For an operation outside Switzerland to receive certification in accordance with Bio Suisse Standards, it must already be in possession of a valid certification under EU Regulation 2018/848 or equivalent and must also comply with Bio Suisse Standards.
The application to be certified as a BIOSUISSE ORGANIC operation is usually carried out by a Swiss importer who is a Bio Suisse licensee. This is the ideal basis for enabling a BIOSUISSE ORGANIC operation product to be marketed within Switzerland.
Control bodies that have signed a contract with Bio Suisse AG and are authorized to carry out Bio Suisse Organic inspections outside Switzerland are listed at the link below:
https://www.icbag.ch/kontrollstellen/page/Authorizedinspectionbodies.php
For certification in accordance with Bio Suisse Standards for operations abroad: Swiss certification bodies may be seen at link:
https://international.bio-suisse.ch/en/import/import-with-bio-suisse.html?to=bio.inspecta%253A-authorised-subcontracted-inspection-bodies
Important Issues in Bio Suisse Certification
Whole farm approach: All products on a Bio Suisse farm must be produced and inspected according to the Bio Suisse Standards, regardless of the intended marketing purpose of the product. Enterprises with non-organic land cannot obtain Bio Suisse certification. For livestock, entrepreneurs in EU member states must comply with EU Organic livestock rules, while entrepreneurs outside the EU must comply with the IFOAM basic standards.
Fertilizer use: The nitrogen and phosphorus levels in the fertilizers used are specifically determined per product according to the Bio Suisse standard and must not be exceeded. For example, in vineyards, the limit for pure nitrogen in fertilizer is 100 kg/ha, and the P2O5 limit is 30 kg/ha.
Areas dedicated to biodiversity development: must constitute at least 7% of the utilized agricultural land of a farm enterprise and must be located within the parts of the farm used for agricultural purposes.
Rules on copper use: Unlike other Regulations and Standards, the limits for pure copper applications are lower. For example, the limit is 1.5 kg/ha per year for soft core fruits and 3 kg/ha per year for stone fruits.
Soil protection and soil fertility: At least 20% of crop rotation must protect or improve the soil or accumulate nutrients. Outside the growing season, at least 50% of arable land must have sufficient plant cover. For annual crops, there must be a rotation interval of at least 12 months between two main crops of the same type. For perennial crops, the land must be covered with green cover all year round; if there is water scarcity, this period may be 4 months. If self-growing plants are sparse, a green manure crop must be sown.
For more detailed information, you can access the link below:
https://www.icbag.ch/downloads/downloads/guidelinesinstructions.php