With the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on January 1, 2022 in conjunction with Regulation (EU) 2021/1189, the possibility was created to market organically/biologically plant propagating material with a high level of genetic diversity (ecologically/biologically heterogeneous material: ÖHM). The heterogeneous plant stocks should be able to adapt better to variable environmental conditions and react more robustly to diseases and pests. Furthermore, this is intended to increase biodiversity in agriculture and horticulture.

Regulation (EU) 2018/848 (Article 3, para. 18) defines the term "ecologically/biologically heterogeneous material" as "a plant aggregate within a single botanical taxon of the lowest known rank which

• shares common phenotypic characteristics
• is characterized by a high degree of genetic and phenotypic diversity of the individual propagating units
• is not a variety within the meaning of Article 5(2) of Regulation (EC) No 2100/94
• is not a mixture of varieties, and
• has been produced in accordance with this Regulation

In order that such plant propagating material may be marketed, it must first be notified to the Federal Office for Food Safety. To apply for this, a corresponding form has been designed:

After completion of the examination, the notification is confirmed by means of a certificate and published in Part C of the Variety and Seed Gazette. The list of all confirmed notifications of organic heterogeneous material can be found here:

Once notification has been made, organic/biological heterogeneous material can be entered into the Plant Propagating Material Database if the quality requirements for condition according to methods for seed and varieties are met. More information on this or the form for registration in the database can be found at the following: https://www.ages.at/pflanze/saat-und-pflanzgut/biosaatgut-datenbank#c17859