This information is correct at the time of publishing (18th February 2021).
Please ensure that you are checking the page regularly for current information.
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.
The UK will be able to retain its existing organic Control Body certification codes (for example ‘GB-ORG-05’ for Soil Association Certification) for product packed in the UK, where the product is within the scope of the trade agreement i.e. produced or substantially processed in the UK. Read more about trade deal scopes on our export resources page.
The EU leaf is optional, but where used on labels for product packed in the UK, unless the product qualifies (>98% from one origin) to carry a single origin statement (e.g. 'Welsh agriculture') the EU agricultural origin statement (i.e. EU/non-EU Agriculture) should be used.
Goods are placed on the EU market (agreement to transfer ownership or offer of sale to supply after manufacturing has taken place would constitute this) before December 31st 2020 may continue to be distributed and sold with labelling that meets pre-Brexit organic requirements.
What has changed?
The GB—BIO—XXX code may need to be added to packaging where a product is outside the scope of the trade deal i.e. not substantially processed or grown in UK and being re-exported to NI/EU. Read more about trade deal scopes on ourexport resources page.
Unless a single country statement can be employed, a UK origin statement (i.e. UK/non-UK Agriculture) must be used on product packed in GB.
If you are in Northern Ireland and ingredients for your product are produced within GB and you are applying the EU Leaf logo, you will need to change the required EU statement of agriculture to reflect non-EU origin.
Any new labels must comply with the new labelling requirements. However, operators may use up existing labelling on product placed on the GB market until 30th September 2022.
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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