Eco Certificate - what does it mean?

Imagine you are standing in a store, choosing food products or dietary supplements. On one side of the shelf, cheaper, mass-produced goods are tempting, and on the other, packages marked with green logos and the words "ecological". You wonder: is it really worth choosing those with the Eco certificate? Are these products better for me and my family?

The Eco certificate is more than just a mark on the packaging. It is proof that the product you hold in your hands was manufactured in accordance with strict requirements, without the use of artificial additives, pesticides or GMOs. What does the certificate mean? What mark to look for on the packaging? Why are organic dietary supplements such a good option? Check it out!

List of ecological certificates

Growing consumer awareness means that more and more people are looking for organic products and putting them in their real or virtual shopping cart. Organic certificates are used not only for actual quality testing, but also so that consumers can more easily and quickly recognize those products that meet rigorous production standards.

What certificates exist and what do they mean for consumers?

The most important ecological certificates in Europe

The European organic logo is one of the most recognizable marks in the world. This logo placed on organic food, commonly called the "Euro leaf", is a green symbol made up of white stars arranged in the shape of a leaf. It indicates that the product comes from organic farming certified in accordance with EU regulations.

• A minimum of 95% product ingredients must be organic.
• The production process, transportation and storage must meet ecological standards.

The Euroleaf appears on both food and organic food supplements, assuring their natural origin and lack of artificial additives. Read on to find out what the organic food logo looks like, which you will also find on our natural food supplements.

The EU certificate "Organic farming" is also used in Poland, in accordance with the regulations in force throughout the European Union. In practice, this means that products marked with this certificate meet EU requirements for organic production.

National certificates for organic farming

Each EU member state can use its own logo that supports European standards.

Examples include the German Bio-Siegel

Whether

French AB (Agriculture Biologique)

These labels are particularly popular in regions where local organic farming enjoys high consumer confidence.

Poland does not have a separate organic certificate independent of the EU one, but there are certification bodies operating in our country (e.g. Agro Bio Test, Bioekspert, Cobico) that carry out inspections in accordance with EU law. Therefore, organic products in Poland are marked with the EU leaf symbol with twelve stars and an additional description indicating the country of origin.

International certificates

In the global market, important signs are:

USDA Organic – Products with this certification are mainly imported from the United States or countries that follow US organic standards. They can be found in stores that offer international organic products, especially in the food section.

Soil Association Organic – this British certificate appears on products imported from Great Britain. It can apply to food or cosmetics. In Poland, you can find products with this mark in specialist shops and chains offering a large selection of certified organic food from Great Britain.

JAS Organic – Products with the Japanese JAS Organic certificate are more niche, but are available in Asian food stores or delicatessens that offer exotic products. They mainly concern tea, rice and other products typical of Japanese cuisine.

Each of these certificates confirms the ecological origin of products. Poland, as a member of the global market, imports organic products from various countries. The interest in international certificates is growing, especially among consumers looking for the highest quality and unique products. Remember that products with international certificates may be more expensive, because their price includes additional transport and certification costs in many systems.

Advantages of organic products

• Organic products, including food and dietary supplements, are free from pesticides and artificial additives. They contain more nutrients, which has a positive effect on the body.
• Products from organic farming and certified are a guarantee that crops are grown sustainably, without harming the soil, water or environment. Organic production reduces greenhouse gas emissions and minimises the negative impact on the climate.
• By purchasing products with organic certificates, you support agriculture that preserves the natural resources of our planet.

How to recognize organic products?

Since organic products are valued by conscious customers and the manufacturer must meet a number of requirements to receive a certificate, more and more imitations and unclear labels are appearing on the market.

To make sure you are buying a product that meets ecological standards, pay attention to a few things:

• Check the packaging – look for the appropriate symbols on the packaging. In the European Union, this will be the aforementioned green leaf with white stars. Products with this symbol must meet strict requirements for organic production. The packaging should also include additional information, such as the number of the certification body (e.g. PL-EKO-XX for Poland), a description of the country from which the product ingredients come (e.g. "Organic farming - Poland" or "EU/non-EU"), and in the case of products from other countries, certificates such as USDA Organic, Soil Association Organic or JAS Organic.
• Verify manufacturer – credible companies producing organic food or dietary supplements usually provide very detailed information about the origin of their products. On the manufacturer's website, you will find additional data, such as certificates confirming compliance with organic standards and information about the production process and sources of ingredients. Also check consumer reviews and certificates from independent organizations. Companies that reliably comply with organic standards often participate in international organic fairs and are transparent when it comes to communicating with customers.
• Avoid imitations – there is no shortage of products on the market that try to “pretend” to be ecological. Manufacturers use green packaging, images of nature or slogans suggesting ecologicalness. In reality, however, they do not have any certificates. To avoid fraud, make sure that the certificate logo on the packaging comes from an accredited body. Also check the authenticity of the mark: fake certificates can be imprecisely printed or look different from the original. Also pay attention to the lack of the certification body number – this is a signal that the product may not meet ecological standards.
• Buy from trusted places – choose stores that specialize in selling organic products, whether stationary, online, or directly from the manufacturer. Such stores often work with certified manufacturers and offer only those products that meet the appropriate standards.
• Use AI apps and technologies – mobile applications help verify ecological certificates. Scan the barcode or type the product name to learn more about its origin and quality.

Organic farming certificate

The term "organic" is legally protected throughout Europe. A product can be provided with such information and the appropriate mark if the entire supply chain from the field to the store shelf is checked and certified by a special certification body. This body has the authority to inspect farms that grow plants, produce raw materials, produce finished products, and can also inspect products already on the store shelf. The certificate is granted for a specified period, and must be renewed if we want to continue producing and labeling products as organic.

During the audit, each stage of product production is controlled, attention to every smallest detail is checked. The possibility of placing the "Euro-leaf" logo indicates that our products have obtained a positive result of control by one of such entities - "PNG" Sp. z o. o. - certificate no. PL-EKO-02-0024689.

Natural dietary supplements with Eco certificate

Each of the dietary supplements we produce is an organic product with a certificate confirming this fact.

We guarantee that all ingredients come from certified crops or are obtained from a natural state covered by an organic certificate. The plants are grown in fertile soil without using pesticides, growth hormones, chemical fertilizers. The seeds do not contain harmful chemical compounds or genetic modifications (GMO). Plant growth is slower but natural, which means that we often obtain raw materials with a higher content of active ingredients. What is important organic farming has a positive impact on the soil and nature (insects collecting pollen), reducing groundwater and soil pollution. Fewer greenhouse gases are produced and less energy is used.

Organic food logo

In accordance with Regulation 2018/848 on organic production and labelling of organic products, we place the “Euro-leaf” mark on the packaging – a green rectangle with a leaf made of white stars.

In the same field of vision there should be the number of the certification body (in our case it is PL-EKO-02) and the indication of the origin of the raw material (EU agriculture or non-EU agriculture).

This marking guarantees the ecological origin of all the raw materials included in our products, as well as the certainty that they were manufactured using ecological methods.

Organic dietary supplements - worth choosing!

In the daily rush, you can easily forget how important the quality of what you put on your plate or take out of your home medicine cabinet is. Choosing organic dietary supplements is an investment in yourself and your future. It is a decision that not only improves the quality of your life, but also supports sustainable agriculture and the protection of our planet. The fact that products with an organic certificate have appeared on the market is proof that you can live healthier, make conscious choices and at the same time take care of the environment. After all, quality and care for nature should always go hand in hand.