Farming

Organic importers area

On this page we have brought together information on topics of interest to organic importers:

If you have any comments or queries on organic imports please email us at organic.imports@defra.gsi.gov.uk.

Latest news on organic imports

For the latest news see organic imports news.

Products imported from within the EU

Produce from within the EU can be imported into the UK and sold freely as organic, provided it is produced or processed by an operator registered with an approved EU Organic Certification Body.

Products imported from EU-recognised third countries

The European Commission has recognised that a few third countries operate production rules and a system of inspection equivalent to that operating within the EU. The rules for imports from these countries are laid down in Article 11(1) of Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91.

Regulation (EC) No 345/2008 entered into force on 08 May 2008 and recast (replaced) Regulation (EEC) 94/92 as amended.  345/2008 includes the current list of countries that have agreed equivalent organic standards for certain products certified by certain inspection bodies under Article 11.1 of Regulation (EEC)2092/91.

Imports of organic products into the UK and EU from these countries are permitted without prior approval from Defra provided that:

  • the importer is registered with one of the UK organic certifying authorities approved by Defra;
  • the conditions of their equivalence agreement under Commission Regulation (EEC) No 94/92 are met; and
  • a Certificate of Inspection (CoI) is produced for each consignment entering the EU by one of the approved third country inspection bodies listed in the Annex to Regulation (EEC) 94/92, as amended. The CoI needs to be checked and endorsed by the relevant Port Health Authority in the UK or Customs Official for most other parts of the EU.

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Products imported from other third countries

Produce from other third countries can be brought into the EU and marketed as organic, provided prior authorisation has been obtained.In the UK, Defra grants such authorisations.

Importers wishing to apply for an Authorisation to Import Organic Products into the UK must apply on an OB 11 application form. There are guidance notes (OB 13) on how to complete the OB 11. An import authorisation lasts for one year. The system of organic imports is expected to change in 2009.

If you are applying for a variation (amendment/addition) to an existing authorisation please see the section below "Variatons to authorisations".

Organic Imports into 2007 and beyond Adobe Acrobat pdf file (45 KB): Letter outlining the changes to the import regime during 2007 and the new import regime to take effect in 2008.

The following charges apply for the assessment of import applications, and production of authorisations (amendments and extensions):

  • New import authorisations - £27
  • Annual renewal request – £16.50
  • Application to amend authorisation - £18.50  

Before authorisation is given, importers must demonstrate that the products to be imported:

  • were produced to rules equivalent to those laid down in Articles 6 and 7 of Council Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 (as amended); and
  • were subject to inspection measures equivalent to those laid down in Articles 8 and 9 of Council Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 (as amended) and that such inspection measures will be permanently and effectively applied.

Defra must assess the standards of the relevant third country inspection board in order to authorise an import.  Defra has assessed the standards of many third country inspection/certification bodies as being equivalent to those of the Council Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 (see below for list). However, where we have not assessed and approved a body, we would ask importers to provide details of the rules of production, the rules of inspection and the penalty provisions of the inspection/certifying bodies used in the third countries.

Important

  • Do not import organic produce before you have been authorised.
  • A Defra Organic Import Authorisation is issued for the organic nature of the product, if other (non-organic) Regulatory controls apply to your product these must be adhered to ahead of Organic Regulation.

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Annual renewal

Importers whose import authorisation is about to expire may write and request an annual renewal. The request must be accompanied by an up to date certificate for the exporter/supplier (see OB 13 guidance notes)

Variations to authorisations
Importing/exporting organic food and drink in to the UK and from the USA

Just as with most countries around the world, importers of produce from the U.S. are required to be authorised. However, it is worth mentioning the following: in 2002 the US Government introduced a National Organic Program. A reciprocal agreement was reached between the UK and US which was:

  • For US exporters to continue exporting to the UK, the US bodies inspecting and certifying the products would need to satisfy Defra that they would be working to Council Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91.
  • For UK exporters to export to the US, the UK bodies inspecting and certifying the products would need to ensure the products satisfied the standards of the US National Organic Program.
  • A letter confirming this arrangement and containing a list of the US bodies that have confirmed their intention to certify to Regulation (EEC) 2092/91 was sent out to importers of US produce and UK Certification Bodies on 5 September 2002. Since that date, four additional US inspection and certification bodies have provided sufficient evidence that the EC standard will be applied.
  • List of approved US certification/inspection bodies

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Commission Regulation (EC) No 1788/2001

Commission Regulation (EC) No 1788/2001 details additional requirements on importers of organic produce, the main requirement being the need to present a Certificate of Inspection to the Port Health Authority where the produce is due to enter the UK. Regulation 1788/2001 has been amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 1918/2002.

Organic imports - frequently asked questions

Contact address

Organic Team, Imports Section
Defra
8th Floor, 9 Millbank
C/o Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London SW1P 3JR
Tel: 020 7238 5777 or 6059
Email: organic.imports@defra.gsi.gov.uk

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Page last modified: 9 May 2008
Page published: 1 July 2006

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs