Introduction

The European Organic Certifiers Council (EOCC) is a group of organic control bodies who are interested in cooperation and exchange of information.
The first meeting in Basel, Switzerland in August 2000 was held in order to discuss the formation of a European group active within the framework of the EC Regulation for organic agriculture and foodstuffs. So far 35 control bodies are member of the EOCC. In December 2009 EOCC will be formally registered in Belgium as an international association.

Purpose
The EOCC aims to increase the reliability of control and certification activities and decisions in relatiton to European legislation with regard to organic production and labelling of organic products.

The following items have been considered to be important:
1 Representation of control bodies to EU Commission and EU Member States level. Main issues are new proposals on EU regulations and interpretation of regulations already in force with regard to inspectability of organic agriculture, processing and trade. Also representation to other stakeholders in the organic sector and the public.

2 Harmonizing interpretations and contols of the European organic legislation.

3 Exchange of important information for all inspection bodies, e.g. fraud.

4 Sharing services and developing methodologies and tools.