Products imported from other third countries
Until 31 December, 2005, produce from other third countries can be brought into the EU and marketed as organic, as long as prior authorisation has been obtained from the Agricultural Services and Rural Development Division at the Organic farming Unit’s office.
Before authorisation is given, importers must demonstrate that the products being imported:
were produced to rules equivalent to those laid down in Articles 6 and 7 concerning the rules of production,
were subject to inspection measures equivalent to those laid down in Articles 8 and 9 concerning the Inspection System, and that such inspection measures will be permanently and effectively applied.
It is up to the importer to prove that the imported products were obtained according to the approved production rules and inspection measures laid down in the community legislation on organic farming.
US, Canada and Japan are not listed (yet) in article 11(1) therefore organic products originating from these countries also have to apply according to these procedures.
The Organic Farming Unit then notifies the Commission and the other member states of the third countries and products for which it has issued an authorization.
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