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International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Friday, 29.03.2024, 15:52

Organic products’ check through a new EU digital system

Eugene Eteris, European Studies Faculty, RSU, BC International Editor, Copenhagen, 24.04.2017.Print version
A new system of electronic certification is being introduced in EU to monitor imports of organic products. The digital system makes the European Union a global leader in traceability and in the collection of reliable data on trade of organic products.

Establishing of new rules follow recommendations from the European Court of Auditors and requests from the EU states to address monitoring in organic products’ movements including the consistency of import checks. The new rules are aimed at improving the traceability of organic products and reducing potential fraud.

 

Both paper and e-certification will be used during a 6-month transition period. As of 19 October 2017, organic imports will be covered only by e-certification.

  

The new e-certification system for eco-product will contribute to enhancing food safety provisions and reduce potential fraud. It will also reduce the administrative burden for operators and authorities, and provide much more comprehensive statistical data on organic imports.

 

The Commission implementing regulation (EU) 2016/1842was published on 14 October 2016, amending Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 as regards the electronic certificate of inspection for imported organic products and certain other elements, and Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 as regards the requirements for preserved or processed organic products and the transmission of information.

 

EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan said in Brussels (18 April 2017) that the EU’ commitment to stringent certification and inspection measures had been an important component of the EU’s food safety standards. These EU high standards have allowed the European region to be the best region in the world for various organic products. The market of such products is of growing importance for all EU states, he added.  

 

In practical terms, the changes will require the addition of these import certificates into the Trade Control & Expert System (TRACES) – the existing EU electronic system for tracking movements of food products across the EU. Accessible 24/7, the TRACES system has been shown to facilitate trade by enabling trade partners and competent authorities to easily obtain information on the movements of their consignments, and speeding up administrative procedures. It also proved to be an invaluable tool in facilitating the rapid reaction to health threats by tracing the movements of consignments and facilitating the risk management of rejected consignments.

 

More information is on the website: EU organic farming.

Reference: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-963_en.htm?locale=en.  






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