Born in 1996 in Andria (Apulia, Italy) upon the initiative of C.I.Bi. and the technical staff of the program Oil & Quality, BIOL Prize, dedicated to organic extra-virgin olive oils, represents a point of referral worldwide for the whole olive oil sector.

Three-hundred and fifty producers coming from more than 17 different countries, from the all five continents, undergo each year the accurate test of the of international tasting panels and qualified   laboratories selected by BIOL to offer each year a complete overview, reliable and updated, of the worldwide sector of organic olive.

BIOL offers, through its qualified permanent technical staff and the international net that has created, a technical service for training, inform and research able to satisfy the needs of olive growers and olive oil producers worldwide, for operators focused of all aspects of quality, including also ethical and environmental aspects.

BIOL its also an international event organized each year in the Italian region Apulia and associated with events in all participating Italian regions and countries, aiming to promote knowledge and consumers interest of organic quality product.

BIOL represents an important pool of specific knowledge and experiences that grows each year thanks to the contribution of the international jury, of territorial committees and forums and workshops organized by the International Observatory of Olive Oil.

BIOL is the best way to understand, evaluate, select and add value to best quality organic olive oil.

The patronage of IFOAM – International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements – and of the Italian Ministry of Agricultural Policies guarantee worldwide recognition and prestige of BIOL Prize.

BIOL Awards

 Each year BIOL awards the following prizes:

- BIOL Prize, prize awarded to the best organic extra-virgin olive oil worldwide, awarded on the base of  the panel test by an international jury and of results of chemical analysis;

- BIOLBLENDED, prize awarded to the best olive oil bottled and sold under a commercial name different from the one of the producer;

-BIOLPACK, prize awarded to the best packaging, meaning the packaging with the best design and the best and most complete information displayed on the label;

-BIOLETHIC, prize meant for oil obtained within a project that has the main aim of improving social conditions of workers, of small producers, and of most disadvantaged sectors of the population;

- BIOLKIDS, special prize awarded by a Jury of Children selected after a series of training meeting in local primary schools.

Other than these prizes BIOL supplies also many different regional awards and the mention “Q” (High Quality) for a product of a quality higher of standards established by law. High Quality products can use the BIOL trademark and also use it on labelling.

Services of the international BIOL net

Thank to the cooperation with other public and private organizations that share the same mission for quality improvement of organic products, in all interested areas have been created BIOL Territorial Committees, able to share at local level and in the local language all the info and services expressed by BIOL.

Each BIOL Territorial Committee has a panel expert group able to evaluate an oil according to the same parameters established by BIOL International Jury and to create complete and reliable analytical reports. Anybody can contact local regional counters within BIOL net and ask for qualified services and information.

Most important buyers and purchasing groups can use BIOL best oils online guide, meet producers and BIOL staff, in most important international fairs, and contact BIOL to carry-out market studies, researches and select qualified suppliers.

All organizations within BIOL net take part to the International Observatory on Organic Olive Growing, under the scientific direction of the University of Bari (Italy) – Department of  Agricultural Economy and Policy, that since 2001 cover the International Forum, main happening of BIOL days, during which are communicated last data of the sector, creating a meaningful meeting between experts and operators coming from different geographical areas.

In 2010 C.I.BI. has created under the coordination of Apulia Region the BIOLMED net, including organizations coming from Spain, Greece, Italy, and Malta and meant to be widened to the whole Mediterranean basin.

BIOL Experts Trainings

BIOL proposes trainings to update and complete practical and theoretical information needed to complete the organoleptic exam of oil samples and to apply organic farming in the proper way. Trainings are open both to people with previous competence and people that for the first time are approaching the world of olive oil and of organic farming. Training for BIOL experts, given by an international teaching staff and recognized by the Italian Government, is divided in two phases: a first one in the classroom (40 hours) and another part in the laboratory with at least 20 practical testing sessions, guided by a Panel Chief recognized by IOC.

This training can be organized by BIOL also on the site of any requesting organization.

BIOL Events

BIOL events are characterized by the richness and the value of artistic and cultural productions related to environment and social responsibility. Among those:

- the exhibition A World of Oil, an interactive happening of oils participating to the prize;

- Biolphoto, collection, exhibition and award for beginners and professional photographers on olive world and olive oil;

- Biol DOC,  faces and tales of the Mediterranean;

- “Olive landscape”, cycle of documentaries and short movies on people and landscapes of the Mediterranean;

- Mastrolivo, international exhibition of artists and artisans;

- Bioitinerari, sustainable and socially responsible tourism in rural areas;

- Laboratories, theatre shows, concerts, and activities dedicated to children.

All of this can be designed and organized by BIOL staff in any type of environment upon request of public bodies and events organizations.

Communication

The website www.premiobiol.it, multilingual, offers a wide overview of BIOL services, has available on line the guide on oils (always updated) giving full technical and commercial info, and is viewed by millions of visitors each year. For its services and the results of its researches and publications BIOL is mentioned on more than 350 Italian and foreign newspapers. Each year it publish and distributes, during public events, more than 10,000 copies of the world guide o organic oils. Moreover it produces different technical and scientific publications for experts and operators of the sector, other than other material for general public and children.

BIOL Staff

BIOL staff is active all year round in the headquarters of C.I.Bi. (Bari, Italy), to answer the questions of consumers and operators on olive oil quality, to collect samples that will undergo certificate analysis, send publications, and organize events.