EAER Ordinance on Organic Farming
Inserted by No I of the EAER O of 7 Nov. 2001, in force since 1 Jan. 2002 (AS 2002 228).
English is not an official language of the Swiss Confederation. This translation is provided for information purposes only and has no legal force.
Art. 1 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. 1 — Amended by No I of the EAER O of 1 Sept. 2016, in force since 1 Oct. 2016 (AS 2016 3183).
Art. 2 Fertilisers
The fertilisers and equivalent products in accordance with Annex 2 shall be authorised in organic farming.
Art. 2 — Term in accordance with No I of the EAER O of 13 March 2001, in force since 1 April 2001 (AS 2001 1322). This amendment has been made throughout the text.
Art. 3 Use of products and substances under Article 16j paragraph 2 letter b and c of the Organic Farming Ordinance in processing foodstuffs
1 The following may be used for processing foodstuffs, with the exception of yeast and wine: a. products and substances in accordance with Annex 3; b. 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; c. products and substances in accordance with Article 2 paragraph 1 letters b and c number 1 of the FDHA Flavourings Ordinance of 16 December 2016 which are listed as «flavouring preparations» or «natural flavouring substances» under Article 10 letters a–c of the Flavourings Ordinance; d. drinking water and salts (mainly of sodium or potassium chloride), which are generally used in food processing; e. 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 sup
Art. 3 — Amended by No I of the EAER O of 18 Nov. 2009, in force since 1 Jan. 2010 (AS 2009 6337). Para. 1 — Amended by No I of the EAER O of 31 Oct. 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6357). Para. 1 let. a — Amended by No I of the EAER O of 31 Oct. 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6357). Para. 1 let. c — Amended by No I of the EAER O of 2 Nov. 2022, in force since 1 Jan. 2023 (AS 2022 733). Para. 1 let. c — SR 817.022.41 Para. 1 let. e — Amended by No I of the EAER O of 23 Oct.
Art. 3a Use of products and substances under Article 16j paragraph 2 letter b and c of the Organic Farming Ordinance in the processing of yeast
1 The following substances may be used for the production, preparation and formulation of organic yeast: a. substances in accordance with Annex 3a; b. products and substances in accordance with Article 3 paragraph 1 letter b and d. 2 ...
Art. 3a — Inserted by No I of the EAER O of 18 Nov. 2009, in force since 1 Jan. 2010 (AS 2009 6337). Para. 1 — Amended by No I of the EAER O of 31 Oct. 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6357). Para. 1 let. a — Amended by No I of the EAER O of 31 Oct. 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6357). Para. 2 — Repealed by No I of the EAER O of 2 Nov. 2022, with effect from 1 Jan. 2023 (AS 2022 733).
Art. 3b 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 may be used for the production of wine.
Art. 3b — Inserted by No I of the EAER O of 31 Oct. 2012 (AS 2012 6357). Amended by No I of the EAER O of 3 Nov. 2020, in force since 1 Jan. 2022 (AS 2021 683). Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1165 of 15 July 2021 authorising certain products and substances for use in organic production and establishing their lists, OJ L 253 of 16.7.2021, p. 45–47.
Art. 3c 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 3b are permitted.
Art. 3c — Inserted by No I of the EAER O of 31 Oct. 2012 (AS 2012 6357). Amended by No I of the EAER O of 3 Nov. 2020, in force since 1 Jan. 2022 (AS 2021 683).
Art. 3d Practices and processes for the production of processed organic foodstuffs
Ion exchange und adsorption resin processes are only permitted: a. for the preparation of foodstuffs for persons with special dietary requirements in accordance with Article 2 letters a–c SDRO; b. 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. 3d — Inserted by No I of the EAER O of 2 Nov. 2022 (AS 2022 733). Amended by No I of the EAER O of 29 Oct. 2025, in force since 1 Jan. 2026 (AS 2025 716). let. a — SR 817.022.104
Art. 4
Repealed by No I of the EAER O of 11 Nov. 2020, with effect from 1. Jan. 2021 (AS 2020 5461).
Art. 4a
Inserted by No I of the EAER O of 18 Oct. 2017, (AS 2017 6349). Repealed by No of the EAER O of 11 Nov. 2020, with effect from 1 Jan. 2021 (AS 2020 5461).
Art. 4abis Species-related requirements for organic stockfarming
1 The provisions set out in Annex 5 apply with regard to the species-related requirements for organic stockfarming. 2 The requirements regarding the total area for porcine species are set out in Annex 6.
Art. 4abis — Originally Art. 4a. Inserted by No I of the EAER O of 23 Aug. 2000, in force since 1 Jan. 2001 (AS 2000 2508). Para. 2 — Amended by No I of the EAER O of 6 Nov. 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 636).
Art. 4ater Prohibited animal feed additives, technical aids and processing methods
1 The following animal feed additives and technical aids shall be prohibited: a. genetically modified organisms (GMO); b. antimicrobial growth promoters; c. additives to prevent coccidiosis and and histomoniasis; d. synthetic amino acids and their salts and similar products; e. non-protein nitrogen compounds (NPN-compounds); f. substances and production methods which could be misleading with regard to the actual quality of the product. 2 Where no natural sources are available, chemically synthesised additives which are essential for a required ration composition shall be permitted. 3 Extraction with organic solvents except for ethanol, hydrogenation and refining by a chemical process shall be prohibited.
Art. 4ater — Originally Art. 4abis. Inserted by No I of the EAER O of 31 Oct. 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6357). Para. 1 let. d — Amended by No I of the EAER O of 6 Nov. 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 636).
Art. 4b Use of animal feed materials and animal feed additives
1 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: a. organic animal feed materials; b. animal feed materials and animal feed additives in accordance with Annex 7; c. salt. 2 This applies without prejudice to the provisions of the Ordinance on Animal Feeding stuffs of 26 October 2011.
Art. 4b — Inserted by No I of the EAER O of 23 Aug. 2000 (AS 2000 2508). Amended by No I of the EAER O of 31 Oct. 2012, in force since 1 Jan. 2013 (AS 2012 6357). Para. 1 let. c — Amended by No I of the EAER O of 29 Oct. 2025, in force since 1 Jan. 2026 (AS 2025 716). Para. 1 let. c — Amended by No I of the EAER O of 1 Nov. 2023, in force since 1 Jan. 2024 (AS 2023 744). Para. 2 — SR 916.307
Art. 4c Cleaning agents and disinfectants
1 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. 2 The substances in accordance with Annex 8 Number 3 may not be used as biocidal products for disinfection.
Art. 4c — Inserted by No I of the EAER O of 23 Aug. 2000 (AS 2000 2508). Amended by No I of the EAER O of 6 Nov. 2024, in force since 1 Jan. 2025 (AS 2024 636).
Art. 4d
Inserted by No I of the EAER O of 18 Nov. 2009 (AS 2009 6337). Repealed by No I of the EAER O of 27 Oct. 2010, with effect from 1 Jan. 2011 (AS 2010 5863).
Art. 4e Transmission of data by the certification bodies
1 Data concerning the previous year shall be transmitted to the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) by 31 January each year. 2 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 30d 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.
Art. 4e — Inserted by No I of the EAER O of 29 Oct. 2014, in force since 1 Jan. 2015 (AS 2014 3979).