Organic Produce

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SIMPLE GUIDE 04

Organic Produce

Organic is a protected and regulated claim. Here's what growers need to know before describing produce as organic on GrowHive.

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QUICK ANSWER

Can I call my produce Organic?

Only if the relevant organic production requirements are met and your business and products are covered by certification from an approved organic control body.

Growing fruit or vegetables naturally at home does not automatically allow you to sell them as organic.

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GROWHIVE'S SIMPLE RULE

No certification = no Organic claim

If valid organic certification has not been verified, the word Organic and related organic-production claims must not be used in a GrowHive listing.

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PROTECTED WORDING

It isn't only the word “Organic”

UK rules also cover wording that tells customers a product has been produced using organic methods.

✕ Organic
✕ Organically grown
✕ Organically produced
✕ Grown using organic principles
✕ Grown using organic methods
✕ Produced using organic methods
These claims should not be used as a workaround.

Changing the wording does not avoid the certification requirement.

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HOME GROWERS

“I don't use chemicals” is not the same as Organic

Many GrowHive growers may use very natural growing methods. That's great — but those methods alone do not automatically create certified organic produce.

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Home-grown

Home-grown does not automatically mean certified organic.

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No artificial fertiliser

Avoiding artificial fertiliser alone does not create organic certification.

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No pesticides

Simply saying you have not used pesticides does not make the produce certified organic.

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Compost-grown

Using compost or natural growing techniques alone does not allow an organic claim.

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DESCRIBE WHAT YOU ACTUALLY DID

You can still tell customers how you grow

A grower who is not organically certified can still give customers accurate factual information about their growing methods, provided those statements are truthful and are not used to imply certified organic status.

✓ Grown in my home garden
✓ Hand-picked
✓ Grown using homemade compost
✓ Grown locally

Avoid wording that suggests the product is certified organic when it is not.

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CERTIFICATION

How do I become certified Organic?

Organic certification is handled by approved organic control bodies.

The control body checks that your growing operation meets the relevant organic standards and continues to comply with them.

1
Choose an approved control body

Select a UK-approved organic certification organisation suitable for your location and operation.

2
Apply for certification

The control body will explain the standards, records and conversion requirements that apply.

3
Your growing operation is inspected

Organic businesses are subject to inspections and must keep appropriate production records.

4
Receive certification

Once approved, the control body provides certification and identifying details.

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Keep certification current

Certification is not a one-off process. Certified businesses continue to be inspected and certification must remain valid.

APPROVED CERTIFIERS

Use an approved organic control body

Current approved UK control bodies include organisations such as Soil Association Certification, Organic Farmers & Growers, Organic Food Federation, Biodynamic Association Certification and other approved bodies.

The approved organisations vary by Great Britain and Northern Ireland, so growers should check the current official list.

View approved organic control bodies ↗
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CONVERTING LAND

Certification may take time

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Around two years is common

In Great Britain, converting land to organic production will commonly take around two years, although the actual period depends on the land, crop and previous use.

Established perennial fruit orchards can require a longer conversion period. Your control body will tell you exactly what applies to your growing operation.

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LISTINGS & LABELLING

Organic information must be accurate

✓ Product title

Only use Organic in the product name when the product is properly certified.

✓ Product description

Organic claims in descriptions must also be supported by certification.

✓ Images and graphics

Do not add misleading organic wording or badges to product images.

✓ Packaging and labels

Certified organic labelling has specific rules, including control-body information and agricultural origin information where applicable.

Selling packaged certified organic produce?

Your organic control body should guide you on the labelling requirements and approve organic labels where required.

GROWHIVE ORGANIC VERIFICATION

How GrowHive will handle Organic listings

GrowHive will not rely on a simple Organic checkbox. Certification details must be provided before a Certified Organic status is approved.

1 Select Certified Organic

The grower tells GrowHive they want to make an organic claim.

2 Provide certification

GrowHive asks for the relevant certification information.

3 GrowHive checks it

The certification details are reviewed before Organic status is enabled.

4 Badge becomes available

Verified sellers can display the GrowHive Certified Organic indicator where appropriate.

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CERTIFICATION DETAILS

What will GrowHive ask for?

✓ Organic control body
✓ Control body code
✓ Certificate or certification reference
✓ Current certification document
✓ Certification expiry or renewal information
✓ Confirmation that the listed produce is covered by the certification
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KEEP IT CURRENT

What happens if certification expires?

Growers must keep their organic certification current. If certification expires, is withdrawn or no longer covers the produce being sold, the grower must stop making organic claims.

GrowHive may remove or suspend an Organic indicator until valid certification has been confirmed again.

ON GROWHIVE

Organic growers will be asked to confirm

✓ My organic certification is current and valid.
✓ The products I describe as Organic are covered by my certification.
✓ The certification information I provide to GrowHive is accurate.
✓ I will update GrowHive if my certification changes, expires or is withdrawn.
✓ I will not use misleading organic wording on uncertified products.
✓ I agree to follow GrowHive's Organic listing rules.
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SOMETHING DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT?

GrowHive can review Organic claims

GrowHive may ask a seller for additional evidence, remove an Organic claim or temporarily hide an Organic badge where certification cannot be confirmed.

OFFICIAL GUIDANCE

Check the current Organic rules

Organic regulation can change. Growers making organic claims should check the latest official guidance and follow the requirements of their organic control body.

Organic labelling rules ↗ Approved control bodies ↗ Getting Organic certification ↗
About this guidance

This is general GrowHive guidance. Growers remain responsible for ensuring that their organic production, certification, product descriptions and labelling comply with the requirements that apply to them. GrowHive verification does not replace certification by an approved organic control body.