Section 11:
Labelling and marking requirements for organically produced products
11. (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;
(ii) the expression is indicated in letters of the same size, type and colour and the word "organic" may not be more prominent than the rest of the expression; and
(iii) the product has been produced without the use of genetically modified organisms and / or any products derived from such organisms.
(2) Organically produced products from plant and animal origin may be marked as "product of organic agriculture", "organic", “organically produced", "certified organic" or with a similar expression having the same meaning.
(3) A registered distinctive mark, indicating that that the products are covered by the inspection scheme of an approved certifying organisation shall appear on the labelling of organically produced products: Provided that, subject to the provisions of Section 2, no label of a product may refer to organic production methods without indicating Ecocert-Afrisco’s distinctive mark.
For products that Afrisco has certified as “in conversion,” since they have been under full organic management for between twelve and 36 months, the Afrisco logo may be used, but it must be clearly accompanied by the wording “Organic in Conversion,” where the lettering of each word is of the same font and font size.
(4) Products covered by these standards 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.
(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 Ecocert-Afrisco’s distinctive mark: Provided that the balance of the ingredients of the products may only be --
(i) ingredients of non-agricultural origin as indicated in Annexure VII;
(ii) ingredients which have not been produced organically as indicated in Annexure X; and
the operator regularly evaluates the ingredients used on the operation against the criteria in Annexure I to re-confirm the organic status thereof or to identify possible alternatives that are of better organic status.
(b) Where less than 95% but not less than 70% of the ingredients are of organic origin the word “organic” may be used on the principal display panel only in expressions like “made with organic ingredients” and appearing with Ecocert-Afrisco’s distinctive mark: Provided that --
(i) the expression is indicated in letters of the same size, type and colour and the word "organic" may not be more prominent than the rest of the expression;
(ii) there is a clear statement in the ingredients list of the proportion of the organic ingredients;
(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; and
(iv) the operator regularly evaluates the ingredients used on the operation against the criteria in Annexure I to re-confirm the organic status thereof or to identify possible alternatives that are of better organic status.
(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.
(e) All ingredients of a multi-ingredient product shall be listed on the product label in order of their weight percentage. It shall be apparent which ingredients are of certified organic origin and which are not. All additives shall be listed with their full name. If herbs and/or spices constitute less than 2% of the total weight of the product, they may be listed as “spices” or “herbs” without stating the percentage.
(f) In a product labelled according to Sub-Section 11.5.a, b, or c, an ingredient produced according to these standards may not be present together with the same ingredient not produced according to these standards.
(g) Organic products shall not be labelled as GMO-free in the context of these standards. Any reference to genetic engineering on product labels shall be limited to the production and processing methods themselves having not used GMO’s.