Importing organic products
The Ordinance on Organic Farming (SR 910.18) – in particular Articles 22 to 24a and Article 26 – provide the legal basis for the import of organic products.
The EAER Ordinance on Organic Farming (SR 910.181) also specifies the requirements for imports laid down in the Ordinance on Organic Farming. This ensures that agricultural products and foodstuffs from other countries are only marketed as organic products in Switzerland if conforming or equivalent regulations apply in these countries with regard to both production regulations and inspection measures.
Countries assessed by the FOAG and found to be equivalent are included in the 'List of Countries' in Annex 1 of the FOAG Ordinance on Organic Farming (SR 910.184).
In addition, the FOAG may recognise certification bodies and inspection authorities operating in third countries. The 'List of recognised control authorities and control bodies' in Annex II of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2325 is referenced in this regard in the Ordinance.
The FOAG also authorises certification bodies in special cases and lists them in Annex 2 of the FOAG Organic Farming Ordinance (SR 910.184).
Exporting organic products
No information can be provided on the specific export requirements of the recipient countries. The authorities in the recipient country are responsible for this.
In some cases, a certificate of inspection or other documents are required from third countries. For the export of organic products to the EU, no additional documents are required for organic labelling.
Equivalency agreements
The authorities of the EU, Canada, Japan, the USA, Chile and the UK have officially confirmed to the FOAG that they recognise the Swiss organic regulations as equivalent to their respective national regulations.
In return, Switzerland recognises the regulations for organic farming, the processing and labelling of organic products, and the inspection authorities of the countries mentioned as equivalent to Swiss organic regulations. This mutual recognition is the result of intensive bilateral negotiations, which facilitate and promote trade in organic products.
