The basis is the same as the requirements for the European certificate for organic farming, of which EKO is one of the founders. In addition, since March 2016, EKO has imposed the additional requirement that farmers, processors and traders formulate concrete improvement goals every three years on at least two sustainability themes from the EKO code. Farmers can choose from 8 themes, processors and traders from 10. Themes in the EKO code are, for example: energy and climate, animal welfare and animal health, biodiversity, nature and landscape, fair trade and other social aspects.

Organic is a quality mark protected by European laws for almost all types of food. An important principle in organic agriculture is the natural fertility of the soil. In the case of plant products, the quality mark sets requirements for the use of fertilizer, pesticides and genetic modification. In the livestock sector there are additional requirements regarding food, manure surplus and medical interventions. Part of the requirements in animal husbandry is about animal welfare; organic animal products automatically receive 3 stars of the Beter Leven kenmerk.