Organic production is a whole-farm and food production system that brings together best practice in environmental and climate management, a high level of biodiversity, the preservation of natural resources, and strict animal welfare standards. It also responds to growing consumer demand for this type of product.

Organic production therefore has a dual social role. On the one hand, it supplies a specific market that meets consumer demand for organic products. On the other, it delivers wider public benefits by contributing to environmental protection, animal welfare and rural development. Organic production is only credible when it is backed by effective checks and controls at every stage of production, processing and distribution.

To ensure a rigorous and harmonised system of procedures, organic production is subject to a control regime carried out by Certification Bodies (CBs) recognised by the Ministry of Agriculture and accredited by the competent accreditation authority — the Portuguese Accreditation Institute — in accordance with NP EN 17065:2014.

How to apply
To join this production system, the operator must follow these steps:

1. Request the application form by email at agricert@agricert.pt;
2. Once the completed application form has been submitted, Agricert will issue the quotation;
3. Confirm acceptance of the quotation with the Certification Body;
4. Sign a contract between the Certification Body and the operator;
5. Schedule the control visit and notify the competent authority through DGADR;
6. Undergo annual follow-up controls, sampling of products and production inputs, and random controls with or without prior notice;
7. Issuance/renewal of the certificate.

Regulations

Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on organic production and labelling of organic products, and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007. (in force from 1 January 2021)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/977 of 7 July 2020 derogating from Regulations (EC) No 889/2008 and (EC) No 1235/2008 as regards controls on the production of organic products due to the COVID-19 pandemic;

Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, and of the rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products;

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1165 of 15 July 2021 authorising the use of certain products and substances in organic production and establishing their lists.

Labelling
The European Union organic production logo must comply with the model set out in Part A of Annex XI to Commission Regulation No 889/2008 of 5 September 2008 (as amended).

For labelling purposes, the EU organic logo may only be used if the product concerned has been produced in accordance with the requirements of organic production by operators who comply with the requirements of the control system.

The code number of the control authority or control body must:

• Begin with the acronym identifying the Member State or third country in the list of two-letter country codes (in Portugal, PT);
• Include a term linking it to the organic production method (in Portugal, BIO);
• Include a reference number (for Agricert, 06);
• Appear in the same visual field as the EU organic logo whenever that logo is used on the label.

In the case of Agricert:
PT-BIO-06

For more information, please visit DGADR, or contact Agricert