Regulation updates: De-alcoholised wine, use organic logo, certificates, compliance & aquaculture

Following the summer break, there are a number of updates on the EU Organic Regulation. From new legal initiatives to delegated acts amending the basic act. Below overview provides you with a summary of the relevant information. Our members find more information on the member extranet. For access to our member extranet and information about what you can gain from being a member, read our membership page and contact [email protected].

De-alcoholised wine

The Commission opened a public consultation on a delegated act Wine-making – practices allowed under certain conditions to produce organic de-alcoholised wine. Our members can read more about the amendment to the horizontal legislation, new section added to the oenological practices and details on updates to authorised practices on the update on our member extranet.

Use EU Organic Logo

On 2 September, the Commission adopted another regulation clarifying use of the EU organic logo. This delegated act amends the EU Organic Regulation’s basic act, extending provisions on the EU organic logo’s use.

Certificates of inspection & compliant control bodies (CBs)

On 29 July, the Commission adopted a proposal on a derogation period for the issuance of Certificates of Inspection (COIs) and validity of old certificates in third countries. The current proposal kept a deadline (15 October) as end of the derogation period – despite all organic stakeholders calling for an entire calendar year instead of an interim date. Our members can read what this entails specifically on our member extranet.

The third proposed list of Control Bodies (CBs) operating in third countries and approved under compliance is open for feedback until 9 October on the Have your say portal. For the time being, it lists five more CBs.

Sales from EU to Great Britain

DEFRA recently announced extension of the derogation on the requirement for Certificates of Inspection (COIs) for organic goods entering Great Britain from the EU, EEA and Switzerland. This derogation will be extended with two more years, from 1 February 2025 to 1 February 2027.

Event: Interim assessment on achievements EU Organic Action Plan

On 24 September, the Expert Group on Organic Production, Civil Dialogue Group on Organic Farming and Organic Ambassadors are having a joint meeting. Organised to celebrate EU Organic Day on 23 September, representatives of various EU Member States and sector representatives will assess the EU Organic Action Plan’s achievements.

On the list of attendees are IFOAM Organics Europe, representing the EU organic movement, and TP Organics, representing research and innovation for organic and agroecology. We will inform our members in case it is possible to follow the event as observer.

Call to join the IFOAM Aquaculture Forum – EU Coordination (IAF)

Our members are invited to get involved in discussions about organic aquaculture production in our expert platform, the IFOAM Aquaculture Sector Platform.

This group of experienced organic aquaculture producers, certifiers, researchers, and other stakeholders:

• Further develops organic aquaculture and support-related activities;
• Facilitates information exchange between IFOAM members;
• Addresses standards and certification matters;
• Develops positions on issues if the need arises, and
• Advises policymakers and other institutions on matters related to aquaculture.

We are reactivating this group and intensify our work in the coming months and years. The forum wants to continue improving organic to get to more sustainable aquatic systems that foster biodiversity, promote animal welfare and respect all aquatic life – while protecting sensitive habitats, minimising pollution, and enhancing water resources and quality – in a legal framework that allows the organic aquaculture sector to grow.

Those interested can contact [email protected] for more information.

IFOAM Organics Europe, providing the sector with expertise regulatory expertise

Since March 2022, we are offering guidelines to help practitioners interpret the EU Organic Regulation. These guidelines help readers to navigate the regulation, its implementing and delegated acts and links to definitions, recitals, other EU legislation and more. We will update the guidelines in the last quarters of 2024.

For more information on the EU organic regulation and IFOAM Organics Europe’s work on this issue, please visit our website or contact [email protected]. Do note that we prioritise our members’ requests.

IFOAM Organics Europe members have early access to information on the EU Organic Regulation through our Interest and Expert Groups and our member member extranet. They also have one free access to the EU Organic Regulation guidelines.

For access to our member extranet and information about what you can gain from being a member, read our membership page and contact [email protected].