1.This Regulation provides the basis for the sustainable development of organic production while ensuring the effective functioning of the internal market, guaranteeing fair competition, ensuring consumer confidence and protecting consumer interests.
It establishes common objectives and principles to underpin the rules set out under this Regulation concerning:
(a)all stages of production, preparation and distribution of organic products and their control;
(b)the use of indications referring to organic production in labelling and advertising.
2.This Regulation shall apply to the following products originating from agriculture, including aquaculture, where such products are placed on the market or are intended to be placed on the market:
(a)live or unprocessed agricultural products;
(b)processed agricultural products for use as food;
(c)feed;
(d)vegetative propagating material and seeds for cultivation.
The products of hunting and fishing of wild animals shall not be considered as organic production.
This Regulation shall also apply to yeasts used as food or feed.
3.This Regulation shall apply to any operator involved in activities, at any stage of production, preparation and distribution, relating to the products set out in paragraph 2.
However, mass catering operations shall not be subject to this Regulation. Member States may apply national rules or, in the absence thereof, private standards, on labelling and control of products originating from mass catering operations, in so far as the said rules comply with Community Law.
4.This Regulation shall apply without prejudice to other community provisions or national provisions, in conformity with Community law concerning products specified in this Article, such as provisions governing the production, preparation, marketing, labelling and control, including legislation on foodstuffs and animal nutrition.