Brief Introduction to Requirements for Import of Organic Food
according to the European Regulation (EEC) 2092/91, the US National Organic Program (NOP), and CERES standard interpretation
1. Import of organic food:
• Must assure traceability and transparency.
• Requires a good documentation system.
2. Who needs to be certified as organic importer:
The situation is different in the EU and in the USA:
|
|
Certification required according to… |
|
EU-Regulation |
NOP |
|
Customs handlers, who do not become owners of the product |
No |
No |
|
Brokers or importers who buy and sell the product, without repacking or relabelling it |
Yes |
No |
|
Handlers who repack or label the product |
Yes |
Yes |
3. Steps to the import of organic products to the EU from countries outside the EU:
• First, you must be certified as an organic importer and registered as such by your national authorities; please contact an authorized certifier in your country.
• Second, you must make sure that your supplier holds a valid certificate for organic products according to EU regulation 2092/91.
• Then, you have to apply to the competent authority in your EU country for an import license for organic products; the certifier of your supplier has to provide the necessary information to the authorities; the import license is not necessary for the countries on the so called "third countries list" (Switzerland, Argentine, Israel, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand).
• Once you have your import license, for each shipment, you have to ask the exporter's certifier for a transaction certificate; this transaction certificate must be sent in original to the customs office, where the product is imported into the EU.
• Once inside the EU, the organic product can be traded freely.
4. Import of organic products to the USA:
• None of the steps described in (3) is required for imports into the USA.
• It is a good idea, however, to request transaction certificates; and actually many US companies and their certifiers have this as a routine.
Please be aware that this is only a selection of essential requirements of the organic standards, meant as an introduction. The operator, of course, has to learn about and meet all requirements of the respective standard.
