Industry

Food & agriculture

Any business, large or small, associated with the food and agricultural industry can benefit from the conformity and integrity that food and agriculture standards can bring. These food and agriculture standards cover food safety, chemical, microbiological and sensory analysis, packaging and process issues as well as many general quality management areas. They also give essential guidance on buildings and structures in agriculture, the manufacturing of equipment used in agriculture and farming, and other areas, including soil quality.

Enhancing safety, quality and reliability with food standards

Learn how standards enable agri-food businesses to keep pace of technology and operate in a global market

Are robots the key to future farming?
Article

Are robots the key to future farming?

Picture a polytunnel filled with bright red strawberries. Working its way between fruit bushes is a self-propelled vehicle with robotic arms extending from its sides. Each of these arms is equipped with an AI-enabled camera system to detect the colour and texture of a strawberry. Ripe fruits are plucked by the robotic arm and gently placed in a punnet.  The whirring robot can pick more fruit than a human, work 24 hours a day and avoids all the challenges of using human workers – if you can find any willing to take on the back-breaking, low-paid seasonal work of fruit picking. Is this the future of farming? Robots are capable of carrying out a whole range of farming tasks, and they are improving rapidly. How can farmers make use of this technology, and how can standards help pave the way? Why are robots needed in agriculture? The case for innovations like robots on farms is clear.  In 2022, the National Farmers’ Union reported that up to £60m worth of crops were left to rot in fields because of labour shortages. At the same time, the cost of farming inputs such as animal feed, fuel, power and fertilisers rose 34%. Also, farming accounts for around 10% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, meaning that change must happen if the nation is to achieve its net zero goals. Agri-robots could be the solution to many of the challenges faced by UK farmers. The technology doesn’t only replace human labour. For example, by recording data that pinpoints where fruit is suffering from blight or identifying the perfect time for harvesting. There is potential for technology to reduce energy use, enable more targeted use of pesticide, herbicide and fertiliser. However, adoption of new technology brings its own challenges. These include implementing and operating systems correctly, managing risk and understanding liability, and dealing with maintenance and repairs.  A new standard, BS 8646:2023 Use of autonomous mobile machinery in agriculture and horticulture. Code of practice, provides a code of practice for the use of autonomous mobile machinery in agriculture and horticulture. The standard should help users achieve safe, confident integration of autonomous mobile machinery. Robots on the farm Here are a few of the innovations that can help on the farm or horticulture site: Disease detection robots Robots travel through crops capturing images on camera. The images are interpreted by a computer system for signs of disease and blight. This data can either alert a farmer for the need to treat the problem or trigger another automated device to apply a suitable treatment. This technology prevents the need for blanket spraying while still preventing wastage, reducing the environmental impact. The same technology can be used to detect ripeness, helping to confirm the optimum time for harvesting.  Autonomous tractors Tractors that use autopilot systems to carry out steering and manoeuvring have been available for decades. However, they all require farmers to stay behind the wheel to oversee, meaning they fail to solve the central problem. Full autonomous tractors are the solution, freeing up farmers to use their time on tasks that make better use of their expertise. Autonomous tractors use precision technology to enable vehicles to carry out tasks without the need for a human in the cab. AI systems interpret data from cameras to identify objects or obstacles, while computers automate tasks. The farmer can control the tractor using a simple app on a smartphone or laptop. Seed sowing robots A tractor towing a planter through a field requires human input and the energy needed to power the tractor. Seed sowing robots are small, light rechargeable devices that wheel their way up and down fields, sowing seeds from a storage tank. These robots avoid the soil impaction caused by a heavier vehicle and use much less energy than a traditional tractor. As multiple robots can be used in a single field, at any time of day, sowing can be done rapidly and with optimal timing. Intelligent robots AI-enabled robots can carry out a wide range of farming and horticultural tasks, including fruit picking as mentioned above. The exact mechanisms vary – apples might be gripped by a pincer hand, nectarines plucked using a vacuum tube with a sucker on the end, raspberries snipped from their stalks which are then used to hold the fruit. Robots can also carry out weeding, monitor livestock, or identify produce at risk of spoilage. AI-enabled drones can gather data from above, interpreting this to advise farmers on crop health and actions that need to be taken. Devices can also be used to carry out routine tasks such as refreshing livestock feed and water supplies. Harvesting produce that grows near or in the ground is proving to be more challenging, but researchers are working on this as well. Barriers to implementing farming innovations In addition to the challenges of funding innovation and improvement, farmers face barriers that beset most new technologies. Fragmentation, a lack of standardization, and interoperability could all give farmers reason to pause and delay adopting new machinery and systems. A recent survey by Innovate UK KTN found that key barriers to UK farmers adopting so-called AgriTech improvements are: Lack of awareness Lack of training Risk aversion Challenges in scaling up products Legislation and regulation Inability to calculate return on investment (ROI) Standards like BS 8646:2023 will help to address some of these concerns. It sets out best practice, providing a consensus-based reference document to support adoption of new technology. What does BS 8646 provide? The standard relates to autonomous mobile machinery used in agriculture and horticulture.  For example, crop harvesters, weeders, crop sprayers, livestock feeders, drones, seed planting robots and self-driving tractors. BS 8646 covers four key areas: Safety and risk management. Farm planning and design. Good practice in areas such as training, supervision and servicing of machinery. Maintenance and repair. It sets out a step-by-step risk management process where hazards can be identified, control measures selected and implemented, appropriate records generated, and control review measures put in place. Benefits of the standard include clarity on issues such as roles and responsibilities, safety and good management practices. The standard is designed to work alongside two other international standards: BS EN ISO 18497 on automated agricultural machine safety and BS EN ISO 3691-1 on self-propelled industrial trucks. The overarching ambition for BS 8646 is to help encourage the much wider use of autonomous mobile machinery (AMM) technology in all sizes of farm, particularly smaller enterprises. It will provide farmers and horticulturists with an economic advantage at the same time as supporting the growth of an innovative industry. In decades to come, we could wonder how the work robots carry out so effortlessly was ever solely carried out by human hands and minds. Robots will make farm work more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable, and standards will be key to realizing that potential. Discover BSI Knowledge Over 100,000 internationally recognized standards are available for simple and flexible access with a BSI Knowledge subscription. Our tailored subscription service allows you to build your own custom collection of standards or opt for access to one of our pre-built modules, keeping you up to date with any changes. With support from a dedicated BSI account manager, our subscription service helps you achieve a more coherent and effective approach to best practice. Request to learn more.Read more
A national first: Standardizing the spirit of whisky
Article

