910.181

EAER Ordinance
on Organic Farming

English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.

of 22 September 1997 (Status as of 1 January 2026)

The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) ¹ ,

on the basis of Articles 11 paragraph 2, 12 paragraph 2, 13 paragraph 3 ^bis ,
15 paragraph 2, 16 a paragraphs 1–4, 16 h , 16 k paragraphs 1 and 2 ^bis , 16 n
paragraph 1, 17 paragraph 2, 23 paragraph 1, 23 a paragraph 1, 30 d paragraph 3
and 33 a paragraph 3 of the Organic Farming Ordinance of 22 September 1997 ² ,
in agreement with the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDFA), ³

ordains:

Section 1 General Provisions⁴

Art. 1⁵ Plant protection products

The plant protection products authorised for uses in organic farming and the special directions for their use are in accordance with Annex 1.

Art. 2 Fertilisers⁶

The fertilisers and equivalent products in accordance with Annex 2 shall be authorised in organic farming.

Art. 3⁷ Use of products and substances under Article 16j paragraph 2 letter b and c of the Organic Farming Ordinance in processing foodstuffs

The following may be used for processing foodstuffs, with the exception of yeast and wine:⁸

1. ⁹ products and substances in accordance with Annex 3;
2. preparations made from micro-organisms and enzymes, which are normally used in the production of foodstuffs; enzymes, which are to be used as food additives, must be listed in Annex 3 Section A;
3. ¹⁰ products and substances in accordance with Article 2 paragraph 1 letters b and c number 1 of the FDHA Flavourings Ordinance of 16 December 2016¹¹ which are listed as «flavouring preparations» or «natural flavouring substances» under Article 10 letters a–c of the Flavourings Ordinance;
4. drinking water and salts (mainly of sodium or potassium chloride), which are generally used in food processing;
5. ¹² minerals, including trace elements, vitamins, amino acids and other micronutrients:1.in foodstuffs, provided their use is required when placing products on the market in accordance with the foodstuffs legislation, with the exception of dietary supplements under the FDHA Ordinance of 16 December 2016¹³ on Dietary Supplements,2.in foodstuffs intended for persons with special dietary requirements in accordance with Article 2 letters a–c of the FDHA Ordinance of 16 December 2016¹⁴ on Foodstuffs for Persons with Special Dietary Requirements (SDRO), provided their use is permitted under the SDRO.

For the assessment for the purposes of Article 18 paragraph 1 letter b of the Organic Farming Ordinance:

1. food additives in accordance with Annex 3 Section A, which are marked with an asterisk in the column for the additive code, shall be included as ingredients of agricultural origin;
2. ¹⁵ preparations and substances in accordance with paragraph 1 (b, d and e) and substances in accordance with Annex 3 Section A, which are not marked with an asterisk in the column for the additive code, shall not be included as ingredients of agricultural origin.

This applies without prejudice to the provisions of the legislation on foodstuffs.

Art. 3a¹⁶ Use of products and substances under Article 16j paragraph 2 letter b and c of the Organic Farming Ordinance in the processing of yeast

The following substances may be used for the production, preparation and formulation of organic yeast:¹⁷

1. ¹⁸ substances in accordance with Annex 3a;
2. products and substances in accordance with Article 3 paragraph 1 letter b and d.

... ¹⁹

Art. 3b²⁰ Use of products and substances in accordance with Article 16j para paragraph 2 letter b and c of the Organic Farming Ordinance in the production of wine

Products and substances in accordance with Annex V Part D of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1165 ²¹ may be used for the production of wine.

Art. 3c²² Oenological practices and processes and restrictions thereon

Oenological practices and processes in accordance with Annex II Part VI number 3 of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as amended by Annex 3 b are permitted.

Art. 3d²³ Practices and processes for the production of processed organic foodstuffs

Ion exchange und adsorption resin processes are only permitted:

1. for the preparation of foodstuffs for persons with special dietary requirements in accordance with Article 2 letters a–c SDRO²⁴;
2. for the partial deacidification of pear juice for the production of pear juice concentrate with an acidity of 6–12 g malic acid/kg and a Brix value of 80–82° Brix, intended exclusively for the Swiss market

Art. 4²⁵

Art. 4a²⁶

Art. 4a^bis27 Species-related requirements for organic stockfarming

The provisions set out in Annex 5 apply with regard to the species-related requirements for organic stockfarming.

The requirements regarding the total area for porcine species are set out in Annex 6. ²⁸

Art. 4a^{ter29 Prohibited animal feed additives, technical aids and processing methods}

^{The following animal feed additives and technical aids shall be prohibited:}

1. genetically modified organisms (GMO);
2. antimicrobial growth promoters;
3. additives to prevent coccidiosis and and histomoniasis;
4. ³⁰ synthetic amino acids and their salts and similar products;
5. non-protein nitrogen compounds (NPN-compounds);
6. substances and production methods which could be misleading with regard to the actual quality of the product.

Where no natural sources are available, chemically synthesised additives which are essential for a required ration composition shall be permitted.

Extraction with organic solvents except for ethanol, hydrogenation and refining by a chemical process shall be prohibited.

Art. 4b³¹ Use of animal feed materials and animal feed additives

Only the following shall be used in the processing of organic animal feedingstuffs and in the feeding of animals which are kept in accordance with the requirements of this Ordinance:

1. organic animal feed materials;
2. animal feed materials and animal feed additives in accordance with Annex 7;
3. ³² salt.³³

This applies without prejudice to the provisions of the Ordinance on Animal Feeding stuffs of 26 October 2011 ³⁴ .

Art. 4c³⁵ Cleaning agents and disinfectants

The substances in accordance with Annex 8 Number 1 and the products in accordance with Annex 8 Number 2 shall be authorised for use in organic stockfarming.

The substances in accordance with Annex 8 Number 3 may not be used as biocidal products for disinfection.

Art. 4d³⁶

Art. 4e³⁷ Transmission of data by the certification bodies

Data concerning the previous year shall be transmitted to the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) by 31 January each year.

The certification bodies must use the standard forms in accordance with Annex 12 of this Ordinance for transmission of the annual report data referred to in Article 30 d paragraph 3 of the Organic Farming Ordinance. The competent cantonal food inspection agency may ask the certification bodies for the annual report on the operators in its canton.

Section 2 Provisions relating to Beekeeping and Beekeeping Products

Art. 5 Agricultural land

Beekeeping holdings may label their products as organic products even if they have no agricultural land.

Art. 6 Principle of total organic production

When an operator runs several apiaries in the same area, all the units must comply with the requirements of this Ordinance.

Individual apiaries may be kept on sites which do not comply with the requirements in accordance with Article 10, provided that the other provisions are fulfilled. Their products may not be labelled as organic products.

Art. 7 Conversion

Beekeeping holdings which have converted to organic production may label their products as organic products no earlier than one year after conversion. Marketing with reference to being under conversion to organic farming is not permitted.

During the conversion period the wax must be replaced according to the requirements in accordance with Article 16.

Art. 8 Origin of the bees

In the choice of breeds, account must be taken of the capacity of animals to adapt to local conditions, their vitality and their resistance to disease. Preference shall be given to the use of European breeds of Apis mellifera and their local ecotypes.

For the renovation of the apiaries 20 per cent per year of the queen bees and swarms not complying with this Ordinance can be incorporated into the organic-production unit provided that the queen bees and swarms are placed in hives with combs or foundations coming from organic-production units. In these cases, the conversion period does not apply. ³⁸

For performance testing under Article 4 of the Animal Husbandry Ordinance of 14 November 2007 ³⁹ , bees which do not originate from organic holdings may be kept on an organic holding provided they are placed in hives with combs or comb foundations coming from organic production units. In this case, the conversion period does not apply. ⁴⁰

In case of high mortality of animals caused by health or catastrophic circumstances, with the prior written agreement of the certification body, an apiary may be reconstituted by the acquisition of conventional colonies, when colonies which comply with the provisions of this Ordinance are not available; in this case the conversion period of one year applies. ⁴¹

Art. 9 Siting of the apiaries

The siting of the apiaries must:

1. be such that, within a radius of 3 km from the apiary site, nectar and pollen sources consist essentially of organically produced crops and/or spontaneous vegetation according to Chapter 2 of the Organic Farming Ordinance, and crops not subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, but treated with agricultural production methods complying with the ecological requirements of the Confederation and which cannot significantly affect the qualification of beekeeping production as being organic;
2. ⁴² maintain enough distance from any non-agricultural production sources possibly leading to contamination, for example urban centres, motorways, industrial areas, waste dumps, waste incinerators etc. The certification body shall establish measures to ensure this requirement. The requirements of this letter do not apply to areas where flowering is not taking place or when the hives are dormant;
3. ensure enough natural nectar, honeydew and pollen sources for bees and access to water.

