Important trade deal update: With a trade deal between UK and EU announced on the 24th of December there may be further changes to the requirements for labeling detailed below. Should we be made aware of any further changes to these requirements, we will update the information contained in this page at the earliest possible opportunity.
Organic labelling from 1st of January 2021
As the organic experts in the UK, we’ve been in regular communication with the UK government and other trade and policy stakeholders to get clarity on what Brexit will mean for organic labelling.
After December 31st 2020, you’ll still need to be certified by Soil Association Certification in order to label your food and drink product as organic
We don't anticipate the development of a UK organic logo to replace the EU organic logo.
Goods are placed on the EU market before December 31st 2020 may continue to be distributed and sold with labelling that meets current organic requirements.
Defra have confirmed that, in accordance with theWithdrawal Agreement , the EU (and NI) will continue to accept products from GB with existing labelling, provided the products were placed on the market, either in the EU or the UK, prior to 31st Dec 2020. The definition of ‘placing on the market’ within the withdrawal agreement (please refer to Art 40 of the Withdrawal Agreement for the full definitions) can include a written or verbal agreement for the transfer of ownership or possession or an offer of sale to supply a product for distribution, consumption or use in the UK or the EU. This relates to an existing and individually identifiable good, after the stage of manufacturing has taken place (Art 40.c).
Businesses can continue to use an EU, GB or NI address for the Food Business Operator (FBO) on pre-packaged food or caseins sold in GB until 30 September 2022.
What has changed?
With a deal now announced, we are aware of some changes to guidance published towards the end of 2020 as we faced a potential no deal scenario.
With the deal Defra have now confirmed that:
The UK will be able to retain its existing organic Control Body certification codes (for example ‘GB-ORG-05’ for produce certified by Soil Association Certification). There is no need to add GB—BIO—XXX to packaging.
Where the EU leaf is used on labels, the EU agricultural origin statement (i.e. EU/non-EU Agriculture) should used in place of a UK agricultural origin statement.
If you are in Northern Ireland and ingredients for your product are produced within GB, you will need to change the statement of agriculture to reflect non-EU origin.
As UK certifiers remain listed in the currently published annexes of the EU regulation as having EC1235/2008 accreditation scope, it is our understanding that products bearing the EC1235 code (for example GB-BIO-142 for product certified by Soil Association Certification) should still be accepted by the EU, until such time as the regulations are republished.
For any labelling that is non-compliant, placed on the GB market from 1st January 2021, there is a grace period for technically non-compliant labelling, (e.g. certification codes, agricultural statements, EU Logo), up to September 2022. This is to allow time to use up existing labels and for labelling amends to take place.
We can provide feedback on draft labelling amendments. If you’d like to send draft amended labels, please complete the Brexit Labelling Changes Submission Form below and send this to brexit.support@soilassocition.org
For exports to non-EU countries after December 31st 2020, we are advised that these countries will expect the original GB certification codes (e.g. GB-ORG-05) to be used. We advise checking with organic authority in the export market whether labels will be accepted. Some markets may have additional or different requirements (e.g. South Korea will not to accept the EU logo for products packed in GB).
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