# EU Agreement on New Rules for Organic Products > EU institutions agree on higher certification thresholds, extended import rules and transitional provisions for organic operators. Source: https://www.mtrlegal.com/en/eu-agreement-new-rules-organic-products/ · Language: en · Updated: 2026-10-30 --- ## EU institutions reach agreement on new organic rules The [European Commission](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/de/ip_26_2210) has welcomed the political agreement reached between the European Parliament and the Council on 20 October 2026 concerning amendments to the EU’s regulatory framework for organic products. The proposed changes concern rules on production, labelling and certification, as well as trade in organic products from third countries. The negotiations on behalf of the Council were led by the Irish Presidency of the Council. The responsible Irish Minister, Martin Heydon, described the outcome as a success for agricultural operators, consumers and the agri-food sector. ## Relief for smaller operators ### Higher certification thresholds The political agreement provides for higher thresholds below which small operators may, subject to the applicable conditions, be exempted from the certification requirement. In particular, the following changes are envisaged: - The annual turnover threshold is to increase from EUR 20,000 to EUR 40,000. - The annual sales volume threshold is to be raised from 5,000 kilograms to 10,000 kilograms. - Subject to certain conditions, the exemption is also to cover small online retailers selling pre-packaged organic products. This will broaden the exemptions without abolishing the certification requirement for the organic sector as a whole. ## Rules governing imports from third countries ### Extension of equivalence recognition The recognition of the organic rules of eleven non-EU countries as equivalent is to be extended until 31 December 2036. These countries include Argentina, Canada, New Zealand and the United States. Products from these countries may continue to be marketed as “organic” if they comply with the respective provisions recognised as equivalent. They may also bear the organic logo of their country of origin. More stringent requirements apply to the use of the EU organic logo. The logo is to be permitted only where the relevant products meet the applicable production and control requirements in addition to mere equivalence. ### No extension of the EU organic logo under a five per cent rule The European Parliament and the Council did not adopt the Commission’s proposal to permit the EU organic logo for products containing less than five per cent of ingredients from third countries. Accordingly, no general exemption of this kind will be introduced for such products. Products already labelled in accordance with the law currently in force are to remain on the market until existing stocks have been exhausted. ## Relationship with the case law of the EuGH The review was prompted by the judgment of the Europäischer Gerichtshof (EuGH, Court of Justice of the European Union) of 4 October 2024 in Case C-240/23. The decision was issued following a [request for a preliminary ruling from the Bundesverwaltungsgericht (Federal Administrative Court)](https://www.bverwg.de/pm/2025/64). The Bundesverwaltungsgericht subsequently noted that the Commission intended to amend Regulation (EU) 2018/848. This was intended to permit the use of the EU organic logo for imported products that merely comply with the organic rules of a third country recognised as equivalent. The political agreement now reached does not adopt this approach to the extent originally envisaged. ## Production requirements for livestock farming and aquaculture ### Organic grazing requirement to remain in place The organic grazing requirement for cattle, sheep and goats is to remain in place. However, affected organic operators are to be given additional time to implement the requirements. The specific details of the relevant transitional arrangements have yet to be determined. This also applies to further details concerning grazing and the roofing of outdoor areas, which, according to current plans, are to be governed by secondary legislation. BIO AUSTRIA criticised the fact that the political agreement itself does not contain any changes concerning grazing or the roofing of outdoor areas. At the same time, the association welcomed the Commission’s intention to address these issues through subsequent implementing rules. ### Temporary exemptions for feed Poultry and pig farmers are to be permitted to continue using conventional protein feed on a temporary basis. A corresponding transitional provision is also envisaged for the [rearing of juvenile fish in aquaculture](https://www.mtrlegal.com/wiki/aquakultur/). These provisions constitute temporary exemptions. They do not result in the general abolition of the production requirements applicable to organic livestock farming. ## Formal adoption still pending The Council adopted its negotiating mandate in the Special Committee on Agriculture on 11 May 2026. The agreement reached on 20 October 2026 is provisional and does not yet have definitive regulatory effect. It must first be approved by the Council and the European Parliament. This must be followed by legal and linguistic review and formal adoption. Numerous details of the agreed regulatory package have not yet been finalised. According to information provided by the Council on 20 October 2026, the adoption procedure is to be completed before the end of 2026. This is because the current recognition arrangements for imported organic products are due to expire at the end of the year. MTR Legal Rechtsanwälte advises companies, investors and high-net-worth private individuals on matters of business law.