how can we help you?

Contact us at the A CERT office nearest to you or submit a business inquiry online.

Having values, we offer strictly professional services and through the recognition and reputation of the A CERT, our associated companies and structures and strategic collaborators, we add value to the products, services, institutes and organizations giving them a competitive advantage and making them capable of achieving a dominant position in national and international level.

Stefanos T. Billas
President, A CERT

how can we help you?

Contact us at the A CERT office nearest to you or submit a business inquiry online.

Having values, we offer strictly professional services and through the recognition and reputation of the A CERT, our associated companies and structures and strategic collaborators, we add value to the products, services, institutes and organizations giving them a competitive advantage and making them capable of achieving a dominant position in national and international level.

Stefanos T. Billas
President, A CERT

Regulation of Certification

A CERT Regulation for certification of organic production outlines rigorous standards and processes that farms and processing facilities must adhere to in order to be certified as organic. This regulation is crucial for ensuring the integrity of organic products, preserving consumer trust, and maintaining environmental and health standards.

Key aspects of the A CERT Regulation include among others:

Comprehensive Standards: The regulation delineates specific criteria for organic cultivation and processing. This includes prohibitions on the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), as well as requirements for soil fertility management, biodiversity conservation, and humane treatment of livestock.

Inspection and Auditing: Regular on-site inspections are mandatory. These inspections assess compliance with organic farming and handling standards. Auditors review all aspects of the operation, from the inputs used to the final product handling procedures, ensuring transparency and compliance throughout the production chain.

Record Keeping: Operators must maintain detailed records that document the production, handling, and selling processes of organic goods. This traceability is crucial for verifying compliance with organic standards and for conducting recall operations if necessary.

Certification and Labeling: Upon meeting all criteria, operators receive organic certification, allowing them to label and market their products as organic. This certification must be renewed periodically, with continuous compliance necessary to maintain certification status.

These components of A CERT Regulation ensure that organic certification is a reliable indicator of product quality and sustainability, supporting environmentally responsible agriculture and providing assurance to consumers about the organic products they purchase.

Link to the Regulation of Certification

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Certification Regulation for 3rd Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.16_Certification_Regulation_for_3rd_Countries_02

Certification Agreement with Production Rules
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.36_Certification_Agreement_with_production_rules_02

Annex to the Certification Regulation regarding the Control Measures Applied in Third Countries
ICS-BIO3CC-D1.49_Annex_Regulation_Third_Countries_01

Applications Documents

Council Regulation

Council Regulation (EC) No. 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91

This regulation establishes the legal framework for all levels of production, distribution, control and labeling of organic products which may be offered and traded in the EU. It determines the continued development of organic production through the provision of clearly defined goals and principles. General production, control and labeling guidelines were established by the Council Regulation and can therefore only be changed by the European Council of Agricultural Ministers. The previous Regulation (EEC) No. 2092/91 is simultaneously repealed.

The new labeling regulations in connection with the obligatory use of the EU organic logo were postponed until 1 July 2010 by an amendment to the Council Regulation.

Area of applicability

The Council Regulation applies to the following agricultural products, including aquaculture and yeast:

  • Living or unprocessed products
  • Processed foods
  • Animal feed
  • Seeds and propagating material

Collection of wild plants and seaweed is also included in the scope of this Regulation
Not included in its scope:

  • Products from hunting and fishing of wild animals.

Commission Regulations

The following Commission Regulations have been adopted thus far:

In Commission Regulation (EC) No. 889/2008 all levels of plant and animal production are regulated, from the cultivation of land and keeping of animals to the processing and distribution of organic foods and their control. They go into great technical detail and are, for the most part, an extension of the original organic Regulation, except where this was regulated differently in the Council Regulation.

Multiple Annexes are attached to the Commission Regulation. Within these one can find the following:

  • Products permitted in organic farming, such as fertilisers, soil ameliorants and pesticides
  • Minimum requirements on the size of housing and exercise areas including pastures for organic livestock, depending on animal species and development stage.
  • Non-organic animal feed, feed additives and processing aids for the production of compound feed and premixtures permitted in organic farming.
  • Non-organic ingredients, additives and processing aids permitted in organic food production (including yeast production).
  • Requirements on the Community logo.

These Annexes and other parts of this Commission Regulation can be supplemented by the Commission so as to keep them up to date in regard to continuing developments in technology, science and the organic market.

In order to facilitate the implementation of the new rules and to incorporate some expiring exemptions of the previous organic Regulation, transitional measures were laid down.

In addition to EU legislation on organic farming and organic production, organically operating farmers and processors must also adhere to generally applicable rules on agricultural production and processing of agricultural products. That means that all generally applicable rules on the regulation of the production, processing, marketing, labeling and control of agricultural products also apply to organic foods.