Organic food in Northern Ireland Rules for producing, processing, labelling and trading organic food in Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021

Contents

• Certificates and labels
• Using organic logos
• Moving organic food from GB to NI
• Importing organic food from the EU
• Importing organic food from non-EU countries
• Moving organic food to GB to NI
• Exporting organic food from NI to the EU
• Exporting organic food from NI to non-EU countries
• Organic food and feed in GB 
   

Food and feed registered as organic in the EU will continue to be accepted as organic in the NI.

Certificates and labels

You’ll still need to be certified by an approved organic control body operating in Northern Ireland if you produce, process or import organic food for trade within NI.

You must include details of your organic control body on the label of organic food you produce, process, sell or import.

Find out about food labelling from 1 January 2021.

Using organic logos

You must continue to use the EU organic logo on any organic food or feed produced in Northern Ireland from 1 January 2021.

Contact your organic control body to stay up to date.

Find out about food labelling from 1 January 2021.

Moving organic food from GB to NI

If your product may end up in the EU, or be used in a product which will end up in the EU, you will use the EU’s Trade Control and Expert System New Technology (TRACES NT) when moving organic food and feed from GB to NI from 1 January 2021.

If your organic product is only for use in Northern Ireland, you may use the Northern Ireland Retail Movement Scheme (NIRMS) process if you are eligible.

All your organic goods must have a certificate of inspection (CoI).

Importing organic food from the EU

You will continue to import organic food or feed from the EU as you do now.

Contact your organic control body if you have any questions.

Importing organic food from non-EU countries

You will continue to import organic food or feed from the non-EU countries as you do now.

Check the EU’s trade in organic page, and check with the country you’re exporting to, if you have any questions.

Moving organic food from NI to GB

You will continue to move organic food or feed from NI to GB as you do now.

You will not need a CoI if you’re moving goods from NI to GB.

Exporting organic food from NI to the EU

You will continue to export organic food or feed from NI to the EU as you do now.

Contact your organic control body if you have any questions.

Exporting organic food from NI to non-EU countries

You will continue to export organic food or feed from NI to non-EU countries as you do now.

Some non-EU countries may require an export certificate for each consignment. You should check the EU’s trade in organic page, and check with the country you’re exporting to.

The EU has equivalency arrangements with some non-EU countries.

Organic food and feed in GB

If you produce, process, label or trade in organic food and feed in GB (England, Scotland and Wales), you’ll have to follow GB rules from 1 January 2021.

Find out about the organic food and feed rules in Great Britain from 1 January 2021.