Bio Suisse - your route to the Swiss market for organic products

A private standard introduced by the association of Swiss organic farms, founded in 1981. The association owns the “Bud” label (Knospe / Bud) and brings together nearly 7,500 farms.

Certification under the Bio Suisse standards for farms and companies outside Switzerland. The certificate is issued by ICB AG (International Certification Bio Suisse AG) in Basel.

A valid organic certificate under Regulation (EU) 2018/848, as a rule a Swiss importer or licensee, and inspection by a control body with a contract with ICB AG.

The entire farm must be organic; at least 7% of the area is for biodiversity; there are limits on fertilisation and lower limits for copper; all herbicides are prohibited; the conversion period is at least 24 months. Where the conversion period of the farm under Regulation (EU) 2018/848 has already been completed, it is recognised. That is, the same parcels do not have to go through another 24 months after the start of BIOSUISSE ORGANIC certification.

Plant production, processing and trade, beekeeping and producer groups.

The Bio Suisse inspection is scheduled together with the annual inspection under Regulation (EU) 2018/848. It is documented separately in an ICB AG checklist. We submit the documentation package to ICB AG, which takes the certification decision.

Certified products are labelled as “BIOSUISSE ORGANIC”. Operators outside Switzerland may not use the “Bud” label (“Knospe”).