Skal organic certification: what it is and who needs it
Skal Biocontrole is the control body that supervises organic businesses in the Netherlands. Under the EU regulation on organic production (2018/848) , a business that grows, processes, trades or imports organic products must be inspected. At Skal, that takes the form of the Skal certificate, and you register with Skal .
Anyone who is not certified may not call their products organic. Whether you need a certificate depends on what you do. Read is organic certification mandatory? and who must be certified?.
“Organic” is a legally protected word. Without a certificate or registration with Skal, you may not use it for your product or your business.
Skal organic certification in brief
| What is it? | A certificate with which Skal confirms that your organic activities meet the EU rules |
| Who checks? | Skal Biocontrole, as a recognised control body |
| Which rules? | Regulation (EU) 2018/848, supplemented by Dutch rules |
| For whom? | Growers, processors, traders, importers and points of sale that work with organic products |
| Mandatory? | Yes for most businesses. Catering businesses (horeca) and pure sellers of pre-packaged products fall outside the obligation |
| Costs (indication) | From about €387 in registration costs, followed by annual contributions. See costs and timeline |
| Lead time | Admission assessment within 25 working days of registration. For farming, the conversion of about 2 years is added |
| Logo | The EU organic logo may only be used with a valid certificate |
What does Skal do exactly?
Skal certifies businesses and then supervises them. The business registers, an inspector visits, and periodic checks follow. Skal itself says that it supervises the organic sector.
A cheese farm, a wholesaler and an online shop all deal with Skal. Each does something different, so Skal handles them with different rates and forms. Read more under who is it for?.
How Skal works, at a glance
When a business does or does not fall under the obligation.
Is it mandatory?By role: grower, processor, trader, importer and point of sale.
Who is it for?From registration to the first certificate, in order.
Step-by-step planSkal’s rates and how long the process takes.
Costs and timelineWhat the organic rules cover.
RequirementsWhat the inspector checks and how often.
Inspection and organic controlWhat the certificate proves and how long it is valid.
The Skal certificateThe period in which a business switches to organic.
ConversionWhen you may use the logo.
EU organic logoOne certificate shared with other farmers or growers.
Group certificationWhat an importer of organic consignments must arrange.
ImportersHow to find businesses with a Skal certificate.
Certified businessesCheck whether a supplier has a valid Skal number.
Checking a Skal numberShort answers to the questions that come up most often.
Frequently asked questionsSources
- Skal Biocontrole - Certification rates
- Skal Biocontrole - Registering with Skal
- EUR-Lex - Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production