At present, Great Britain holds equivalence status with the EU on organic products. However, under the future arrangement of dynamic alignment (where both countries agree on a single rule book on certain areas of law), we will likely fully harmonise our regulations with the EU’s organic standards, including the adoption of any future amendments or updates.
EU organic legislation already applies directly in Northern Ireland under the Northern Ireland Protocol. Although the UK will no longer have voting rights within the EU’s regulatory processes, it will retain the ability to engage with and influence discussions through participation in relevant EU agencies and committees.
What does dynamic alignment mean for organics?
The key benefit of dynamic alignment moving forward will be the removal of the current requirement for Export Health Certificates, Phytosanitary Certificates and Certificates of Inspection when exporting organic products from Great Britain to the EU. This will reduce administrative burdens and simplify trade procedures for British producers.Â
How has EU organics legislation changed?
Notably, the EU introduced a significant update to its organic regulatory framework in 2022. The main changes include:
- Regulation (EU) 2018/848, which came fully into force on 1 January 2022, replacing the previous regulatory structure. Its scope has been expanded to include a broader range of products such as salt, cotton, wool, essential oils, rabbits, bees, and more.
- Group certification for small operators, as defined under Article 36, was introduced to simplify compliance for smaller businesses, with streamlined internal control rules. These uniform rules apply equally across EU and non-EU operators.
- Enhanced controls on traceability, compliance, and import checks, supported by a harmonised system and an updated list of recognised control bodies under Implementing Regulation 2022/2049.
- Revised production and labelling requirements, including stricter animal welfare provisions, promotion of seed diversity, limitations on permitted additives and flavourings, and clearer origin labelling obligations.
Next steps
The regulatory landscape continues to evolve, and the team at BAB, alongside the NFU’s organic sector lead Cara Rhodes, are closely monitoring developments.
Led by the NFU’s International Trade Team, we also continue to proactively lobby and engage government to ensure that the SPS deal reached is the best possible outcome for our farmer and grower members.
Detailed guidance and updates will be provided on this page as further information becomes available.
