U.S.-Switzerland Sign Organic Equivalency Agreement

  On July 9, 2015, the United States and Switzerland signed formal letters in Washington, creating a U.S.-Switzerland organic equivalency arrangement.  Beginning July 10, 2015, this arrangement allows products verified as organic in one of the countries to be sold in the other as organic, eliminating the need and costs for separate organic certifications.

  According to an Organic Trade Association (OTA) press release, the Swiss population has the highest consumption rates of organic products in the world.  The press release stated the agreement will help streamline access to the Swiss market and strengthen the organic industry.    

  The United States already has organic trade equivalency agreements with Canada (2009), the European Union (2012), Japan (2013) and Korea (2014).  According to a USDA press release, these four previous agreements streamlined access for U.S. organic farmers and producers to over $35 billion in international organic markets.   

  For more information see National Organic Program.

Written by Katharine Richter - Research Assistant

July 10, 2015