Information about origin of the raw material – plant products

This requirement can be followed up, for example, by carrying out spot checks on delivered food products. It can then be verified that information regarding the raw material's country(ies) of origin has been provided, such as by means of:

• Information about the country of origin of the raw material in electronic purchasing/ordering channels, in the price files that are loaded into each contracting organisation's e-commerce system.
• Information on the product about the origin of the raw material. 
• Other documentation where the information is available

For simple products consisting of only one raw material, origin labelling on the product with, for example "Från Sverige" [From Sweden] or "Svenskt Sigill" [Swedish Seal], can be used to meet the requirement. 

Bear in mind in that in the control of composite food products it is not always necessary for the origin labelling to provide information about the vegetable raw materials, as exceptions are permitted. Read more about the origin labelling requirements for composite products in accordance with the labelling on their websites. 
Från Sverige (in Swedish)
Svenskt Sigill (in Swedish) 

The National Agency for Public Procurement recommends that the requirements are used for food products that contain at least ten per cent vegetable raw material. A contracting organisation has the possibility of applying the requirements for products containing less than ten per cent vegetable raw material, however, it is important to conduct a market analysis to ensure that there are products available that fulfil the requirements.
Market analysis (in Swedish)

Within the EU, there are certain mandatory requirements regarding origin labelling which are applicable for whole fruits and vegetables. More information about the regulations that apply regarding mandatory origin labelling is available the Swedish Food Agency's website (in Swedish)
 
It is not permitted to require a certain country of origin in public procurement. The requirement regarding the origin of the raw material is only intended to ensure that information shall be provided regarding which country of origin a raw material is from. Information regarding a raw material's country of origin is not intended to form the basis for an evaluation of the tenders, as this can be seen as in conflict with the basic principles of procurement. However, the information may be an important basis for the contracting organisation's internal risk analyses and follow-up work.
The basic principles of procurement (in Swedish)

Keep in mind that the contractual terms should state how the information about the origin of the raw material shall be provided during the term of the contract. If it is required that information is to be conveyed through specific systems, it may make it more difficult for companies to submit tenders.

Transparency and traceability are important for checking sustainability parameters within the supply chain. Information about the origin of a raw material assures meal guests and can provide contracting organisations with important information about the performance of a product, such as the regulations that are followed during primary production. It is therefore important that information regarding the country(ies) in which production occurred can be effectively conveyed from the producer/supplier to the contracting organisation, catering service, kitchen and meal guest.

The version date indicates when the sustainability criterion was created or last updated. Last reviewed dated tells when we last checked that the sustainability criterion still is relevant.

2023-02-07: 11536 Original version. New criterion for origin covering both simple and compound products. Replaces Requirements ID 11010 and 10372:1 in the product groups fruit and vegetables.