Information about the EU organic logo and the German organic seal

A food falls under the category "organic" or "eco" if it complies with European Union legislation on production, processing, storage and labeling. Arbitrary use of the terms is not permitted. In Germany, state-approved private inspection bodies monitor compliance with EU legislation and carry out notified and unannounced inspections at affected farms.

International organic standards - EU legislation on organic farming

EU legislation on organic farming has required suppliers to label their organic products since July 2012. This applies to all organic products produced or processed in the European Community. Labeling includes the EU organic logo, a control code and a general indication of the origin of the ingredients used. The packaging indicates whether the ingredients come from EU agriculture or non-EU agriculture. In some cases, the country of origin is indicated directly.

German organic label - effects due to changed international organic standards

The German organic seal has been approved on the market for over 13 years. In principle, there is no problem between the new European and German organic labels. Both labels continue to exist parallel to each other. It is possible that organic products with the EU organic logo additionally bear the national German organic seal and other marks of private cultivation associations.

German organic seal and EU organic logo - control of organic products

The inspection bodies inspect all farms that produce organic products with the indication "organic" or

"organic" produce, process, trade or store. They carry out notified inspections and unannounced spot checks at such farms on an annual basis. If the inspectors discover suspicious indications that the farmers are not complying with the guidelines, further inspections are carried out. The inspectors take samples and examine them in the laboratory to rule out the unauthorized use of pesticides, medicines and additives. If the farm passes the inspection, the inspectors certify that it is allowed to market organic products. The producer's organic products constantly earn a German organic seal. In case of serious deficiencies, the inspectors withdraw the permission of the company concerned and it is no longer allowed to sell its products as organic products.

sell their products as organic. The competent state authorities control the inspection bodies in order to ensure a high level of reliability of the seal. The control is multi-level. It covers the entire value chain from seed traders to bread sellers.

German organic seal and EU organic logo - implementation of controls

The inspectors primarily check the production, processing and flow of goods at a processor.

processing and the flow of goods. This includes the supplier and customer lists, the recipes for feed, incoming and outgoing goods and organic certificates of the ingredients used. The inspectors check the stock-keeping of the organic farms. They record,

whether organic products are stored separately from other products and whether there is any mixing. In the case of a farmer, the focus of the control is sometimes different. In organic farming, for example, the inspectors check the seeds and whether the fields are fertilized properly. In the case of animal farms, they check how the farmers keep their animals, which

feed they use and whether a veterinarian regularly examines the animals. During such inspections

documents such as invoices, receipts and documentation of feed rations or fertilization carried out are of interest.

The seals (German organic seal, EU organic logo or others) inform consumers about the organic origin of organic products. As a consumer, you know that the inspection bodies guarantee the quality of the good and that you are buying a high-quality product. Such products are the basis for delicious dishes.