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Spain has officially strengthened its regulatory framework for the olive oil and olive pomace oil sectors through the introduction of strict new traceability requirements. These measures, enacted under Royal Decree No. 808/2026 and effective as of October 9, 2026, aim to enhance oversight of the movement of oils across domestic and international markets. Central to this update is the REMOA electronic system, where operators are now mandated to upload product quality documentation, confirm the arrival of bulk shipments, and clearly designate those responsible for import paperwork.
Under the new protocols, any operator involved in the transport of olive oil in bulk must submit laboratory test results or equivalent verification documents to the electronic register to confirm the product's declared category. This requirement extends to all domestic shipments, imports from within the European Union and third countries, and export activities. The goal is to provide authorities with a comprehensive audit trail that tracks the origin, physical characteristics, and logistics of every registered shipment.
A significant change involves the verification of delivery. Operators are now required to record the receipt of olive oil shipments in the REMOA system and verify that the cargo matches the previously submitted documentation. This closing of 'open shipments'—which previously occurred when delivery confirmation was omitted—is designed to eliminate gaps in regulatory oversight. However, officials noted that confirming receipt does not equate to a formal verification of regulatory compliance or quality standards.
The legislation further clarifies the chain of responsibility in international trade. For imports arriving in Spain from EU members or other nations, the final recipient holds the legal duty for proper documentation. Conversely, for exports or transfers to other industrial sectors, the owner of the shipment at the time of dispatch is responsible for data entry into REMOA. These measures are intended to bolster the reliability of trade records and protect the reputation of Spain, the world's leading olive oil producer, by preventing mislabeling and misclassification.
Source: UkrAgroConsult