Clear effects of the EU organic regulation

EU regulations are updated regularly and it was time to update the requirements for EU organic production, where the previous regulation was established in 2007. At the turn of the year 21/22, the new regulation came into force, enabling more products to become organic.

— For consumers, this means that it is possible to find more types of products as organic, such as salt and essential oils. The regulation also enables increased transparency in the industry and better traceability for organic products, which we believe is both necessary and positive, says Gitte Alexandersson Eskhult, acting CEO of Smak Certifiering AB and representative in Swetic's working group for food control.

The new regulation covers the entire food chain, from producer to consumer. This means that the grocery trade and its organic bulk handling over a certain volume must be inspected annually. Previously, trade with end consumers in the grocery trade was partially exempted, apart from e-commerce.

— During the inspection, we verify, among other things, that the retailer is not selling larger volumes of organic goods than they purchased. The inspection covers traceability throughout the food and supply chain. The purpose is that we, as a control body, ensure that consumers are not misled in the store, explains Sophie Albrektsson, Program Manager at Intertek and representative in the Swetic working group for food.

Several positive effects

The purpose of the legislative amendment is to strengthen the control system and increase consumer confidence in the products within the certification, but also to make it easier for small and medium-sized farms to convert to organic production.

— Swetic remains positive about the development of the regulation and now that a few months have passed since it came into force, we can conclude that our member companies have the expertise required to adapt certification to new legislation. We are ready to meet the Swedish food industry in the transition and act as a bridge between legislators and producers, says Anna Broekman, board member of Swetic and CEO of member company HS Certifiering.

— It has been a major transition and work is still ongoing with the implementation of the new regulations and adaptation of the requirements for certification. Staff must be trained, regulations interpreted and the industry calibrated. The preparations have taken time, but in practice the transition has taken place in six months, which we can be very pleased to have succeeded in, says Maria Karlman, Quality Manager Kiwa Certification and representative in Swetic's working group for food.

Part of the Green Deal

Organic production within the EU is considered an important part of the Union's transition and the Green Deal. 25% of the EU's cultivated area will be organic within a few years. Sweden, in turn, is considered a country with a high degree of maturity in organic consumption and production.

— It remains to be seen what the long-term effects of the regulation will be, but we can conclude that an effective regulatory framework and control system will be more sustainable and profitable in the long run. If we also manage to harmonize the EU even better, we will be able to drive the entire EU internal market towards more sustainable production together. Everyone wins, concludes Anna Broekman.

The regulation also aims to promote short distribution and production chains, preferably within the Union, as well as the responsible use of energy and natural resources.

Food