The Honey Standard: development and requirements

Current publication status

Status: in development. The final technical standard is not yet published. The principles described on this website are not a substitute for adopted certification requirements.

Our proposed scope includes honey producers and packing facilities, with relevant controls for extraction, handling and chain of custody. Requirements will need to reflect the activities within each organisation’s scope.

What the requirements are intended to cover

Authenticity: evidence and controls that support accurate descriptions of honey and help prevent substitution or adulteration.

Provenance and traceability: records linking honey to its source and following batches through transfers, extraction, blending and packing.

Responsible practice and management: relevant production and handling controls, clear responsibilities, record keeping and resolution of findings. These are proposed subject areas; specific thresholds and evidence rules remain to be finalised.

How expertise can help

We are seeking practical and technical input to challenge assumptions, assess the strength of evidence and keep the proposed requirements proportionate. You can contribute to a relevant topic without committing to an ongoing role.

Before work begins, we will agree its scope, how input will be used and any attribution or confidentiality preferences. Development contributions are currently voluntary and unfunded.

What will be published as the scheme develops

Confirmed publications will identify their title, version, date, status and scope. Adopted requirements will be distinguished from consultation drafts and explanatory guidance.

Scheme information will explain assessment, findings, certification decisions, validity, ongoing assurance, mark use and complaints or appeals. This page will link to those documents when they are ready for publication.

Preparing for an assessment

You can organise your organisation and site information, identify the activities you carry out and review how your batch records connect. Keep existing records available; there is no need to create unnecessary paperwork in anticipation of requirements that are not yet adopted.

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