Organics COI requirement extended to 1 February 2027

Defra Organics today announced that the derogation on the requirement for Certificates of Inspection for organic goods entering GB from the EU, EEA and Switzerland will be extended from 1 February 2025 to 1 February 2027.

This means there will be no change to the current situation. Imports from EU, EEA and Switzerland will continue under current arrangements. Imports from other countries and customs territories are unaffected by this change and will continue to require COI checks as they do now, under the current system. Other checks on organic goods, that are not organic specific, are unaffected.

This extension will allow Defra to further investigate the options for implementing these checks in the most effective manner that minimises burden on the sector and disruption to supply chains.

If you have any questions or concerns on this, or other organics related issues, please contact your organic control body who will be able to give you advice and guidance.

Separately from our announcement above on organics, Defra are also announcing some changes to wider plans for the implementation of border controls:

To ensure that new ministers have a full and thorough opportunity to review the planned implementation of further border controls, and an opportunity to listen to businesses across import supply chains, Defra are updating the timeline for implementation of some SPS controls.

The existing controls introduced under the BTOM remain in place and we will continue to provide the highest levels of biosecurity protection at the border. We retain the ability to implement safeguarding measures in response to any emerging biosecurity risk.

For more information on these wider measures please sign up to the BTOM newsletter for plants and newsletter for products of animal origin.