Honey
Honey and Apiculture Certification
About the certification
Friend of the Earth assesses apiculture operations against requirements covering apiary planning, the location and management of hives, bee care, harvesting practices and the control of risks to products, workers and surrounding habitats. The assessment also examines water, waste, energy and the records used to demonstrate how the operation is managed.
Certification applies only to the bee products, apiaries, forage and surveillance areas, processing sites and activities included in the agreed scope. The scope should identify the bee species, hive locations, products and relevant processing operations before the audit begins.
What can be certified
Honey and other bee products from named apiculture operations may be assessed, together with the apiaries, forage and surveillance areas, and any relevant processing sites included in the proposed scope.
What the standard covers
Maintain documented management procedures and assign responsibility for the system. Keep records for hive identification, forage and surveillance areas, bee health interventions, inputs, estimated yields, collection dates and sales. Provide evidence of the legal permissions that apply to the operation.
Select and manage apiary sites without destroying natural ecosystems or damaging protected flora and fauna. Identify possible contamination risks within forage and surveillance areas and apply measures addressing biodiversity, site condition and the use of land owned by third parties.
Use bee species suited to local climatic and ecosystem conditions and exclude genetically modified species. Manage colonies with attention to their ability to adapt, maintain adequate food reserves and survive dormant or winter periods.
Maintain a beekeeping plan showing hives, forage areas, surveillance areas, flowering periods and water sources. Place bees where nectar and pollen are available. Prepared substitutes may be used only when needed for the immediate survival or well-being of the bees; the standard sets additional conditions for supplementary feeding and artificial water sources.
Use preventive health practices suited to local conditions, keep treatment and monitoring records and manage pests and diseases through appropriate methods. Requirements also address queen management, smoker use, hive materials and preparation for winter.
Use harvesting methods and equipment that minimise disturbance, injury and the killing of bees. The standard excludes annual destruction of colonies after honey flows and the use of synthetic bee repellents to remove bees from honey.
Handle, store, use and dispose of hazardous substances under documented procedures. Controls must address worker safety, food contamination and effects on the surrounding environment, including the management of pesticides where they apply to forage or agricultural production.
Document water sources and applicable permissions, monitor non-mains water and protect wells from contamination. Separate and correctly dispose of waste, record operational energy use and set reduction objectives. Farm-related activities should not contribute to soil erosion or degradation.
Apply requirements concerning child labour, minimum wages, access to health care and workplace safety. Train internal and external personnel where required and retain records of the training provided.
Assessment and certification
The assessment checks evidence for the products, apiaries, sites and activities proposed. Agree the scope and audit arrangements before work begins, including the hive locations, bee products, processing sites and records that will be reviewed.
How certification works
Step 1 — Apply: Send details of the apiculture operation and the bee products you want assessed.
Step 2 — Confirm scope and costs: Agree the products, apiaries, sites, activities, quotation and audit arrangements.
Step 3 — Complete the audit: Provide the requested records and access to the locations included in the agreed scope.
Step 4 — Address findings: Respond to findings and complete the corrective actions required by the assessment.
Step 5 — Receive the decision: The assessment outcome determines approval for the agreed certification scope.
Step 6 — Maintain certification: Keep records current and complete the follow-up assessments and actions that apply.
Certification fees
Assessment costs and annual logo-use royalties are separate. Request a quotation for the proposed scope, including the bee products, apiaries, processing sites and the applicant’s role in the supply chain, and confirm the applicable charges before proceeding.
Check certification status
Check the listed organisation, product, apiary or processing site and its approved scope. Contact Friend of the Earth if the certification status or product scope is unclear.
Frequently asked questions
No. Certification applies only to the bee products, apiaries, processing sites and activities included in the approved scope. Products outside that scope should not be presented as certified.
The standard states that natural feed should not be replaced with prepared substitutes unless this is necessary for the immediate survival or well-being of the bees. Additional conditions apply when supplementary feeding is required.
Yes. Harvesting techniques and equipment must minimise disturbance, injury and the killing of bees. The standard also excludes annual destruction of colonies after honey flows and synthetic repellents used to remove bees from honey.
No. Processing, packing, traceability and brand use must be included in the applicable approved scope. A certified supplier does not by itself authorise a separate brand or finished product to use the logo.
No. Certification approval and the applicable logo-use agreement must be in place before the logo is used. Any claim must identify the approved product or activity accurately.
Use the application link below and describe the proposed scope. The team will confirm the information needed and the appropriate assessment route.
Apply for certification
Send the organisation name, bee species, product names, apiary and hive locations, forage and surveillance areas, relevant processing sites and your role in the supply chain.
