Mastering the European organic regulation
A complete pathway to confidently navigate EU Organic Regulation (EU) 2018/848
Organic farming is based on a demanding regulatory framework to ensure product quality and compliance. This training enables you to decode the requirements of European regulations and apply them to your activities, from production to market placement. It offers a comprehensive overview of the rules, best practices, and the certification process.
Goals
- Understand the principles of Organic Agriculture and the regulatory framework
- Master the regulatory requirements applicable to your activity (production, processing, distribution)
- Ensure activity management, traceability, and document compliance
- Apply labeling and market placement rules
- Secure import and export operations for organic products
- Understand the organic certification process and expectations during audits
Program
Fundamentals and regulatory framework of organic production according to Regulation (EU) 2018/848
- Principles and objectives of organic farming
- Structure of the regulation (basic regulation, delegated and implementing acts)
- Scope and control obligations
- Overview of international reference standards
Requirements for organic production (plant and/or animal)
- Plant production:
- Soil-related production and agronomic principles,
- Conversion and retroactive recognition,
- Fertilization, amendments, and authorized inputs,
- Crop protection,
- Seeds and plant reproductive material,
- Managing organic/non-organic coexistence,
- Derogations and specific cases
- Animal production:
- Conversion period,
- Origin of animals,
- Animal feed,
- Preventive healthcare,
- Housing conditions (buildings, outdoor access, welfare),
- Derogatory practices
Requirements for organic product processing
- Formulation rules: calculation of percentages of organic and non-organic ingredients, authorized ingredients and derogations, additives, processing aids, and flavours
Flow management, traceability, and guarantees
- Organization of activities (production, storage, cleaning, transport)
- Separation of flows, managing coexistence, and contamination prevention
- Traceability requirements upstream/downstream and control of organic guarantees (Organic Certificates, delivery notes, invoices, Certificates of Inspection – COI)
Communication, labeling, and claims
- Categories of processed products and labeling (100% organic, >95%, etc.)
- Labeling rules for processed products and use of the EU organic logo
- Mandatory and optional statements
International trade (import/export)
- Import rules into the EU: Certificate of Inspection (COI), TRACES system
- Trade agreements and recognition
- Export requirements: from the EU to Third Countries or from a Third Country to the EU
- Points of attention
Certification and audits
- Organic certification process
- Organization of audits
- Expectations regarding documentation and evidence
OPTION: Organic Grower Group certification and Internal Control System (ICS)
- Definition and eligibility criteria for groups
- Setting up an Internal Control System (ICS):
- Structure, ICS team,
- Procedures and documentation,
- Organization of internal controls
- Risk analysis and non-conformity management within the group
- Group certification process: certification body expectations and articulation between internal controls and external audits
The advantages of the training
- Discussions
- Quizzes
- Practical cases
Who is the training intended for?
- Companies in the agricultural and agri-food sectors, as well as cooperatives and producer groups wishing to commit to an organic approach according to EU regulations.
Prerequisites
- No specific prerequisites required.
Accès à la formation
This training course lasts between 1 and 3 days (7 to 21 hours), depending on the business’s activities and requirements
Evaluation methods
- Pre-training self-assessment questionnaire and collection of expectations
- Formative and summative assessments during and at the end of the training
- Measurement of satisfaction and progress through a post-training self-assessment
- Evaluation of the training’s impact two months later