Organic Product Certification

Agricultural organic production, also known a biological or ecological production, is a system of producing and manufacturing natural agricultural products. The main aim is to obtain food of the highest quality. The techniques used in organic agricultural production are friendly to the environment and humans, as they restrict the use of chemically synthesized products (such as hormones, herbicides, chemical fertilizers and pesticides). Consequently, organic agricultural products do not contain traces of these substances.
Certification is essential to ensure that the organic production system produces food that reaches the consumer with the fullest guarantees. Therefore, the Consell Català de la Producció Agrària Ecològica (Catalan Council of Organic Agricultural Production – CCPAE) carries out exhaustive controls on operators, by auditing the production and manufacturing systems and taking product samples for analysis. This guarantees that the products are not contaminated by pesticides or GM products. Both the production and manufacturing systems and the control systems are common to all European countries and are governed by Regulation (EEC) 2092/91. Furthermore, every year the European Commission publishes a list of the organizations authorized to carry out controls and certification of organic products. In Catalonia, the CCPAE is the only public organization authorized to control and certify organic agricultural and food products.

Regulation (EEC) 2092/91

List of public organizations and authorities responsible for carrying out controls under article 15 of Regulation (EEC) 2092/91.

These are some examples of the logos of European certification organizations:

What does certification guarantee?

Organic certification guarantees that the products have been produced and manufactured in accordance with the standards of organic agriculture and that they have been controlled throughout the production, manufacturing, packaging and marketing processes.

Vegetable Products

Organic vegetable products are cultivated without chemically synthesized fertilizers and pesticides (fungicides, insecticides or herbicides), and thus contain no traces of these substances.
Only natural organic and mineral fertilizers are used and fertilization with nitrogen is limited to 170 kgN/ha per year (as in vulnerable areas).
Plant health is based on preventive methods and only natural phytosanitary products (listed in Annex II of Regulation (EEC) 2092) are permitted.
Genetically modified crops are not authorized.

Animal Products

Organic animal products come from stockbreeding where livestock and herds are bred in humane conditions that are sensitive to their biological needs and behavior.
Livestock are fed with organic products.
Herbivorous animals have access to pastures and poultry and pigs to corrals.
Animals have a minimum guaranteed living space, providing plenty of natural light and proper ventilation.
Animal health is based on the selection of appropriate breeds, good zootechnical practices, appropriate density and high quality feed. The use of preventive antibiotic treatment is not authorized.

Processed Products

Manufactured organic products are agricultural vegetable and animal products processed using techniques that minimize sources of contamination and loss of quality, restricting the use of additives and technological assistance.

What do I need to do to obtain certification?

To obtain CCPAE certification you need to be included in the appropriate register.

To do this, you need to send the completed and signed application form, together with necessary documentation and bank deposit receipt to the offices of the CCPAE, Av. Meridiana, 38 1a 08018 Barcelona.

Once the application is received, it will be reviewed and, if the information is in order and the documents have been properly completed, the inspection services will contact you within 40 days.

After that, the inspector will pay a first visit in order to write a report that is sent to the certification committee together with your documentation. After a full evaluation of the file, and if a favorable verdict is given, CCPAE registration and membership will be formalized.
Registration Form