Art. 10 Site register

The operator must provide the certification body with a map on an appropriate scale on which are entered the location of hives with details of the site (field, plot of land), swarming time, number in colony, storage for products, and if necessary the locations where certain processing and/or packaging processes take place. Where the Department does not identify any areas or regions under Article 16 h paragraph 3 of the Organic Farming Ordinance, the operator must provide the certification body with appropriate documentation and evidence, including suitable analyses if necessary, that the areas accessible to his colonies meet the conditions required in this Ordinance. ⁴³

The certification body must be informed of the relocation of hives (e.g. register of movements) within an agreed period.

Art. 11 Colony register

The operator must keep a colony register for each colony. In it the following must be recorded:

1. location of the hives;
2. information for identification of the colonies (in accordance with the O of 27 June 1995⁴⁴ on Livestock Epidemics – stock control of the colonies);
3. information on artificial feeding;
4. removal of honey combs and measures for honey extraction.

Art. 12 Feed

At the end of the production season, hives must be left with sufficiently abundant reserves of honey and pollen in the brood combs to survive the winter.

Artificial feeding of colonies is authorised if reserves stored by the colony are insufficient. Organically-produced honey, preferably from the same organic beekeeping unit, shall be used for artificial feeding.

With the agreement of the certification body, organically-produced sugar syrup or organically-produced feeding paste can be used instead of organically-produced honey in artificial feeding, in particular when it is required by climatic conditions that provoke crystallisation of honey (e.g. due to formation of melicitose honey). ⁴⁵

Artificial feeding may be carried out only between the last honey harvest and 15 days before the start of the next nectar or honeydew flow period.

The following information shall be entered in the register of the apiaries with regard to artificial feeding: type of product, dates, quantities and hives where it is used.

Art. 13 Disease prevention

Disease prevention in beekeeping shall be based on the following principles:

1. appropriate hardy breeds must be selected;
2. ⁴⁶ suitable practices encouraging strong resistance to disease and the prevention of infections must be applied, such as regular renewal of colonies, systematic inspection of hives, in particular the brood, to detect any health anomalies, disinfecting of materials and equipment at regular intervals using substances permitted for organic beekeeping under Annex 8, regular renewal of honeycomb and sufficient reserves of pollen and honey in hives.

The use of allopathic chemically synthesised medicinal products for preventive treatments is prohibited.

Art. 14 Veterinary treatment

Colonies which have become sick or infested shall be treated immediately in accordance with the Ordinance on Livestock Epidemics of 27 June 1995 ⁴⁷ ; if necessary they shall be placed in isolation apiaries.

Only veterinary medicinal products which are authorised by the «Interkantonale Kontrollstelle für Heilmittel» (IKS) (Intercantonal Control Agency for Medicines) shall be used. By way of derogation, formic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and oxalic acid, and the substances menthol, thymol, eucalyptol and camphor may be used to control Varroa jacobsoni .

Only phytotherapeutic and homeopathic products shall be used to control disease and infestation, unless the use of these products should prove or is unlikely to be effective to eradicate a disease or infestation which risks destroying colonies. Treatments using allopathic chemically synthesised medicinal products shall be used only if they are indispensable and are prescribed by a veterinarian.

If a treatment is applied with allopathic chemically synthesised medicinal products, during such a period, the colonies treated must be placed in isolation apiaries and all the wax must be replaced with wax complying with the conditions in accordance with this Ordinance. Subsequently, the conversion period of one year will apply to those colonies. This provision shall not apply in the case of treatment with formic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and oxalic acid, and with the substances menthol, thymol, eucalyptol and camphor to control Varroa jacobsoni .

Whenever veterinary medicinal products are to be used, the type of product (including the indication of the active pharmacological substance) together with details of the diagnosis, the posology (dosage), the method of administration, the duration of the treatment and the legal withdrawal period must be recorded clearly and declared to the certification body, which must authorise the labelling of the relevant products as organic products.

In addition the guidelines for control of bee diseases laid down by the Swiss Centre for Bee Research of the Dairy Research Station must be followed.

This applies without prejudice to veterinary treatments or treatments to hives, combs etc. which are prescribed by law.

Art. 15 Beekeeping practices

The destruction of bees in the combs as a method of harvesting beekeeping products is prohibited.

Mutilation such as clipping the wings of queen bees is prohibited except for clipping the wings of queen bees for performance testing under Article 4 of the Ordinance of 14 November 2007 ⁴⁸ on Animal Husbandry. ⁴⁹

The replacement of the queen bees involving the killing of the old queen is permitted. Preference shall be given to natural breeding and reproduction processes. Account shall be taken of the swarming instinct. The use of genetically modified bees is not permitted. ⁵⁰

The practice of destroying the drone brood is permitted only as a means of containing infestation with Varroa jacobsoni .

The use of chemical synthetic repellents is prohibited during honey extraction operations.

Particular care shall be taken to ensure adequate extraction, processing and storage of beekeeping products. All the measures to comply with this requirement shall be recorded.

The removal of the supers and the honey extraction operations must be entered in the register of the apiary.

Art. 16 Characteristics of hives and materials used in beekeeping

The hives must be made basically of natural materials presenting no risk of contamination to the environment or the beekeeping products.

With the exception of products to control disease and infestation, only natural substances such as propolis, wax and plant oils may be used in the hives.

Beeswax for new frames must come from organic production units. In agreement with the certification body, in particular in the case of new installations or during the conversion period, beeswax not coming from organic production units may be used where organically-produced beeswax is not available.

The use of combs which contain broods is prohibited for honey extraction.

For the purposes of protecting materials (frames, hives, combs), in particular from pests, only products listed in Annex 1 are permitted.

Physical treatments such as steam or direct flame are permitted.

Only the substances under Annex 8 are permitted for cleaning and disinfecting materials, buildings, equipment, utensils or products used in beekeeping. ⁵¹

Section 2a Provisions for Aquaculture

Art. 16a

The provisions laid down in Annex II Part III of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 as amended by Annex 3 b must be complied with for the conversion of algae reproduction and aquaculture facilities, the production and reproduction of algae produced in aquaculture, the gathering of wild algae, the production, origin, feeding and animal health of aquaculture animals and animal husbandry practices, and for inspection procedures.

The following provisions also apply:

1. In the production of salmonid, non-organic haemoglobin powder may account for no more than 10 per cent of the total feed consumption, as a ratio of dry matter.
2. In outdoor aquaculture facilities, up to 90 per cent of the water may be recycled.

Section 2b Certificate of Inspection for Imports

Art. 16a^bis52 Administration of access rights to TRACES

The FOAG shall inform the competent authority of the European Commission of those persons to whom it has issued access rights to TRACES and shall co-ordinate with this authority co-operation and contacts in respect of TRACES.

It shall update access rights when changes occur.

Art. 16b⁵³ Issuing of the certificate of inspection

Before the consignment is dispatched from the third exporting country or country of origin, the certificate of inspection shall be issued by:

1. the authority or certification body of the producer or processor;
2. where the last preparation stage is not carried out by the producer or processor themselves but by another operator: the authority or certification body of this operator.⁵⁴

The authority or certification body shall be:

1. for imports under Article 23 of the Organic Farming Ordinance: the authority or certification body of the country listed in Annex 4 in which the products originate or in which the last preparation stage was carried out;
2. for imports under Article 23a of the Organic Farming Ordinance: the authority or certification body of the exporter in the country of origin or in the country in which the last preparation stage was carried out.

Before issuing the certificate of inspection, the authority or certification body shall:

1. have checked all inspection documents and transport and commercial documents relating to the product in question;
2. depending on its risk assessment, if necessary have made a physical check of the consignment concerned;
3. have made sure that in the case of processed foodstuffs from countries under Article 23 of the Organic Farming Ordinance, all organic ingredients of the product have been certified by a certification body which is also recognised for the relevant third country;
4. have made sure that in the case of processed foodstuffs which are certified by a body under Article 23a of the Organic Farming Ordinance, all organic ingredients have been certified by a certification body in accordance with Article 23 or 23a or by a certification body authorised in Switzerland;
5. where the last preparation stage and the processing which gives the product its essential character are carried out by different operators:1.have carried out a thorough check of all relevant inspection documents,2.have made sure that the product has been checked by an accredited authority or certification body in accordance with Article 23 or 23a of the Organic Farming Ordinance, and3.if necessary, based on its risk assessment, have carried out a physical check of the goods.

Before the consignment is dispatched from the third exporting country or country of origin, the authority or certification body must complete the declaration in box 18 of the certificate of inspection certifying that the product concerned has been produced in accordance with the provisions of the Organic Farming Ordinance or of the EC Regulation No 834/2007 ⁵⁵ . ⁵⁶

Art. 16c Requirements for the certificate of inspection

The certificate of inspection must be drawn up in accordance with the provisions in accordance with Annex 9 Section A or with the model in Annex V of Commission Regulation (EC) No 1235/2008 ⁵⁷ . It shall be drawn up in German, French, Italian or English. ⁵⁸

Subsequent alterations must be certified by the issuing authority or certification body.

