Organic agriculture, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/848, constitutes an established system of production and control governing the production, labeling, and inspection of organic products of plant origin.
The organic certification system aims to ensure the authenticity of organic products and maintain consumer trust through controls covering all stages of the supply chain.
Regulation (EU) 2018/848 is the unified European regulatory framework that defines:
- the organic production methods,
- the rules for labeling organic products,
- the control and certification system,
- the obligations of businesses operating in the organic sector.
The Regulation applies to all operators in the organic supply chain, from primary production to placing products on the market.
Organic Agriculture – Crop Production certification is addressed to producers and businesses engaged in:
- crop production,
- mushroom production,
- collection of wild plants and herbs,
- processing of plant-based products,
- packaging of plant-based products,
- trading of organic products,
- import of organic products from third countries.
Each business is included in the control system according to the specific activity it performs, in line with the scope of certification.
Organic production is a holistic farm management and food production system aiming to:
- produce high-quality products,
- use environmentally friendly methods,
- protect human and plant health,
- ensure compliance with organic legislation.
Certification enables:
- the legal use of the term “organic”,
- access to the organic products market,
- enhanced product credibility towards consumers.
- Application Submission
The producer or business submits:
- Application for Organic Products Certification,
- Description of the holding/operation,
- Declaration of precautionary and preventive measures,
- Production / cultivation plan.
- Application Review
COSMOCERT reviews the application and supporting documents to verify completeness and compliance with the applicable regulatory framework.
- Contract Signing
Upon acceptance of the application:
- the Organic Products Certification Agreement is signed,
- the business is registered in the control system under a single Control & Certification Body.
- Inspection
The following are carried out:
- on-site inspections,
- checks on compliance with organic production rules,
- sampling, where required.
- Certification Decision
Certificates are issued upon completion of inspections, provided compliance with organic legislation requirements is confirmed.
Businesses included in the control system are required, among others, to:
- maintain an individual file for at least five (5) years,
- inform COSMOCERT in writing of any changes to their operation,
- accept inspections and cooperate with inspectors,
- allow sampling,
- implement corrective actions in case of non-compliances,
- notify imports/exports of organic products,
- ensure correct product labeling.
