IFOAM – Organics International has published a new tool on its website: the Organic Equivalence Tracker. This free tool gives a clear picture of organic equivalency agreements around the world.
For the moment IFOAM – Organics International’s Organic Equivalence Tracker includes 15 Third Countries and the European Union. It highlights that the EU recognises 13 Third Countries as equivalent and a bilateral arrangement is in force with some. Recognition by the EU means that organic products (or specific categories of) certified according the Third Country’s organic standards can be imported in the EU without further certifications.
The new EU organic regulation will enter into force in 2021. By consequence, all the equivalency arrangements between the EU and Third Countries will have to be renegotiated as ‘trade agreements’ before 31 December 2025.