The Organic Products Regulations 2009 No. 842

The Organic Products Regulations2009 set the legal framework for enforcing organic production, labelling and control standards across Great Britain.

Their purpose is to:

• Ensure any product marketed as “organic” genuinely meets regulated production and processing standards.
• Protect consumers from misleading organic claims.
• Provide a system of inspection, certification and enforcement for all businesses involved in organic production, processing and trade.
• Enforce the requirements of the retained EU Regulations governing organic food and feed.

Key requirements

1. Certification and inspection

• Anyone producing, preparing, processing, storing, packing or importing products labelled as “organic” must be inspected and certified by an approved control body.
• Operators must allow inspections, provide records and comply with control‑body requirements.

2. Rules on production and labelling

• Organic production must follow strict rules, including bans on GMOs, irradiation and non‑permitted inputs.
• Ingredients and finished products must be traceable and correctly labelled.
• The term “organic” may only be used for certified products that meet the relevant production and composition standards.

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3. Traceability and record‑keeping

Operators must maintain records demonstrating:

• Full traceability (goods‑in, goods‑out, batch documentation, supplier certificates).
• Segregation of organic and non‑organic products during processing and storage.
• Records of pest control, cleaning, equipment use and staff training.

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These records must be available for inspection at any time.

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4. Import controls

• Importers of organic products from non‑UK countries must follow specific controls, including use of approved certificates and verification procedures.
• Imports must only come from recognised third‑country systems or approved control bodies.

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5. Enforcement and official controls

The legislation enables:

• Inspections by authorised officers.
• Formal prohibitions on the movement or sale of non‑compliant products.
• Seizure or copying of relevant documents for enforcement.
• Penalties for failing to meet organic production, labelling or documentation requirements.

Who the legislation applies to

The regulations apply to any business in the organic supply chain, including:

• Organic farmers and growers
• Food and feed processors
• Manufacturers and packers
• Importers and exporters
• Wholesalers, distributors and retailers making organic claims
• Storage and logistics businesses handling organic goods

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In essence, any operator using the term “organic” in a commercial context must comply.

UK countries and regions where it applies

The Organic Products Regulations 2009 extend to:

• England
• Wales
• Scotland

They do not apply in:

• Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own separate organic‑products legislation.

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To comply with the Organic Products Regulations 2009, operators must hold clear, traceable and inspection‑ready evidence showing that all organic production, processing, handling, storage and marketing activities meet the legal standards.

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1. Certification and Control‑Body Documentation

Businesses must retain:

• A valid organic certification issued by an approved control body.
• Records of annual inspections and control‑body reports.
• Evidence of corrective actions taken following inspection findings.
• Certificates of Compliance for all organic product lines handled on site.

2. Supplier and Ingredient Verification

Operators must keep documentation proving the organic status of all inputs, including:

• Supplier organic certificates.
• Ingredient specifications for all organic components.
• Purchase invoices clearly identifying organic status.
• Evidence that suppliers are certified by recognised control bodies.

3. Traceability and Goods‑Flow Records

You must maintain complete traceability showing the movement of organic products through the business:

• Goods‑in and goods‑out logs.
• Batch and lot tracking records.
• Delivery notes and sales documentation.
• Stock control and reconciliation records demonstrating organic integrity.

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These records must ensure that all organic products are traceable from intake to final sale.

4. Separation and Handling Controls

Evidence must show that organic and non‑organic products are adequately segregated:

• Documentation of dedicated storage areas or clear physical separation.
• Cleaning schedules for equipment, containers and production lines.
• Cross‑contamination prevention procedures.
• Records showing dedicated or properly cleaned packaging and labelling equipment.

5. Labelling Compliance Evidence

Businesses must retain:

• Artwork approvals or label proofs showing correct organic claims and control‑body codes.
• Records demonstrating the correct use of the term “organic”.
• Verification that non‑organic products are not mislabelled or co‑mingled.

6. Processing and Production Records

For producers and processors, evidence should include:

• Processing logs showing organic inputs and outputs.
• Records of permitted substances and inputs used.
• Equipment cleaning logs prior to organic runs.
• Pest‑control documentation showing compliant methods (e.g., no prohibited substances).

7. Storage, Packaging and Transport Documentation

Operators must keep:

• Storage records showing correct conditions and segregation.
• Packaging records demonstrating use of approved materials and correct labelling.
• Transport documents ensuring sealed, protected and identifiable movement of organic goods.

8. Import Compliance Evidence

Importers must be able to produce:

• Certificates of Inspection for imported organic consignments.
• Records showing imports come from approved third‑country schemes or recognised control bodies.
• Verification checks carried out on arrival.

9. Staff Training Records

Businesses must maintain:

• Evidence of training in organic procedures, record‑keeping and hygiene.
• Refresher training documentation.
• Role‑specific competency records for those involved in processing or labelling.

10. Complaints and Corrective‑Action Records

Operators must retain:

• A complaints log covering organic integrity issues.
• Evidence of investigations and actions taken.
• Non‑conformance records and follow‑up checks.

11. Inspection Access and Enforcement Documentation

Businesses must keep:

• Copies of enforcement notices (if any).
• Evidence of compliance actions taken in response.

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Records showing full cooperation with authorised officers.

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