{"id":4521,"date":"2026-07-13T08:54:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T08:54:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opapod.it\/bio-suisse-certification-what-it-is-how-it-differs-from-eu-organic-standards-and-why-it-matters-for-italian-agriculture\/"},"modified":"2026-07-22T13:42:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T13:42:06","slug":"bio-suisse-certification-what-it-is-how-it-differs-from-eu-organic-standards-and-why-it-matters-for-italian-agriculture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.opapod.it\/en\/bio-suisse-certification-what-it-is-how-it-differs-from-eu-organic-standards-and-why-it-matters-for-italian-agriculture\/","title":{"rendered":"Bio Suisse Certification: what it is, how it differs from EU Organic Standards, and why it matters for italian agriculture"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Bio Suisse: a Standard That Goes Beyond European Organic Certification <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAPOD complies with the Bio Suisse certification standards<\/strong>, one of the most rigorous<\/strong> and internationally recognised organic certification systems.Meeting European organic farming legislation, Regulation (EU) 2018\/848, is not enough to obtain this certification: it is only the minimum starting requirement.<\/strong>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Whole-farm organic management<\/p>

The entire farm must be managed according to organic farming principles. Partially organic production is not permitted. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Active promotion of biodiversity<\/p>

At least 7% of the utilised agricultural area must be allocated to areas dedicated to promoting biodiversity. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Stricter restrictions on plant protection products<\/p>

Additional restrictions apply, particularly to the use of copper-based products.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Responsible water management <\/p>

Specific requirements also apply to water management and soil protection, with particular attention paid to crop rotation. <\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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With Bio Suisse<\/strong> certification, the protection of soil, water and biodiversity becomes an integral part of the production process. It is a practical approach that puts into action the goals of World Nature Conservation Day<\/strong>, celebrated on 28 July. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tBio Suisse vs EU organic
Quick Comparison

Bio Suisse vs EU Organic: the Main Differences<\/h2>
Requirements compared<\/caption>
Aspec<\/th>EU Organic \u2013 Regulation (EU) 2018\/848<\/th>Bio Suisse<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Farm management<\/th>Mixed farms are permitted, provided that organic, in-conversion and conventional production units are kept separate<\/td>No exceptions: the entire farm must be managed organically<\/td><\/tr>
Biodiversity<\/th>No mandatory percentage of land must be dedicated to biodiversity<\/td>At least 7% of the utilised agricultural area, plus 12 additional measures selected from a dedicated catalogue<\/td><\/tr>
Plant protection products<\/th>Synthetic chemical products are prohibited; only substances included in the EU-approved list may be used<\/td>Additional restrictions apply, particularly to copper; organic herbicides are prohibited<\/td><\/tr>
Water management<\/th>No specific requirements<\/td>Rules apply to the sustainable use of water for products supplied from outside Switzerland<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>
Fonti:Bio Suisse, \"Kurzinfo Unterschiede Knospe \u2013 Bio-Verordnung\"<\/a> (nov. 2019) \u00b7 Regolamento (UE) 2018\/848, artt. 9-11<\/a><\/div><\/div>]]>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Scroll horizontally to view the table<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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A Healthy Environment Is the Foundation of a Stable Society<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWorld Nature Conservation Day, celebrated on 28 July, reminds us that a healthy environment is the foundation on which a stable and productive society<\/strong> is built. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The resources we depend on every day<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Water<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Air<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Soil<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Trees<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Animals<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Food<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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According to WWF, however, human pressure on the planet has steadily increased since 1970. Annual demand for natural resources has exceeded the Earth\u2019s capacity to regenerate them, reaching a 50% ecological deficit in 2008. This is a particularly important issue for farmers, whose livelihoods depend directly on healthy and functioning ecosystems. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSource: WWF “The Ecological Footprint shows that people are using the capacity of 1.5 Earths – but how can this be when there is only one Earth?” <\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Italy\u2019s Natural Heritage: Richness and Vulnerability <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tItaly is one of the most biodiverse<\/strong> countries in Europe, with more than 70,000 plant and animal species<\/strong> and a large number of endemic species, meaning species that are found nowhere else in the world.\nThis unique natural heritage is being progressively eroded by climate change<\/strong>, pollution, intensive agriculture and land consumption. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Biodiversity loss <\/strong>and ecosystem degradation have a direct impact on the availability of water and fertile soil. As a result, they place crop productivity and quality<\/strong>, as well as the economic sustainability of the entire agri-food supply chain, at risk.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Conservation: a Concept That Also Applies to the Way We Produce<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The Italian verb conservare<\/strong>, meaning \u201cto conserve\u201d, derives from the Latin prefix con-, used as an intensifier, and servare, meaning to preserve, protect or maintain. Its original meaning can therefore be understood as \u201cto protect together\u201d.When applied to nature, conservation means adopting practical strategies<\/strong>: protecting endangered species, restoring damaged ecosystems, managing resources responsibly and promoting a culture that prevents or limits the environmental impact of human activities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFor the agricultural sector, conservation is a daily production choice<\/strong>. It can also be assessed and verified through specific international certifications, as Bio Suisse <\/strong>does for APOD<\/strong>.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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All APOD Certifications<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBehind every certification lies a tangible commitment to agricultural practices that respect the environment, enhance the value of local areas and ensure high quality standards throughout the supply chain.\n Discover the standards that guide the way we produce<\/strong>.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"SPRING,\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"logo\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSustainability Certifications<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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SQNPI Certification<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Organic farming <\/strong>is not simply about avoiding chemical inputs<\/strong>. Its purpose is also to protect the natural balance on which agricultural production depends.Pollinating insects play an essential role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting crop productivity.<\/p>

Discover the importance of bees<\/strong> and other pollinators in agriculture, and how SQNPI certification contributes to their protection.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSQNPI Certification<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bio Suisse Certification<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What is Bio Suisse certification? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBio Suisse certification is one of the most authoritative international standards for organic agriculture. In addition to compliance with European organic farming regulations, it requires stricter criteria concerning biodiversity, soil protection, water management and the limitation of agricultural inputs. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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What is the difference between organic certification and Bio Suisse? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBio Suisse certification introduces more demanding requirements, including organic management of the entire farm, the allocation of part of the agricultural area to biodiversity and stricter rules governing the use of plant protection products. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Why has APOD chosen Bio Suisse certification? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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APOD has chosen to adopt Bio Suisse standards to promote an agricultural model that combines quality, biodiversity protection, soil health and the responsible use of natural resources.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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What does Bio Suisse require for biodiversity protection? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBio Suisse guidelines require at least 7% of the utilised agricultural area to be dedicated to biodiversity-promoting areas. These may include hedgerows, small woodland areas, permanent grassland, flower strips and other natural habitats that support wildlife and pollinating insects. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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What benefits does Bio Suisse certification offer producers and the supply chain? <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/line><\/line><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBio Suisse certification enhances the value of agricultural products through internationally recognised standards. It also facilitates access to markets that require high levels of sustainability, quality and traceability.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t