Organic tea is produced through organic farming practices. This cultivation approach avoids or significantly reduces the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and plant growth stimulants. Its objective is to enhance productivity while maintaining ecosystem balance and safeguarding human health.

Organic tea products are increasingly becoming a consumer trend due to their low chemical residues and higher safety for human health.

In December 2017, the Ministry of Science and Technology promulgated the National Standards on Organic Agriculture, comprising several parts for different product groups. Part 6 specifies requirements for tea cultivation, harvesting, processing, and storage.

TCVN 11041-6:2018 is applied in conjunction with:

• TCVN 11041-1:2017 – General requirements for production, processing, and labeling of organic agricultural products

• TCVN 11041-2:2017 – Organic crop production

Principles of organic tea cultivation

• Health principle: Maintain and improve the health of soil, plants, animals, and humans.

• Ecology principle: Tea cultivation and management should be aligned with ecosystems and natural cycles.

• Fairness principle: Ensure fairness toward the environment and provide equal opportunities for all living organisms.

• Care principle: Production activities must be carefully supervised and responsibly managed to protect human health and the environment.

Standard requirements

• Cultivation area: Organic tea plantations must be clearly delineated, with buffer zones or physical barriers separating them from non-organic areas. Plantations should be located away from polluted environments, waste collection or treatment sites, and industrial or hospital waste sources.
• Conversion to organic production: The minimum conversion period for tea cultivation is 18 months from the start of organic practices. This period may be shortened based on risk assessment considering land use history and chemical analysis reports.
• Maintenance of organic production: Organic production must be maintained continuously. Switching back and forth between organic and non-organic production areas is not permitted.
• Parallel and separate production: Where both organic and non-organic cultivation are conducted at the same facility, the integrity of organic production must be ensured through physical barriers, separate cultivation schedules, and different harvesting times.

Ecosystem and biodiversity management

• Tea varieties and propagation materials: Select tea varieties adapted to local ecological conditions and resistant to pests. Genetically modified planting materials are not allowed. The use of indigenous tea varieties is encouraged, and multiple varieties may be cultivated in one area.

• Soil and water management: Soil and water must comply with limits on heavy metals and pesticide residues. Regular monitoring of pH, improvement of soil fertility, moisture retention, erosion control, and prohibition of burning vegetation residues are required.

• Fertilizer management: Chemical fertilizers are not permitted. Natural mineral fertilizers, organic fertilizers, and biofertilizers should be used to enhance soil fertility.

• Pest management: Maintain ecological balance and implement appropriate measures to control pests, weeds, diseases, and pollution risks.

During harvesting and processing, tea should be collected at the appropriate time, preferably by manual picking. If mechanical harvesting is used, machines must operate on lead-free fuel to prevent contamination. Processing equipment must be clean, and the use of synthetic additives or flavorings is prohibited.

Benefits of applying TCVN 11041-6:2018

• Production of high-quality tea without residues of growth stimulants or pesticides, improving productivity and consumer health safety

• Enhancement of corporate reputation and brand image

• Opportunities to export organic tea to demanding markets such as the EU and the United States, thereby increasing product economic value

Organic agriculture not only produces quality products but also improves environmental conditions, restores soil fertility, reduces water pollution, and preserves biodiversity.

Organic products have become a major consumer trend. Applying and obtaining certification for organic tea production is a strategic choice for enterprises, promising significant long-term benefits.

With more than 10 years of experience, the ISSQ Institute for Standard and Quality Development Studies has been trusted by many organizations for organic agriculture certification (tea, milk, shrimp, organic crop and livestock production, etc.) as well as conformity certification for various other products.

ISSQ is always ready to accompany enterprises in the process of integration and development.

• Hotline: +84 981 851 111
• Email: vienchatluong@issq.org.vn | tcvn@issq.org.vn

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Publication date: 20/12/2023