The certificate of inspection shall be made in one single original. The first consignee or the importer may make a copy for the purpose of informing the certification body. Each copy shall carry the indication «COPY» or «DUPLICATE» printed on it.

The following shall be considered to be the original of the certificate of inspection:

1. the printed copy signed by hand of the certificate completed in TRACES; or
2. ⁵⁹ a certificate of inspection which bears:1.an advanced electronic signature in accordance with Article 2 letter b of the Federal Act of 18 March 2016⁶⁰ on Electronic Signature, or2.a qualified electronic seal in accordance with Article 3 number 27 of Regulation (EU) 910/2014⁶¹.⁶²

If the original of the certificate of inspection is a printed copy signed by hand of the certificate completed in TRACES, the authority or certification body in the third country, the certification body which carries out the check in accordance with Article 16 d and the first receiver in each phase of issuing and provision of the certificate of inspection shall check by means of a stamp and its presentation whether the signed copy matches the information in TRACES. ⁶³

Art. 16d⁶⁴ Verification of the certificate of inspection and the consignment

For each consignment, the importer must submit the certificate of inspection to his certification body. He may only market or prepare the consignment if the certification body has verified the consignment and has completed box 20 of the certificate of inspection. Verification of the consignment by the certification body consists of a systematic documentary check, spot identity checks to establish whether the information in the accompanying documents matches the consignment, and physical checks of the goods based on a risk assessment.

Every person who has access to TRACES must immediately inform the competent authority via TRACES of any irregularities and infringements.

The first consignee shall, on receipt of the consignment, complete the declaration in box 21 of the certificate of inspection certifying that receipt of the consignment has been carried out in accordance with Annex 1 Number 8.5 of the Organic Farming Ordinance. The first consignee shall then send the original to the importer mentioned in box 11 of the certificate of inspection. The importer shall keep the certificate of inspection for not less than two years.

Art. 16e⁶⁵ Preparation of a consignment before customs clearance

Where a consignment is intended to be submitted before customs clearance to one or more forms of preparation as defined in Article 4 letter c of the Organic Farming Ordinance, the procedure in accordance with Article 16 d paragraph1 must be completed before the first preparation is carried out. The customs declaration reference number for customs warehousing or inward processing must be given in box 19 of the certificate of inspection.

Art. 16f Splitting of a consignment before customs clearance

Where is intended to split a consignment into different batches before customs clearance , the procedure in accordance with Article 16 d paragraph 1 must be completed before the splitting is carried out.

For each of the batches which results from the splitting, the importer shall also provide the certification body with an extract of the certificate of inspection via TRACES. ⁶⁶

The extract of the certificate of inspection must be drawn up in accordance with the provisions in accordance with Annex 9 Section B. ⁶⁷

The competent certification body of the importer shall complete the declaration in box 13 certifying that the extract of the certificate of inspection corresponds to the certificate of inspection mentioned in box 3. ⁶⁸

A copy of each extract of the certificate of inspection shall be kept together with the original certificate of inspection by the importer. The copy shall carry the indication «COPY» or «DUPLICATE» printed on it.

... ⁶⁹

On receipt of a batch, the consignee of the batch shall complete the declaration in box 14 of the extract of the certificate of inspection certifying that the receipt of the batch has been carried out in accordance with Annex 1 Number 8.5 of the Organic Farming Ordinance. The consignee shall keep the extract of the certificate of inspection for not less than two years. ⁷⁰

Section 2b Information System for Organic Seeds and Plant Propagating Material

Art. 16g Entry in the information system

Varieties from which organic seeds or plant propagating material are available shall be entered in the information system for organic seeds and plant propagating material on application by the supplier.

Conditions for entry shall be that the supplier:

1. provides evidence that he or, if the supplier only deals with pre-packaged seeds or plant propagating material, the most recent operator, has undergone the inspection procedure in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Organic Farming Ordinance;
2. provides evidence that the seeds or plant propagating material to be marketed meet the general requirements for seeds and plant propagating material;
3. undertakes to provide access to all the information required under Article 16h and to update this information at the request of the operator of the information system or whenever necessary;
4. undertakes to notify the operator of the information system without delay if one of the registered varieties is no longer available.

The operator of the information system may remove an entry if the supplier fails to meet the conditions in accordance with paragraph 2.

Art. 16h Information entered

Each entry must contain at least the following information:

1. the scientific name of the species and the varietal description;
2. the name and contact details of the supplier or his representative;
3. the area within which the supplier is able to deliver the seeds or plant propagating material to the user in the normally required time;
4. the country or region in which the variety was tested and authorised for the catalogue of varieties;
5. the date from which the seeds or plant propagating material are available;
6. the name and/or code number of the inspection authority or body responsible for inspection of the operator;
7. ⁷¹ …

Art. 16i⁷²

Art. 16j Access to the data

The data in the information system must be accessible to users of seeds or plant propagating material and to the general public via the Internet.

Art. 16k Annual report

The operator of the information system must record all notifications made under Article 13 a paragraph 3 of the Ordinance of 22 September 1997 and must pass on the related information to the FOAG in an annual report.

For each species for which documentary evidence is requested under Article 16k paragraph 1 the report must contain the following information:

1. the scientific name of the species, the sub-species and the varietal description;
2. the total number of notifications made;
3. the total quantity of non-organic seeds or plant propagating material which has been used by those requesting documentary evidence;
4. the chemical treatment carried out for reasons of plant health in accordance with Article 13aparagraph 6 of the Organic Farming Ordinance.

Section 3 Final Provisions

Art. 17⁷³

Art. 18⁷⁴ Commencement

This Ordinance comes into force on 1 January 1998.

Transitional provisions to the Amendment of 2 November 2006⁷⁵

Until 31 December 2007 organic produce may still be produced and supplied according to the present provisions of Annex 3 subparagraphs A and B. Stock existing on 31 December 2007 may still be supplied until depleted.

Transitional provisions to the Amendment of 1 December 2011⁷⁶

Transitional provisions to the Amendment of 31 October 2012⁷⁷

If feedingstuffs have to be purchased for non-ruminants to supplement the holding’s own feed stocks and if sufficient quantities of organic feedingstuffs are not available, non-organic protein feed may be purchased with the agreement of the certification body until 31 December 2015. The proportion of non-organically produced protein feed, as a ratio of dry matter, may total no more than 5 per cent per year of the total feed consumption for pigs and poultry. Animal feed materials in accordance with Annex 7 Section A 2 shall be deemed to be protein feed.

Feedingstuffs may be manufactured under existing legislation until 31 December 2014.

Existing stocks of animal feedingstuffs on 1 January 2015, which have been manufactured in accordance with existing legislation, may continue to be sold until stocks run out or may be fed to animals until the expiry date.

The time limit given in paragraph 1 shall be extended until 31 December 2018. ⁷⁸

The time limit given in paragraph 4 shall be extended until 31 December 2020. ⁷⁹

The time limit given in paragraph 5 shall be extended until 31 December 2022. ⁸⁰

The time limit given in paragraph 6 shall be extended for piglets up to 35 kg and young poultry until 31 December 2025. ⁸¹

The time limit given in paragraph 7 shall be extended until 31 December 2030. ⁸²

Transitional provisions of the Amendment of 1 September 2016⁸³

² Vegetable oils in accordance with Annex 3 a not produced organically may be used for the production of yeast and yeast products until 31 December 2018. ³ The time limit given in paragraph 1 shall be extended until 31 December 2019 for the food additives and the technical aids in accordance with paragraph 1 letter b, c and d. ⁸⁴

¹The following may be used for the production of processed foodstuffs until 31 December 2018:

1. Lecithin (E 322) in accordance with Annex 3 Section A from non-organic raw materials;
2. Carnauba wax (E 903) in accordance with Annex 3 Section A from non-organic raw materials;
3. Vegetable oils in accordance with Annex 3 Section B 1 not produced organically;
4. Carnauba wax for the preparation of foodstuffs of plant origin in accordance with Annex 3 Section B 1 from non-organic raw materials.

Transitional provisions of the Amendment of 3 November 2021⁸⁵

² Organic products may be produced and supplied until 31 December 2023 in accordance with the current provisions of Annex 3 Part C. Stocks still existing on 31 December 2023 may continue to be sold until they run out.

¹ The following may be used for the production of processed foodstuffs until 31 December 2022:

1. Lecithin (E 322) and carnauba wax (E 903) in accordance with Annex 3 Part A from organic raw materials;
2. Locust bean gum (E 410), guar gum (E 412), arabic gum (E 414), gellan gum (E 418) and glycerol (E 422) in accordance with Annex 3 Part A not produced organically;
3. Carnauba wax for the preparation of foodstuffs of plant origin in accordance with Annex 3 Part B number 1 from organic raw materials.

