Post-Brexit guidance | Soil Association Certification

Your Business & Brexit

Brexit has caused much uncertainty for organic farmers and growers, manufacturers and traders.

As the UK’s leading food and farming charity we are here to reassure and support our licensees following our departure from the EU.

Whether you’re a farmer or a food business, you’ll find links below to help you get key information about current import, export and labelling requirements following post-Brexit policy changes.

Need to know

As of 1st January 2021 there were:

Implications for export organic products from GB to NI, the EU and other markets. This applies to food, seeds, plants, livestock, crops and feed. Textiles and cosmetic products sold with reference to organic are not affected, unless unprocessed agricultural products or processed agricultural products for use as food. For example, wool, (not carded or combed); raw hides and untreated skins; essential oils for use in food (food grade).
New requirements for import of organic products into GB from third countries (includes EU) and into NI from GB
New requirements for exporting organic products to NI, the EU and other third countries
New labelling requirements for labelling in the GB and for organic products exported to the EU and NI

Checklist for your business

The following information has applied since 1st January 2021:

Exporters should ensure their overseas importers are certified, labelling complies with their country's requirements and if required, a Certificate of Inspection (or Import) is provided
Both GB importers and 1st consignees in GB have a 'processor' license and a GB Certificate of Inspection should be presented at port (from 31st Dec 2023 for imports from EEA/EU)
Your labelling for products placed on the GB market complies with any changes to UK requirements

Exporting from the UK

New export rules came into force from 1^st January 2021

Importing into the UK

New import rules came into effect on 1^st January 2021

Brexit and organic standards

What's the same?

The Soil Association organic standards continue to maintain our existing high standards post-Brexit.

All UK certifiers continue to certify UK organic businesses for UK trade.

What’s changed?

New UK organic food & farming statutory instruments have now been passed into law, ready to become regulation after Brexit. In anticipation of continued access to EU market these will remain closely aligned with existing EC organic regulations.