More Stringent Chinese Organic Requirements Began July 1, says FAS
More stringent requirements for organic food imports into China went into effect July 1, according to a Foreign Agricultural Service Global Agricultural Information Network report. The new Chinese organic law forbids any organic products to be marketed as organic without the Chinese organic label. The standards are more stringent on the production environment, food safety, pesticide residue, and overall quality controls, FAS said. Additionally, detailed input and product lists were also recently implemented.
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Every organic package must now carry the China organic seal, name of its certification body, and the 17-digit code uploaded into the China National Certification Administration’s (CNCA) system so that consumers can trace the authenticity of an organic product, said FAS. Any products brandishing a foreign organic seal are not allowed to be marketed as organic in the retail sector, so the word “organic” and the foreign organic seal must be excluded, blacked out, or covered up by the retailer if they do not obtain the Chinese organic certification.
According to FAS, the average cost to USDA Organic producers to license under China’s label is $2,380 (or 15,000 yuan) for processed products. This figure does not include travel expenses incurred during the certification process.
FAS said U.S. organic food manufacturers should either partner with local importers to consider revising the organic label or set aside more marketing funds to promote the products through different strategies. FAS, the National Organic Program, and the Organic Trade Association are currently working with their Chinese counterparts on mutual equivalency with the U.S. Department of Agriculture organic label, FAS said.