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The European code for private inspection bodies is a kind of number plate for inspection bodies which certify the scope of organic farming according to regulations EEC No. 834/2007 and 889/2008. Since 1st of July 2010 the code has to be labelled in connection with the EU-organic-label (leaf consisting of 12 stars symbolising the member states of the EU-foundation) on all prepacked organic food products produced within the European Union. The code is also compulsory in connection with the voluntarily used German Bio-Siegel.

If the German Bio-Siegel is used too, it is sufficient to label the code only once on the product.

The code number (example for a German inspection body below) consists of the following information

DE-ÖKO-###

• DE: abbreviation for the European member state, here Germany
• ÖKO: code for production in accordance with the EEC No. 834/2007 and 889/2008
• ###: triple digit number code for the inspection body in charge

The triple digit code is the reference number of the inspection body in charge. Each inspection body has its own code which provides information on the fact that the production site was inspected by the inspection body named with the code. If necessary, the products with this code can be traced back reliably to the site of origin. If a product consists of various ingredients each single one can be traced back.

Codes of inspection bodies located outside of the EC may have different numbers or show the full name of the inspection body only, or both.