A national first: Standardizing the spirit of whisky

It’s time to raise a glass to BS 8636 - the first voluntary British Standard that provides a specification on the production process of whisky. There are few beverages which have stood the test of time quite like whisky. Dating back hundreds of years, this distilled alcoholic beverage is inextricably woven into the history, culture and traditions of the UK. Even today, whisky is big business. The UK is, by far, the leading exporter of whisky worldwide. This trend has continued with global exports of Scotch Whisky alone growing to more than £6 billion for the first time in 2022, according to figures released by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA). And it is the global consumption of the UK’s traditional whiskies which have formed consumer expectations of the spirit across the world. Today, consumers in different markets expect whisky to be made from cereals, distilled in a certain way, aged for a minimum period in wooden casks and sold at a strength not less than 40% alcohol volume. This ensures whisky retains the colour, aroma, and taste that consumers are used to, derived from its raw materials and production process. To provide a consistent method of production for all UK distillers and new entrants to the industry, experts from the Scottish, Welsh, English and Irish industries have developed a voluntary British Standard. This document provides a specification for the production process of whisky and the main categories of whisky traded globally. And at a time when whisky production is growing worldwide, with new distillers looking to the UK for guidance, producers overseas following this British Standard will produce a high-quality spirit which meets the expectations of consumers when buying whisky. BS 8636:2023 Whisky - Use of analytical parameters and methods of analysis – Specification details the methods of analysis which can be used by whisky distillers to establish authenticity and consistency within their whisky production process. What’s covered by the UK’s first whisky standard? BS 8636 details the methods of analysis which can be used to establish authenticity and consistency within the whisky production process, from distillation and maturation to bottling. It also covers the expected organoleptic characteristics, the typical ranges for analytes of interest and other technical whisky matters. This voluntary standard has been developed by the consensus of whisky experts for use by new and established UK distillers and regulators. It is consistent with existing legal requirements in the UK. Though not a mandatory requirement, the specification in BS 8636 establishes a means to ensure consistency in whisky production processes, preserve the authenticity of distilling traditions and support national and global trade. Want to learn more about how standards are supporting the food and beverage industry? Discover more by visiting our Food & Agriculture Topic Page. What are the benefits of using BS 8636? The importance of BS 8636 cannot be understated.It represents the nations of the UK working together to protect the historic tradition of whisky distilling, as well as facilitating the trade of whisky internationally. The standard: Defines consistent best production practices for whisky Consistency is key because it ensures that the flavour and quality of a whisky brand remains the same every time it is produced. This ensures that distillers can meet the expectations of their customers, creating an enjoyable experience. As overseas whisky producers increasingly look to the UK for guidance on best practice, BS 8636 defines what the whisky production process should look like, complementing the existing legal framework in promoting fairness, transparency, and quality in the industry, to protect both producers and consumers. Empowers whisky distillers to trade internationally BS 8636 Adhering to this document means that producers can demonstrate that their whisky meets regulatory requirements and the expectations of the global market and consumers, facilitating trade opportunities. Demonstrates whisky quality and authenticity Whisky is a product with a rich history and tradition. Distillers take pride in the craft of whisky-making and the unique characteristics of their product. BS 8636 details best practices to maintain whisky quality and authenticity. It supports producers to honour tradition to ensure the continued success of the industry. Help your whisky meet industry and consumer standards by downloading your copy of BS 8636 today.
What are the important food supply chain standards?
Article

What are the important food supply chain standards?

The world population is growing rapidly and many food products repeatedly cross-national boundaries to meet our rising demand for food. International standards help to address this challenge in a safe and sustainable way through guidance and best practices in food production methods and testing; to promote safety, quality, and efficiency across the entire food industry. All players in the food supply chain, be they farmers, manufacturers, or retailers, can benefit from the guidelines and best practices contained in ISO standards, which range from food harvesting to product packaging. In addition, internationally agreed standards help food producers meet legal and regulatory requirements. Standards address issues relevant to consumers such as food safety, nutritional labelling, hygiene, food additives, and more. They give consumers the peace of mind that comes with knowing the food they consume meets high standards for safety and quality and contains what it says on the tin. What are the benefits of standards to your food business? The fundamental point of a standard is to provide a reliable basis for people to share the same expectations about a product or service. Implementing them can provide huge benefits to food businesses including: Gain a competitive advantage – by reassuring consumers that you conform to globally-established standards, in areas from machinery safety and food transport to packaging and food fraud. Protect your bottom line – with standards on broader issues such as health and safety, cyber threat, and the environment, helping you to put best-practice policies in place and keep your business safe. Be ready for the future – with access to standards that lead the way in allergens, plastics, authenticity, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. Trade internationally – implementing internationally-recognized standards provides a passport to trade across national boundaries. Reduce technical barriers – with standards that give you, your stakeholders, and your customers the confidence that products or services will meet technical criteria. Embed excellence in your company – by using standards from the world’s oldest standards body BSI, trusted by organizations across the world to drive quality and performance. Download our infographic on key standards for agriculture. The Building Blocks of a Successful Food Business The following standards provide essential guidance throughout the food supply chain: BS EN ISO 22000 Food safety management systems - Used by organizations across the food chain to help deliver food that’s safe to eat, this standard provides an excellent framework to help implement a food safety management system (FSMS). BS EN ISO 9001 Quality management systems – this standard will help you to continually monitor and manage quality across your business so you can identify areas for improvement. Internationally, it is the quality system of choice. Integrating this standard with the BS EN ISO 22000 series offers additional benefits to food businesses, introducing a culture of continual improvement. PD ISO/TS 22003 Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of food safety management systems - this standard defines the rules applicable for FSMS audit and certification. Developed for use by the certification bodies who audit food safety management systems, its use further ensures that the food consumers enjoy is safe. BS EN ISO 22005 Traceability in the feed and food chain - this standard establishes principles and requirements for the design and implementation of a food traceability system. This helps maintain visibility during food manufacturing, processing, distribution, and handling–from production to consumption. Such a system also aids product recall or withdrawal processes. BS ISO 28000 Security management systems. Requirements - this standard specifies the requirements for a security management system to ensure safety across the chain. You can use BS ISO 28000 to build pre-planned risk responses to help mitigate the impact of certain scenarios should they arise improving the resilience of your supply chain. PAS 96 Guide to protecting and defending food and drink from deliberate attack - this specification provides practical guidance on how to avoid and mitigate threats using a risk management methodology known as Threat Assessment Critical Control Points (TACCP). It further demonstrates a solid commitment to food safety, strengthening your brand’s integrity and increasing customer loyalty. BS EN ISO 14001 Environmental management systems – this standard provides guidance on how to consider multiple aspects of your business procurement, storage, distribution, product development, manufacturing, etc.- so that it reduces its impact on the environment. It also drives you to evaluate how you manage emergency response, customer expectations, stakeholders, and your relationships with your local community. BS EN ISO/IEC 27001 Information security management systems - You simply can’t be too careful when it comes to information security, especially as supply chains continue to become more digital. Protecting personal records and commercially sensitive information is critical. This standard is an excellent framework that helps organizations manage and protect their information assets so that they remain safe and secure. It helps you to continually review and refine the way you do this, not only for today but also for the future. BS 65000 Organizational resilience - This standard defines organizational resilience as the ability to anticipate, prepare for, respond and adapt to events – both sudden shocks and gradual change, which is vital for food supply chains. This standard helps food organizations be adaptable, competitive, agile, and robust. Experience the benefits of standards for yourself, by adding these standards to your collection today. Discover BSI Knowledge There is no doubt that using standards can ensure the quality of your food products, building crucial trust between you and the rest of your supply chain. With a BSI Knowledge subscription, food safety management is at your fingertips with instant access to over 2,000 best practice documents related to the food industry - all in one place. It puts the control in your hands, with traceability to monitor and demonstrate your business's access to standards, and self-serve functionality that enables you to manage your subscriptions, standards, users, and content quickly and simply. Request to learn more.
Fighting modern slavery with BS 25700
Article

