The EU Organic Regulation*European Legislation on Organic Products

Since 2022, uniform standards for organic production have been in effect in the EU. The EU Organic Regulation governs, among other things, requirements for environmental and resource protection, animal husbandry, and inspections throughout the entire value chain.

The goal is to establish clear standards for organic products. Transparent information and regular inspections help guide consumers when purchasing organic products.

Organic production is based on clear principles governing the use of natural resources and agricultural production. These include:

• Respect for natural systems and cycles, as well as the preservation and improvement of the condition of soil, water, and air, and the health of plants and animals and the balance between them;

• Preservation of elements of the natural landscape, such as natural heritage sites;

• Responsible use of energy and natural resources such as water, soil, organic matter, and air;

• Production of a wide variety of high-quality food and other agricultural and aquaculture products that meet consumer demand for products obtained through processes that do not harm the environment, human health, plant health, or the health and well-being of animals;

• Ensuring the integrity of organic production at all stages of food and feed production, processing, and distribution;

• Appropriate design and management of biological processes based on ecological systems and the use of the farming system’s internal natural resources;

• Adapting the production process, where necessary and within the framework of this Regulation, taking into account health conditions, regional diversity in ecological and climatic balance, local conditions, different stages of development, and specific animal husbandry practices;

• Exclusion of animal cloning, artificially induced polyploid animal breeding, and ionizing radiation from the entire organic food chain;

• Maintenance of a high level of animal welfare by taking into account the specific needs of each species.