848 establishes the current EU-wide framework for organic food and agriculture. It sets out common objectives, principles, and legal requirements concerning:

1. All stages of production, preparation, and distribution of organic products, alongside their official control system.
2. The use of terms and indications referring to organic production in labelling, presentation, and marketing.

Among others, Organic production shall pursue the following general objectives: 

• Contributing to protection of the environment and the climate; 
• Maintaining the long-term fertility of soils; 
• Contributing to a high level of biodiversity; 
• Substantially contributing to a non-toxic environment; 
• Contributing to high animal welfare standards and, in particular, to meeting the species-specific behavioural needs of animals; 
• Encouraging short distribution channels and local production in the various areas of the Union;

Scope of the Legislation

This regulation applies to the following products originating from agriculture where they are, or are intended to be, produced, prepared, labelled, distributed, placed on the market, imported into, or exported from the European Union:

• Unprocessed plants and plant products, including seeds and other plant reproductive material
• Livestock and unprocessed livestock products
• Algae and unprocessed aquaculture products
• Processed agricultural products, including aquaculture products, for use as food
• Feed
• Wine
• Other products listed in Annex I to this Regulation or not covered by the previous categories

The products of hunting or the fishing of wild animals cannot be considered organic. On the contrary, wild plants and fungi collected from natural habitats can be certified fully organic without a conversion period, provided the harvesting area has been free from unauthorised substances for at least three years. The regulation does apply to yeasts used as food or feed, as well as specific products closely linked to agriculture listed in Annex I to the Regulation (such as sea salt and essential oils).

In-Conversion Products Overview

In-conversion represents the mandatory transition phase required to move from conventional agricultural or production systems to organic agricultural or organic production and processing systems. This period ensures that systems such as crops are cleared of synthetic inputs and that herds are managed under strict welfare and veterinary standards from the ground up. Livestock or crops raised during this interim phase cannot be sold as fully organic or carry the EU organic logo.

However, EU legislation permits some exceptions. Once a land parcel has completed a minimum of 12 months under organic management, plant reproductive material, or food and feed products of plant origin containing only a single agricultural crop ingredient, can be harvested and sold under the distinct 'in-conversion' designation. This is governed by strict labelling requirements that facilitate complete transparency, without overstating the product's organic status

Mandatory Use of the EU Organic Logo

The use of the organic production logo of the European Union is obligatory for the labelling of all prepacked organic food produced within the EU.

To ensure consumers are not misled as to the organic nature of the entire product, the use of the EU logo is strictly limited. Its use is not permitted on:

• In-conversion products.
• Processed foodstuffs where less than 95% of the agricultural ingredients by weight are organic.

For further information on organic farming schemes, national standards, and guidance on organic food production in Ireland, please visit the official website of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

Back to Organic foodstuffs.