Biodynamic or not

Within the European Union, 'biodynamic' wine is not regulated in EU law as a separate product category in the same way as 'organic' wine. In practice, a biodynamic wine must generally first comply with the European rules on organic production. In addition, private certification schemes, such as Demeter and Biodyvin, may impose further requirements concerning grape growing, cellar practices, inspection and labelling.

Legal basis and scope

The legal basis remains Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling. This Regulation protects terms such as 'organic', 'bio' and 'eco', but does not establish a separate, harmonised EU certification scheme for 'biodynamic' products. The best-known biodynamic designations, including 'Demeter' and 'Biodyvin' and their associated logos, operate as private certification marks. Demeter is a broad international certification scheme for biodynamic agriculture; Biodyvin is specifically focused on wine and is awarded by the Syndicat International des Vignerons en Culture Bio-Dynamique (SIVCBD). These names and logos may be used only in accordance with the applicable certification, membership and licensing conditions.

What this means for wine

For wine, this means that the grapes are grown organically and that biodynamic principles are also applied. The vineyard is treated as an integrated agricultural organism, with attention paid to soil fertility, biodiversity, natural cycles and the use of biodynamic preparations. Vinification is also subject to additional rules: the permitted processing aids and methods are more restricted, and the producer must be able to demonstrate control over both the origin of the grapes and their processing. Biodyvin has its own standards for both viticulture and vinification. Only estates that are managed entirely according to biodynamic principles, or that commit to full conversion within the prescribed transition period, may be admitted. The precise requirements derive from the chosen certification standard and may be supplemented by country-specific provisions.

Labelling and inspection

If the wine is certified organic, the EU rules on organic labelling apply, including, where applicable, the EU organic logo, the code number of the control body and an indication of the origin of the agricultural raw materials. Any additional biodynamic certification mark is subject to the conditions imposed by its owner. Demeter is a registered trade mark; its logo and name may be used only after certification and licensing, and approval of production, processing and labelling. For Biodyvin, the independent body Ecocert SAS France conducts annual inspections to verify that affiliated wineries comply with the standards for the vineyard and vinification. On the basis of the inspection report, the SIVCBD issues an annual biodynamic declaration; once the prescribed conversion period has been completed, the official BIODYVIN label may be awarded. Biodyvin recognition therefore supplements, rather than replaces, the required organic certification.

Other wine terminology and conclusion

The term 'biodynamic' on its own therefore does not automatically have the same status in public law as 'organic'. Nevertheless, it must not be used in a misleading way. A non-certified producer may not use a registered biodynamic certification mark or, through its presentation, trading name or advertising, create the impression that official certification exists when it does not. Claims such as 'in accordance with biodynamic principles' must also be factually substantiated and sufficiently clear to consumers.

The legally precise conclusion is therefore as follows: for wine in the EU, 'biodynamic' is not a separate statutory certification scheme in the same way as 'organic'; however, commercial biodynamic claims must be truthful and not misleading, and protected private certification marks such as Demeter and Biodyvin may be used only in accordance with their own certification, inspection and usage conditions.