Organic production is a farming system that promotes biodiversity, the preservation of natural resources and animal welfare.

It combines sound environmental and climate practices with specific production requirements, responding to growing demand for products obtained under rigorous standards. It also plays an important social role: on the one hand, it supplies a specific market for organic products; on the other, it contributes to environmental protection, animal welfare and rural development.

The credibility of this production system depends on effective checks and controls at every stage of production, processing and distribution. To ensure a rigorous and harmonised system of procedures, it is subject to a control regime carried out by Certification Bodies (CBs) recognised by the European Commission and accredited by the accreditation authority — the Portuguese Accreditation Institute (IPAC) — in accordance with NP EN 17065:2014.

How to apply

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

1. Complete the “Description of the Unit” and send it to agricert@agricert.pt;
2. Once the completed document 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 activity;
6. Undergo annual follow-up controls, sampling of products and production inputs, and random controls with or without prior notice;
7. Issue/renew the certificate.

Regulations

Regulation (UE) 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, as amended; Reg. (CE) n.º 834/2007 do Conselho de 28 de junho, relativo à produção biológica e à rotulagem dos produtos biológicos e sucessivas alterações;

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, as amended.

Labelling

The European Union organic production logo must comply with the model laid down in the applicable regulation.

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 establishing a link with the organic production method (in Portugal, BIO);
• Include a reference number (for Agricert, 172);
• Be placed in the same visual field as the EU organic logo whenever that logo is used on the labelling. 

In the case of Agricert: XX-BIO-172

For more information, please visit DGADR, or contact Agricert

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Plano de Controlo BIO Países Terceiros Rev05 de 01_2024_PT

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Organic Control Plan Foreign Countries Rev05 de 01_2024_TR

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