Poland's organic sector has grown substantially over the past two decades, and with that growth came a structured certification framework administered at the national level. For anyone looking to source organic produce directly from Polish farms — whether as a consumer, buyer for a restaurant, or small distributor — the first step is understanding where certified farms are officially listed and how that list is maintained.

The IJHARS Registry: The Primary Source

The Inspection of Trade Quality of Agricultural and Food Products, known by its Polish acronym IJHARS (Inspekcja Jakości Handlowej Artykułów Rolno-Spożywczych), operates under the Polish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. One of its core functions is overseeing organic certification in Poland, as required by EU Regulation 2018/848 on organic production.

IJHARS maintains a publicly accessible list of certified organic operators. This list includes:

  • Agricultural producers (farms)
  • Processing businesses
  • Importers of organic goods
  • Traders and distributors operating under organic certification

The database is searchable by operator name, voivodeship (region), and type of activity. It is updated as new certifications are issued and existing certificates expire or are revoked.

Key Resource The IJHARS database of certified organic operators is available at www.ijhars.gov.pl. The search interface is in Polish, but the operator names and location data are straightforward to navigate.

Understanding the EU Organic Leaf Logo

Products sold as organic within the European Union must display the EU organic logo — the green leaf composed of stars against a dark background. Under EU Regulation 2018/848, this logo may only be used on products that meet specific requirements:

  • At least 95% of the agricultural ingredients are organic
  • The product has been produced and certified by a recognised control body
  • The certification number and country of origin are displayed on the label

When purchasing directly from a Polish farm, the farm's certification number should appear on any accompanying documentation. This number can be cross-referenced against the IJHARS list to confirm current certification status.

Certification Bodies Operating in Poland

IJHARS does not certify farms directly. Instead, it authorises private certification bodies to carry out inspections and issue organic certificates on its behalf. Several accredited bodies operate in Poland, each covering different regions and sometimes specialising in particular product types.

Certification Body Coverage
Bioekspert Sp. z o.o. National, including processing and import
EKOGWARANCJA PTRE Sp. z o.o. National, focus on primary production
PNG Sp. z o.o. National coverage
COBICO Sp. z o.o. National, including livestock operations

The full list of accredited certification bodies in Poland is published by IJHARS and updated as new bodies receive authorisation or existing ones change status.

Regional Distribution of Certified Farms

Organic farming in Poland is not evenly distributed across the country. Historical patterns, soil quality, and regional agricultural traditions have shaped where certified organic operations concentrate.

Warmia-Masuria (Warmińsko-Mazurskie) in the north-east has historically had one of the highest densities of organic farms per agricultural area in Poland. The region's relatively low industrial farming intensity and its proximity to natural landscapes made the transition to organic production economically viable for many smaller operators.

Podlaskie and Lubelskie voivodeships have also shown consistent organic farm registration numbers, particularly in grain and dairy production.

Lesser Poland (Małopolskie) and Subcarpathia (Podkarpackie) have significant concentrations of smaller organic vegetable and fruit operations, often operating as direct-sale farm businesses.

Practical Steps for Verifying a Farm's Certification

Before establishing a sourcing relationship with a farm claiming organic status, the following process helps confirm current certification:

  1. Request the certificate number: Any certified operator holds a current certificate issued by their accredited control body. The certificate should include the operator's name, address, certification scope, and validity dates.
  2. Cross-reference with IJHARS: Use the certificate number or farm name to locate the operator in the IJHARS database. An entry confirms the operator is currently registered.
  3. Check validity dates: Organic certificates are issued annually following a successful inspection. A certificate more than 12 months old without a renewal on record should be queried directly with the issuing certification body.
  4. Confirm the certification scope: A certificate covers specific activities and product categories. A farm certified for grain production is not automatically certified for vegetables. Check that the certification scope matches the products being sourced.
Certification scope is one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of organic sourcing. A farm may hold a valid certificate that does not cover the specific crops or products being purchased.

Transition Farms and "In Conversion" Status

Under EU Regulation 2018/848, farms converting to organic methods must undergo a transition period before their products can be marketed as fully organic. For arable crops, this period is typically two years; for perennials, three years.

During this period, the farm may be listed in the IJHARS registry as an operator "in conversion." Products from these farms can be sold as "organic in conversion" if certain labelling conditions are met, but they cannot carry the standard EU organic leaf logo.

When sourcing for retail or food service, the distinction matters. Confirming whether a supplier is fully certified or still in the conversion period affects what claims can be made on menus or product labels.

Useful External References

For detailed regulatory text, the following publicly available sources are relevant to organic certification in Poland: