Bio Suisse is the umbrella association of more than 30 organic farming organizations and about 6300 farms engaging in organic production in Switzerland (included 42 farms in Liechtenstein).
The legal basis to import such products is the Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance, in particular Articles 22 to 24a and 26.
The Federal Department of Economy (FDE) Ordinance on Organic Farming (short FDE Ordinance on Organic Farming) specifies more details on the requirements of the Organic Farming Ordinance.
Switzerland recognises the production rules and inspection systems that exist in a number of countries as being equivalent. These countries, the specifications and the respective products are listed in Annex 4 of the FDE Ordinance on Organic Farming.
Products from any other country can be brought into Switzerland and labeled as organic, provided prior authorisation according to Article 24 of the Organic Farming Ordinance has been obtained. A fee applies for this service.
Step 1 Registration and inspection of the importer in Switzerland
Importers into Switzerland need to be registered with an approved Swiss certification or inspection body and undergo an inspection procedure in order to demonstrate compliance with the conditions laid down in the Swiss Organic Farming Ordinance and the FDA Ordinance on Organic Farming. Australian Certification bodies are approved.
Please contact your certification/inspection body for further information.
Step 2 Certificate of inspection for the import of products from organic production
A certificate of inspection must accompany each consignment. The inspection body or responsible authority in the country of origin must draw up the certificate of inspection.
In the case of fresh products, a single certificate of inspection may be issued for all consignments in a calendar week, based on the delivery note (group certificate). The group certificate must be with the importer within 14 days of the last consignment of the relevant calendar week
The Certificate of inspection has to accompany the goods. Any of the Certification Bodies in Australia can assist you with this.
Bio Suisse Regulations (57.69 kB) Summary of Bio Suisse Standard (265.47 kB)