Transitional provision to the Amendment of 2 November 2022⁸⁶

Until 31 December 2023, the addition of up to 5 per cent of non-organic yeast extract or autolysed yeast, calculated as dry mass, shall be permitted for the production of organic yeast, if it can be proved that no organically produced yeast extract or autolysed yeast is available.

The preparation of processed organic foodstuffs for persons other than those with special dietary needs in accordance with Article 2 letters a–c SDRO ⁸⁷ shall be permitted until 31 December 2024. Stocks still existing on 31 December 2024 may continue to be sold until they run out.

The time limits given in paragraph 2 shall be extended until 31 December 2025. ⁸⁸

Transitional provision to the Amendment of 1 November 2023⁸⁹

Until 31 December 2024, up to 5 per cent non-organic yeast extract or autolysed yeast, calculated as dry mass, may be used to produce organic yeast if it can be proved that no organically produced yeast extract or autolysed yeast is available.

Until 31 December 2025, non-organically produced gellan gum (E 418) in accordance with Annex 3 part A may be used to produce processed foodstuffs.

The time limit given in paragraph 1 shall be extended to 31 December 2025. ⁹⁰

The time limits given in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be extended to 31 December 2026. ⁹¹

Transitional provision to the Amendment of 6 November 2024⁹²

Stocks of processed aquaculture products and algae available on 31 December 2024 that were produced in accordance with previous law may be supplied until they run out.

Annex 1⁹³

(Arts. 1 and 16 para. 5)

Authorised plant protection products and conditions for use

All listed plant protection products shall be subject to the directions for use in accordance with the Ordinance of 12 May 2010 ⁹⁴ on Plant Protection Products (PPPO). Stricter directions for use for organic production are given in the second column of each table.

1. Substances of plant or animal origin

Name	Description, compositional requirement, conditions for use
Azadirachtin extracted from Azadirachta indica(Neem tree))
Beeswax	Only as pruning agent/wound protectant.
Raw materials which are listed in Annex 1 Section D of the PPPO and are deemed to be foodstuffs under the Foodstuffs Act of 20 June 201495 (FSA) and are of animal or plant origin	Substances not to be used as herbicides, but only for the control of pests and diseases.
Hydrolysed protein, apart from gelatins	Only as attractant for permitted uses in conjunction with other suitable products contained in this Annex
Laminarin	Only to stimulate immune defence in crops. The seaweed must be organically produced or sustainably harvested.
Lecithins	No genetically modified organisms
Pheromone and other semiochemicals	Only as insect control using traps or dispensers including aerosol dosage systems e.g. confusion technique, marking pheromones
Plant oils such as e.g. mint oil, pine oil, caraway oil, fennel oil	All uses authorised, except herbicide.
Plant waxes	Only as pruning agent/wound protectant.
Pyrethrins	Only of plant origin
Pyrethroids (only deltamethrin or lambda-cyhalothrin)	Only in traps with specific attractants and only against infestation with Bactrocera oleae and Ceratitis capitata (Wied)
Quassia extract obtained from Quassia amara	Only as insecticide, repellent.
Repellents of animal or plant origin	Only on non-edible parts of the crop in the case of the use of sheep’s fat only where crop material is not ingested by sheep or goats.
Mustard flour	Only as fungicide
Aqueous extract obtained from germinated sweet lupine (Lupinus albus) seeds

2. Micro-organisms or substances produced by micro-organisms

Name	Description, compositional requirement, conditions for use
Cerevisane and other products based on fragments of cells of micro-organisms Natural micro-organisms including viruses	No genetically modified organisms
Spinosad

3. Other substances and measures

Name	Description, compositional requirement, conditions for use
Aluminium silicate (Kaolin)
Calcium hydroxide
COS-OGA
Ferric phosphate (iron (III) orthophosphate)
Ethylene	Only permitted for: for ripening bananas, kiwi fruit and persimmons, for ripening citrus fruit as part of a strategy to prevent damage by fruit flies, for flower induction of pineapples, for prevention of bacteria in potatoes and onions
Fatty acids (Soap preparations)	All uses authorised, except herbicide.
Additives to increase efficacy such as e.g. pine resin oil, liquid paraffin	No synthetic chemical substances authorised, except hydroxypropyl starch.
Potassium hydrogen carbonate (aka potassium bicarbonate) (Potassium bicarbonate)
Lime preparations	Only as pruning agent/wound protectant.
Lime sulphur (calcium polysulfide)	Only as fungicide, insecticide and acaricide
Kieselgur (diatomaceous earth)
Carbon dioxide
Copper compounds in the form of copper hydroxide, copper oxychloride, (tribasic) copper sulphate, copper oxide, (Bordeaux mixture)	Annual maximum amount of 4 kg copper metal per ha Viticulture: annual maximum amount of 6 kg copper metal per ha; within 5 consecutive years maximum 20 kg copper metal per ha
Magnesium metasilicate
Maltodextrin	Only as insecticide and acaricide
Mechanical control devices such as e.g. crop protection nets, spiral barriers, glue-coated plastic traps, sticky bands
Sodium chloride
Natural enemies such as e.g. parasitical hymenoptera, predatory mites, reduviids, gall midges, ladybirds, nematoda
Liquid paraffin
Quartz sand
Rodenticides	Only in traps. Only for pest control in livestock buildings and installations
Calcium polysulphide	Only as a fungicide, insecticide and acaricide
Sulphur preparations
Silicate mineral (Talc E553b) Ferric pyrophosphate
Aluminium oxide preparations
Hydrogen peroxide

Annex 2⁹⁶

(Art. 2)

Authorised fertilisers, preparations and substrata

Fertilisers and preparations may be identified as bio-dynamic if they have been produced according to the guidelines for bio-dynamic farming.

The provisions of the Fertiliser Ordinance of 1 November 2023 ⁹⁷ are reserved.

