Page 18 - Social_Sustainable consumerism

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In January 2009, the entry into force of the new European regulation on organic farming put an end to
the principle of subsidiarity, in order to simplify regulations and limit distortions of competition. National
public regulations concerning organic farming, such as the AB label, are therefore no longer authorized.
The French “AB” logo remains voluntary, but gives way to the European logo, which is less restrictive (the
so called “eurofeuille”seen in 2.3).This European organic label is now gradually replacing the AB logo.
Following the alignment of the AB label specifications with European regulations, which meant a sudden
drop in regulatory requirements, a large part of AB labeled producers and several organic farming
organizations created in 2010 a new label, stricter, called Bio Coherence.

Case 3. Oivo-Crioc and Citizenside.com

Ovio-Criocnow merged with Citizenside.com is the Belgian “Centre de recherches et d’informationdes
organisations de consomateurs”, which makes a link between the specialist ethical consumer
organisations and the national consumers associations. It has been actively publishing quality content that
ranges from press releases, research and analysis, consumer advocacy, and more. With over 45 years of
expertise, CRIOC strongly believes in its aims to provide technical assistance to consumer organizations and
to promote consumer protection. In pursue of this goal, CRIOC participates in consumer representation to
work closely with authorized groups at the federal, community, regional, and European levels.

CRIOC believes in social responsibility, hence, CRIOC responds to all requests for documentation from
consumer organizations, SME, FPS Economy. In the appreciation of accuracy and responsibility, all
researches and studies were carried out properly in obliged to all requirements and documentation.

THE BOTTOM LINE: CRIOC is at the heart of social change. They believe in social support and if you needed
a voice to be heard, they make sure it’s done.