Glossary of the food sector

Official block

Procedure by which competent authorities ensure that animals and goods subject to official controls are not removed or tampered with pending a decision on their destination; includes storage by operators in accordance with the instructions and under the control of the competent authorities.

— Source: Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Art. 3(47)

Official certificate

Any label, mark, or other form of certification issued by operators under the supervision, carried out through appropriate official controls, of the competent authorities, or issued by the competent authorities themselves, which guarantees compliance with one or more requirements set out in this Regulation or in the provisions referred to in Article 1, paragraph 2 [of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Editor's note].

— Source: Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Art. 3(28)

Official certificate

A document in paper or electronic form, signed by the certifier, which guarantees compliance with one or more requirements set forth in Article 1, paragraph 2 [of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Editor's note].

—Source: Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Art. 3(27)

Official certification

Procedure by which the competent authorities ensure compliance with one or more requirements set out in the legislation referred to in Article 1, paragraph 2 [of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Editor's note].

—Source: Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Art. 3(25)

Official establishment (US term)

“Official establishment” means any establishment as determined by the Administrator at which inspection of the slaughter of poultry, or the processing of poultry products, meat, or eggs is maintained pursuant to the regulations.

— Source: 9 CFR 381.1

Official phytosanitary officer

A natural person designated by a competent authority as a staff member or in another capacity and appropriately trained to carry out official controls and other official activities in accordance with this Regulation and the relevant legislation referred to in Article 1(2)(g) [of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Editor's note].

—Source: Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Art. 3(33)

Official Veterinarian

Veterinarian designated by the competent authorities as a staff member or in another capacity and appropriately qualified to carry out official controls and other official activities in accordance with this Regulation and the relevant legislation referred to in Article 1(2) [of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Editor's note].

—Source: Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Art. 3(32)

Operator

Natural or legal person exercising effective control over animal by-products or derived products, including transporters, traders, and users.

— Source: Regulation (EC) 1069/2009, Art. 3(11)

Operator

Natural or legal person responsible for ensuring compliance with the requirements of this Regulation within the food or feed business under their control.

—Source: Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, Art. 2(3)

Operator

Any natural or legal person subject to one or more obligations under Article 1, paragraph 2 [of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Editor's note].

—Source: Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Art. 3(29)

Operator

Natural or legal person responsible for ensuring compliance with this Regulation at all stages of production, preparation, and distribution under that person's control.

—Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/848, Art. 3(13)

Operator (GMO traceability)

A natural or legal person who places a product on the market, as well as any natural or legal person to whom a product placed on the market in the Community, whether from a Member State or a third country, is supplied, at any stage of the production and distribution chain, excluding the final consumer.

— Source: Regulation (EC) 1830/2003, Art. 3(5)

Organic fertilizers and soil improvers

Materials of animal origin used, separately or in combination, to preserve or improve plant nutrition as well as the physical and chemical properties of soils and their biological activity; they may include manure, non-mineralized guano, digestive tract contents, compost, and digestion residues.

— Source: Regulation (EC) 1069/2009, Art. 3(22)

Organic product

A product resulting from organic production, other than a product obtained during the conversion period referred to in Article 10 [of Regulation (EU) 2018/848, Editor's note]. Products obtained from hunting or fishing of wild animals are not considered organic products.

— Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/848, Art. 3(2)

Organic production

The use, including during the conversion period referred to in Article 10 [of Regulation (EU) 2018/848, Editor's note], of production methods that comply with this Regulation at all stages of production, preparation, and distribution.

— Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/848, Art. 3(1)