To access the most up-to-date and consolidated version of this legislation, please search for the regulation number directly on the official European Union law website via: Access the Official Journal - EUR-Lex
1. Organic Legislation
Regulation (EU) 2018/848 (OJ L 150, p1, 14.06.2018) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. In force since 1 January 2022.
Note: - This Regulation has been amended and corrected numerous times. Below is a non-exhaustive list of these amendments.
Amended by:
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/427 of 13 January 2020 amending Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as regards certain detailed production rules for organic products. (OJ L 87, p1, 23.03.2020)
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/427 (OJ L 87, p1, 23.03.2020) of 13 January 2020
2. Production and Labelling
These acts define the specific rules for crops, livestock, aquaculture, and processed food.
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/427: Detailed production rules (sprouted seeds, bee feeding, aquaculture).
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1794 amending Part I of Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on the use of in-conversion and non-organic plant reproductive material.
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1165: Authorised products and substances for use in organic production (fertilisers, pesticides, and additives).
3. Controls and Certification
Rules for covering controls in the organic sector:
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/279: Procedural steps for cases of suspected non-compliance and group size limits.
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1195 laying down rules for the details and the format of the information to be made available by Member States on the results of official investigations concerning cases of contamination with products or substances not authorised for use in organic production.
4. Trade with Third Countries
Rules for importing and exporting organic goods.
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/1698: Procedural requirements for the recognition of control bodies in third countries.
- Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2306: Rules on official controls for consignments intended for import and the Certificate of Inspection (COI).
5. National Legislation (Ireland)
The following Statutory Instruments (S.I.s) give effect to the EU Organic Regulations in Irish law:
- European Union (Organic Farming) Regulations 2022 S.I. No. 494 of 2022
- European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) Regulations 2020 S.I. No. 22 of 2020
- European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 S.I. No. 660 of 2020
- European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) (Amendment) Regulations 2022 S.I. No. 744 of 2022
6. Other Guidance and Materials
Organic producers and processors in Ireland must adhere to the Organic Food and Farming Standards in Ireland (Edition 2.03), managed by the DAFM. This document introduces standards and controls for organic farming and processors in Ireland.
- Organic Food and Farming Standards in Ireland Edition 2.03
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Circulars
Back to Organic foodstuffs.