Delay in requirements for labelling changes
Defra have updated their website to say that Great Britain labelling changes (required as a result of Brexit) have been delayed from 1 October 2022 until 1 January 2024.
The date change applies to the statement of agricultural origin for those selling organic. You can find the full guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/organic-food-labelling-rules?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications-single-page&utm_source=c4bbb18e-42d4-4568-89b4-d87d98a5642e&utm_content=immediately
What does this mean?
Existing labelling that may have been non-compliant after 30th Sept 2022 will now have until 31st December 2023 to be compliant. Soil Association Certification will therefore not be issuing non-compliances for labelling which is not be compliant until the end of 2023. If you are producing new labelling then we recommend you use the opportunity to ensure that the correct statement of agricultural origin is present.
Please note: This changed date also applies to other general labelling requirements (not specific to organic) such as pre-packaged food or caseins sold in GB being required to include a UK address for the FBO or importer (not an EU address). You can find more info here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/food-labelling-giving-food-information-to-consumers#full-publication-update-history