Austria

The EU Organic Regulation

Austria is a member state of the European Union. In all member states of the European Union, the Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848 sets out the rules of the production and labelling of organic products. The new Regulation (EU) 2018/848 is in force within the EU since 01 January 2022, but transitionary rules are provided for implementation of certain provisions, in particular on trade.

The regulation defines the rules for import of organic products into the union and has significant implications for Third Countries outside the EU, who wish to export organic products to any EU country beyond the end of the transitionary period for import from most countries on 31 December 2024. The transition period for organic imports from “recognized third countries” (13 countries, as per 08/2023) is until 31 December 2026 with less direct implications for operators.

Link to more information about Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848

Mandatory Organic Standards and Labels

In Austria, the EU legislation on organic farming is fully implemented. Additionally, national rules apply: The EU Quality Regulation Implementation Act (EU QuaDG) defines requirements concerning the implementation of EU organic legislation, e.g. regarding the control system. Some national decrees related to organic production as well as the annotated versions of Council Regulations (EC) No 834/2007 and Council regulation (EC) No. 889/2008 aim at the harmonization of the application of EU organic legislation at national level. Additional requirements not covered by EU organic legislation concerning animal husbandry, organic cosmetics and organic catering are laid down in an Austrian guideline on organic production. The national rules are only relevant for operators in Austria, not for exporting companies from other countries.

The competent authority for organic farming is the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection. Some of its responsibilities like the authorisation and supervision of control bodies is delegated to the province governors (Bundesländer).

Pre-packed organic products sold in Austria have to be labelled with the EU organic farming logo. For products imported from third countries the use of the EU organic farming logo is optional. A mandatory national organic label does not exist.

EU Quality Regulation Implementation Act (EU-QuaDG) The EU Quality Regulation Implementation Act (Bundesgesetz zur Durchführung des Unionsrechts auf dem Gebiet der biologischen Produktion, geschützten Herkunftsangaben und traditionellen Spezialitäten; EU-Qualitätsregelungen-Durchführungsgesetz - EU-QuaDG) defines rules for the implementation of EU organic legislation, e.g. regarding the Austrian control system.	de
National decrees concerning organic production in Austria Overview on national decrees concerning organic production in Austria published by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection and provided at its communication platform 'Consumer Health'.	de
Annotated versions of Council Regulations (EC) No. 834/2007 and 889/2008 The annotated versions of Council Regulations (EC) No. 834/2007 and 889/2008 aim at the harmonization of the application of EU organic legislation on national level. The annotated versions are published by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection and provided at its communication platform 'Consumer Health'.	de
Austrian guideline on organic production (WORD-document) The Austrian guideline on organic production (Richtlinie Landwirtschaftliche Produkte aus biologischer Produktion und daraus hergestellte Folgeprodukte - RL Biologische Produktion), elaborated by the advisory council on organic production according to article 13 of the EU Quality Regulation Implementation Act (EU-QuaDG), covers additional national rules concerning animal husbandry, organic cosmetics and organic catering.	de
Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection Website of the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health and Consumer Protection, the competent authority for organic agriculture in Austria.	en, de

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Voluntary Organic Standards and Labels

In Austria, the most important organic farmers’ association is Bio Austria, which was founded in 2005. Bio Austria developed a private organic production standard and owns the well-known Bio Austria label.

Another voluntary Austrian label is the AMA-Biosiegel owned by the Republic of Austria represented by the Agrarmarkt Austria Marketing GmbH, which is responsible for carrying out agricultural marketing across Austria. The AMA guidelines meet the criteria of EU organic legislation, but are in some aspects stricter, e.g. 100 percent of the ingredients have to be organic.

Bio Austria Website of the organic farmers' association Bio Austria with comprehensive information on the association and its standards.	de
AMA Biosiegel Website of Agrarmarkt Austria Marketing GmbH with information on the AMA-Biosiegel.	de

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Control Bodies

The control and certification process is performed by private control bodies approved by the competent authorities in the Austrian provinces (Bundesländer). The up-to-date directory of Austrian control bodies is published by the EU.

Control Bodies
List of Control Bodies and Control Authorities in the organic sector.
Provided is the link to the actual list of control bodies and control authorities in the EU in the organic sector in accordance with Article 28 of Council Regulation (EU) No 2017/625 as well as a link to the archive of consolidated lists of all designated control authorities and approved control bodies in the EU, as well as of the control authorities and bodies in the EEA countries and in Switzerland for the previous years.

Import Requirements

The procedure for the import of organic products into Austria depends on the country of origin. Within the European Union, organic products can be marketed freely in all Member States. Organic products from countries outside the European Union can be imported into Austria if the exporting country is listed in the directory of recognised third countries or the products have been certified by a control body authorised by the EU Commission as equivalent.

