Netherlands
The EU Organic Regulation
The Netherlands 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 the Netherlands, EU legislation on organic farming is fully implemented. Additionally, national rules apply. Some of them are regulating the implementation of the EU legislation for organic farming in the Netherlands, others cover requirements for animal husbandry, feeding stuff and animal products. None of the rules has consequences for producers outside the Netherlands that like to export to the Netherlands – provided they are certified according to EU legislation on organic farming.
The competent authority for the implementation of EU and national organic legislation is the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality which is also responsible for the approval and surveillance of the control authority Skal.
Pre-packed organic products sold in the Netherlands 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.
| Basic Regulation on production and labelling of organic products COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on the organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91. Note: The website displays the basic regulation effective since 2009 as well as all references, amendments and corrections. The actual consolidated version for download can be found under the heading “all consolidated versions”. This basic regulation describes the objectives, principles and most important rules on production. It is complemented by the rules for implementation (see below). Updates are performed regularly and promptly. | eu |
| Regulation on organic production and labelling of organic products Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. In 2018, the European Council adopted the new EU Regulation 2018/848 on organic production which will apply from 1 January 2021. It describes the “basic act”. It will be complemented by so-called “delegated acts” and “implementing acts” which will be elaborated in 2019 and 2020. | eu |
| European Commission Website of the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission with information on organic farming and EU legislation. | eu |
| National rules relevant for organic farming List of national rules relevant for organic farming provided by Skal, the assigned control authority for organic companies in the Netherlands. The rules define requirements for organic pet-food and for raising young pullets. Additional rules are mentioned in the Regeling Diervoeders 2012, art. 5. None of the rules has consequences for producers outside the Netherlands that like to export to the Netherlands – provided they are certified according to EU legislation on organic farming. | nl |
| Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality Website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, the competent authority for organic agriculture in the Netherlands. | en |
Voluntary Organic Standards and Labels
In the Netherlands, many organic products are labelled with the EKO Quality Mark owned by the Foundation EKO Quality Mark (Stichting EKO-keurmerk). This private label can be used additionally to the EU organic label. Requirements are stricter than EU legislation on organic farming, as farmers have to make a plan on how to improve the sustainability of their farm, for instance by improving biodiversity, animal welfare or soil quality. Also for processors and traders that like to use the EKO quality mark, conditions for use apply. Companies located outside the Netherlands that are certified according to EU organic legislation and wish to market organic products with the EKO Quality Mark can also apply for an EKO-Certificate. If they fulfil the requirements of the EKO Quality mark they can also be licensed by Stichting EKO keurmerk. Furthermore, products with foreign organic private labels (e.g. Bioland) are accepted as fulfilling EKO-standards and can be supplied on the condition that there is insufficient national supply.
Another association with own label and standards is the Demeter Foundation for biodynamic farmers.
The umbrella organisation politically representing all actors of the organic sector in the Netherlands is called Bionext.
| Foundation of EKO quality mark Website of the Foundation of EKO quality mark (Stichting EKO-keurmerk) with information on the foundation. | nl, en |
| Demeter Foundation Website of the Demeter Foundation (Stichting Demeter) with comprehensive information on the association and its standards. | nl |
| Bionext Website of the Dutch chain organisation for organic agriculture and food. | nl |
Control Bodies
Skal Biocontrole is the designated control authority and approved control body responsible for the inspection and certification of organic companies in the Netherlands. The up-to-date directory of Dutch 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. | eu |
Import Requirements
The procedure for the import of organic products into the Netherlands 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 the Netherlands 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
The Netherlands 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 the Netherlands.
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 the Netherlands.
| Bionext Website of the Dutch chain organisation for organic agriculture and food providing comprehensive information on the organic sector in the Netherlands. | nl |
| Organic Europe: The Netherlands Summary report on organic agriculture in the Netherlands. This site is updated irregularly. | en |
| Global Organic Trade Guide: Netherlands 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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