Organic standards for Northern Ireland

This page brings together the legal organic standards for Northern Ireland and the Soil Association’s organic standards, including higher standards that go beyond the legal minimum.

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          The documents on this page contain the requirements for organic certification in Northern Ireland, in accordance with the EU Regulation (EC) NO. 2018/848 and subsequent implementing and delegated acts. You can find a full list and links to the regulations on International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) website.

          You can download our standards documents below.

          For further information on the latest updates please visit the certification updates page.

          Soil Association organic standards for Northern Ireland

          These are the standards you need to meet to use the Soil Association organic symbol.

          The standards documents below contain both the baseline regulation in accordance with (EC) No. 2018/848 along with the Soil Association higher standards.

          Standards

          Soil Association organic standards for food and drink in Northern Ireland

          Updated 18 May 2026

          Soil Association’s higher organic standards for food and drink in Northern Ireland setting out certification requirements, legal compliance and labelling rules.

          Download (2.68 MB)
          Standards

          Soil Association organic standards for farming and growing in Northern Ireland

          Updated 18 May 2026

          The Soil Association’s higher organic standards for farming and growing in Northern Ireland.

          Download (3.87 MB)
          Standards

          Soil Association organic standards for feed processing in Northern Ireland

          Updated 18 May 2026

          The Soil Association’s higher organic standards for feed processing in Northern Ireland.

          Download (2.1 MB)
          Standards

          Soil Association organic standards for abattoirs and slaughtering in Northern Ireland

          Updated 18 May 2026

          The Soil Association’s higher organic standards for abattoirs and slaughter in Northern Ireland.

          Download (1.42 MB)
          Standards

          Soil Association organic standards for aquaculture in Northern Ireland

          Updated 18 May 2026

          The Soil Association’s higher organic standards for aquaculture in Northern Ireland.

          Download (1.94 MB)
          Standards

          Soil Association organic standards for seaweed in Northern Ireland

          Updated 18 May 2026

          The Soil Association’s higher organic standards for seaweed production in Northern Ireland.

          Download (1.62 MB)

          Use the organic symbol

          The Soil Association organic symbol shows products are certified to our organic standards. Find out how to become certified.

          Organic standards for Northern Ireland

          The documents below contain the baseline standards for licensees in Northern Ireland, according to regulation (EC) No. 2018/848

          Standards

          Baseline organic standards for food and drink in Northern Ireland

          Updated 18 May 2026

          The organic standards for food and drink in Northern Ireland, setting out the legal requirements for producing, processing, labelling and selling organic food and drink.

          Download (1.29 MB)
          Standards

          Baseline organic standards for farming and growing in Northern Ireland

          Updated 18 May 2026

          The organic standards for farming and growing in Northern Ireland, setting out the legal requirements farmers and growers must meet to produce organic crops and livestock.

          Download (2.34 MB)
          Standards

          Baseline organic standards for feed processing in Northern Ireland

          Updated 18 May 2026

          The organic standards for feed processing in Northern Ireland, setting out the legal requirements to process and supply organic animal feed.

          Download (1.12 MB)
          Standards

          Baseline organic standards for abattoirs and slaughtering in Northern Ireland

          Updated 18 May 2026

          The organic standards for abattoirs and slaughter in Northern Ireland, setting out the legal requirements businesses must meet when slaughtering organic livestock.

          Download (892.15 KB)
          Standards

          Baseline organic standards for aquaculture in Northern Ireland

          Updated 18 May 2026

          The organic standards for aquaculture in Northern Ireland, setting out the legal requirements businesses must meet to farm organic fish and shellfish.

          • Aquaculture
          Download (973.38 KB)
          Standards

          Baseline organic standards for seaweed in Northern Ireland

          Updated 18 May 2026

          The organic standards for seaweed production in Northern Ireland, setting out the legal requirements for harvesting and cultivating organic seaweed.

          Download (943.92 KB)

          Supporting documents

          Summary of recent changes to regulatory baseline and Soil Association organic standards for Northern Ireland

          Updated 18 May 2026

          A summary of changes to the baseline regulation and Soil Association higher organic standards for Northern Ireland, highlighting recent changes including regulatory updates.

          Download (2.94 MB)
          Guidance

          Soil Association annex: sourcing organic ingredients

          Updated 18 May 2026

          Guidance on sourcing organic ingredients, including when and how non-organic ingredients may be used, and the conditions businesses must meet to comply with organic standards.

          • Food and drink
          • Suppliers
          Download (719.69 KB)

          Soil Association annex: research derogation

          Updated 18 May 2026

          This annex sets out how producers who believe they can demonstrate the same intended outcomes as the Soil Association standards, can apply for a research-based exemption (derogation) to our higher organic standards.

          Download (69.69 KB)

          Soil Association organic standards glossary

          Updated 18 May 2026

          A glossary of key terms and language used across the Soil Association organic standards, helping people using the standards to understand and apply the requirements correctly.

          Download (205.9 KB)
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          Read how our standards are set

          Find out how our higher organic standards are set, governed and applied worldwide, and how we balance ambition with practical, evidence-based innovation.

          Find out more
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          Get certified

          Farming certification

          Get certified as an organic farmer and show your commitment to high standards of animal welfare, soil health and environmental protection. Our certification supports farms of all sizes across the UK.