Indication		Description; requirements concerning composition; directions for use
1. Farm manures
Dung, liquid manure
Crop residues, green manure
Straw, other mulch material
Egg shells		Only from free-range husbandry
2. Fertilisers, foreign, not from the farm, and equal products
2.1. Products of mineral origin
Soft rock-phosphate*
Aluminium calcium phosphate*
Basic slag*
Crude potassium salts (e.g. kainite, sylvinite)*
Potassium sulphate containing magnesium salt (patent potassium)*		Obtained from crude potassium salt. Only if soil samples show potassium deficiency.
Potassium sulphate*		Obtained from crude potassium salt. Only if soil samples show potassium deficiency.
Natural calcium carbonate (e.g. chalk, marl, limestone meal, maerl, phosphatic chalk etc.)
Calcium and magnesium carbonate (e.g. magnesian chalk, magnesian, limestone meal, dolomite etc.)
Industrial limestone from sugar production (Ricokalk)*
Magnesium sulphate (e.g. kieserite)*		Only of natural origin.
Calcium chloride solution*		Leaf treatment in case of proven calcium deficiency.
Calcium sulphate (gypsum)		Only of natural origin.
Elementary sulphur*
Sodium chloride*		Only rock salt.
Prepared clay minerals (e.g. perlite, vermiculite etc.)
Mineral powders (e.g. quartz powder, basalt powder, aluminium oxide powder etc.)
2.2. Products of organic or organic/mineral origin
Dung*		Mixture of animal excrement and plant material (litter). Animal species must be given.
Dried dung and dried poultry droppings*		Animal species must be given.
Compost of animal excrement, including poultry droppings*		Animal species must be given.
Liquid animal excrement (liquid manure, urine)*		Use after controlled fermentation and/or appropriate dilution.
Composted or fermented organic waste		Product obtained from source-separated household waste, which has been submitted to composting or to anaerobic fermentation for biogas production. Only plant and animal household waste. From closed and monitored collection systems. Max. concentration in mg/kg dry matter: cadmium: 0.7; copper: 70; nickel: 25; lead: 45; zinc: 200; mercury: 0.4; chromium (total): 70; chromium (VI): 0**
Peat		Only for plant growing and marsh beds.
Substratum of mushroom cultures		The initial substratum must only consist of substances authorised in this list.
Excrement of worms (worm compost) and insects
Guano*		Animal species and origin must be given.
Composted or fermented mixtures of vegetable matter and/or animal excrement, which are listed in this Annex.		Submitted to composting or to anaerobic fermentation for biogas production. Not to be used on edible parts of the plant.
The following products or by-products of animal origin*: blood meal*** bone meal*** meat meal*** hoof meal*** horn meal*** bone black*** fish meal mollusc waste feather and hair meal wool fulling hair (felt production)		Exclusively from sustainable production
parts of hides (leather meal)		Maximum concentration in mg/kg dry matter of chromium (VI): 0***
hair and bristles
hydrolysed proteins		Not to be used on edible parts of the plant
milk products
Products and by-products of plant origin such as e.g.: filter cake of oleaginous fruit cocoa shells malt sprouts coconut fibre and coconut cake vinasse, molasses pomace
Stillage and stillage extract		Ammonium stillage excluded
Seaweeds and seaweed products*		Only and directly obtained from: physical treatments, incl. drying, freezing and grinding; extraction with water or acid and/or alkali aqueous solutions; or fermentation.
Chitin (polysaccharide obtained from the shell of crustaceans)		Only products from sustainable fisheries
Leonardite (organic sediment with a high content of humic acids)		Only obtained as by-product from mining operations
Organic sediment from inland waters, formed in the absence of oxygen (e.g. sludge)		Only organic sediment obtained as by-product from the inland waters industry or from former inland waters If appropriate, it should be obtained in a way, which has the minimum impact on the aquatic system Only sediments from sources free from any contamination from pesticides, persistent organic pollutants and petrol-like substances Maximum concentration in mg/kg dry matter: cadmium: 0.7; copper: 70; nickel: 25; lead: 45; zinc: 200; mercury: 0.4; chromium (total): 70; chromium (VI):0**
Sawdust and shavings		Of wood not treated chemically.
Bark compost		Of wood not treated chemically.
Wood ash		Of wood not treated chemically, as well as farm ash or with authorisation in accordance with the Ordinance on Fertilisers***
Vegetable carbon***		Only natural wood is permitted as raw material for production
Humic acid, fulvic acid		Exclusively with the aid of anorganic salts/solutions excepting ammonium salts or from drinking water treatment
Recovered struvite and precipitated phosphate salts			Products must meet the requirements of the Fertiliser Ordinance.
Potassium chloride			Only of natural origin
2.3 Trace elements
Trace elements*
2.4. Cultures of micro-organisms for soil treatment
Preparations of micro-organisms (fungi, bacteria)*		No genetically modified micro- organisms.
3. Preparations
Plant extracts		Extracts of plants like infusion and tea
Plant broth		Liquid after homogenization or separation from plant material immersed in water
Bio-dynamic preparations
4. Substrata
Substrata		Peat percentage max. 70% vol.
5. Substrata for mushroom production
Substrata may be used for mushroom production provided they are composed solely of the following:
Dung and animal excrement Dung of equine species may be used provided the holder:		From organic holdings uses straw from organic farming. meets the directions of livestock feeding. grants certification body inspectors the right to control the farming of equine species.
The following substrata which are not from organic holdings, up to 25 per cent of the weight of all substrata components****, provided the same substrata are not available from organic holdings and provided the certification body accepts the requirement:
Dung		Mixture of animal excrement and plant material (litter). Animal species must be given.
Dried dung and dried poultry droppings		Animal species must be given.
Compost of dung from animal excrement, including poultry dung		Animal species must be given.
Liquid animal excrement (liquid manure, urine)		Use after controlled fermentation and/or appropriate dilution.
Other products of agricultural origin (e.g. straw)		From organic holdings.
Peat, wood		Not chemically treated.
Products of mineral origin		In accordance with Fig. 2.1 of this Annex.
Water, soil
In case of proven need
Reference limit
Only products which are authorised according to the ordinance on fertilisers of 10 Jan. 2001 (SR 916.171)
Calculated without covering material, before composting and before adding water

Annex 3⁹⁸

(Art. 3)

Products and substances for use in production of processed food

Section A Authorised food additives, including carriers

All additives are subject to the application restrictions in accordance with the Ordinance on Additives of 25 November 2013 ⁹⁹ .

Code	Indication		Directions for use for the preparation of foodstuffs
			of plant origin		of animal origin
E 153	Vegetable carbon		not permitted		only permitted for ashy goat’s cheese and Morbier cheese
E 160b*	Annatto, bixin, norbixin		not permitted		only permitted for Red Leicester, Double Gloucester, Cheddar and Mimolette cheeses
E 170	Calcium carbonate		permitted (shall not be used as colour or calcium additive)		permitted (shall not be used as colour or calcium additive)
E 220	Sulphur dioxide		only permitted for fruit wines (wine made from fruit other than grapes, including cider and perry) In the case of fruit wine: 100 mg/l (*) (*) Maximum values refer to the total amount contained in all ingredients, expressed in mg/l SO2		permitted for met for met : 100 mg/l (*)
E 223	Sodium metabisulphite	not permitted		only permitted for crustaceans
E 250	Sodium nitrite		not permitted		only permitted for meat products not permitted in combination with E 252 standard value for the added amount, expressed in NaNO2: 80 mg/kg maximum residual amount, expressed in NaNO2: 50 mg/kg
E 252	Potassium nitrate		not permitted		only permitted for meat products not permitted in combination with E 250 standard value for the added amount, expressed in NaNO3: 80 mg maximum residual amount, expressed in NaNO3: 50 mg/kg
E 270	Lactic acid		permitted		permitted
E 290	Carbon dioxide		permitted		permitted
E 296	Malic acid		permitted		not permitted
E 300	Ascorbic acid		permitted		only permitted for meat products and meat preparations
E 301	Sodium ascorbate		not permitted		only permitted for meat products in conjunction with nitrite or nitrate
E 306*	Extracts rich in tocopherol		only permitted as antioxidant		only permitted as antioxidant
E 322*	Lecithin		permitted only from organic production		permitted only from organic production
E 325	Sodium lactate		permitted		only permitted for milk-based and meat products
E 330	Citric acid		permitted		permitted
E 331	Sodium citrate		permitted		permitted
E 333	Calcium citrate		permitted		not permitted
E 334	Tartaric acid L(+)–		permitted		permitted for met
E 335	Sodium tartrate		permitted		not permitted
E 336	Potassium tartrate		permitted		not permitted
E 337	Potassium sodium tartrate	permitted		not permitted
E 341 (i)	Monocalcium phosphate		only permitted as raising agent for self raising flour		not permitted
E 392*	Rosemary extracts		only from organic production		only from organic production
E 400	Alginic acid		permitted		only permitted for milk products
E 401	Sodium alginate		permitted		only permitted for milk products and sausages based on meat
E 402	Potassium alginate		permitted		only permitted for milk products
E 406	Agar-Agar		permitted		only permitted for milk and meat products
E 407	Carrageenan		permitted		only permitted for milk products
E 410*	Locust bean gum		permitted only from organic production		permitted only from organic production
E 412*	Guar gum		permitted only from organic production		permitted only from organic production
E 414*	Gum arabic		permitted only from organic production		permitted only from organic production
E 415	Xanthan gum		permitted		permitted
E 417	Tara gum		only permitted a thickener only from organic production		only permitted a thickener only from organic production
E 418	Gellan gum		high-acyl form only only from organic production		high-acyl form only only from organic production
E 422	Glycerol		only permitted for plant extracts and flavourings; only permitted as humectant gelatine capsules and as film coating on tablets only of plant origin only from organic production		only permitted for flavourings; only permitted as humectant gelatine capsules and as film coating on tablets only of plant origin only from organic production
E 440(i)*	Pectin		permitted		only permitted for milk-based products
E 460	Cellulose	not permitted		only permitted for gelatine
E 464	Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose		only permitted for manufacturing outer shells of capsules		only permitted for manufacturing outer shells of capsules
E 500	Sodium carbonates		permitted		only permitted for milk jam («Dulce de leche»), sour cream butter and sour milk cheese
E 501	Potassium carbonates		permitted		not permitted
E 503	Ammonium carbonates		permitted		not permitted
E 504	Magnesium carbonates		permitted		not permitted
E 509	Calcium chloride		not permitted		only permitted for milk coagulation
E 516	Calcium sulphate		only permitted as carrier		not permitted
E 524	Sodium hydroxide		surface treatment of «Laugengebäck» and regulation of acidity in organic flavourings		not permitted
E 551	Silicon dioxide Gel or colloidal solution		for herbs and spices in dried powdered form and Flavourings		only permitted for flavourings
E 553b	Talc		permitted		only permitted as coating for meat products
E 901	Beeswax		as a glazing agent for confectionary only. beeswax from organic beekeeping only		Not permitted
E 903	Carnauba wax		as a glazing agent for confectionary only; only permitted as a preservative coating on fruit that undergoes extreme cold treatment in the course of a quarantine measure to protect it against harmful organisms (pursuant to Annex 7 No 46 of the EAER and DETEC Ordinance of 14 Nov. 2019100 only from organic production		Not permitted
E 938	Argon		permitted		permitted
E 939	Helium		permitted		permitted
E 941	Nitrogen		permitted		permitted
E 948	Oxygen		permitted		permitted
E 968	Erythritol		only when derived from organic production without using ion exchange technology		only when derived from organic production without using ion exchange technology
For the calculation purposes in accordance with Article 18 paragraph 1 letter b of the Organic Farming Ordinance, food additives marked with an asterisk shall be included as ingredients of agricultural origin.

