EU Reaches Agreement to Extend Third-Country Organic Equivalence to 2036 and Adjust Certification Rules

Provisional Agreement on Third-Country Equivalence

The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union have reached a provisional political agreement to extend the recognition of organic production and control systems for 11 third countries. Under the terms of the accord, the existing equivalence arrangements for these 11 non-EU nations are set to remain valid until December 31, 2036.

This extension provides a ten-year window of regulatory predictability for international trade in organic agricultural commodities, preventing disruptions in import flows that rely on bilateral recognition frameworks. By preserving the equivalence status of production and control systems across these trading partners, the measure establishes legal clarity for both non-EU exporters and European commercial buyers navigating certified organic supply networks.

Expanded Exemption Thresholds for Small-Scale Operators

Alongside international trade measures, the provisional agreement revises the regulatory framework governing certification requirements for small-scale operators handling organic products. Lawmakers agreed to significantly raise the threshold parameters that determine eligibility for certification exemptions.

The annual turnover cap for small operator exemptions will double, rising from €20,000 to €40,000. In evaluating eligibility, this turnover figure is to be calculated as an annual average over the preceding five years. Simultaneously, the volume threshold under which small operators can qualify for certification exemptions will double from 5,000 kilograms to 10,000 kilograms per year.

Furthermore, the scope of these exemptions is widened to encompass small online retailers. Operators engaging in distance and online sales who market pre-packed organic products can access the exemption provisions, subject to specific regulatory conditions established in the updated framework.

Conditions Governing EU Organic Logo Usage for Imports

While maintaining trade continuity through the equivalence extension, the provisional agreement establishes targeted conditions regarding the presentation and labeling of imported organic goods. Specifically, the agreement refines the standards that determine when imported organic items may bear the EU organic logo.

Under the agreed rules, products imported from third countries will be permitted to feature the EU organic logo only if they comply with an expanded set of production and monitoring requirements. These stipulations include adherence to specific criteria governing living soil management, animal welfare standards, and designated processing methods. This provision ensures that imported commodities displaying the EU's organic emblem meet the defined technical and monitoring practices applied within the single market.

Framework Objectives and Market Implementation

The provisional measures adopted by the European Parliament and Council are structured to balance administrative flexibility with market oversight. By extending third-country equivalence until late 2036, the agreement addresses long-term commercial planning needs for international supply partners operating outside the European Union.

At the same time, adjusting the volume and financial criteria for small handlers and online retailers updates the rulebook to reflect modern retail formats, while strict requirements for EU organic logo usage clarify standards for third-country producers seeking branding rights on the European market.