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

Strengthening food safety across the value chain with the BS ISO 22002 series
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Strengthening food safety across the value chain with the BS ISO 22002 series

Food is universal. It connects us, nourishes us, and sustains life. But with globalization, extended supply chains, and increasing consumer expectations, the risks to food safety have never been more complex. Contamination, fraud, and lapses in hygiene can have devastating effects on public health, brand reputation, and trust in the food industry. For decades, BS EN ISO 22000 Food safety management systems. Requirements for any organization in the food chain has provided the foundation for food safety management systems worldwide. With more than 36,000 sites certified globally (according to the ISO Survey 2023), BS EN ISO 22000 has set the benchmark for a systematic, risk-based approach to food safety management. At the heart of BS EN ISO 22000 lies a critical requirement: the establishment of Prerequisite Programmes (PRPs). These are the fundamental practices, conditions, and procedures that create the hygienic environment necessary to produce safe food. PRPs are the everyday safeguards that reduce hazards before they even arise. While BS EN ISO 22000 defines the need for PRPs, many organizations have sought clearer guidance on how to implement them in practice across diverse sectors. Enter the BS ISO 22002 series. This family of standards is designed to detail, standardize, and strengthen PRPs across the food, feed, and packaging value chains. And now, in 2025, the BS ISO 22002 series has undergone its most significant transformation yet. What’s new in the BS ISO 22002 standard series? The 2025 revision marks a milestone moment, with seven standards released simultaneously — five fully revised and upgraded from technical specifications to international standards, and two entirely new standards. Together, they provide a comprehensive, modular approach to prerequisite programmes, aligning seamlessly with BS EN ISO 22000. Here’s a snapshot of what’s included: BS ISO 22002-1:2025 Prerequisite programmes on food safety - Food manufacturing BS ISO 22002-2:2025 Prerequisite programmes on food safety - Catering BS ISO 22002-4:2025 Prerequisite programmes on food safety - Food packaging manufacturing BS ISO 22002-5:2025 Prerequisite programmes on food safety - Transport and storage BS ISO 22002-6:2025 Prerequisite programmes on food safety - Feed and animal food production All five of the above standards have now been fully revised and upgraded to international standards. Each is tailored to the specific risks of its sector while aligning with the common framework provided by the new BS ISO 22002-100. BS ISO 22002-100:2025 Prerequisite programmes on food safety - Requirements for the food, feed and packaging supply chain The universal foundation. This management systems standard consolidates common PRP requirements across food, feed, and packaging. It ensures consistency across sectors. BS ISO 22002-7:2025 Prerequisite programmes on food safety - Retail and wholesale Developed for retail and wholesale operations, this new standard provides sector-specific guidance for supermarkets, wholesalers, food banks, and other consumer-facing organizations. Did you know that several key ISO management system standards are in the process of being revised? You can learn more about what this means for you and how to get involved by visiting our Standards Revision & Transition page. Why the BS ISO 22002 standards matter to food organizations The food industry is evolving rapidly. Online retail, globalized sourcing, stricter regulations, and heightened consumer awareness are creating new challenges every day. The latest updates to BS ISO 22002 series ensure that organizations can face these challenges with confidence and unlock wide-ranging benefits: 1. Greater consistency and clarity The introduction of BS ISO 22002-100 means organizations can now rely on a single, unified set of core PRP requirements across all sectors. This reduces duplication, prevents confusion, and allows businesses operating in multiple areas to apply one consistent framework while tailoring only what’s necessary for their sector. 2. Enhanced food safety and consumer trust The standards address today’s most pressing food safety challenges, from allergen management to fraud prevention and supply chain traceability. Organizations that adopt them demonstrate a proactive commitment to protecting consumers, which translates into greater confidence from regulators, partners, and end customers. 3. Improved operational efficiency The series encourages organizations to adopt best-practice processes for cleaning, disinfection, storage, transport, and employee hygiene. These aren’t just safety measures, they drive efficiency, consistency, and cost savings by reducing waste, minimizing contamination risks, and strengthening supplier and logistics management. 4. Future-proof compliance The 2025 updates align with the latest Codex Alimentarius guidance, regulatory expectations, and global industry practice. This positions organizations to stay ahead of evolving regulations and certification requirements, rather than scrambling to catch up later. 5. A stronger competitive edge Food safety is a differentiator. With five of these standard upgrading from technical specifications (ISO/TS) to full international standards (ISO/IS), it means they reflect broad international consensus and give organizations confidence that they are applying practices accepted and respected worldwide. Businesses that can prove adherence to globally recognized standards gain easier access to new markets, strengthen supplier partnerships, and build reputations as trusted leaders in food safety. In an increasingly transparent world, this is a tangible competitive advantage. Discover more about how standards support the provision of high quality food products by visiting our Quality management in food and agriculture topic page. Ready to strengthen your food safety management? The new BS ISO 22002 series is now available for purchase. Secure your copy today and take the next step in building resilient, trustworthy, and internationally aligned food safety systems.Read more
Are robots the key to future farming?
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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.
A national first: Standardizing the spirit of whisky
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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.
Fighting modern slavery with BS 25700
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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.

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