New Draft Regulations on Organic Production (October 2001)
Section 11: Labeling and marking requirements for organically produced products
(1)
Organically produced products from plant origin in conversion may be
marked as "produce of organic agriculture in process of conversion" or
"organic in conversion" or with a similar expression having the some
meaning, after a conversion period of 12 months: Provided that --
(i) the product contains only one crop ingredient from agricultural origin; and
(2)
Organically produced products from plant and animal origin may be marked
as "product of organic agriculture", ""organic",
organically produced", "certified organic",
"biological", "ecological" or with a similar expression
having the same meaning.
(3)
An indication that products are covered by an inspection scheme and/or a
certification mark shall appear on the labelling of products.
(4)
Products covered by these regulations which are not in final packaging
may be transported to other premises only in appropriate packaging or
containers which are adequately labelled and identified to include all of the
following:
(a) the name and address of the
person responsible for the production or preparation of the products;
(b) the name of the product;
(c) the certification carried
by the product; and
(d) an indication specifying that the product is covered by the regular inspection arrangements of an approved certifying organisation.
(5)
Mixed products may be labelled in the following way (raw material
weight):
(a) Where a minimum of 95% of the
ingredients are of organic agricultural origin, products may be labelled as
organic or similar description and shall carry the identification of the
certification body: Provided that
the balance of the ingredients of the products may only be --
(i)
ingredients of non-agricultural origin as indicated in Annexure VII;
and
(ii)
ingredients which have not been produced organically as indicated in Annexure
X.
(b) Where less than 95% but not less
than 70% of the ingredients are of organic origin the product may bear
indications referring to the production method prescribed by these regulations
only in the ingredients list, with an indication that the product is covered by
the certification body: Provided
that --
(i)
the indications referring to the production method in the ingredients
list may only appear in clear relation to those ingredients obtained according
to the production method;
(ii)
there is a clear statement in the ingredients list of the proportion of
the organic ingredients; and
(iii)
the balance of the ingredients of the products may only be ingredients of
non-agricultural origin as indicated in Annexure VII;
and ingredients which have not been produced organically as indicated
in Annexure X.
(c) Where less than 70% of the
ingredients are of certified organic origin, the indication that an ingredient
is organic may appear in the ingredient list.
(d) Added potable water and
salt shall not be included in the percentage calculations of organic
ingredients.
(6) No word, mark, illustration, depiction or any other method of expression that constitutes a misrepresentation or directly or by implication creates or may create a misleading impression regarding the quality, nature, class, origin or composition of organically produced products and organically products in conversion shall be marked on a container of such products.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Go to Annexure VII: Ingredients on non-agricultural origin
Or go to Annexure X: Ingredients of agricultural origin which have not been produced organically
Or go to next section: Inspection and Certification