Traceability of Swiss Hemp: Bio Suisse and ORAB Requirements

Introduction

The traceability of hemp in Switzerland, particularly for industrial use or CBD production, is governed by a precise legislative framework. Two key references stand out among the regulations: the guidelines of Bio Suisse and the Ordinance on the Approval of Varieties and the Multiplication of Propagation Material (ORAB), which bears the reference RS 916.151.1 in Swiss legislation (source: Federal Legislative Database). Understanding these two pillars is essential to ensure the reliability, quality, and legal compliance of CBD hemp production in the country.

This article explores in detail:

  • The foundations and requirements of Bio Suisse for organic hemp cultivation.
  • The role of ORAB in traceability and varietal selection.
  • The practical implications for producers, processors, and consumers in Switzerland.

The aim is to provide an overview that is both educational and factual, referring to official texts, peer-reviewed scientific studies, and laboratory reports when relevant.

What is Bio Suisse?

History and Role of Bio Suisse

Bio Suisse is the umbrella organization for organic agriculture in Switzerland. Founded in 1981, its mission is to promote environmentally friendly farming and breeding methods. In Swiss regulation, organic agriculture is also governed by the Ordinance on Organic Farming (OAgrBio; RS 910.181) (source: Federal Legislation on Organic Agriculture). Bio Suisse, for its part, goes beyond these basic legal requirements by imposing stricter standards: the famous “Bio Suisse Standards” or “Bio Suisse Guidelines.”

Regarding hemp, Bio Suisse sets guidelines to ensure:

  1. Cultivation without synthetic pesticides.
  2. Monitoring of THC content.
  3. Absence of cross-contamination.
  4. Respect for the natural soil cycle and biodiversity.

The “Bio Suisse Bud” label thus serves as an additional quality and traceability guarantee for the consumer, as it involves a detailed inspection system, including annual on-site checks and laboratory analysis reviews confirming product compliance (source: Bio Suisse – Guidelines 2023).

Guiding Principles

The guiding principles of Bio Suisse for hemp cultivation include several aspects:

  • Seed Selection: The seeds used must comply with organic farming legislation. They must also come from varieties authorized in Switzerland, i.e., listed in the official catalog of approved varieties or meeting the registration conditions according to ORAB (RS 916.151.1).
  • Soil Management and Fertilizers: Only life-respecting techniques are allowed. Synthetic fertilizers and sewage sludge are prohibited, while the use of organic amendments (manure, compost) is strongly encouraged to preserve soil fertility and structure.
  • Crop Protection: Synthetic insecticides and fungicides are prohibited according to Bio Suisse guidelines. Producers must prioritize preventive measures, such as crop rotation, selection of resistant varieties, and integrated biological control.
  • THC Level Control: The THC content must remain below the Swiss legal threshold, set at 1% since the revision of the Narcotics Act (LStup; RS 812.121) that came into force in 2021 (source: Federal Office of Public Health). To maintain Bio certification, the producer must provide regular laboratory analyses confirming the compliance of their harvests.

These principles reflect the importance of traceability at every stage of production: from seed selection to hemp harvest, including fertilization and pest control methods.

What is ORAB?

ORAB, or the Ordinance on the Approval of Varieties and the Multiplication of Propagation Material, referenced as RS 916.151.1, sets fundamental rules for the registration of varieties and the traceability of plant material used in agriculture (source: RS 916.151.1). Its scope is not limited to hemp but covers a wide range of cultivated plants in Switzerland.

Its main objectives are to:

  • Establish and maintain an official catalog of varieties.
  • Ensure the genetic and sanitary compliance of seeds and plants.
  • Establish inspection and certification procedures for seeds.
  • Ensure that multiplication methods meet strict quality and traceability criteria.

In the context of CBD hemp, ORAB ensures that only authorized varieties, selected for their low THC content and agronomic characteristics, can be legally produced and marketed when it comes to propagation material.

Obligations for Swiss Producers

Hemp producers, whether or not they are engaged in an organic approach, must comply with ORAB’s requirements for:

  1. Varietal Registration: Hemp varieties that can be marketed and legally cultivated must be listed in the official catalog of varieties or meet the conditions for provisional authorization if they are not yet part of this catalog.
  2. Labeling and Certification: Seeds and cuttings must be properly labeled, including the lot number, origin, and year of seed harvest, ensuring their provenance and traceability.
  3. THC Limit Compliance: Only varieties meeting legal criteria (THC content < 1%) can be registered. Field checks and analyses by recognized laboratories are conducted to ensure this compliance.
  4. Documentation: Every operator is required to maintain precise documentation of their seed history (lots, quantities, sowing dates, etc.) to prove traceability at any time in relation to ORAB and other relevant laws.

Since it regulates seed multiplication, ORAB is one of the pillars of hemp traceability in Switzerland, as for a production to be legalized, the genetic base of hemp must be compliant and traceable.

