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Friday, 29.03.2024, 15:52
Organic products’ check through a new EU digital system
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.