Applying for approval of an inspection body for organic farming

The Federal Office for Agriculture and Food is responsible for approving your inspection body.

• Submit the completed application together with the required attachments by post to the BLE.
  • You will receive the application documents on verbal or written request from the BLE.
• The BLE will check the application against the legal requirements.

Depending on the inspection body's application, inspection and approval may cover some or all of the following inspection areas:

• Control area A:
  • Agricultural production
  • Agricultural production - beekeeping
  • Agricultural production - seaweed and aquaculture
• Control area B: Production of processed food
• Control area C: Trade with third countries (import)
• Control area D: Contracting out to third parties
• Control area E: Production of animal feed

Prior to approval, the competent body carries out an on-site inspection of the business premises.

Once the inspection has been successfully completed and the fees have been paid, your inspection body can commence operations.

Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food
Deichmanns Aue 29
53179 Bonn
Phone: +49 228 9968450
Fax: +49 228 68453101
Internet: www.ble.de

Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food
Deichmanns Aue 29
53179 Bonn
Phone: +49 228 9968450
Fax: +49 228 68453101
Internet: www.ble.de

• Accreditation
• Quality management
• a sufficient number of qualified inspection body personnel. The specific requirements are set out in the accreditation regulations.
• Standard inspection program for each inspection area applied for
• Written procedures, including for the implementation of the
  • inspection
  • evaluation and certification
  • Documentation of inspection results
  • sanctioning
  • Risk analysis
  • Sampling and charging
• Financial, professional and personal independence
• Adequate insurance cover for all possible claims arising from the inspection

• Proof that you meet the requirements. You can request the application documents and further information from the BLE.

Costs are incurred. These depend on the processing costs. The maximum fee is currently EUR 9780.00.

You do not have to meet any deadlines.

Application review: maximum 3 months.
The period begins when the documents are complete.

• § Section 4 (1) of the Organic Farming Act (ÖLG)
• ÖLG Control Body Approval Ordinance (ÖLGKontrollStZulV)

Forms: yes

Online procedure possible: no

Written form required: yes

Personal appearance required: no

28.05.2021