CURRENT AFFAIRS: EU organic rules under targeted revision

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The European Commission proposed targeted amendments to the existing Regulation (EU) 2018/848, on organic production and labelling of organic products. The aim is to fix implementation problems that have been identified since 2022 and to simplify rules and reduce administrative burden while maintaining the same high organic standards. The proposal came out in December 2025 and is now moving through the EU legislative process. The Commission is reviewing practical aspects such as:

  • Rules for cleaners/disinfectants in organic production
  • Certain animal husbandry requirements and veterinary treatment rules
  • Technical details for poultry housing and outdoor access
  • Inspection and certification procedures 

The related EESC opinion supports the Commission’s proposal and recommends swift adoption to provide simplification and legal security for business operators and stakeholders in the field of organic production, labelling, certification and trade.

Update of the EU Organic Action Plan

The European Commission is also preparing to update the EU Organic Action Plan. This update will:

  • Align organic farming with the future common agricultural policy after 2027
  • Address market bottlenecks and supply-chain issues
  • Stimulate both demand and supply of organic products
  • Explore tools like green public procurement and promotion programmes

Open Call for EU Organic Awards 2026

The EU Organic Awards are an EU-level annual prize scheme that highlights excellent and innovative actors in the organic food chain. The EESC co-organises the awards with the European Commission, the CoR, COPA-COGECA and IFOAM Organics Europe, and is responsible for three of the seven awards: best organic food processing SME, best organic food retailer and best organic restaurant/food service.

Andreas THURNER (Austria)

Member, EESC Civil Society Organisations' Group

Head of Unit for EU and International Relations, Austrian Chamber of Agriculture

© EU/EESC