Have your say on the future of organics in Britain
Defra is undertaking a major review and update of organic regulations in Great Britain (GB).
Defra is the UK government department responsible for organic regulations in Great Britain (England, Wales, Scotland).
When the United Kingdom left the European Union (EU), we retained organic regulations 834/2007, 889/2008 and 1235/2008. These are the organic food, feed and farming regulations currently in force in GB. (In Northern Ireland we certify to EU regulation 2018/848, which is not in the scope of this year’s review).
The Soil Association organic standards are based on the GB organic regulations, as these texts provide the legal definition of ‘organic’ in GB. Additionally, the regulations define what certification bodies and port health authorities need to do.
The legal framework gives consumers confidence in how organic products are produced. The last time the organic regulations were reviewed was in 2008. This major review of the GB organic regulations is therefore a rare opportunity for stakeholders to shape the future of organics.
As we receive details on each phase from Defra, we are sharing them with our certified businesses. Key updates are also shared on our website:
Defra is asking which areas of the legal texts should change. Their review is being conducted in phases, which include:
Principles, objectives, aims & scope of the regulations [initial comment period ended October 2023]
Production rules (the standards that need to be met on farms and in food preparation and processing) [initial comment period ended February 2024]
Labelling [awaiting details from Defra]
Controls (certification and inspection) [awaiting details from Defra]
Importing & Exporting [awaiting details from Defra]
We are actively engaging with the process, and to best represent the needs of Soil Association Certification licensees, and of the organic movement, we have resourced a project team to respond to Defra consultations.
