Organic Processing and Trade Association

OPTA EUROPE’s reaction to Judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in Case C-240/23 on labelling of organic products

Brussels, 04.10.2024 – According to the Judgment of the Court in Case C-240/23, foodstuff imported from a third country may bear the organic production logo of the European Union only if that foodstuff complies with all the requirements of EU law. This judgment could have far-reaching consequences for EU trade in organic products. The EU is the second world largest importer and exporter of organic products, after the US.

OPTA Europe reaffirms its support for free and fair trade of organic products, of which equivalence recognitions are a cornerstone. As the Commission has received the mandate to open negotiations with 13 countries with a view to concluding agreements on trade in organic products*, we encourage to take this opportunity:

  • to reach balanced agreements that allow EU organic products to compete fairly and boost their trade opportunities;
  • to progress towards international convergence of organic standards. 

Trade in organics contributes to the Green Deal objective to work with international partners to improve global environmental standards.

* Council Decision (EU) 2021/1345 of 28 June 2021 authorising the opening of negotiations with Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Tunisia and the United States with a view to concluding agreements on trade in organic products. Amended by Council Decision (EU) 2022/2341 to add Colombia and Mexico.

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For any enquiry, please contact Aurora Abad, Secretary General OPTA Europe  aurora@opta-eu.org  Tel +32 (0)495 28 18 72

Note to Editors:

OPTA Europe www.opta-eu.org is the membership organization representing the interest of EU organic processing and trade companies. Taken together, OPTA Europe members account for a large share of total EU trade and processing of organic products and play an essential role in an efficient organic supply chain.

OPTA Europes priorities for the upcoming 2024-2029 legislative term are detailed in the Looking Ahead Roadmap.