Organic claims and organic certification — certification mandatory for export only
Organic certification is not legally required to describe a product as organic in Australia, but every organic claim must be provable; exporting organic goods requires certification by an approved certifying body.
Who must comply
Any business that labels or promotes a product as organic or bio-dynamic in Australia (claims must be substantiated), and every operator in the export supply chain for organic or bio-dynamic goods (mandatory certification by an approved certifying body).
What triggers it
Making an organic or bio-dynamic claim on a product, label or advertisement; claiming certification or compliance with AS 6000-2015; or producing, preparing, storing or exporting goods described as organic for export. Label wording that implies organic status can make a product an 'organic good' under export law.
When due
Before the claim is made or the goods are exported. Transition to full organic certification for export can take at least 3 years; export labels must be authorised by the approved certifying body before use.
Evidence required
Evidence substantiating every organic claim (inputs, supplier certificates, process records); current certificate and correct use of any certification mark; for exports, certification by an approved certifying body, compliance with the Export Control (Organic Goods) Rules 2021 and the National Standard, authorised labels, organic goods certificates matching other export documentation, and importing country requirements from Micor.
Max penalty
False or misleading organic claims breach the Australian Consumer Law: the ACCC can require a business to back up its claims, investigate and take compliance or enforcement action, and ACL civil penalties apply (body corporate: the greatest of $100M, 3× benefit or 30% of turnover for contraventions from 28 March 2026). Exporting organic goods without the required certification breaches Australian export law
Summary
Organic rules differ for domestic sales and exports. Within Australia, the ACCC states that organic certification is not legally required for a product to be described as organic, but any organic claim (for example '100% organic', 'made using organic ingredients' or 'certified organic') must be able to be proved, because false or misleading claims breach the Australian Consumer Law. A voluntary domestic standard, AS 6000-2015, is available; a business that claims to meet it, or labels a product as certified organic, must ensure the claim and any certification mark are genuine. For exports the position is mandatory: every facility that produces or prepares organic or bio-dynamic goods for export (producers, suppliers, processors, manufacturers and storage facilities) must be certified by a certifying body approved by the Department of Agriculture, comply with the Export Control (Organic Goods) Rules 2021 and the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce, and meet importing country requirements. Approved certifying bodies issue organic goods certificates for export consignments.
Enforced by
Source legislation
Industries
Topics
Related
- CWLTHCountry of Origin Labelling for food (CoOL Information Standard)Food sold in Australia must carry country-of-origin labelling per the 2016 Information Standard.
- CWLTHComply with Plain English Allergen Labelling (PEAL)From 25 February 2026, allergen labelling must use plain English and a standardised format.
Reading
Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with Organic claims and organic certification — certification mandatory for export only?
- Any business that labels or promotes a product as organic or bio-dynamic in Australia (claims must be substantiated), and every operator in the export supply chain for organic or bio-dynamic goods (mandatory certification by an approved certifying body).
- What triggers Organic claims and organic certification — certification mandatory for export only?
- Making an organic or bio-dynamic claim on a product, label or advertisement; claiming certification or compliance with AS 6000-2015; or producing, preparing, storing or exporting goods described as organic for export. Label wording that implies organic status can make a product an 'organic good' under export law.
- When is Organic claims and organic certification — certification mandatory for export only due?
- Before the claim is made or the goods are exported. Transition to full organic certification for export can take at least 3 years; export labels must be authorised by the approved certifying body before use.
- What is the maximum penalty for Organic claims and organic certification — certification mandatory for export only?
- False or misleading organic claims breach the Australian Consumer Law: the ACCC can require a business to back up its claims, investigate and take compliance or enforcement action, and ACL civil penalties apply (body corporate: the greatest of $100M, 3× benefit or 30% of turnover for contraventions from 28 March 2026). Exporting organic goods without the required certification breaches Australian export law
- What evidence is required for Organic claims and organic certification — certification mandatory for export only?
- Evidence substantiating every organic claim (inputs, supplier certificates, process records); current certificate and correct use of any certification mark; for exports, certification by an approved certifying body, compliance with the Export Control (Organic Goods) Rules 2021 and the National Standard, authorised labels, organic goods certificates matching other export documentation, and importing country requirements from Micor.
Source: https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/advertising-and-promotions/organic-claims. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.