International Trade Policies: Switzerland

The United States (U.S.) has an organic equivalency arrangement with Switzerland. This means that as long as the terms of the arrangement are met, organic products certified to the USDA organic regulations or the Swiss organic ordinances may be labeled and sold as organic in both countries.

Scope. Beginning July 10, 2015, the arrangement covers products which:

  • Are certified to the USDA or Swiss organic regulations
  • Have their final processing occur in the U.S. or Switzerland
  • Swiss products: do not contain livestock products, or any ingredient used in such products, produced with the use of antibiotics
  • Organic wine: are produced and labeled to the regulations of the importing country.
     

Documentation – U.S. Organic Products. A USDA-accredited certifying agent must complete a Swiss Certificate of Inspection for all USDA organic products traded under the arrangement.

Documentation – Swiss Organic Products. A Swiss-accredited certification body must complete a NOP Import Certificate for all Swiss organic products traded under the arrangement.

Memo to Swiss Authorized Bodies (pdf) | NOP Import Certificate (pdf) | Instructions (pdf)

U.S. Labeling Requirements. Swiss organic products imported into the U.S. must be labeled according to USDA organic labeling requirements and may display the USDA organic seal.
 
Swiss Labeling Requirements. U.S. organic products imported into Switzerland must be labeled according to Swiss organic labeling requirements and may display the USDA organic seal.
Swiss Labeling Requirements
 
Oversight. The USDA NOP and the Switzerland Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) will notify one another of any changes which could affect the terms of the arrangement. Both will also assess each other’s systems on a regular basis to ensure that the terms of the equivalency arrangement are being met. Any issues will be resolved by an Organic Working Group, which will include experts from both countries.

Historical Documents

Equivalency Arrangement: Letter to USDA (pdf)
Equivalency Arrangement: Letter to Swiss FOAG (pdf)
Equivalency announcement: Press Release