Section B Technical aids and other products which may be used in the processing of organically produced ingredients of agricultural origin

1. Directly used technical aids and other products which may be used in the processing of organically produced ingredients of agricultural origin

Indication	Directions for use for the preparation of foodstuffs
	of plant origin	of animal origin
Water	drinking water as defined in the FDHA Ordinance of 16 December 2016101 on Drinking Water and Water in Public Baths and Shower Facilities	drinking water as defined in the FDHA Ordinance of 16 December 2016 on Drinking Water and Water in Public Baths and Shower Facilities
Calcium chloride	only permitted as coagulant	Only permitted for the production of sausages based on meat
Calcium carbonate	permitted	not permitted
Calcium hydroxide	permitted	not permitted
Calcium sulphate	only permitted as coagulant	not permitted
Magnesium chloride (nigari)	only permitted as coagulant	not permitted
Potassium carbonates	only permitted for drying grapes	not permitted
Sodium carbonates	permitted	permitted
Lactic acid	not permitted	only permitted for regulating the pH-value of the salt bath in cheese making
L-(+) lactic acid from fermentation process	only permitted for the production of plant protein extracts	not permitted
Citric acid	permitted	permitted
Sodium hydroxide	only permitted for sugar(s) production, oil production (excluding olive oil) and the production of plant protein extracts	not permitted
Natural gypsum	only permitted for sugar production	not permitted
Sulphuric acid	only permitted for sugar production	only permitted for gelatine production
Hops extract	only permitted for antimicrobial purposes from organic production when available	not permitted
Pine resin extract	only permitted for antimicrobial purposes From organic production when available	not permitted
Hydrochloric acid	not permitted	only permitted for gelatine production and for regulating the pH-value of the salt bath in the production of Gouda, Edam, Maasdammer, Boerenkaas, Friesian and Leidse Nagelkaas cheeses
Ammonium hydroxide	not permitted	only permitted for gelatine production
Hydrogen peroxide	not permitted	only permitted for gelatine production
Carbon dioxide	permitted	permitted
Nitrogen	permitted	permitted
Ethanol	only permitted as solvent	only permitted as solvent
Tannic acid	only permitted as filtration aid	not permitted
Egg white albumen	permitted	not permitted
Casein	permitted	not permitted
Gelatine	permitted	not permitted
Isinglass	permitted	not permitted
Vegetable oils	Greasing, releasing or anti‑foaming agent. only when derived from organic production	Greasing, releasing or anti-foaming agent. only when derived from organic production
Silicon dioxide as gel or colloidal solution	permitted	not permitted
Activated carbon	permitted	not permitted
Talc	only permitted in compliance with the specific purity criteria for food additive E 553b	not permitted
Bentonite	permitted	only permitted as thickening agent for mead
Cellulose	permitted	only permitted for gelatine production
Diatomaceous earth	permitted	only permitted for gelatine production
Perlite	permitted	only permitted for gelatine production
Hazel-nut shells	permitted	not permitted
Rice flour	permitted	not permitted
Beeswax	only permitted as a releasing agent only from organic beekeeping	not permitted
Carnauba wax	only permitted as a releasing agent. only from organic production	not permitted
Acetic acid/vinegar	only permitted from organic production and from natural fermentation	only permitted for fish products only when derived from organic production and from natural fermentation
Thiamin hydrochloride	only for use in processing of fruit wines, including cider and perry	only for use in processing of mead
Diammonium phosphate	only for use in processing of fruit wines, including cider and perry	only for use in processing of mead
Wood fibre	The source of timber should be restricted to certified, sustainably harvested wood. Wood used must not contain toxic components (post‑harvest treatment, naturally occurring toxins or toxins from micro-organisms)	The source of timber should be restricted to certified, sustainably harvested wood. Wood used must not contain toxic components (post-harvest treatment, naturally occurring toxins or toxins from micro-organisms)

2. Indirectly used technical aids and other products which may be used in the processing of organically produced ingredients of agricultural origin

Wood, shavings and sawdust from untreated wood	Smoke production for smoking
Glues of natural origin	Sticking labels to cheese bodies
Natural colourings under Article 95 of the FDHA Ordinance of 16 December 2016102 on Foodstuffs of Animal Origin	Colouring egg shells
Shellac	Coating for eggs
Calcium and magnesium silicate	Coating for eggs
Ash	Treating cheese rind
Natural animal fats	Coating for eggs
Colourings authorised in the Ordinance on Foodstuffs	Marking of eggs, meat and chees

Section C Ingredients of agricultural origin not produced organically

Ingredient	Specific conditions and limits
Alga Arame (Eisenia bicyclis), unprocessed as well as products of first-stage processing directly related to this alga
Alga Hijiki (Hizikia fusiforme), unprocessed as well as products of first-stage processing directly related to this alga
Bark of the Pau d’arco tree Handroanthus impetiginosus (‘lapacho’) |	only for use in Kombucha and tea mixtures
Casings	from natural raw materials of animal or from plant origin material
Gelatin	from sources other than porcine
Milk mineral powder/liquid	only when used for its sensory function to replace wholly or partly sodium chloride
Wild fishes and wild aquatic animals, unprocessed as well as products derived therefrom by processes	only from sustainable fisheries only when not available in organic aquaculture in accordance with recognised international standards

Annex 3a¹⁰³

(Art. 3 a )

Substances which may be used for the production of yeast and yeast products

Name	Directions for use
	Primary yeast	Yeast preparations/formulations
Calcium chloride	permitted	not permitted
Carbon dioxide	permitted	permitted
Citric acid	only permitted for regulating the pH-value in yeast production	not permitted
Lactic acid	only permitted for regulating the pH-value in yeast production	not permitted
Nitrogen	permitted	permitted
Oxygen	permitted	permitted
Potato starch	only permitted for filtering	only permitted for filtering
	only from organic production	only from organic production
Sodium carbonates	only permitted for regulating the pH-value	only permitted for regulating the pH-value
Vegetable oils	only permitted as lubricants, anti‑caking agents, or anti‑foaming agents	only permitted as lubricants, anti-caking agents, or anti-foaming agents only from organic production

Annex 3b¹⁰⁴

(Art. 3 c and 16 a )

European Union legislation on organic agriculture

1. The following version of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 applies:
2. Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, OJ L 150 of 14.6.2018, p. 1; last amended by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/405, OJ L, 2025/405 of 26.2.2025.
3. The following version of Regulation (EU) 1308/2013, which is referred to in Regulation (EU) 2018/848, applies:
4. Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products and repealing Council Regulations (EEC) No 922/72, (EEC) No 234/79, (EC) No 1037/2001 and (EC) No 1234/2007, OJ L 347 of 20.12.2013, p. 671; last amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/1143, OJ L 2024/1143, 23.4.2024.

Annex 4¹⁰⁵

Annex 4a¹⁰⁶

Annex 5¹⁰⁷

(Art. 4 a ^bis para. 1)

Species-specific requirements for livestock production

The requirements of the RAUS-Programme of the Ordinance on Direct Payments of 23 October 2013 ¹⁰⁸ (DPO) must be complied with. The requirements apply mutatis mutandis to animals of the goat and sheep species which do not fall under Article 73 letter c and d of the DPO.

1 Free range areas and livestock housing

11 General principles

1. The numbers of livestock kept on grazing must be low enough to prevent overgrazing.
2. Housing, pens, equipment and utensils must be properly cleaned and disinfected to prevent cross-infection and the build-up of disease carrying organisms. Only the products listed in Annex 8 can be used for the elimination of insects and other pests in buildings and other installations where livestock is kept.
3. Outdoor runs and outdoor climate areas must be equipped and managed in such a way that the environment, in particular surface waters and groundwater, is not endangered.

12 Mammals

1. Calves, lambs and goats shall not be kept in individual boxes if the animals are more than one week old.
2. Porcine species shall be kept in groups, except during the rutting season (maximum 10 days), a few days before farrowing and during the suckling period. Piglets shall not be kept in flat deck systems or cages. Free range areas must be provided to allow the animals to excrete and root. Various materials may be used for rooting.

