USDA signs Organic Equivalency Agreement with Switzerland

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they have signed an Organic Equivalency Agreement with Switzerland, that beginning July 10, 2015, allows organic products certified in the U.S. or in Switzerland to be labeled and sold as organic.

This organic equivalency arrangement will streamline organic trade, strengthen organic agriculture and support jobs and businesses on a global scale.

Technical experts from the U.S. and Switzerland had conducted on-site audits to ensure that their regulations, quality control measures, certification requirements and labeling practices were compatible prior to signing. Both countries will review each other’s programs periodically to verify that the terms of the arrangement are being met.

“This new partnership reflects the integrity of the National Organic Program and USDA’s rigorous organic standards,” said Anne Alonzo, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service Administrator, who oversees the National Organic Program. “We look forward to providing Swiss consumers with more U.S. organic products and being able to enjoy organic Swiss products.”

Other countries which have organic equivalency arrangements with the U.S. include Canada, the European Union, Japan, and Korea.

Questions about this regulatory update may be directed to Livingston’s U.S. Regulatory Affairs group.