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THE ORGANIC STANDARD
An international bi-monthly journal that enables individuals and organisations to keep up-to-date on development concerning worldwide standards and certification issues in the organic sector.
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Current news about organic control community, standards, certification and regulation.
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WELCOME TO

THE ORGANIC STANDARD (TOS)

The Organic Standard is an international bi-monthly journal that enables individuals and organizations to keep up-to-date on development concerning worldwide standards and certification issues in the organic sector.

The first issue of The Organic Standard (TOS) was published in 2000, and for almost 20 years it provided the organic community with much needed news, analysis, insight and guidance on global organic regulatory, standards and control issues. The Organic Standard was relaunched in February 2023, via a partnership between The Alliance for Organic Integrity and the TOS editors, Biocertification SL 

The organizations recognized the gap for an information resource that reports on timely issues affecting organic integrity and the organic control community: The Organic Standard aims to fill this gap, providing the information needed to help Strengthen Organic Assurance, Globally.

The journal has a growing number of subscribers representing certification bodies, standard setters, sector bodies, governments, consultancies and industry. It has become widely recognized as the credible source of international news and analysis for organic standards setting, certification, regulation and accreditation. The journal has different sections such as Certification & accreditation, Standards & regulation, Updates and opinion, Country focus reports among others.

Issue 201 is being distributed. Order your copy now.

OUR LATEST ISSUE

his issue brings timely insights and critical updates for the global organic sector, including:

 

  • EU Organic Regulation Update – authorization of ethylene, microorganisms, and viruses in third countries.

  • Regeneration International Standard – the launch of a new certification framework to safeguard authentic regenerative practices.

  • Opinion Feature – reflections from Patrick Holden on five decades dedicated to the organic movement.

  • Updates & Reports – highlights from “Coffee with NOP,” the list of high-risk organic ingredients, and perspectives on natural credits and biodiversity.

  • International Developments – Brazil’s pioneering cosmetic standards, the renewal of the EU–Japan equivalence agreement, and more.

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The Organic Standard Issue 200 — A Milestone Edition

We are proud to present the 200th issue of The Organic Standard, a special commemorative edition celebrating two decades of thought leadership, integrity, and insight in the organic sector.

This issue brings together reflections from pioneers, contributors, and collaborators who have shaped the journal since its first publication in 2001. You’ll find exclusive interviews, personal reflections, and behind-the-scenes insights into how TOS has become a trusted source for organic regulation and certification professionals around the world.

Highlights include:

  • A message from Gunnar Rundgren, founding editor of TOS
  • Contributions from global experts in organic policy, accreditation, and standards
  • Stories that trace the evolution of organic certification over the past 20+ years
  • A tribute to the values and community that sustain organic integrity

As we mark this milestone, we also invite new readers to discover the value of The Organic Standard and support its future.

Download TOS 200

Your Opinion Matters — Help Improve TOS

Your feedback helps us improve The Organic Standard and ensure it continues to serve the needs of organic professionals around the world. Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey and share your thoughts.

Answer our Survey

Some Articles

Coffee and Cacao Price Hikes: What About Organic?

There are important increases in cocoa and coffee this year. The Organic Standard asks whether this is an exception, or permanent? Is it due to climate

change, or is it different for organic commodities? The Organic Standard wanted to study the subject in depth, looking at the differences and similarities between cocoa and coffee production on the different continents and between organic and conventional plantations. 

Agroecological, Regenerative, and Organic Ecosystem Services (AROES)

The first attempts to develop regenerative standards and certification systems faded due to the difficulties of creating consensus. The ones that succeeded are niches based on the unproven belief that regenerative products have a market premium, similar to organic products. Some of these labels will be avoided by consumers when they realize they permit pesticides and fertilizers, negating any market premiums and reducing sales volumes. Our discussions with farmers revealed that such schemes will be adopted when there is a real financial benefit to being certified to a regenerative standard. Regeneration International has started a project that does exactly that. 

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FiBL study on the possible effects of compliance requirements of European Regulation 2018/848.

When the EU Commission presented its proposals for a new EU organic regulation, it also wanted to change the rules for organic imports from third countries.

Its aim was to create a level playing field for everyone and ensure that imported goods contain produce that is 100 percent in line with EU organic regulations – just as consumers and farmers expect. It therefore replaced the equivalence principle of the old EU Organic Regulation 834/2007 with the conformity principle.

Is Europe sealing itself off in the organic sector? – The ECJ is not giving the Commission in Brussels any easy homework

The initial situation: More than ten years of wrangling over “organic”. The subject of the legal dispute is a mixture of organic fruit juices and organic herbal extracts, supplemented with vitamins and trace elements, which is marketed as a food supplement.

The labelling of this product in accordance with the “old” organic regulation (Regulation (EC) 834/2007 – Regulation (EC) 889/2008)) was first prohibited to the company by the Bavarian competent authority on January 18, 2012. The company took legal action against this decision. The Bavarian Administrative Court (BayVGH) seized of the matter then referred the question of whether the restrictive interpretation of organic law in relation to the supplementation of organic food is legally compliant to the ECJ.

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OUR LATEST MAGAZINES

Download Issue 198
Download Issue 199
Download Issue 197
Download Issue 194
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Download Issue 195

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An annual subscription includes 6 issues per year, sent bi-monthly directly to your inbox. Group subscriptions are available if sharing with 5+ individuals within an organization

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Organic farming

‘The health of soil, plant, animal and man is one and indivisible’.
                                                                     Lady Eve Balfour

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CONTRIBUTIONS:  If you would like to contribute an article, please contact us at info@alliancefororganicintegrity.bio. 

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SUBSCRIPTIONS

The journal has a growing number of subscribers representing certification bodies, standard setters, sector bodies, governments, consultancies and industry. It has become widely recognized as the credible source of international news and analysis for organic standards setting, certification, regulation and accreditation. The journal has different sections such as Certification & Accreditation, Standards & Regulation, Updates and Opinion, and Country Focus Reports. 

An annual subscription includes 6 issues per year, sent bi-monthly directly to your inbox. Group subscriptions are available if sharing with 5+ individuals within an organization.  Options to download per Issue or per article are also available. Help us strengthen organic assurance, globally! Subscribe and join the international family of TOS’ readers.

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