Hemp Traceability: Definition and Challenges

For a CBD hemp product to be declared “traceable,” it must be possible to precisely trace the production chain: from the original seed (or cutting) to the finished product (flowers, resin, oil, etc.). This traceability is based on:

  1. Variety Selection: Compliant with ORAB and possibly Bio Suisse criteria.
  2. Agricultural Practices: Documented and validated during inspections.
  3. Laboratory Analyses: Ensuring THC/CBD compliance, absence of prohibited pesticides or contaminants.
  4. Regulatory Compliance: Adherence to legal thresholds and Swiss marketing standards.

Why is Traceability Crucial?

  • Consumer Transparency: In the context of CBD, the origin and quality of hemp have become determining factors. Traceability enhances consumer confidence.
  • Risk Prevention: In case of a problem (contamination, THC levels exceeding 1%), it is possible to quickly trace the source and withdraw the incriminated batch from the market.
  • Brand Image: Producers engaged in quality processes highlight their expertise and adhere to high standards, which can translate into a better reputation in the national and international market.
  • Legal Compliance: Hemp with THC content exceeding 1% cannot be marketed as industrial hemp or legal CBD according to LStup (RS 812.121). Solid traceability protects the operator from potential legal actions.

Specific Conditionalities Between Bio Suisse and ORAB

While it is possible to follow Bio Suisse guidelines without necessarily referring to ORAB (for example, for farms that do not multiply seeds themselves but purchase already certified seeds) and vice versa, most hemp producers in Switzerland actually combine ORAB provisions and Bio Suisse guidelines for maximum traceability.

Varietal and Biological Control

  • Bio Suisse: Imposes organic farming methods with a ban on synthetic products and rigorous biodiversity monitoring. The varieties used should ideally be recognized by Bio Suisse or come from certified Swiss organic seeds.
  • ORAB: Ensures that selected seeds or cuttings come from authorized varieties and that all propagation material meets quality criteria (germination, varietal purity, genetic compliance).

Thus, the cultivation of Bio Suisse-labeled hemp will rely on the varietal list validated by ORAB while adding the environmental and quality requirements specific to organic certification.

Harvest Monitoring

The producer wishing to sell their hemp flowers (or derived products) under the “Bio Suisse” label must:

  1. Keep a specification sheet mentioning the exact origin of the seeds (linked to ORAB).
  2. Regularly have a sample of the harvest analyzed to confirm THC compliance.
  3. Preserve the cold chain, particularly for extracts and resins in certain forms, to maintain a high level of quality (according to Bio Suisse recommendations).

Multiphase Control

Control is multiphase, as it occurs:

  • Upstream: At the time of seed or cutting purchase, with verification of variety and compliance.
  • During Cultivation: Through on-site inspections conducted by independent experts mandated by Bio Suisse or according to the legal procedure of the FOAG (Federal Office for Agriculture) for crops under ORAB control.
  • Post-Harvest: Through laboratory analyses verifying THC content and absence of prohibited residues.

This triple control (upstream, production, post-harvest) forms the foundation of complete traceability.

Traceability Measures: Focus on Documentation and Labeling

Mandatory Documentation

According to the combined requirements of Bio Suisse (for organic production) and ORAB (for seed multiplication), the documentation must include:

  1. Seed Register: Designation of the variety, lot reference, purchase date, quantity purchased, supplier identity.
  2. Cultivation Plan: Field location, sowing dates, any interventions (irrigation, fertilization, pest control, etc.).
  3. Harvest Register: Harvest date and method, quantities obtained, drying or possible processing conditions.
  4. Laboratory Analyses: Results of analyses conducted to ensure THC/CBD compliance and absence of prohibited substances.

This administrative work, although sometimes demanding, offers a guarantee of reliability throughout the supply chain.

Labeling and Its Implications

When marketing hemp-based products, labeling acts as the final link in traceability. The Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO) specifies labeling requirements for food products in Switzerland (source: FSVO for the food products of agricultural origin).

For hemp, whether it is finished food products (flour, oil, hemp-based proteins) or non-food products (CBD flowers, non-smokable resins, extracts intended for cosmetics, etc.), the following information must be clearly mentioned:

  • The origin of the hemp.
  • The main ingredient(s).
  • The THC level if the product is intended for use where this information is relevant (CBD flowers or resins, for example).
  • The producer or distributor’s contact details.
  • Certification labels (Bio Suisse, possibly other quality labels), if claimed.

This labeling primarily aims to protect the consumer while ensuring the legal compliance of products placed on the market.

Selection and Control of Authorized Hemp Varieties

Official Lists

In Switzerland, authorized varieties can appear:

  • In the National Catalog: Maintained by the FOAG, it lists varieties registered in Switzerland.
  • In the Common Catalog of EU Varieties: If accepted under an equivalence regime, according to agreements between Switzerland and the European Union.
  • With Provisional Authorization: In the context of pilot projects or varieties under evaluation, the FOAG may grant authorization on an experimental basis.

All hemp varieties listed on these lists are chosen, among other things, for their low THC levels. Farmers producing hemp for the CBD market must regularly provide analysis results proving the low THC content, ensuring that the variety respects the legal ceiling (1% THC).

