Germany

The EU Organic Regulation

Germany 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 Germany, EU legislation on organic farming is fully implemented. Additionally, the national Organic Farming Act and the Regulation on the Approval of Control Bodies after the Organic Farming Act apply. They cover rules for the implementation of EU legislation in Germany. The national rules are not relevant for operators from outside Germany that want to export organic products to Germany.

The competent authority responsible for the implementation of EU and national organic legislation is the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

Pre-packed organic products sold in Germany 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 logo does not exist.

Organic Farming Act (Öko-Landbaugesetz - ÖLG) Germany’s Organic Farming Act covers detailed rules for the implementation of the EU regulation on organic farming in Germany including rules for the introduction of a nationwide system for the approval and monitoring of control bodies.	de
Regulation on the Approval of Control Bodies after the Organic Farming Act (ÖLG-Kontrollstellen-Zulassungsverordnung – ÖLGKontrollStZulV) The Regulation on the Approval of Control Bodies after the Organic Farming covers detailed rules for the approval of private control bodies in Germany.	de
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture Website of the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.	en, de

Voluntary Organic Standards and Labels

In Germany, food produced and controlled according to the EU legislation on organic farming can be labelled with the national ecolabel (Biosiegel) in addition to the EU organic farming label. This also applies for imported organic products. The use of this national ecolabel is voluntarily and for free. Legal basis for the national label is the Eco Labelling Law, details regarding the design and usage of the national ecolabel are covered by the Regulation on Organic Labelling (Öko-Kennzeichenverordnung). Prior to its first use, manufacturers of certified organic products who intend to use the Biosiegel must notify their intention to the Biosiegel Information Service located within the Federal Office of Agriculture and Food (BLE).

Additionally, private grower and producer organisations with their own organic standards and labels play a major role in Germany. Many of these are members of the German Federation of the Organic Food Industry (Bund Ökologische Lebensmittelwirtschaft - BÖLW), the umbrella organisation for the German organic farming and food sector. The German organic farming associations’ guidelines meet the criteria of EU organic farming law, but have in some respects a broader scope. The use of the private labels is restricted to members and licensees of the associations that fulfill the requirements of the private standards. In some cases the user has to sign a sublicense contract with the labelling organisation. The private labels can be used in addition to the EU eco label. The most well-known private labels are Bioland, Naturland and Demeter.

Eco Labelling Law The Eco Labelling Law (Öko-Kennzeichengesetz - ÖkoKennzG) regulates the introduction and usage of the national Biosiegel and covers penal provisions for the misuse of the Biosiegel.	de
Eco Labelling Regulation The Eco Labelling Regulation [Öko-Kennzeichenverordnung, ÖkoKennzVO] provides details on the layout and usage of the Biosiegel.	de
Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) Homepage of the German Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung - BLE), which is responsible for registering and advising companies that intend to use the national Biosiegel for their certified organic products. The BLE is also responsible for the approval of private control bodies.	en, de
Biosiegel Information Service Website of the Biosiegel Information Service with details on the legal bases, prerequisites, label design and registration formalities.	en, de
BÖLW Website of the umbrella association for organic farmers, processors and retailers in Germany (BÖLW).	de
Biokreis e.V. Website of Biokreis e.V. with comprehensive information on the association and its standards.	de
Bioland e.V. Website of Bioland e.V. with comprehensive information on the association and its standards.	de
Biopark e.V. Website of Biopark e.V. with comprehensive information on the association and its standards.	de
Demeter Website of Demeter with comprehensive information on the association and its standards.	de
Ecoland Website of Ecoland with comprehensive information on the association and its standards.	de
ECOVIN - Bundesverband Ökologischer Weinbau Website of ECOVIN with comprehensive information on the association and its members.	de
Gäa e.V. Website of Gäa e.V. with comprehensive information on the association and its members.	de
Naturland e.V. Website of Naturland e.V. with comprehensive information on the association and its members.	de

Control Bodies

The organic control and certification process is performed by private control bodies approved by the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food. The control bodies are supervised by the control authorities of the 16 Federal States of Germany. The scope of the inspection bodies can be restricted to certain federal states or inspection areas (e.g. farming, processing, import, feeding stuff). The up-to-date directory of German inspections 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 Germany 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 Germany 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

Germany 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 Germany.

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.

Further Information

General information on organic agriculture in Germany.

Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture: Information on Organic Farming in Germany Information on organic agriculture in Germany at the website of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture.	en, de
Oekolandbau.de German information platform on organic agriculture.	de
Organic Europe: Germany Summary report on the situation of organic agriculture in Germany. The site is updated irregularly.	en
Global Organic Trade Guide: Germany 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

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