As you may be aware, the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement contains a provision which requires a reassessment of organic equivalence by 31 December 2023.
The UK and EU engaged constructively over the course of 2023 to review the current UK and EU organic standards. Both sides have now confirmed that they continue to accept each other’s organic standards as equivalent, and each side has taken the necessary steps to ensure that trade in organic products between GB and the EU can continue beyond 2023.
Continued equivalence gives consumers choice, encourages growth in the sector and provides trade opportunities for both Parties.
Details of the EU’s recognition of UK organic exports can be found here Agreements on trade in organic products (europa.eu).
Details on the UK’s recognition of the EU’s organic products can be found here (tab 14).
Organic products exported from GB to the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland still require a Certificate of Inspection (COI) and must be produced using the EU’s TRACES NT system.
Organic products imported into GB from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland will not require a COI until 1 February 2025.
Products must be produced or processed in GB to be exported to EU as organic, and vice versa. It is standard practice in such trade agreements that the products should originate in the country they are being exported from.
Full details can be found in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, Annex 14: Organic Products.
Any questions on trade with the EU, please contact; organic.standards@defra.gov.uk
