15th September 2020

Soil Association Certification freezes licence fee in response to lockdown

Written by: Rebecca
Soil Association Certification, a wholly-owned subsidiary which certifies over 70% of all organic products sold in the UK, is to continue to freeze fees for all licensees until March 31st 2021. All core fees for organic schemes will remain at 2019 levels.

Clare McDermott, business development director at Soil Association Certification, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has placed unprecedented pressure on businesses, farmers and food suppliers across the supply chain.

“Soil Association Certification is, and always has been, committed to supporting the organic movement. In response to the predicted uncertainty ahead, we hope this price freeze will allow our certified growers, producers and processors to continue the fantastic work they’ve been doing to secure a resilient and sustainable food system – for now and for the future.”

In another bid to support smaller business, Soil Association Certification is to offer free entry (limited to two entries per business) for the BOOM (Best of Organic Market Awards) Awards to any Soil Association Certification Licensee with organic sales turnover of under £250,000. The awards will open for entries in December.

Soil Association Certification was the first certification body to suspend physical inspections and quickly introduced additional protocols in light of Covid-19 enabling inspection to continue and ensuring minimal disruption to new organic licences being issued.