The European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) has been recognised by the European Commission (EC) as the official European accreditation infrastructure. The recognition of EA follows the adoption of Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 by the European Parliament and the European Council, which establishes the legal framework for accreditation in the EU.
EA and the European Commission (EC) cooperate closely for the development and the implementation of EU regulations that refer to accreditation and conformity assessment activities. The main communication channel for EA is the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs (DG GROW).
The number of regulations being developed or published over the past years is a clear indication of the confidence placed in accreditation and the European Accreditation infrastructure. It also demonstrates how well cooperation has evolved over the years, EA having adapted its internal organization to contribute at the right time. Confidence also exists in the almost daily interaction between EA and the EC services. It has helped ensure that EA can give its expertise about the benefit of using accreditation at the right stage of legislation development, sufficiently in advance for a sound and applicable set of requirements to be used in the various fields.
More than 15 EU legislation in the Food and Feed sector make use of accreditation.
Here are a few examples to illustrate how food and feed accreditation positively impacts your day-to-day life:
Organic production
Under Regulation (EU) 2018/848, control bodies inspect and certify organic producers. Accreditation ensures that control bodies are competent and trustworthy, guarantees consistent enforcement of organic standards, protects consumers, and supports the credibility and integrity of the EU organic logo, thereby reinforcing confidence in organic products and the EU organic market.
Food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products,
EU official control rules are a key element of the governance of the agri-food chain in Europe, recognised world-wide as an example of best practice.
These rules provide national authorities and the European Commission with the necessary powers to ensure effective enforcement of regulatory requirements and with mechanisms that allow the full cooperation of all parties involved in ensuring the correct application of the law across national borders.
The Official Controls Regulation (EU) 2017/625 addresses official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products (Official Controls Regulation – OCR).