Organic production: ESA recommends stronger enforcement of organic legislation in Norway

A new report by the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) recommends that Norway strengthen the effectiveness of its official control system for organic production and labelling of organic products. The report follows an audit to Norway from 2 to 11 March 2026.

Organic production should protect the environment, support animal welfare, and avoid the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in food and feed production. ESA assessed Norway's compliance with the EEA rules on organic production and the effectiveness of official controls, including the supervision of the control body, Debio.

ESA found that Norway has improved its control system since the previous audit in 2018. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) and Debio have established procedures for official controls that are generally followed.

However, non-compliances are not always addressed effectively and in a timely manner, especially in cases involving repeated or serious infringements. Consequently, ESA concluded that stronger enforcement is needed to ensure that conventional products are not placed on the market as organic.

The report includes four recommendations that the Norwegian authorities must address to rectify the identified shortcomings and enhance the control system in place:

• Improve the NFSA's/competent authority's oversight of Debio's risk-based control system.
• Strengthen procedures and guidance for official controls.
• Ensure appropriate and timely enforcement of non-compliances.
• Ensure that conventional products are not marketed or labelled as organic.

Organic production in the EEA

EEA law sets high standards for organic production, food and feed safety, and for animal health and welfare.

ESA is responsible for monitoring how Iceland and Norway implement EEA rules on organic production, food and feed safety, and for animal health and welfare.

Consequently, ESA performs regular audits in both countries. ESA does not monitor Liechtenstein in these areas due to sectoral adaptations following the extension of the Agreement on trade in agricultural products between the EU and Switzerland to Liechtenstein.

ESA's report can be found here .

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