Our standards

Standards are the rules that define how an organic product must be grown, farmed or made.

The Soil Association developed the world’s first organic standards in the 1960s. Our licensees must meet strict European laws about the production of organic food. They must also go further in key areas such as animal welfare, protecting human health, and safeguarding the environment. No system of farming has higher levels of animal welfare than farms working to Soil Association organic standards.  

A long row of dark brown cows eating a field of green leafy grass.

Read the standards

Read the standards that underpin Soil Association Certification and see how they go beyond the legal minimum for food, farming and forestry.

Read Soil Association organic standards
A meadow on the Balcaskie Estate, scattered with purple flowers.

What are organic standards?

Find out what organic standards are, why ours go further than the law, and how certification works.
A meadow on the Balcaskie Estate, scattered with purple flowers.
Bee hanging upside down on purple flower.

How are organic standards set?

Find out how external experts set our standards and how anyone can propose a change.
Man crouching to examine soil.

Standards innovation

See current consultations, our ongoing standards work, and how you can take part.
The Soil Association Organic symbol on a jar lid

Soil Association Certification

Soil Association Certification is a leading global certification body, working with businesses across food, farming, forestry, beauty, fashion and textiles to deliver trusted organic and sustainability standards.

Explore Soil Association Certification

Got a question?

Get in touch with the Soil Association's standards team today.
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm