From July 1st 2012 the logo of the European Union certifying organic produce will become mandatory for all pre-packaged bio/organic food products produced in the EU and which meet the required standards. For non-packed and imported organic products the logo will be optional. Additionally, the option to place private, regional or national logos alongside that of the EU remains.
The EU logo for organic products known as the "European leaf" was introduced on July 1st 2010, but in order to facilitate producers in the adaptation to the new rules and so as to avoid disposal of already existing packaging a two-year transition period was resolved before the measure was to become mandatory for all. Alongside the logo, the code of the regulating body and the place of origin/production must appear next to it.