U.S., U.K. reach organic equivalency agreement

With the new year, all products certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as organic can be marketed as such in the United Kingdom, and certified organic products from the UK can be marketed as organic in the U.S.

The U.K. and U.S. announced the organic equivalency agreement on Dec. 30, which affirms the countries have similar standards for organic food and other products. The agreement covers England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, according to a news release from the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, which oversees the National Organic Program.

U.S. companies exporting to England, Scotland and Wales must include a new paper document, a Great Britain import document. Shipments to Northern Ireland will continue to use the European Union’s Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES).

The agreement doesn’t cover aquatic animals (fish, shellfish) or products derived from animals treated with antibiotics when exported from the U.K., according to the release.

Starting Jan. 1, goods imported into the U.K. from the U.S. and all other non-European Union countries must have a valid certificate of inspection (COI). A new import process will be in place for all USDA organic product sent to the U.K. under the arrangement, according to the release.

For organic products going to the U.K.-Great Britain: A USDA-accredited certifier must issue a paper COI before the shipment leaves the U.S. The COI goes to the U.K. Port Health Authority/Local Authority. The original document needs to be signed within 10 working days for the shipment to be marketed as organic.

For organic products going to the U.K.-Northern Ireland: EU regulations will remain in effect. Shipments are still subject to EU procedures, including an EU COl.