The United States (U.S.) has an organic equivalency arrangement with Switzerland. This means that as long as the terms of the arrangement are met, organic products certified to the USDA organic regulations or the Swiss organic ordinances may be labeled and sold as organic in both countries.

Questions + Answers (PDF)

Exporting Organic Products to Switzerland (PDF)

Importing Organic Products from Switzerland (PDF)

Swiss Organic Ordinances

Organic Certifying Agents Accredited by: U.S. | Switzerland

Scope. Beginning July 10, 2015, the arrangement covers products which:

Documentation – U.S. Organic Products. A USDA-accredited certifying agent must complete a Swiss Certificate of Inspection for all USDA organic products traded under the arrangement.

Documentation – Swiss Organic Products. A Swiss-accredited certification body must complete a NOP Import Certificate for all Swiss organic products traded under the arrangement.

Memo to Swiss Authorized Bodies |

NOP Import Certificate | Instructions

U.S. Labeling Requirements. Swiss organic products imported into the U.S. must be labeled according to USDA organic labeling requirements and may display the USDA organic seal.

USDA Organic Labeling | USDA Organic Seal

Swiss Labeling Requirements. U.S. organic products imported into Switzerland must be labeled according to Swiss organic labeling requirements and may display the USDA organic seal.

Swiss Labeling Requirements

Oversight. The USDA NOP and the Switzerland Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) will notify one another of any changes which could affect the terms of the arrangement. Both will also assess each other’s systems on a regular basis to ensure that the terms of the equivalency arrangement are being met. Any issues will be resolved by an Organic Working Group, which will include experts from both countries.

Equivalency Arrangement: Letter to USDA (PDF)