13 Poultry

1. Buildings for poultry must meet the following minimum conditions:a.at least one third of the floor area (accessible area) must be solid, that is not of slatted or of grid construction. It must be covered with sufficient litter material;b.guinea fowl must have perches of at least 20 cm per bird;c.each poultry house must not contain more than[tab]4800 broilers[tab]3000 laying hens[tab]5200 guinea fowl[tab]4000 female Muscovy or Peking ducks[tab]3200 male Muscovy or Peking ducks[tab]3200 other ducks[tab]2500 geese or turkeys;d.the total usable area of poultry houses for meat production on any single production unit must not exceed 1,600 m².
2. The stocking density in housing shall be no more than 5 birds per m2 of permanently accessible area for laying hens and no more than 20 kg live weight per m2 for fattening poultry in fixed housing. For turkeys, the maximum stocking density between the 1st and 6th week of life shall be 30 kg and thereafter 36.5 kg live weight per m².
3. The grazing area shall be 5 m2 for each laying hen, 10 m2 for each turkey including an area of shade at least 1/3 m2 and for each broiler 2 m2, if necessary divided into several pens.
4. An individual nest shall be available for every 5 laying hens, or 100 cm2 nesting area per bird for group nesters.
5. ...
6. A stock inspection shall be carried out for more than 50 birds.
7. In the case of laying hens natural light may be supplemented by artificial means (no low frequency lighting) to provide a maximum of 16 hours light per day with a continuous nocturnal rest period without artificial light of at least eight hours.
8. In housing and free range areas, turkeys must be able to carry out activities such as «plucking».
9. Water fowl must have access to a stream, pond or lake whenever the weather conditions permit.
10. Poultry must have access to outdoor runs for at least one third of their life as far as weather conditions permit.

2 Animal feeding

1. The daily ration for pigs shall contain roughage, fresh or dried fodder, or silage.
2. During the suckling period, piglets shall be given daily rooting earth or other comparable products.
3. The percentage of fodder ingredients not produced organically may be up to 35 per cent of the total feed ration of pigs, measured as dry substance, provided dairy waste is used.
4. For pigs weighing over 35 kg and with the agreement of the certification body, non-organic potato proteins may be used until 31 December 2030 if organic potato proteins are not available in sufficient quantities. The proportion of non-organic potato proteins, as a ratio of dry matter, may not exceed 5 per cent per year of the total feed consumption for pigs weighing over 35 kg.
5. In order to meet the nutritional requirements of livestock, the products listed in Annex 7 Section A 1 (animal feed materials of mineral origin), section B 3a (vitamins and provitamins) and section B 3b (trace elements) may be added.
6. The products listed in Annex 7 Section B 1b (antioxidant agents), Section B 1g i (binders and anti-caking agents), Section B 2b (flavourings), and in Category 4 (zootechnical additives) may be used for animal feeding for the purposes listed with reference to the aforesaid categories.
7. Feedingstuffs, feed materials, compound feedingstuffs, feed additives, processing aids used in feedingstuffs and certain products used in animal nutrition shall not be produced using genetically modified organisms or derivatives thereof nor shall they contain them.

Annex 6¹⁰⁹

(Art. 4 a ^bis para. 2)

Total area for animals of the pig species

Animals	Total area (pen and outside space) at least ...m2/animal
Non-suckling breeding sows	2,8
Breeding boars	10
Best-developed females for next breeding cycle and fattening pigs over 60 kg	1,65
Best-developed females for next breeding cycle and fattening pigs under 60 kg	1,10
Weaned piglets	0,80

The requirements for minimum outside spaces in accordance with Annex 6 letter B number 3 DPO ¹¹⁰ must be complied with.

Annex 7¹¹¹

(Art. 4 b para. 1 let. b)

Animal feed materials and animal feed additives

Animal feed materials and animal feed additives

The provisions of the Feedstuffs Ordinance of 26 October 2011 ¹¹² and the Feedstuffs Ordinance of 26 October 2011 ¹¹³ (FADO) remain reserved.

Part A Animal feed materials

The numbers in the catalogue of straight feedstuffs are taken from Annex 1.4 number 3 FADO.

1. Animal feed materials of mineral origin

Number in the catalogue of feed materials		Designation	Special conditions and restrictions
11.1.1		Calcium carbonate
11.1.2		Calcareous shelly sand
11.1.4		Calcareous marine algae (Maerl Kalk)
11.1.5		Lithotamnium
11.1.13		Calcium gluconate
11.2.1		Magnesium oxide
11.2.4		Magnesium sulphate, anhydrous
11.2.6		Magnesium chloride
11.2.7		Magnesium carbonate
11.3.1		Dicalcium phosphate
11.3.3		Monocalcium phosphate
11.3.5		Calcium magnesium phosphate
11.3.8		Magnesium phosphate
11.3.10		Monosodium phosphate
11.3.16		Calcium sodium phosphate
11.3.17	Monoammonium phosphate (ammonium hydrogen orthophosphate)		Only for aquacultures
11.3.19	Sodium triphosphate		Only for pets
11.3.27	Disodium hydrogen phosphate		Only for pets
11.4.1		Sodium chloride
11.4.2		Sodium bicarbonate
11.4.4		Sodium carbonate
11.4.6		Sodium sulphate
11.5.1		Potassium chloride

2. Other animal feed materials

Number in the catalogue of feed materials	Designation	Special conditions and restrictions
10	Flour, oil and other feed materials derived from fish or other aquatic animals	Only products from sustainable fisheries that have been produced or prepared without chemical solvents are authorised. The following restrictions on use apply: the products may only be used for non-herbivores. fish protein hydrolysate may only be used for young animals.
ex 12.1.5	Yeasts	Yeasts from Saccharomycescerevisiae or Saccharomyces carlsbergensis, inactivated so that no living microorganisms are present if not available from organic production
ex 12.1.12	Yeast products	Fermentation product from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomycescarlsbergensis, inactivated so that no living microorganisms are present, contains yeast if not available from organic production
	Herbs Molasses Spices	May only be used if they: are not available from organic production, and were produced or prepared without chemical solvents. The following restriction on use applies: Use must be limited to 1 per cent of the feed ration of a given species, calculated annually as a percentage of the dry matter of feed of agricultural origin.

Part B Feed additives

The identification numbers and function groups are taken from Annexes 2 and 6.1 FADO.

Category 1: Technological additives

Function group a) Preservatives:

Identification number or function group	Designation	Special conditions and restrictions
1a200	Sorbic acid
1k236	Formic acid
1k237i	Sodium formate
1a260	Acetic acid
1a270	Lactic acid
1k280	Propionic acid
1a330	Citric acid

Function group b) Antioxidant:

Identification number or function group	Designation	Special conditions and restrictions
1b306(i)	Tocopherol extracts from vegetable oils
1b306(ii)	Tocopherol-rich extracts from vegetable oils (delta rich)

Function group c) Emulsifiers, stabilisers, thickeners and gelling agents

Identification number or function group	Designation	Special conditions and restrictions
E415	Xanthan gum
E412	Guar gum
1c322 1e322i	Lecithins	only from organic raw materials, use restricted to feedingstuffs for aquaculture animals
E 407	Carrageenan	only for pets

Function groups g) binders and i) release agents

Identification number or function group	Designation	Special conditions and restrictions
E535	Sodium ferrocyanide	Maximum dose: 20 mg/kg NaCl (calculated as ferrocyanide anion)
E551b	Colloidal silicon dioxide
E551c	Diatomaceous earth (diatomaceous earth, purified)
1m558i	Bentonite
E559	Kaolinite clays, asbestos-free
E560	Natural mixtures of steatite and chlorite
E562	Sepiolite
E566	Natrolite phonolite
1g568	Clinoptilolite of sedimentary origin

Function group k) Silage additives

Identification number or function group	Designation	Special conditions and restrictions
1k 1k236 1k237 1k280 1k281	Enzymes, microorganisms Formic acid Sodium format Propionic acid Sodium propionate	Only authorised to ensure adequate fermentation

Category 2: Sensory additives

Function group b) Flavourings

Identification number or function group	Designation	Special conditions and restrictions
ex2a	Astaxanthin	Only from organic sources such as shells of organically produced crustaceans Only in feed for salmon and trout within the scope of their physiological needs If no astaxanthin from organic sources is available, astaxanthin from natural sources such as astaxanthin-rich Phaffia rhodoz-yma may be used
ex2b	Flavourings	Only extracts from agricultural products, including sweet chestnut extract (Castaneasativa Mill.)

