The Soil Association has prepared a page of guidance in advance of significant changes for organic farmers, growers, manufacturers and traders who export to the EU from 1st January.
Exporting to the EU and NI from 1st January 2021
It is looking likely that the acceptance of organic products from GB into the EU will be based on the individual approval of UK certifiers under the European Commission regulation EC1235/2008 - which all UK certifiers currently have.
All operators along the UK supply chain will need to be issued certification by a certifier who currently holds the approval for the relevant product. Soil Association certification approval is valid until the end of 2023.
The UK will be expected to work to the current EU organic regulation EC834/2007 for a minimum of three years from 1st January 2021, despite the fact that the EU is moving to a new organic regulation in 2022.
Register to trade with the EU
The following information applies to farmers and growers, manufacturers and traders certified by Soil Association certification. If you are planning to export to the EU from 1st January 2021, you will need to make sure all of the products you are planning to export are on your trading schedule.
Please also ensure that your customers in the EU have identified an importer and 1st consignee who hold a valid organic licence(s) to import.
Please see here for more information on registering consignments before exporting to the EU and on obtaining a customs ID for organic products.