What is EU Organic Certification?

EU Organic certification under regulations EC 834/2007 and EC 889/2008 is the gold standard for organic agricultural products in Europe. For botanical raw material buyers, understanding this certification is essential for supply chain compliance.

Key Requirements

For Producers

No synthetic pesticides or fertilizers
No GMOs
Sustainable farming practices
Annual inspections by accredited control bodies
Complete documentation of all inputs and processes

For Processors & Traders

Separate storage and handling of organic products
Traceability throughout the supply chain
Regular audits and inspections
Clear labeling with control body number

Verification for Buyers

When sourcing organic botanical ingredients, procurement teams should:

Request the organic certificate — it must be current and issued by an EU-accredited control body
Verify the control body — check that it's listed in the EU's OFIS database
Check the scope — ensure the specific products you're sourcing are covered
Check the shipment documents — within the EU, the control-body code on the invoice and delivery documents; for imports from outside the EU, the TRACES certificate of inspection (COI) — this confirms each specific shipment is organic
Audit the supply chain — ensure all intermediaries maintain organic chain of custody

Common Pitfalls

Accepting expired certificates
Not verifying that specific product categories are covered
Relying on self-declarations without third-party verification
Not checking the control-body code (EU) or the TRACES certificate of inspection (non-EU imports) for each shipment

How TANDOR Helps

TANDOR introduces buyers to suppliers and passes on the certification documents each supplier provides with its offer. TANDOR does not verify these documents — buyers run the checks above themselves (for example, the certificate number can be checked in EU TRACES).

Understanding EU Organic Certification for Botanical Ingredients