Organic certification and labelling in Australia

The National Standard for Organic and Bio-dynamic Produce (the Standard) provides a framework for Australia’s organic industry. The Standard, which is administered by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), clearly sets out minimum requirements for organic production, processing, transportation and labelling. Although the Standard was originally intended to provide importers of Australian organic produce with certainty regarding authenticity, over time it has become the default domestic standard.

The principal objectives of the Standard include the production of food of high nutritional value, the enhancement of biological cycles in farming systems and the co-existence with, and the protection of, the environment.

Certification

Organic certification is the key to ensuring that what you purchase is in fact organic. Currently, there are seven certification bodies accredited by AQIS to implement the Standard. Each of these certification bodies is responsible for ensuring that both the general principles and specific requirements of the Standard, as well as any additional criteria they may have stipulated themselves, are being adhered to by the farmers, processors, transporters and retailers certified under their inspection system.

In carrying out this crucial function, certifiers both periodically and randomly audit those who have achieved certified organic status to ensure they are complying with the Standard. Importantly, they also educate and inform members of the public as well as those seeking to convert to an organic production methodology. Their role in ensuring the integrity and continued viability of Australia’s organic industry cannot be underestimated. Contact details for, and the logos that identify, each of Australia’s seven certification bodies appear below.

Labelling

Under the Standard, certified organic products are required to display both:

In practice, due to the inherent space constraints imposed by most product labels, a decision is often made to display only the number of the certified operator and the logo of the relevant certification body. An example of a label adopting this approach appears to the left.

Looking for one of the certification bodies’ logos is the best way of ensuring that what you purchase is in fact organic.

What do the different labels mean?

What does it mean when a label states that a product is 100% organic, organic or made with organic ingredients? As a consumer, it’s important to know what each of the different labels appearing on organic items mean. Below is an explanation of each of the labels permitted under the Standard.

100% organic

100% organic products must have all of their ingredients, with the exception of salt and water, derived from organic production methods.

Organic

Organic products must have at least 95% of their ingredients, with the exception of salt and water, derived from organic production methods. Any remaining product ingredients must consist only of approved substances. Approved substances exclude those derived from genetically modified technology, those treated with ionising radiation, those which interfere with the natural metabolism of livestock and plants, and those that are not compatible with the principles of organic agriculture. Furthermore, any ingredient used that has not been derived from organic production methods must be clearly indicated as such in the product’s list of ingredients.

Made with organic ingredients

A product stating that it has been made with organic ingredients must have at least 70% of its ingredients of agricultural origin derived from organic production methods. All remaining product ingredients must consist only of approved substances. Any ingredient used that has not been derived from organic production methods must be clearly indicated as such in the product’s list of ingredients.

Products containing less than 70% organic ingredients

Any product that contains less than 70% organic ingredients cannot use the term organic on the principal display panel (main or front label). However, reference can be made in the ingredients list of the product to any ingredients used that have been derived from organic production methods.

In conversion

The term “in-conversion” refers to a production system that has adhered to the Standard for at least one year but has not yet achieved full organic certification. It should be noted that a minimum period of three years must elapse before a production system can attain full organic certification.

Products labelled as “in conversion” must comply with the Standard. Equivalent ingredient threshold percentages apply to in conversion organic products. For example, a product labelled as being in conversion organic must have at least 95% of its ingredients, with the exception of salt and water, derived from in-conversion organic production methods.