United Kingdom

Mandatory Organic Standards and Labels

In the UK, the EU Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 and 889/2008 on organic farming is retained in Uk Law Additionally, the amended national Organic Products Regulations 2022 apply. They cover rules for the implementation of EU legislation in the UK.

The competent authority responsible for the implementation of legislation on organic farming as well as for the approval and surveillance of the private control bodies is DEFRA, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

For products imported from third countries or produced in the UK the use of the EU organic farming logo is optional. A mandatory national organic label does not exist.

Basic Regulation on production and labelling of organic products COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 834/2007 of 28 June 2007 on the organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91. Note: The website displays the basic regulation effective since 2009 as well as all references, amendments (2022) and corrections. The actual consolidated version for download can be found under the heading “all consolidated versions”. This basic regulation describes the objectives, principles and most important rules on production. It is complemented by the rules for implementation (see below). Updates are performed regularly and promptly.	en
The Organic Products Regulations 2009 The Organic Products Regulations 2009 cover rules for the implementation of EU legislation on organic farming in the UK. This was subject to amendment in 2022.	en
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Website of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) with information on the department and its services.	en

Voluntary Organic Standards and Labels

In the UK, there is no voluntary national label, but several organisations provide their own standards and labels. While the standards of the well-established Soil Association Certification have a wider scope than GB legislation (834/2007) on organic farming, the other control bodies largely use retained EU legislation (834/2007), with some minor differences. For the UK market, private labels are more important than the EU logo. Consumer polls have indicated that the Soil Association logo has a good consumer recognition, followed by the logo of the Organic Farmers and Growers Ltd (OF&G).

Biodynamic Association Website of the Biodynamic Agricultural Association in UK with comprehensive information on the association and its standards.	en
Organic Farmers and Growers Ltd CIC Website of Organic Farmers and Growers with information on the association and its standards.	en
OF&G (Scotland) Ltd Website of the OF&G (Scotland) with information on the association and its standards.	en
Organic Food Federation Website of Organic Food Federation with comprehensive information on the association and its standards.	en
Organic Trust Ltd Website of Organic Trust Ltd with information on the association founded and situated in Ireland.	en
Irish Organic Association Website of Organic Trust Ltd with information on the association founded and situated in Ireland.	en
Quality Welsh Food Certification Ltd. Website of Quality Welsh Food Certification Ltd. with information on the Welsh organic farming scheme.	en
Soil Association Website of Soil Association and SA Certification with comprehensive information on the association, its standards and the organic market.	en

Control Bodies

The control and certification process is performed by private control bodies approved by the government. The competent authority responsible for the approval and surveillance of organic control bodies is DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs).

Import Requirements

The procedure for the import of organic products into the United Kingdom depends on the country of origin.

Import of organic products from EU countries

The UK-EU Trade & Cooperation Agreements means that the organic status of certified product from the EU & EEA will be recognised. The scope of the trade deal limits products that may be imported from the EU and Northern Ireland (NI) into GB. Goods imported into the EU or NI from other third countries and not further processed (re-packing or re-labelling are not considered processed) in the EU or NI cannot be re-exported to GB.

However, GB COIs will not be required for imports from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland until February 2025.

Import of organic products from non-EU countries

Having previously applied retained Annex III and IV from EC1235/2008, at the end of October 2021 the UK published its own register of Third Countries/Territories and Third County Control Bodies/Authorities (GB1235) recognised by the UK for product imported into GB from third s countries. This displays the countries, certification bodies and product categories that may be imported into GB. Note Certificates of Inspection are required from all 3rd countries, (except EU, EEA Switzerland which are required from February 2025).

Refer to the spreadsheets on the Defra webpage page for details of countries and certification bodies and categories of food that can be imported

From 1 January 2021 different exporting rules apply in non-EU third countries where equivalency is not agreed with the UK. Businesses are advised to contact the exporting control body in the country they are importing food from if they have any questions.

Additional requirements for importing from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Moldova, Turkey and China into GB - DEFRA have issued guidance to certification bodies for import into GB of certain products from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Russia.

Further Information

General information on organic agriculture in the United Kingdom.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Information on organic farming provided by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).	en
Soil Association: Organic Market information Information on the UK organic market provided by the Soil Association.	en
Organic Europe: United Kingdom Summary report on organic agriculture in the United Kingdom. The site is updated irregularly.	en
Global Organic Trade Guide: United Kingdom Website of the American Organic Trade Association (OTA) providing information on international organic trade. Although designed for U.S. exporters, some of the provided information might also be interesting for exporters from other countries.	en