Other Schemes
Mountain product
In order to make mountain products on the market more clearly identifiable and less misleading for consumers, the EU institutions have legislated on a common definition of an optional quality term in the labelling of agricultural and food products.
The term “mountain product” should only be used for products in respect of which the feed and raw materials used to make them come essentially from mountain areas and the processing also takes place in mountain areas.
Product of the outermost regions of the EU
A special logo has been created for agriculture in the outermost regions of the EU, which, due to their remoteness and insularity, are exercised in difficult geographical and meteorological conditions (the French overseas departments - Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion and Martinique - and the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands).
Voluntary certification schemes
Voluntary certification schemes at national level or managed by private operators can also help consumers to be sure of the quality of the products they choose.
In addition to EU schemes, there are numerous private and national food quality schemes or labels that cover a wide range of initiatives and operate between businesses or between businesses and consumers.
In consultation with stakeholders, the European Commission developed guidelines illustrating best practices for the operation of such optional schemes.