Organic products - A Guide for Producers, Processors and Packers of Organic Products

The Organic Products Regulations 2001apply to any agricultural products, livestock or foods that are described as 'organic'.

What is Organic?

The description 'organic' can only be used to describe agricultural products, livestock and food that is produced and prepared in accordance with the detailed standards laid down. These standards also include requirements for record keeping, labelling, marketing and an inspection and certification system.

The methods of production, processing etc. of organic products have to be inspected and certified by an authorised body to ensure that they meet the specified standards (a list of these bodies in the UK is provided at the end of this leaflet).

Labelling requirements

• Agricultural products described as organic must show clearly that the description relates to the method of agricultural production, e.g. "organically grown carrots".
• Processed foods described as organic must consist of at least 95% of ingredients that were produced in accordance with the laid down standards of production.
  The description must make it clear that it relates to the method of production and must be accompanied by a reference to the ingredients concerned unless such a reference is given in the list of ingredients, e.g. "Flour-made from organically grown wheat".
• Labelling must include the code number of the inspection authority or body to which the operator is subject, e.g. "Organic Certification UK2".
• Processed foods containing at least 70% of organically produced ingredients may be labelled with an indication of organic production, but only if:
  • the indication appears in the list of ingredients and only in clear relation to the ingredients produced in accordance with the standard;
  • the name of the food is accompanied by a statement of the percentage of organically produced ingredients. It must be in the form "x% of agricultural ingredients were produced in accordance with the rules of organic production".
• Organic foods from countries outside the European Community may only be imported if:
  • the country is on the approved list drawn up by the European Community Commission;
  • the consignment of food is accompanied by a certificate of inspection from the competent authority or body in the country of origin, stating that it was produced within a system of production and inspection which are equivalent to those required in the Community.

Authorised bodies

Any person who produces, processes or packs organic food products must have their methods of production and processing, etc. inspected and certified by an authorised body. These bodies in turn must be registered and overseen by UKROFS (The United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards) - the appointed Control Authority for the UK. Currently the authorised bodies are:

UK1: United Kingdom Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS)
Room G43
c/o DEFRA Area F, Fifth Floor
Ergon House, 17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Tel: 020 7238 5633

UK2: Organic Farmers and Growers Ltd
The Elim Centre
Lancaster Road
Shrewsbury
Shropshire SY1 3LE
Tel: 01743 440512

UK3: The Scottish Organic Producers Association
Scottish Organic Centre
10th Avenue
Royal Highland Centre
Ingliston
Edinburgh EH28 8NF
Tel: 0131 335 6606

UK4: Organic Food Federation
31 Turbine Way
Eco Tech Business Park
Swaffham
Norfolk PE37 7 XD
Tel: 01760 720444

UK5: The Soil Association Certification Ltd
Bristol House
40-56 Victoria Street
Bristol BS1 5BY
Tel: 0117 929 0661

UK6: Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Association
The Painswick In Project
Gloucester Street
Stroud GL5 1QG
Tel: 01453 759501

UK7: Irish Organic Farmers & Growers Association
Harbour Building
Harbour Road
Kilbeggan
Co. Westmeath
Ireland
Tel: 00 353 506 32563

UK10: CMi Certification
CMi Plc
Long Harborough
Oxford OX29 8LH
Tel: 01993 885600

UK11: International Certification Services (GB) Ltd
T/A Farm Verified Organic
Meadow Vale Offices
Betws Road
Llanrwst
Conwy LL26 0PP
Tel: 01492 642628

Please Note

This leaflet is not an authoritative interpretation of the law and is intended only for guidance. For further information please contact your local Consumer Protection or Trading Standards office.

Trading Standards Division, 3rd Floor, Wallasey Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 8ED
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