The introduction of the compulsory EU logo for organic products as well as the development of standards to cover new areas for organic labelling pose both challenges and opportunities for the organic certifying organisations. The experiences of the Dutch certifying organisation Skal is a typical example. Skal is the owner of the EKO label, which was established in 1985 and was one of the pioneer marks for organic products in Europe. Skal worked all over the world to certify production for Dutch traders and processors. It was also a pioneer in developing standards in new subject areas. After the introduction of the EU Regulation 1992, the EKO mark became a logo for products produced according to the EU Regulation and Skal oriented itself towards becoming a certifying organisation according to the EU Regulation. In 2002, Skal’s international work was taken over by Control Union Certifications B.V.

Now that the EU logo is compulsory on most but not all kinds of organic production, the EKO-mark has, once again, become a mark based on private standards. A new trust, the Stichting EKO-keurmerk, to take care of the EKO-mark, is being established, while Skal will remain with certification and inspections. According to a press release from Skal, the mark will signal compliance with aspects such as climate, fair trade, environment and social conditions. The EU logo will be used for products produced on the basic EU Regulation level. One reason for this is a recent survey showing that the EKO mark is very well known in the Dutch market, while the EU organic mark is almost unknown, which is perhaps not so surprising considering how new it is. The survey, conducted by Marketsresponse, shows that 62% of Dutch consumers know the EKO mark but only 7% recognise the EU logo. Ik eet bewust, a mark for good nutrition (see www.choicesprogramme.org/en), is known by 92%.

Gunnar Rundgren

Sources:

Press release SKAL 30 May, 2011

TOS #58 2006

www.skal.nl

www.eko-keurmerk.nl