Form

Apply to use a non-organic ingredient

Use this form to apply to use a non-organic ingredient in your organic food or drink.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 29 April 2016
• Last updated: 3 August 2023 — See all updates

Documents

Apply to use a non-organic ingredient

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Details

Find out when you can use non-organic ingredients in your products and how to apply.

Complete and sign your form and send it to:

• organic.standards@defra.gov.uk if you’re based in Great Britain
• northernireland.organics@defra.gov.uk if you’re based in Northern Ireland

Use a separate form for each non-organic ingredient you plan to use.

Include the following supporting evidence:

• a statement that you have searched for an organic form of the ingredient and could not find one on the UK market or for import
• an explanation of why you need to use the particular ingredient in non-organic form and why you cannot use an organic substitute
• copies of letters or emails from at least 3 potential suppliers of the ingredient – they must confirm they cannot supply the ingredient in organic form or find it on the UK market

If you need to submit this form by post, email organic.standards@defra.gov.uk in Great Britain or northernireland.organics@defra.gov.uk in Northern Ireland.

Published 29 April 2016

Last updated 3 August 2023 + show all updates

1. 3 August 2023

   Change note: Made two corrections: 1. Updated the email address for applicants in Northern Ireland. 2. In all UK countries, applicants must confirm in their supporting evidence that an organic version or substitute is also not available for import.

2. 14 July 2023

   Added an updated non-organic ingredient application form. Removed reference to the £38 charge per application. This no longer needs to be paid.

3. 29 April 2016

   First published.