Sanitary and Agronomic Guarantees

Beyond just THC content, varietal selection is also based on criteria of disease resistance, yield, fiber or seed quality (when used, for example, for food oil extraction).

Therefore, ORAB provides a unified reference framework for testing and validating these characteristics. Varietal trials are conducted at agronomic research stations such as Agroscope, which is part of the Swiss Confederation for agricultural research (source: Agroscope). The results are evaluated by the FOAG.

Impact of Traceability on the Quality of Hemp-Based Products

Quality Control in the Laboratory

One of the key elements of complete traceability lies in the laboratory analysis stage. Accredited laboratories perform several types of tests:

  1. Cannabinoid Levels: Measurement of CBD, CBG, THC, etc., in the plant or its derivatives.
  2. Terpene Profile: Useful for characterizing the aroma and flavor of hemp, but also for detecting possible anomalies.
  3. Pesticides and Heavy Metals: Verification of the absence of prohibited pesticide residues (in the Bio Suisse framework, all synthetic chemical pesticides are prohibited), as well as pollutants like lead, cadmium, or arsenic.

Analysis reports help certify regulatory compliance and the quality of the finished product. According to Bio Suisse, these analyses must be repeated at regular intervals and kept in the farm’s documentation (source: Bio Suisse Guidelines 2023).

Transparency Towards the Consumer

Traceability guarantees not only safety but also transparency. In the case of CBD hemp, many Swiss brands highlight:

  • The mention “from Swiss organic agriculture.”
  • The lot number of flowers or extracts.
  • The main analysis results (CBD, summarized THC levels).

This provision of concrete information contributes to the valorization of hemp produced in Switzerland, renowned for the quality of its cultivation and processing processes.

Transport and Storage Requirements

Maintaining the Cold Chain for Certain Products

If hemp is processed into sensitive extracts (e.g., CBD-rich concentrates or essential oils), it is recommended, or even required in some cases, to maintain a cold chain to preserve the active ingredients and organoleptic qualities. Bio Suisse provides general guidelines for storing plant materials, encouraging refrigeration solutions or vacuum packaging.

Transport Labeling

According to provisions related to plant raw materials, accompanying documents must systematically mention:

  • The producer or processing company sending the shipment.
  • The recipient.
  • The type of product (flowers, seeds, resins, extracts).
  • The quantities shipped.
  • Lot references.

This allows tracing the path taken by each batch of hemp, from the farm to the final processing or sales point. Authorities, such as the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) or the FOAG, can thus verify the regularity of all stages.

Challenges and Future Perspectives

Evolution of Legislation

Swiss legislation on hemp has recently evolved to align with a maximum THC content of 1%, compared to 0.2% previously. This evolution has supported the CBD hemp sector by expanding the range of available varieties. However, debates still exist regarding the boundary between industrial hemp for CBD use and cannabis for therapeutic or recreational use.

ORAB, for its part, is regularly updated to include new varieties and take into account the evolution of multiplication and varietal selection techniques.

Role of Agronomic Research

Institutes such as Agroscope or private partners participate in improving hemp seeds. The research objectives are multiple:

  • Develop varieties with a stable cannabinoid profile.
  • Optimize resistance to diseases and pests, thus reducing the need for treatment, in line with Bio principles.
  • Improve fiber or seed yield for potential industrial uses.

Scientific progress directly contributes to strengthening traceability, as better-characterized and more stable varieties facilitate rigorous monitoring and data tracking (source: Agroscope – Hemp Research Projects).

Encouraging Product Diversification

Traceability does not only concern CBD for smoking or vaporizing. The potential of hemp covers a wide spectrum: food (seeds, oil), nutritional supplements, cosmetics, textiles, construction materials, etc. Each of these segments has specific traceability obligations according to current legislation.

For Swiss hemp to remain competitive, research, innovation, and good production practices (especially within the Bio Suisse framework) will contribute to:

  • Increasing the diversity of the offer.
  • Maintaining high quality standards.
  • Meeting growing consumer expectations for transparency, sustainability, and environmental respect.

Conclusion

The traceability of Swiss hemp relies on a solid legal framework combining ORAB (RS 916.151.1), which governs variety approval and multiplication, and Bio Suisse guidelines, which impose strict criteria for organic agriculture. This dual approach, legal and qualitative, ensures for the consumer and industry stakeholders:

  1. A guarantee of legal compliance, notably through the selection of low-THC varieties and strict regulatory monitoring.
  2. High environmental and sustainability criteria, supported by Bio Suisse and confirmed through inspections and laboratory analyses.
  3. Complete traceability: tracing from seed to flower (or extract), with rigorous documentation and transparent labeling.

In a context where the demand for CBD and hemp-based products is increasing, Switzerland positions itself as a leader in quality standards. Future prospects suggest increased diversification and specialization, thanks to agronomic research and legislative developments. However, adherence to good traceability practices will remain imperative, both to ensure consumer safety and to support the reputation of excellence in the Swiss hemp industry.