Organic Certification Scandal in Greece: IRIS Suspended for Six Months Amid Credibility Crisis

In a development that has sent shockwaves through Greece’s organic agriculture sector, IRIS, one of the country’s largest organic product certification bodies and the only accredited certifier in Crete, has been hit with a six-month suspension of its accreditation. The decision was issued on August 4, 2025, by Greece’s National Accreditation Council (ESYD), following an emergency audit that uncovered major non-compliances.

The suspension applies to Accreditation Certificate No. 367-7 (B3/15), which covered organic product certifications. IRIS must now undergo a full reassessment in six months to determine whether it can regain its status.

“Mass Certification” Practices Under the Microscope

The investigation, initiated after complaints were submitted via courier to ESYD, revealed questionable practices involving rapid, large-scale certification of organic producers — with timelines and volume that auditors deemed impossible to meet under proper protocols.

These complaints align with broader concerns raised recently by Development Minister Takis Theodorikakos, who referred the matter to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Athens as well as to local prosecutors in Athens and Heraklion. The move suggests potential criminal liability for systemic malpractice among private certification agencies.

In this context, IRIS’s suspension marks the first official blow in what appears to be a growing crackdown on unethical practices in the certification sector, as ESYD continues intensive inspections across the country.

Economic Fallout for Greece’s Organic Export Sector

The impact is expected to be far-reaching, particularly for exporters and farmers who relied on IRIS certification to access international markets. Since its founding in 2006, IRIS has issued thousands of certifications, and its logo has appeared on products exported across the EU, the US, and Asia.

Without valid accreditation:

• Export companies may face shipment rejections or delays as foreign buyers question the validity of IRIS-certified goods.
• Farmers currently certified under IRIS may have to seek new certifiers, which could take months, delaying market access.
• Greece’s reputation as a trusted source of organic products risks taking a hit at a time when global consumers demand high levels of transparency and traceability.

IRIS and Its Controversial Expansion

Although best known for organic certifications, IRIS expanded in 2017 into the tourism industry, issuing star and key classifications for hotels and rentals, and even launched a private BIO-ESTIASIS certification to verify the organic quality of food service operations.

This diversification raised eyebrows in regulatory circles, as concerns mounted about whether the certifier could maintain quality control across vastly different sectors — particularly given the explosive growth in both Greek organic farming and tourism post-pandemic.

National and EU-Level Implications

This suspension isn’t just about one company — it’s about the integrity of Greece’s entire organic certification system. In recent years, organic food has become one of the most lucrative sectors in European agriculture, with rising demand and stringent EU regulations.

Greece, aiming to position itself as a premium organic producer, must now restore trust quickly. Calls are growing for:

• Stricter regulatory oversight of private certifiers
• Digital auditing systems to track certification timelines
• Transparency tools that allow consumers and trade partners to verify organic claims in real time

This is a turning point for Greece’s organic sector. In an industry built on trust, credibility is everything. One certifier’s shortcuts can jeopardize years of hard-earned reputation — and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.

Source: pagenews.gr