The European Commission has enacted a new electronic certification method to monitor imports of organic goods.

This new electronic system helps enhance food safety provisions while reducing the potential for fraud, according to a press release on the commission's website. It will also make it easier to maintain data on such imports. Since the electronic program is new, both paper and electronic certification will be used until Oct. 19, when the certification program goes completely electronic.

Changes to the tracking system will require new import certificates into the Trade Control & Expert System (TCES) which is already used to track food products across the European Union.

The TCES is available around the clock for trade partners and authorities to obtain accurate information about products traveling through the EU region. The system will also be helpful in the event of a food-based health threat, allowing authorities to easily locate affected goods.