A new system of electronic certification to monitor imports of organic products into the European Union comes into force on April 19.
The EU believes this will increase traceability and the collection of reliable data on trade of organic food products. The system is aimed to reduce potential fraud and the administrative burden for operators and authorities, and provide more comprehensive statistical data on organic imports. Both paper and e-certification will be used during a six-month transition period and from October 19 organic imports will be covered only by e-certification.
EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan said: “Our commitment to stringent certification and inspection measures is an important component in the EU’s food safety standards. These high standards have allowed us to become the best address for food in the world, but we must always strive to find new and better ways to do even more. These new rules will improve the traceability of organic products, which is an important growing market.”
The changes require the addition of import certificates into the Trade Control & Expert System (TRACES) – the existing EU electronic system for tracking movements of food products across the EU. The TRACES system has been shown to facilitate trade by enabling trade partners and competent authorities to easily obtain information on the movements of their consignments, and improve administrative procedures.
Background
Following recommendations from the European Court of Auditors and a request from Member States to address concerns about monitoring the movements of organic products and the consistency of import checks, the new rules are aimed at improving the traceability of organic products and reducing potential fraud.
The Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2016/1842 was published on 14 October 2016, amending Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 as regards the electronic certificate of inspection for imported organic products and certain other elements, and Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 as regards the requirements for preserved or processed organic products and the transmission of information.