EU Organic Regulation Revision Moves Forward

On 14 July 2026, the European Parliament's Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) adopted the report on the targeted revision of Regulation 848/2018 and granted a mandate to begin interinstitutional negotiations.

The revision became necessary following a ruling by the European Court of Justice. Under the equivalence agreement with the United States, organic products from the U.S. can be marketed as organic in the EU, even though U.S. federal regulations permit the fortification of organic products with vitamins and mineral salts, a practice that is not allowed under EU organic rules. As a result, U.S. producers have been permitted to use a practice prohibited for EU producers, creating a market distortion that needed to be addressed.

The European Commission proposed a limited amendment to avoid reopening the entire regulation, which would have significantly delayed the process. Nevertheless, Members of the European Parliament submitted numerous amendments.

All compromise amendments were adopted. While the package is not perfect and still contains some proposals that raise concerns, the report's adoption has blocked several controversial and potentially harmful amendments, allowing the legislative process to move forward without delay.

IFOAM Organics Europe, of which Suolo e Salute has long been a major supporter, welcomed the outcome while emphasizing the need for further improvements during the trilogue negotiations between the Parliament, Council, and Commission. The organization also urged Members of the European Parliament not to pursue amendments that are inconsistent with the needs and expectations of the organic sector, which will have to work under the new regulation daily.

Key Technical Changes

There are relatively few technical changes in the proposal:

• The EU organic logo may only be used on products originating from third countries if they comply with equivalent standards and meet additional specific requirements.

• The exemption thresholds from inspection requirements have been increased for small retail operators selling unpackaged organic products directly to consumers.

• Two amendments introduce greater flexibility for greenhouse crops by exempting them from requirements related to multi-year crop rotations involving legumes.

• Another amendment requires the European Commission to produce reports on imports.

• An additional amendment makes the list of certified products and their corresponding quantities a mandatory and integral part of the organic certificate.

A plenary vote is scheduled for the week of 13 September. Parliament will vote on approval of the mandate to begin trilogue negotiations.

If the mandate is rejected, amendments may be tabled during the plenary session. This would be an unfortunate outcome, as it would significantly extend the legislative process and jeopardize the timely adoption of the revision.

If, as hoped, the plenary approves the mandate, the first trilogue meetings should take place during the week of 27 September, and the revised regulation could be adopted before the end of the year.

What this means for organic producers

Organic operators should closely monitor the progress of the legislation and assess how any final changes may affect their production systems, certification requirements, record-keeping, sourcing practices, labelling, and export activities. Businesses that stay informed and prepare early will be better positioned to maintain compliance and seize new market opportunities.

How Suolo e Salute can help

The proposed amendments to Regulation (EU) 2018/848 aim to simplify certain requirements for organic operators while strengthening consumer confidence and ensuring fair competition within the organic sector. For producers and businesses, staying informed and prepared for regulatory developments is essential. Suolo e Salute supports operators throughout this process, providing certification, inspections, and expert guidance to help businesses understand changing requirements, maintain compliance, and continue growing confidently in organic markets.

Contact Us

To learn more about how Suolo e Salute helps farmers meet organic certification requirements and implement sustainable agricultural practices, contact our team today.

See IFOAM Organics Europe's commentary here: https://www.organicseurope.bio/news/european-parliament-moves-organic-regulation-revision-forward-ifoam-organics-europe-calls-on-policymakers-to-keep-it-targeted/

About Cotecna

For over 50 years, we have been supporting agriculture, food and pharma, minerals and metals, and consumer products supply chains all over the world. We provide testing, inspection, and certification services to help our clients navigate evolving regulations, ensure product compliance, and support their sustainability journey.

About Suolo e Salute

Suolo e Salute is one of Europe's leading inspection and certification bodies for organic farming, quality agri-food products, and environmental standards. It certifies nearly 29,000 operators under several certification schemes, including organic farming, GlobalG.A.P., integrated farming, and animal welfare.

In Italy, Suolo e Salute is the leading certification body for organic production, with more than 24,500 certified operators and over 710,000 hectares under inspection. The company has more than 150 employees and a network of over 300 auditors. In 2025, Suolo e Salute became part of the Cotecna Group and is now able to offer certification services worldwide. For more information, please visit www.suoloesalute.it.