Access to European Union law
<a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/content/help/eurlex-content/experimental-features.html" target="_blank">More about the experimental features corner</a>
Choose the experimental features you want to try
EUR-Lex
Access to European Union law

This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website

You are here
Use quotation marks to search for an "exact phrase". Append an asterisk (*) to a search term to find variations of it (transp*, 32019R*). Use a question mark (?) instead of a single character in your search term to find variations of it (ca?e finds case, cane, care).
Search tips
Need more search options? Use the Advanced search

Summaries of EU Legislation

International agreement on olive oil and table olives

 

SUMMARY OF:

International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015

Decision (EU) 2019/848 — conclusion on behalf of the EU of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND OF THE DECISION?

The agreement aims to:

  • ensure uniform national and international legislation on olive oils*, olive pomace* oils and table olives to prevent obstacles to trade;
  • consolidate international standards by increasing knowledge of olives’ composition and characteristics. These promote:
    • product quality and its control;
    • international trade and its development;
    • the protection of consumer rights; and
    • the prevention of fraudulent and misleading practices.

The EU decision:

  • approves the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives;
  • confirms the European Commission represents EU countries in the Council of Members;
  • mandates the Commission to approve certain kinds of amendments to the agreement.

KEY POINTS

The agreement replaces an earlier 2005 version. It:

  • strengthens the role of the International Olive Council (IOC) as a forum for scientific excellence and a documentation and information centre;
  • provides for studies, research, information exchange and technical cooperation;
  • promotes environmental conservation and sustainable production;
  • encourages consumption of olive products and expansion of international trade;
  • supports efforts to inform the public on the nutritional, health and other properties of olives;
  • disseminates economic data and analysis on the olive market.

The IOC, based in Madrid, takes decisions by consensus in its highest authority, the Council of Members, which holds 2 regular sessions a year.

IOC member countries:

  • may not take any measures that conflict with their obligations under the agreement;
  • apply the designations and definitions of olive oils, olive pomace oils and table olives contained in the agreement in their international trade;
  • encourage use of these definitions in their internal trade;
  • undertake not to use the term ‘olive oil’ in any way contradictory to the agreement;
  • ensure protection in their territory for geographical indications*;
  • encourage improvements in production practices to develop sustainable olive growing.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement entered into force provisionally on 1 January 2017.

The decision has applied since 3 June 2019.

BACKGROUND

  • IOC members account for almost 95% of global olive oil production, while the EU was the world’s leading producer (67%), consumer (55%) and exporter (67%) between 2012/2013-2016/2017.
  • The agreement is one of many United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) international commodity agreements. Others cover sugar, cereals, coffee, cocoa, tropical wood, rubber, jute, copper, lead and zinc.
  • For more information, see:

KEY TERMS

Olive oil: oil obtained solely from the fruit of the olive tree.

In accordance with the EU legislation, the different categories of olive oil are:

‘extra virgin olive oil’, ‘virgin olive oil’,

‘lampante olive oil’, ‘refined olive oil’ and

‘olive oil — composed of refined olive oils and virgin olive oils’.

Olive pomace oil: the oil obtained by treating olive pomace with solvents or other physical treatments.

In accordance with the EU legislation, the different categories of olive pomace oil are:

‘crude olive-pomace oil’,

‘refined olive-pomace oil’ and

‘olive-pomace oil’.

Geographical indication: a sign used on products with a specific geographical origin and qualities or reputation due to that origin.

MAIN DOCUMENTS

International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015 (OJ L 293, 28.10.2016, pp. 4-24)

Council Decision (EU) 2019/848 of 17 May 2019 on the conclusion on behalf of the European Union of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015 (OJ L 139, 27.5.2019, pp. 1-3)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Council Decision (EU) 2016/1892 of 10 October 2016 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, and provisional application of the International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, 2015 (OJ L 293, 28.10.2016, pp. 2-3)

last update 20.09.2019

Top