REGULATIONS GOVERNING ADVERTISING FOR ORGANIC CHAMPAGNES: A REMINDER OF THE LAW
Following too many instances of misleading communications referring to organic farming for non-certified products, or to estates claiming to practise organic viticulture without being committed to a certification process, the Association des Champagnes Biologiques et Bio en Grand Est (Association of Organic Champagnes and Organic Champagnes in the Grand East), would like to remind you of the following:
– All claims and communications for biodynamic wines must include prior organic farming certification by the operators. The presence of the word ‘organic’ in ‘biodynamic’ guarantees the same rights and protection.
– Claims for biodynamic wines must include compulsory organic farming certification by the operators.
– A conversion to organic farming can only be publicised once a commitment has been made to a certification body and the operator has been notified to the Agence Bio. Operators who are in the process of converting must, however, be very careful in their communications never to claim that their uncertified production is organic.
For example, it is forbidden to use the words #bio or #biodynamie in the name of an estate in conversion on social networks.
– The conversion period for the vines is 36 months before the harvest. This means that the fourth grape harvest after the start of conversion will be AB-certified; the appellation then requires two years of vinification to finalise a champagne cuvée. This means that an operator who starts converting in 2020 will not be able to market an organic Champagne until 2025 at the earliest.
Eurofeuille European organic logo
Following too many instances of misleading communications referring to organic farming for non-certified products, or to estates claiming to practise organic viticulture without being committed to a certification process, the Association des Champagnes Biologiques et Bio en Grand Est (Association of Organic Champagnes and Organic Champagnes in the Grand East), would like to remind you of the following:
– All claims and communications for biodynamic wines must include prior organic farming certification by the operators. The presence of the word ‘organic’ in ‘biodynamic’ guarantees the same rights and protection.
– Claims for biodynamic wines must include compulsory organic farming certification by the operators.
– A conversion to organic farming can only be publicised once a commitment has been made to a certification body and the operator has been notified to the Agence Bio. Operators who are in the process of converting must, however, be very careful in their communications never to claim that their uncertified production is organic.
For example, it is forbidden to use the words #bio or #biodynamie in the name of an estate in conversion on social networks.
– The conversion period for the vines is 36 months before the harvest. This means that the fourth grape harvest after the start of conversion will be AB-certified; the appellation then requires two years of vinification to finalise a champagne cuvée. This means that an operator who starts converting in 2020 will not be able to market an organic Champagne until 2025 at the earliest.
Eurofeuille European organic logo
Importers, shops, wine merchants, restaurants, online sales sites, trade fair organisers and journalists need to be extra vigilant. It is their responsibility to ask operators to provide their certification documents.
To ensure that everyone’s work is respected, and to ensure the credibility and traceability of organic farming, anyone contravening these rules risks prosecution by the DGCCRF.
Importers, shops, wine merchants, restaurants, online sales sites, trade fair organisers and journalists need to be extra vigilant. It is their responsibility to ask operators to provide their certification documents.
To ensure that everyone’s work is respected, and to ensure the credibility and traceability of organic farming, anyone contravening these rules risks prosecution by the DGCCRF.
Consumer Code :
Article L432-6 Effective 2016-07-01
It is forbidden:
1° To issue an “organic farming” label without meeting the conditions set out in Article L. 642-3 of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code;
2° To issue an “organic farming” label to a product that does not meet the conditions set out in Article L. 641-13 of the French Rural and Maritime Fishing Code;
3° Fraudulently using or attempting to use the “organic farming” sign;
4° Using a method of presentation that leads to the belief, or is likely to lead to the belief, that a product is a product of organic farming;
5° To lead to the belief or attempt to lead to the belief that a product having the quality of a product of organic farming is guaranteed by the State or by a public body.
Article L453-6 Effective date 2016-07-01
Violation of the prohibitions set out in Article L. 432-6 is punishable by two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 300,000 euros.
Consumer Code :
Article L432-6 Effective 2016-07-01
It is forbidden:
1° To issue an “organic farming” label without meeting the conditions set out in Article L. 642-3 of the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code;
2° To issue an “organic farming” label to a product that does not meet the conditions set out in Article L. 641-13 of the French Rural and Maritime Fishing Code;
3° Fraudulently using or attempting to use the “organic farming” sign;
4° Using a method of presentation that leads to the belief, or is likely to lead to the belief, that a product is a product of organic farming;
5° To lead to the belief or attempt to lead to the belief that a product having the quality of a product of organic farming is guaranteed by the State or by a public body.
Article L453-6 Effective date 2016-07-01
Violation of the prohibitions set out in Article L. 432-6 is punishable by two years’ imprisonment and a fine of 300,000 euros.
