Demeter certification
Demeter certification confirms that a farm works biodynamically. It requires a conversion period of several years and an annual inspection, and builds on EU organic certification.
What is Demeter certification?
Demeter certification is the procedure through which a farm or processor becomes entitled to carry the Demeter mark. It confirms that the business works biodynamically according to the Demeter standards, the strictest of the organic standards. Unlike a pure product label, it inspects and develops the whole farm as one unit.
An addition to EU organic
Certification builds on the EU organic regulation: a Demeter farm is always EU organic certified as well, and additionally meets the further Demeter requirements. Where the two differ, the EU regulation takes precedence; Demeter tightens it. The positive list principle applies: what is not expressly allowed is not permitted. This covers methods, raw materials, feed and farm inputs.
Conversion
Under the German Demeter standards, converting a farm to Demeter must as a rule be completed within three years; under certain conditions (if the whole farm is managed organically) it can be extended to five years. Conversion of the livestock starts from the outset, because animals are a central part of the farm organism. During this time the farm learns biodynamic practice, builds up its work with the preparations and changes its crop rotation, fertilising and choice of varieties.
Registration and deadlines
Under the German Demeter standards, anyone who wants to label produce "in conversion to Demeter" or "Demeter" in the current year registers for certification by 1 May at the latest. By that date, horn manure 500 or barrel compost must have been applied to all land, and horn silica 501 in a way suited to the crop before the harvest of the crop to be certified.
Annual inspection
Compliance is inspected every year. Besides the general organic and Demeter requirements, the inspection looks particularly at work with the preparations: the storage place, the stirring equipment and the application technique, or proof of contracted application if the farm does not apply the preparations itself. This makes work with the preparations not just a recommendation but a practice that has to be documented.
What is required beyond EU organic?
The core obligations that go beyond the general organic standard include compulsory use of the biodynamic preparations, developing the farm as a farm organism with livestock, excluding hybrid cereal varieties, stricter nitrogen limits and converting the whole farm (no certification of part of a farm). Added to this are requirements on social responsibility and the complete exclusion of genetic engineering.
Frequently asked questions about Demeter certification
How long does conversion to Demeter take?
Under the German standards, three years as a rule, extendable to five under certain conditions. Registration for certification is due by 1 May at the latest.
What does the Demeter inspection check?
Every year, among other things, the work with the preparations (storage place, stirring equipment, application technique or proof of contracted application) and compliance with the other requirements of the standards.
Is Demeter certification stricter than organic?
Yes. It builds on EU organic certification and additionally requires work with the preparations, the farm organism, a ban on hybrids and tighter fertiliser limits.
Can you convert just part of a farm?
No. Demeter requires the whole farm to be converted, not individual fields.