Exporting organic products from the U.S. to the EU

For OTCO-certified operators located in the U.S., the equivalency arrangement enables operators  to sell NOP organic products to a processor, handler or distributor exporting to the EU without further certification.

Are there restrictions for USDA NOP certified products exported to the EU?

Yes. Any product that is certified under the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) and made or handled in the U.S. can be exported to EU countries. However, the following rules must be followed:

• The product must be shipped from a U.S. port, and all final handling and labeling must be done in the U.S.
• The product label must follow EU labeling rules.
• Each shipment must include a Certificate of Inspection (COI) made through the TRACES system.

If you have any questions or need an EU COI issued, please contact us at export@tilth.org.

What products are exempt from Equivalency Arrangement?

Personal care products (like lotions or shampoos) and pet food are not covered by the trade agreement. This means NOP certified personal care and pet food products can be labeled and sold as USDA Organic in the EU without needing export approval. However, they cannot use the EU organic logo on the label.

What do I need to know about exporting organic products to the EU from other countries?

If you are sending organic products to the EU and they are not made or shipped from the U.S., you may need to be certified to EU organic standards. This is true even if your company is based in the U.S. but your products come from another country. Additional restrictions may apply in these cases. Contact export@tilth.org for more information.

When should I get my product approved by OTCO for export?

It is important to start planning for exporting your product when you submit your product details  and label information to OTCO. Each country has specific requirements as part of their equivalency arrangements with the USDA National Organic Program that you will need to take into consideration. We’ll need to approve your product to ensure that it meets all export requirements. Letting us know that you plan to export your product when you add it to your certification will save you time and avoid costly delays later.