Labelling organic products
Organic farming is a form of agriculture that focuses on protecting the environment, conserving resources and ensuring ethical conditions for livestock. Farms producing organic products operate according to the principles and requirements of organic farming. Specific principles also apply to the processing of organic foods. The Organic Farming Ordinance defines the rules for producing, processing, trading and importing organic products.
Brief overview
Both agricultural production and the processing of organic foodstuffs and feed are carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Organic Farming Ordinance. The main principles of organic production and processing are protecting the environment, conserving resources, avoiding the use of synthetic agrochemicals and ingredients, and a ban on the use of any types of genetically engineered products.
Certification
Every farm that produces, processes, trades or imports organic products is inspected at least once a year. The four certification bodies that are accredited and authorised in Switzerland are responsible for this. Only certified products are permitted to display the ‹organic› label. There is no official national organic label in Switzerland. Organic labels set up by private bodies must comply with the Organic Farming Ordinance requirements.
Organic farm and company certification
Legal basis
The legal basis for organic farming comprises three ordinances:
The Organic Farming Ordinance (SR 910.18)
The Organic Farming Ordinance sets out in great detail the principles by which agricultural products and foodstuffs labelled as organic must be made and produced. The regulations apply to the production, processing, storage, marketing, import and export of organic products.
The EAER Ordinance on Organic Farming (SR 910.181)
The EAER Ordinance on Organic Farming clarifies these principles with precise implementing provisions. It regulates, for example, the products and substances authorised for use in organic farming and for processing organic foodstuffs and feed. It also provides regulations governing their use.
The FOAG Ordinance on Organic Farming (SR 910.184)
The FOAG Ordinance on Organic Farming sets out rules for the import of organic products. It contains a list of countries (Annex 1) and the list of approved third-country certification bodies and inspection authorities (Annex 2). The production and inspection regulations of the listed countries are recognised as being equivalent to those in Switzerland. This means that organic products imported from these countries may be labelled as organic. Certification bodies and inspection authorities that are recognised by the EU for their activities in third countries (see Annex II of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2325) are also recognised for the certification of products for the Swiss market.
Further information
The FOAG provides a reduced English-language version of its website that does not include all further information such as documents, legislation or links. These can be found on the pages in the three official languages (German, French and Italian).
Index
Related topics
Farming
Important elements in organic farming are a closed nutrient cycle, species-appropriate animal husbandry, preserving soil fertility and using natural methods of plant protection.
Processing and trade
For a foodstuff to be labelled as «organic», at least 95% of the ingredients of agricultural origin must be organic. Organic food should be natural and not highly processed, with the use of additives and non-organic ingredients kept to a minimum.
International trade
Imported organic products must meet standards comparable to those in Switzerland. National authorities or certification bodies in the country of origin are responsible for checking that these standards are met. Equivalence agreements with countries such as the EU member states, US and Canada facilitate trade, as their organic standards are recognised as equivalent.
Contact for questions
Quality and Sales Promotion Unit
Schwarzenburgstrasse 165
Switzerland - 3003 Bern