Brussels, 20 October 2026
The Irish presidency of the Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on updated rules for the production, labelling, certification and trade of organic products. The aim is to support the competitiveness of the EU’s organic sector while maintaining high standards and consumer trust.
This targeted revision will make existing rules clearer and easier to apply. It will reduce administrative burdens for farmers and businesses, particularly smaller operators, and provide greater legal certainty for imports of organic products. It will also help ensure continuity in international trade, while preserving the integrity of the EU organic label.
Today, the Irish Presidency has delivered a strong result for farmers, consumers and the agri-food sector. Today’s agreement on the Targeted Amendments to the EU Organics Regulation demonstrates our commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture and creating the conditions for the organic sector to continue to thrive across the European Union.
Martin Heydon – Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland
Main elements of the agreement
The agreement introduces targeted changes to the EU’s existing framework for organic products. Additionally, the regulation will provide clarity to operators on the rules for importing organic products from countries with standards recognised as equivalent to those in the EU. This will give operators greater predictability while helping consumers make informed choices and ensuring fair competition between EU and non-EU producers.
Simplified rules for small operators
The provisionally agreed rules introduce simplification measures, in line with the Council’s negotiating mandate, to reduce administrative burdens, particularly for small operators.
Under 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 colegislators also agreed to extend the exemption, under certain conditions, to small online retailers selling pre-packed organic products.
Clearer rules for imported organic products
The agreement clarifies that products imported from non-EU countries whose organic production rules are recognised as equivalent to EU standards can continue to be marketed using terms such as ‘organic’. These products may use the organic logo of their country of origin.
They would also be able to use the EU organic logo however only if they comply with additional production and monitoring requirements beyond those covered by equivalence, for instance relating to living soil, animal welfare and processing methods.
This approach provides greater clarity for operators while safeguarding consumer trust in the EU organic logo and ensuring fair competition between EU and non-EU producers.
The organic rules applied by 11 non-EU countries, including Argentina, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, are currently recognised as equivalent to EU standards. This recognition is due to expire on 31 December 2026, and today’s agreement extends it until 31 December 2036. This will provide long-term predictability for operators and help avoid disruption to international trade, which is important for the EU organic sector.
No EU organic logo for products with non-compliant ingredients
The Council and Parliament agreed to remove the Commission’s proposal to allow the EU organic label to be used on products containing less than 5% of ingredients from non-EU countries that do not meet additional criteria.
Temporary flexibility
The agreement provides temporary flexibility for the use of non-organic protein feed for poultry and pigs, as well as for aquaculture juveniles. These derogations will be phased out gradually.
Smooth transition to the new rules
To ensure the smooth implementation of the revised framework and avoid potential market disruptions, products already labelled under the existing rules may continue to be sold until stocks are exhausted.
The agreement also provides for transitional arrangements to ensure continuity and legal certainty for imported organic products and international trade as the new rules take effect.
Next steps
The provisional agreement must now be endorsed by the Council and the Parliament. Following legal-linguistic revision, the regulation will be formally adopted by both institutions.
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, providing operators with legal certainty and helping prevent any disruption to trade.
Background
Organic farming plays an important role in the EU’s transition towards more sustainable food systems. According to the European Commission, the area of organic farmland has grown by 79%, from 9.5 million to 16.9 million hectares. This has gone hand in hand with growing consumer demand and increased recognition of the EU organic logo, now the best-known food logo in Europe.
The EU framework for organic production is established by regulation (EU) 2018/848, which has been in force since January 2022. It sets common rules for organic production, certification and labelling across the EU, helping to uphold high standards, ensure fair competition and maintain consumer confidence.
The revision agreed today is part of the Commission’s roadmap ‘Organic rulebook fit for the future’. The proposal aimed to clarify the rules for consumers and operators and followed a judgment by the Court of Justice of 4 October 2024, which stated that imported products recognised under equivalence arrangements cannot use the EU organic logo.
- Council negotiating mandate
- Organic farming: Council negotiating position on simpler and clearer organic farming rules agreed (press release, 11 May 2026)
- Organic farming (background information)
Source – EU Council
EU Commission welcomes political agreement on the future organic rulebook
Brussels, 20 October 2026
The European Commission welcomes today’s agreement between the European Parliament and the Council to amend certain production, labelling and certification rules, as well as rules on trade with non-EU countries, in the organic sector. These revised rules will help consumers make more informed choices about imported organic products. Today’s agreement also introduces targeted changes to production and certification rules, simplifying and improving the framework for organic operators. These changes will support investments, create employment opportunities in the organic sector, and further develop farming practices with high environmental standards.
The revised EU framework for organic production and labelling agreed upon by the co-legislators will:
- allow imported organic products coming from non-EU countries with equivalent systems to use the EU organic logo, provided they meet additional EU production and control requirements;
- extend the current recognition of 11 non-EU countries under the equivalence regime until 31 December 2036, avoiding disruptions in organic imports and exports while trade agreements are negotiated;
- adapt and streamline eligibility conditions on certification for small retailers and for groups of operators and their members;
- adapt certain livestock and crop production rules, such as on poultry, feed, conversion period and veterinary treatments, as well as on the management of soil fertility in greenhouses.
The political agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council is now subject to formal approval by the co-legislators. Once approved, this Regulation will enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Background
Organic farming is a key part of the Common Agricultural Policy, with organically farmed land representing 11% of EU agricultural land.
The EU sets out rules and regulations governing the production, distribution and marketing of organic products in the EU. The latest EU framework for organic production and labelling is applicable since January 2022. Following the Court of Justice’s C-240/23 judgment, adjustments were needed to clarify labelling of equivalent third-country organic products. While existing rules already provided a sound basis for a reliable and growing organic sector in the Union, it was necessary to make targeted adjustments to certain production rules to create a simplified regulatory framework.
Building on the input collected during consultations with stakeholders, the Commission’s proposal aimed to ensure informed consumer choice, enhanced consumer confidence, and fair competition in the organic market. Recognition of equivalent third-country systems would be extended until 31 December 2036, avoiding potential trade disruptions. The proposal also made targeted adjustments to production and certification rules, simplifying and improving the framework for organic operators.
For more information
Quote
Today, we delivered a swift and simplified agreement in the interest of both producers and consumers. This agreement will provide the clarity the organic sector needs to continue growing. Our producers need predictable rules and a level playing field. By adapting our regulatory framework, we are supporting the competitiveness of European organic production while maintaining its high standards. And we are strengthening consumers’ trust in the EU organic label, regardless of the origin of the product they buy.
Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food
Source – EU Commission