Sales of organic products from EU countries

Austria belongs to the European Union. Within the European Union, the principle of free movement of goods applies for organic products subject to Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. Organic products which have been produced or processed in an EU member state or which are imported from third countries into another EU member state can be marketed freely in Austria.

Import of organic products from non-EU countries

Organic products from countries outside the European Union (so-called third countries) can be imported into the EU and labelled with reference to organic agriculture and the EU organic logo, if they comply with the legal requirements of EU legislation for organic production and labelling and have been controlled and certified at all levels of production, processing, storage and marketing.

The procedure for the import of organic products into any country of the European Union depends on the country of origin. Once imported into any member state, organic products can be marketed freely in all Member States of the EU.

Organic Products from third countries can be exported to any EU member state depending on the country of origin:

Option 1: Import from “recognized third countries“

Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, India, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, Tunisia, USA and New Zealand (status: 08/2023)

Until 31 December 2026, During the transitionary period, the country must either be listed in the EU directory of recognized third countries (Annex I of Regulation 2021/2325) or have a trade agreement with the EU in place for organic products (See Agreements on trade in organic products).

From 1.1. 2027 onwards, a trade agreement for organic products must be in place, or the products will need to be certified under Option 2, which also applies to products not covered by the trade agreement.

Option 2: “Recognized control bodies” (import from all other third countries)

The products must be certified by a Control Body (CB) recognized by the EU to control and certify organic products in the respective Third Country.

Until 31.12.2024: During the transition from the equivalence to the new compliance system, recognized equivalent CBs are listed in Annex I of Regulation 2021/2325 and continue to certify in according to the equivalence rules of the previous regulation. Third country CBs need to re-apply to the EU to be recognized for certification in compliance with Regulation 2018/848.

From 1.1.2025 onwards, only CBs recognized for certification in compliance with 2018/848 in the Annex of Regulation 2021/1378 can certify products to be imported into the EU as organic.

Customs clearance and import notification

Each batch of organic products imported into the EU has to be accompanied by an electronic certificate of inspection (COI) This electronic certificate of inspection has to be generated via TRACES (Trade Control and Expert System). Each company involved in the export and import procedure has to register in the TRACES database.

Consignments intended for import into the EU are subject to official control by the control body in the Third country. The relevant CB needs to verify the consignment by means of systematic documentary checks and risk based physical checks before the consignment leaves the Third country. The CB issues the CoI in TRACES according to the model in the Annex (see Regulation (EU) 2021/2306)

There are new rules regarding documents and notifications required for EU import of organic products, which are important for exporters. This includes amended provisions for the COI; rules for prior notification before arrival (via TRACES) min. 1 working day before arrival. Since June 2022 COIs can no longer be issued on paper and are issued bearing a qualified electronic seal. The COI must be issued before the consignment leaves the Third Country. (see Regulation (EU) 2021/2307)

The importer or its representative company notifies the relevant competent authority, responsible for verifying organic consignments about the consignment. imports through TRACES and via a separate notification via e-mail. Depending on the type of product, the consignment is verified at the point of entry (border control post) or at the point of release for free circulation. The competent authority performs official control on consignment for verification of compliance with 2018/848, including an examination of the COI and other supporting documents as well as, where required, results of residue tests or analysis (see Regulation (EU) 2021/2306).

Organic produce that requires a phytosanitary certificate have to pass through Border Control Points (as opposed to “Border Control Posts”), with stricter controls and a limited number of EU ports of entry (see Regulation (EU) 2021/2305)

After customs clearance, the imported lots can be traded freely in all member states of the EU.

Organic Farming Information System: List of recognised Control Bodies and Control Authorities for the Purpose of Equivalence List of control bodies and control authorities for the purpose of equivalence and relevant specifications referred to in article 10 of Regulation (EC) 1235/2008. Directory of control bodies recognised as equivalent sorted according to name of control body. Listed are countries and product categories for which the recognition applies. This list is updated irregularly.	eu
European Commission: Information on TRACES The website of the European Commission provides general information on TRACES as well as detailed instructions.	en
EU-Login Website to create an EU-Login, which is a requirement to register with TRACES.	en
TRACES - Trade Control and Expert System / CoI - Login Website to register with TRACES.	en

Further Information

General information on organic agriculture in Austria.

Austrian Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism: Organic Farming The website of the Federal Ministry for Sustainability and Tourism provides information on organic farming in Austria.	en
Organic Europe: Austria Country report on organic agriculture in Austria. The site is updated irregularly.	en
Global Organic Trade Guide: Austria Website of the American Organic Trade Association (OTA) providing information on international organic trade. Although designed for U.S. exporters, some of the provided information might also be interesting for exporters from other countries.	en