Category 3: Nutritional and physiological additives

Function group: a) Vitamins, pro-vitamins and chemically well-defined substances having similar effect

Identification number or function group	Designation	Special conditions and restrictions
3a	Vitamins and provitamins	Obtained from agricultural products If not available from agricultural products, synthetically obtained vitamins and provitamins are authorised, whereby the following applies: only those which are identical to vitamins obtained from agricultural products may be used for monogastric animals. only vitamins A, D and E, which are identical to vitamins obtained from agricultural products may be used for ruminants.
3a370	Taurine	Only for cats and dogs, of non-synthetic origin if available
3a920	Betaine anhydrate	For monogastrics only From organic production; if not available, of natural origin

Function group b) Trace elements

Identification number or function group	Designation	Special conditions and restrictions
3b101	Iron(II) carbonate (siderite)
3b103	Iron(II) sulphate monohydrate
3b104	Iron(II) sulphate heptahydrate
3b201	Potassium iodide
3b202	Calcium iodate, anhydrous
3b203	Coated calcium iodate granules, anhydrous
3b304	Coated cobalt(II) carbonate granules
3b402	Copper(II) carbonate dihydroxy monohydrate
3b404	Copper(II) oxide
3b405	Copper(II) sulphate pentahydrate
3b409	Dicopper chloride trihydroxide
3b502	Manganese(II) oxide
3b503	Manganese(II) sulphate, monohydrate
3b603	Zinc oxide
3b604	Zinc sulphate heptahydrate
3b605	Zinc sulphate monohydrate
3b609	Zinc chloride hydroxide monohydrate
3b701	Sodium molybdate dihydrate
3b801	Sodium selenite
3b802	Coated sodium selenite granules
3b803	Sodium selenate
3b810	Selenium yeast, Saccharomycescerevisiae CNCM I-3060, inactivated
3b811	Selenium yeast, Saccharomycescerevisiae NCYC R397, inactivated
3b812	Selenium yeast, Saccharomycescerevisiae CNCM I-3399, inactivated
3b817	Selenium yeast, Saccharomycescerevisiae NCYC R645, inactivated

Function group c) Amino acids, their salts and similar products

Identification number or function group	Designation	Special conditions and restrictions
3c3.5.1 and 3c352	L-Histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate	Produced by fermentation. In order to meet the nutritional requirements of salmonid, it may be used as a component of their feed ration if a sufficient quantity of histadine cannot be guaranteed by other feedingstuffs listed in this Annex.

Category 4: Zootechnical additives

Identification number or function group	Designation	Special conditions and restrictions
4a, 4b, 4c and 4d	Enzymes and microorganisms

Annex 8¹¹⁴

(Art. 4 c )

Pure substances for cleaning and disinfection of livestock buildings and installations (e.g. equipment and utensils)

Disinfectants are biocidal products. They may be marketed and used if permitted, declared or recognised in accordance with the Ordinance on Biocidal Products of 18 May 2005. ¹¹⁵

1. Authorised substances

1. Potassium and sodium soap
2. Water and steam
3. Milk of lime
4. Sodium hypochlorite (e.g. as liquid bleach)
5. Caustic soda
6. Caustic potash
7. Hydrogen peroxide
8. Natural essences of plants
9. Citric, peracetic, formic, lactic, oxalic and acetic acid
10. Alcohol
11. Nitric acid (dairy equipment)
12. Phosphoric acid (dairy equipment)
13. Formaldehyde
14. Sodium carbonate
15. Quicklime
16. Lime

2. The following are also authorised

1. Products for cleaning and sterilization of dairy utensils, which are authorised in the list of biocidal products for cleaning and sterilization of milking machines¹¹⁶.

3. Substances that may not be used as biocidal products for disinfection

– Sodium hydroxide

– Potassium hydroxide

– Oxalic acid

– Natural plant essences, except flaxseed oil, lavender oil and peppermint oil

– Nitric acid

– Phosphoric acid

– Sodium carbonate

– Copper sulphate

– Potassium permanganate

– Camellia oil cake produced from natural camellia seeds

– Humic acid

– Peroxyacetic acid, except peracetic acid

Annex 9¹¹⁷

(Art. 16 c and 16 f )

Section A Certificate of inspection for the import of products
from organic production

Swiss Confederation
Certificate of inspection for the import of products from organic production

1 Issuing certification body or authority of the country of origin (name, address and code number)	2. Import under: Organic Farming Ordinance, Article 23 (list of countries) □ □ Organic Farming Ordinance, Article 23a (list of recognized certification bodies and inspection authorities) □
3. Serial number of the certificate of inspection	4. Exporter (name and address)
5. Producer or processor of the product (name and address	6.Control body or control authority (name, address and code number)
7. Country of origin	8. Country of export
9. Country of clearance/ Point of entry	10. Country of destination
11. Importer (name, address and EORI number)	12. First consignee in Switzerland (name and address)
13. Declared quantity in relevant units Tariff heading Trade name Number of packages Lot number Net weight
14. Container number	15. Customs seal number		16. Total gross weight
17. Means of transport before point entry into Switzerland Mode Identification International transport document
18. Declaration of control authority or control body issuing the certificate referred to in box 1 This is to certify that this certificate has been issued on the basis of inspections in accordance with Article 16d paragraph 1, and that the products have been produced in accordance with the provisions of the Organic Farming Ordinance or Regulation (EC) No 834/2007118. Date: Name and signature of authorised person Stamp of issuing authority or body
19. Customs warehousing □ Inward processing □ Name and address of operator Certification body or authority (name, address and code number) Customs Declaration Reference Number for customs warehousing or inward processing
20. Inspection of the consignment by the competent Swiss certification body Import registration (customs receipt number, date of import and customs office of customs declaration) Date: Name and signature of authorised person Stamp
21. Declaration of the first consignee This is to certify that the goods have been accepted in accordance with Annex 1 figure 8.5 of the Organic Farming Ordinance.
Name of the company		Date
Name and signature of the authorised person

Section B Extract of the certificate of inspection

Swiss Confederation
Extract No ...... of the certificate of inspection

1. Certification body or authority having issued the underlying certificate of inspection (name, address and code number)	2. Import under: Organic Farming Ordinance, Article 23 (list of countries) □ Organic Farming Ordinance, Article 23a (list of recognized certification bodies and inspection authorities) □
3. Serial number of the underlying certificate of inspection	4. Operator having split the original consignment into batches (name and address)
5. Inspection body or authority (name, address and code number)	6. Name and address of the importer of the original consignment
7. U. Country of origin of the original consignment	8. Country of export
9. Country of clearance/Point of entry	10. Country of destination
11. Consignee of the batch obtained from splitting (name and address)
12. Description of products Tariff heading Number of packages Net weight of the batch and net weight of the original consignment
13. Declaration of the competent certification body This certificate extract is valid for the batch described above which results from the splitting of a consignment which is covered by an original certificate of inspection with the serial number given in box 3. Date: Name and signature of authorised person Stamp
14. Declaration of the consignee of the batch This is to certify that the batch has been accepted in accordance with Annex 1 figure 8.5 of the Organic Farming Ordinance. Name of the company Date: Name and signature of the authorised person

Annex 10¹¹⁹

(Art. 16 i )

List of seeds available in sufficient quantities

No entry to date.

Annex 11¹²⁰

Annex 12¹²¹

(Art. 4 e )

Standard form for the certification bodies’ annual report on inspections in the organic production sector

Certification body

Number of listed operators per certification body

Number of listed operators

Number of regular inspections

Number of additional risk-based inspections

Total inspections

Agricultural producers*

Processors**

Importers

Exporters

Other operators***

Agricultural producers*

Processors**

Importers

Exporters

Other operators***

Agricultural producers*

Processors**

Importers

Exporters

Other operators***

Agricultural producers*

Processors**

Importers

Exporters

Other operators***

Certification body

Number of unannounced inspections

Number of analysed samples

Number of samples which indicate an infringement of the Organic Farming Ordinance and this Ordinance

Agricultural producers*

Processors**

Importers

Exporters

Other operators***

Agricultural producers*

Processors**

Importers

Exporters

Other operators***

Agricultural producers*

Processors**

Importers

Exporters

Other operators***

Certification body

Number of noted irregularities and infringements (TOTAL)(1)

Number of marketing conditions (relating to the organic status of products)(2)

Number of derecognitions or non-recognitions of farms (3)

Agricultural producers*

Agricultural producers*

Processors**

Importers

Exporters

Other operators***

Agricultural producers*

Processors**

Importers

Exporters

Other operators***

Certification body Number of noted irregularities and infringements – GESAMT Number of noted irregularities and infringements A(4) Number of noted irregularities and infringements B(4) Number of noted irregularities and infringements C(4) Number of noted irregularities and infringements D(4) Processors ** Importers Exporters Other operators *** Processors ** Importers Exporters Other operators *** Processors ** Importers Exporters Other operators *** Processors ** Importers Exporters Other operators *** Processors ** Importers Exporters Other operators *** (1) All irregularities and infringements, including those that have not led to a measure being taken. (2) Only irregularities and infringements that have led to a marketing condition being imposed and a related measure being taken. (3) Only irregularities and infringements that have led to the derecognition or non-recognition of biological status. (4) In accordance with sanction levels A to D of the FOAG Directive to Certification Bodies on the Harmonisation of their Procedures in the event of Irregularities relating to Organic Processing and Trade.

«Agricultural producers» include producers that are producers only, producers that are also processors, producers that are also importers and other mixed producers not elsewhere classified.

«Processors» include processors that are processors only, processors that are also importers and other mixed processors not elsewhere classified.

«Other operators» include traders (wholesalers, retailers) and other operators not elsewhere classified.