New EU rules on organic food labeling, including the requirement to display the new EU organic logo, enter into force tomorrow.
The so-called “Euro-Leaf” will now be obligatory on pre-packaged organic food products that have been produced in any EU Member State and meet the required standards.
Other private, regional and national logos will continue to appear alongside the EU label, which remains optional for non-packed and imported organic products.
The new labeling rules also include make it compulsory to indicate the origin of the products' ingredients and the code number of the body in charge of the controls.
Companies will be granted a two-year transition period to comply with these new labeling rules.
EU commissioner for agriculture and rural development Dacian Ciolos commented: 'Our hope is that the new EU logo can develop into a widely recognised symbol of organic food production across the EU, providing consumers with confidence that the goods are produced entirely in line with the strict EU organic farming regulations. I hope that these changes will give a boost to the organic farming sector, but also further enhance consumer protection.'
European agricultural union Copa-Cogeca said that it welcomed the new logo, but urged the EU Commission to launch a promotional campaign to inform consumers.
Secretary-general Pekka Pesonen said: “I am very pleased that this logo will enter into force on July 1. Hopefully this will boost the EU’s organic production. The new logo is very different from other quality logos and therefore will avoid consumer confusion. However consumers have to be informed of the meaning of this new logo, with a promotion campaign. The promotion campaign will be an excellent opportunity to let consumers know about this type of production and to contribute to the development of the organic sector in the EU.”
