Extra requirements for all products

To KRAV-label a product, you must be able to demonstrate that the extra requirements of the KRAV Standards are complied with. The basic extra requirements are described here (including packaging).

For multi-ingredient products the extra requirements must be complied with for at least 90 % of the ingredients. An organic ingredient must not be used in a product with a KRAV-certified ingredient of the same type. The KRAV-certified importer of the products must be able to show documentation of that the extra requirements are complied with for the primary production and in all steps of production or processing.

Social responsibility

Country group 2

As of January 2022, a new standard for social responsibility entered into force, with a transition period of one year. The new standards apply to importing and bringing in from EU and EEA countries as well as from Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan (called country group 2). The standards state that KRAV-certified companies importing and bringing in products from these countries must work systematically to identify and minimize risks regarding social responsibility at the supplier level. See standard 16.3.2 and section 16.5 for more details.

For companies that not already work with a system for supplier evaluation that includes social responsibility, KRAV provides tools on the website.

Country group 1

The standards for social responsibility for all other countries are and are specified in 16.3.1 and section 16.4.

KRAV has recognized that products certified according to certain standards comply with the KRAV Standards on social responsibility regarding country group 1.

The standard regarding country group 1 can also be verified using the KRAV checklists, where no relevant certification exists.

Protection of Natural Areas with High Conservation Value

This standard applies to sugarcane, oil palm, soy, coffee, cocoa or coconut palm. Cultivation or other enduring changes in areas with natural ecosystems with a high conservation value (HCV) is prohibited.

Certification by most standards comply with the extra requirements for both social responsibility and protection of natural areas with conservation value.

The standard can also be verified through a verification form where no relevant certification exists or when the producers are certified by a system that does not fully comply with the KRAV requirements.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

The maximum permissible level allowed for unintentional presence of GMOs or genetically modified material is 0.9%. Use the KRAV Risk Lists to assess whether there is a need for a special certificate or sampling.

Ban on Bisphenol A, PVC and other chlorine-based plastics in packaging

Bisphenol A must not intentionally be used in packaging for KRAV-certified products.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and other chlorine-based plastics must not be used in primary packaging for KRAV-certified products. PVC may however be used in lid seals and liners on metal, when you can show that alternative solutions do not guarantee adequate shelf-life or quality of the food in question. A condition is that you are working on a phase-out plan.

These standards apply only to primary packaging.

Labelling Agreements

If you allow a non-KRAV-certified supplier outside of Sweden to package and KRAV-label your products, you must have a contract with the supplier. The contract must give you control over how the KRAV-labelling is used and give you and your certification body the right to inspect your supplier’s production if required. The supplier must be certified according to EU Regulation (EC) 2018/848. The following must be included in the contract between the KRAV licensee and the supplier:

  • The supplier undertakes to comply with relevant standards in sections 20.1, 20.2, 20.3 and 20.4 in Chapter 20 Labelling and Marketing of the KRAV Standards.
  • The supplier gives the certification body the right to audit the production in question, according to the conditions of the KRAV Standards.
  • You who are KRAV-certified have responsibility for any non-conformities found by the certification body.
  • The supplier does not have the right to use the KRAV name and label other than on behalf of the KRAV-certified company.
  • Labelling Agreement Template