Fighting modern slavery with BS 25700

Modern slavery can affect any business, in any sector and across supply chains. It is now time for every organization to effectively manage the risk of modern slavery. And our pioneering new standard can help. Modern slavery includes recruitment, transport, receipt and harbouring of people to exploit their labour, and it affects almost all parts of the world. Globally, it’s estimated that there are over 40 million men, women and children in situations of modern slavery. These victims are forced to work for little or no pay, deprived of their freedom and often subjected to unimaginable suffering. And both the COVID-19 crisis and recent war in Europe have only exacerbated the issue – leaving thousands of people at risk from these practices. Any association with modern slavery has the potential to damage an organization’s reputation in a serious and potentially permanent way. It creates the image of an untrustworthy business that puts profits before the welfare of its workers and other stakeholders. Companies may also face backlash from consumers if they are found to be implicated. Far more must be done to bridge the gap between policy and practice. BSI is at the forefront of helping organizations understand what actions they can take to eradicate this global problem. As the National Standards Body (NSB) in the UK, BSI plays a vital role in helping businesses to adopt best practices and align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. BS 25700 Organizational responses to modern slavery is a pioneering British standard that provides guidance on managing the risk of modern slavery, through prevention, identification, response, remediation, mitigation, and reporting modern slavery in operations and supply chains. It provides organizations with guidance for managing the risk of modern slavery, including prevention, identification, response, remediation, mitigation, and reporting modern slavery in its operations, supply chains and its wider operating environment. We support campaigners, like Baroness Young and others, as they call for Governments to re-prioritize modern slavery. To support this important topic, where we all need to play a role to enable positive change, BSI is pleased to make our BS 25700 standard free to download. Slavery in the supply chain To manage the risk of modern slavery, businesses must first recognize that it is a current and prevalent problem, often hidden in plain sight. Slavery can exist in all stages of the supply chain, including the procurement manufacture shipping and delivery of goods and services to consumers. This is because long and complex supply chains, often seen in the food, retail and manufacturing sectors, make it difficult to oversee who is working where and under what conditions. Companies have a legal and social responsibility to ensure that modern slavery has not been used in the production of the goods they sell. For example, the UK Modern Slavery Act requires larger businesses to report on the steps they take to tackle modern slavery in their supply chains. BS EN ISO 26000 is the British Standard giving organizations guidance on social responsibility. Learn more about this standard here. How to manage the risk of modern slavery Further work is needed by organizations to effectively manage the risk of modern slavery especially in their supply chains. The growing scrutiny of supply chains regarding social responsibility, organizational impact and Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) reporting means that it has never been more important for your business to manage the risk of modern slavery. BS 25700 provides a structured approach to the development, implementation, evaluation, and review of the risk management of modern slavery by taking a ‘risk to people’ view instead of a ‘risk to organization’ view. It encourages organizations to go beyond legal and statutory duties and address the wider risks associated with modern slavery. The benefits of BS 25700 to businesses include: A holistic approach to addressing modern slavery that puts people at the heart of an organization Effective management of the risk of modern slavery in a way that supports human rights due diligence Demonstration of organizational commitment to ESG which helps build confidence in your organization’s governance and ethics Positive business reputation Increased sales and customer loyalty, as consumers seek businesses with higher ethical standards Greater ability to attract talent and staff retention Improved investor confidence More responsive and stable supply chains This standard is applicable to all organizations, regardless of size and sector because organizations of all types and sizes can be responsible for modern slavery practices in their supply and value chains. BSI is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This standard contributes to a number of SDGs but in particular supports SDG 8.7: End Modern Slavery, Trafficking and Child Labour. Help us a build a better world by managing the risk of modern slavery in your supply chain. Download your copy of BS 25700 today.

Key Food & Agriculture Standards

Browse or Search our Food & Agriculture Standards Catalogue

Trending Topics in Food & Agriculture

Latest Food & Agriculture Standards

Browse or Search our Food & Agriculture Standards Catalogue