What you need to know
The UK government is in the final stages of negotiating an agrifood law deal with the EU – our largest trading partner. This is based on the UK dynamically aligning with the EU’s laws on food safety and standards, and animal and plant health. This aims to greatly reduce border checks and paperwork on agrifood trade.
‘Dynamic alignment’ means the UK will agree to keep its agri-food rules continuously in line with those in the EU, including future changes, not just current ones.
Although this development has been in the works for some time, we know that for many businesses the implications have only recently become clear.
To help you understand the requirements, we’re sharing the key information every food and drink business needs to be aware of and how FDF can help you navigate these changes.
Implications for business
The SPS Agreement will change the rules for the sale of all food and drink on the UK market. This agreement:
- is wider than simply a trade agreement with the EU
- applies to all UK food and drink businesses, even if they don’t export to the EU
- changes UK domestic rules to align with those in the EU, impacting imports to the UK
- will implement EU rules on the production, sale and trade of plant and animal products, alongside EU agri-food safety and standards into UK law
- includes all amendments to the listed EU laws in scope, as well as all future changes
Scope of the SPS Agreement
Legislation in scope
The initial government guidance makes very clear that this is much broader than simply a trade deal on animal and plant health. In fact, it identifies 18 agri-food policy areas in scope covering a wide range of food safety and standards legislation, all to apply to the UK market.
From a regulatory perspective, the government’s list of 'legislation in scope' is a high-level EU food law list that companies will need to align to and is a useful start. But, of course, the devil will be in the details, with this list only being finalised once the negotiations have concluded. It’s important to note that the Agreement means that the UK will adopt all current EU regulations and their many amendments, and all future EU changes related to these pieces of legislation.
FDF Detailed Amendments list
To support members’ regulatory mapping and action plans for EU alignment, we have developed a detailed overview table that expands on the government’s ‘legislation in scope’. This includes a more comprehensive list of over 400 pieces of relevant EU food legislation in scope (i.e. regulations, directives and their amendments from 2021 to date).
Member only:
Non-members:
Timeframe for change
The government intends for the Agreement to take effect in mid-2027 (exact date is still to be confirmed). Once it comes into force, all UK businesses will need to be ready to fully align with EU rules on the production, sale, and trade of plants and animal products, and all EU food safety and standards rules.
Our priority when speaking with government is pressing the importance of sell-through provisions and appropriate transition periods, to ensure that our members’ time, money and products aren't wasted. However, it seems likely that for the majority of these changes, the date for compliance is now set as mid-2027.
Full details and timeframes are expected on conclusion of the UK-EU negotiations, which will be delivered at the next UK-EU Summit (date tbc – late June/early July). Then UK primary enacting legislation will be passed by the government, followed by national secondary legislation.
Making practical plans
Government’s key advice is that every business in the agri-food sector should be preparing for these changes now. It is clear that there are far-reaching impacts within all UK food manufacturers and their supply chains.
Preparations should include planning any necessary changes to suppliers (including those from outside the EU), audits and contracts, specifications, formulations and recipes, digital and IT systems, compliance and regulatory, label artworks and packaging, and manufacturing and production.
Sector guidance & compliance checking
Sector specific guidance
Defra has published new materials to support businesses' preparations. The details of an Agreement are subject to negotiations; these resources are designed to help businesses understand forthcoming requirements and take practical steps towards readiness.
The following publications are tailored to specific sectors and provide targeted information on expected changes, key actions for businesses, and links to further detailed guidance where relevant:
- Border control post and control point operators: preparing your business
- Fish and shellfish: preparing your business
- Food manufacturing, processing and standards: preparing your business
- Food production, plants, animals and associated sectors: preparing your business
- Genetic technologies: preparing your business
- Logistics, hauliers and trade intermediaries: preparing your business
- Organics sectors: preparing your business
EU Food law compliance checking
As products sold on the UK market will need to meet EU rules, businesses are advised to undertake compliance checks to ensure only authorised ingredients are used and approved claims are made. The following are examples of key EU resources:
FDF member only resources
If you’re an FDF member you can access these regulatory and trade resources to navigate EU agri‑food law alignment.
Food Regulations
- FDF Detailed Amendments List of 'Legislation in Scope' of UK-EU SPS Agreement
- SPS Updates from FSA/FSS on Market Authorisations & Defra on Pesticides
- FDF Regulatory Toolkit: multiple food law trackers mapping and comparing GB and EU food legislation (e.g. food additives & contaminants)
Keep up to date
Defra alerts
All companies should sign-up to Defra alerts to receive new guidance as it becomes available.
FDF committees
If you’re an FDF member you can check you are represented on our specialist FDF committees, as this is where technical updates will be shared and discussed:
Food regulation & safety committees
(including Food Safety, Food Contact Materials, Food Ingredients/Additives, and Residues and Contaminants)
Be part of something bigger. Join the FDF
Unlock regulatory and trade resources, so you can confidently navigate EU agri‑food law alignment.
FDF members help shape the future of food and drink, benefiting from our advocacy, thought leadership and regulatory and technical advice while accessing the latest industry data and analysis.
Get in touch with our Membership Team to see how membership can benefit your business.
