EU organic product imports: which countries and certifiers change in 2026

Key data

European importers of organic products from third countries have an urgent task ahead: to verify that their suppliers and the bodies certifying them are still recognized by the European Union. The Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1789, published on 24 July 2026, amends Regulation 2021/2325, which establishes which countries, competent authorities and control bodies are authorized for their organic products to enter the European market with that label.

The change is not minor: if a country or certification body is removed from the updated list—or if the conditions under which it operates are modified—the products it certifies automatically lose recognition as organic for the purposes of marketing in the EU. This directly affects the value chain: from the importer to the final distributor.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2021/2325 is the reference framework that sets out the list of third countries, competent authorities and recognized control bodies for the import of organic products into the European Union. It functions as a "trust register": only operators included in it can issue certifications valid for a product to be marketed with the European organic seal.

The new Regulation 2026/1789 updates that register. According to the regulation, this update may involve:

• Incorporation of new countries, competent authorities or control bodies not previously recognized.
• Removal of countries or bodies that no longer meet the requirements or have been withdrawn from recognition.
• Modification of conditions for certain countries or bodies already included (for example, restrictions on certain product categories or changes in control procedures).

The regulation does not specify in its official summary which specific countries or bodies have been incorporated, removed or modified. To know the exact details of each change, it is essential to consult the full text published in the Official Journal of the EU.

Economic and operational impact

The economic impact of this regulation can be very significant for importing companies. Marketing a product as organic without current recognition of its country of origin or certification body constitutes an infringement that may result in product withdrawal from the market and the inability to label it with the European organic mark, with the resulting loss of commercial value and margins.

The main operational risks are:

• Orders in transit or already received that cannot be marketed as organic if the supplier or their certifier has been removed.
• Long-term supply contracts with suppliers whose certification is no longer valid in the EU.
• Need to find new alternative suppliers or certifiers recognized, with the associated cost and time.
• Reputational risk with distributors and end consumers if an irregularity in organic labeling is detected.

On the other hand, if the update incorporates new countries or bodies, it opens opportunities for supplier diversification for importers who until now could not access certain origins with European organic recognition.

Who does it affect?

• Importers of organic products from countries outside the EU (fruits, vegetables, cereals, oils, processed products, etc.).
• Distributors and wholesalers that market in Europe organic products of non-EU origin.
• Organic certification bodies that operate in third countries or that manage certifications for suppliers in those countries.
• Operators in the organic sector (brands, retailers, cooperatives) that work with international supply chains and need to guarantee the traceability of the organic seal.
• Advisors and consultants in foreign trade that manage import operations of organic agri-food products.

Practical example

Imagine a Spanish importing company that has been working for three years with a supplier of organic tea in an Asian country. The supplier is certified by a control body that until now was listed in the list recognized by the EU under Regulation 2021/2325.

With the entry into force of Regulation 2026/1789, that certification body could have been removed or had its recognition conditions modified. If the importing company does not verify this circumstance before its next order and markets the product with European organic labeling, it will be in breach of current regulations, with the risk that control authorities withdraw the product from the market and question the entire imported batch.

The correct action is to consult the full text of Regulation 2026/1789 to verify the updated status of your supplier's certification body, and in case of doubt, contact the body directly or seek a recognized alternative certifier before formalizing the next order.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the full text of Regulation 2026/1789 in the Official Journal of the EU to identify exactly which countries, authorities and bodies have been incorporated, removed or modified.
2. Cross that information with your list of active suppliers: verify that each non-EU supplier is still covered by a recognized control body under the new framework.
3. Review the current organic certificates of all your suppliers from third countries and request updated documentation if there are doubts about their validity.
4. Communicate to your purchasing and logistics team that new orders are not formalized from suppliers whose status has not been verified under Regulation 2026/1789.
5. Contact your certification body or a specialist advisor in organic foreign trade if you detect that any of your suppliers or their certifiers have been affected by the update.
6. Document all verifications performed to be able to demonstrate due diligence in the event of a possible inspection by control authorities.

Official source

Consult full regulation at official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601789