The launch of the European Commission's organic logo, scheduled for 2009, has been delayed following complaints it was too similar to a symbol used by German supermarket Aldi.
The news may signal problems for organic manufacturers, especially those who have started to prepare for the logo to come in at the previous anticipated start-date of next year.
The logo was first suggested by the EC in 2007, and was designed for mandatory use on products that are 95 per cent or more organic and free of genetically modified organisms (GMO).
However, Germany-based retailer Aldi recently contacted the commission to raise concerns over the similarities between the new green logo and its own symbol, said Michael Mann, EU spokesperson for Agriculture and Rural Development.
The European council of ministers has now been asked to delay the launch until 2010, he added.
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