The paper presents main issues in managing implementation of the cross-compliance requirements on the microeconomic level, i.e. in an agricultural holding. Important areas of requirements that were introduced within the cross-compliance mechanism in 2004 are discussed. Cross-compliance means the dependence of obtaining EU direct payments in their full extent on meeting by a farmer some standards and keeping to some rules. This mechanism initiates some processes in agricultural holdings which are called processes of adjustment and which can be repeatable. Management of adjustment processes combines functions of management such as planning, organizing, directing and controlling the obtained results. Adjustment of the agricultural holdings receiving direct payments is related to the management of these holdings in accordance with established rules (standards) that operate as cross-compliance requirements.