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What requirements must grains, pulses and oilseeds comply with to be allowed on the European market?

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To sell your products on the European market, you need to meet various legal requirements. European regulations for grains, pulses and oilseeds put consumer health and safety first. Potential buyers will also look at your compliance and certifications, such as BRC, IFS or FSSC 22000. If you want to work with them, you need to follow quality and safety procedures. You also need to respect the growing importance of sustainability standards.

1. What are the mandatory requirements for grains, pulses and oilseeds?

Most of the rules around the import of oilseeds, grains, and pulses – as well as food in general – have to do with food safety. The European Commission for Health and Food Safety is responsible for enforcing European Union (EU) regulations and overseeing the key obligations of food and feed business operators. The same rules generally apply elsewhere in Europe, like in EFTA countries and the UK. 

Table 1: Overview of key regulations for the trade in grains, pulses and oilseeds

TopicEU RegulationConsolidated version
General Food LawRegulation 178/2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law1-1-2026
Microbiological criteriaRegulation 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs8-3-2020
ContaminationRegulation 2023/915 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food8-10-2025
HygieneRegulation 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs24-3-2021
Information to consumers/labellingRegulation 1169/2011 on giving information to consumers1-4-2025
PackagingRegulation 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food27-3-2021
Border controlRegulation 2019/1793 on the temporary rise in official controls and emergency measures18-2-2026

Maintaining food safety

A main concern in the trade of grains, pulses and oilseeds is making sure that both food and feed are safe for consumption. All food businesses must set up and maintain a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) protocol. This risk-based system makes sure that businesses follow key hygiene practices, including staff hygiene training, cleaning, pest control and proper facility maintenance. Record-keeping and product traceability are important elements. This applies to all stages of the food chain.

The 7 Principles of HACCP

The EU HACCP system is based on 7 scientifically sound principles, which are used to create a food safety plan:

  1. Conduct a hazard analysis: Find potential hazards (microbiological, chemical or physical) that could cause illness or injury.
  2. Determine Critical Control Points (CCPs): Find the steps in the process where control is essential to prevent or eliminate hazards, or reduce them to acceptable levels.
  3. Establish critical limits: Set maximum or minimum values that must be met to make sure a CCP is under control (such as temperature, time, moisture).
  4. Establish monitoring procedures: Set up a plan to measure or observe the CCPs, like checking contamination or moisture.
  5. Establish corrective actions: Decide what steps to take if a CCP is not under control (for example, when a product is not stored or processed properly).
  6. Establish verification procedures: Use methods like audits or testing to confirm that the HACCP plan is working effectively.
  7. Establish record-keeping and documentation: Keep records to show that you have followed the procedures.

Tips:

  • At the minimum, set up a HACCP system in your daily practice. Even if HACCP is not required in your country, if you want to export to the EU, you need to follow European food safety regulations.
  • Keep clear documentation from the field to export. Document every product lot, volume, delivery date and supplier details. Food traceability is a key part of EU food safety. It helps authorities to deal with problems and prevent contaminated products from reaching consumers.
  • Read through Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs (consolidated version 24-3-2021) to learn more about the European rules and obligations for primary producers (ANNEX I) and food business operators (ANNEX II). The Commission Notice on the implementation of food safety management systems gives more detailed guidance on Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) and procedures based on the HACCP principles.
  • Visit the EU portal of My Trade Assistant for Goods in Access2Markets for more information on import rules and taxes in the European Union. You can look at specific product codes under Chapters 10 (cereal grains), 0713 (pulses) and 12 (oilseeds). 

Official food controls

National authorities regularly inspect imported food to make sure it meets EU food safety standards and is free of harmful contaminants. Inspections may take place at the border or later in the value chain; for example, at the importer's premises. The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) lets food safety authorities exchange information on potential food hazards and take action.

Groundnuts, sesame and rice carry high risks

In 2025, European authorities reported 578 potential hazards in grains, pulses and oilseeds. This was slightly less than in 2024. The Netherlands – the main entry point for these products – issued 37% of all claims. 

Data shows that groundnuts, sesame and rice are the top-3 products with the most reported issues. The number of reported issues is not only related to product risks. It also depends on trade volume, seasonal conditions, local crop management and increased border controls. Unusual products like cowpeas, poppy seed, melon seed, pumpkin seed, chia and quinoa also come with a relatively high risk of food safety issues.

Source: RASFF (2026)

Some of the most common hazards are mycotoxins (aflatoxin), pesticides, documentation and micro-organisms. The problems with pesticide residues dropped in 2025. But there was a rise in other hazards, like ochratoxin A (mycotoxin) and salmonella (micro-organism).

Some of the most common safety risks in 2025 were:

  • 58 cases of salmonella found in sesame seeds, with main origins Nigeria, India, Türkiye and Uganda;
  • 65 cases of lacking documentation or health certificates for sesame seeds, mainly from Sudan and Greece;
  • 189 cases of aflatoxin B1 found in groundnuts from different origins;
  • 40 cases of mycotoxins found in rice, such as aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A;
  • 59 cases of pesticide residues found in rice, mainly traces of thiamethoxam, tricyclazole, acetamiprid or chlorpyrifos in rice from Pakistan and India;
  • 16 cases of a high content of hydrogen cyanide found in linseed or milled linseed.

Source: RASFF (2026)

Non-compliance leads to increased inspections

The number of official border controls increases if similar imports consistently do not meet the standards set by European food legislation. EU Regulation 2019/1793 on the temporary increase of official controls and emergency measures (consolidated version 18-2-2026) shows the list of origins and products that fall under a rising number of inspections in Annexes I and II. Table 1 shows a simplified overview of this list.

Continuous breaking of EU food safety regulations may lead to entry being denied. This happened with foodstuffs made of dried beans from Nigeria due to problems with pesticide residues (Annex IIa)

Table 2: Simplified overview of the frequency of identity and physical checks, in %

Product:GroundnutsSesameSesameRiceRiceBlack-eyed beans (cowpea)Seem beans (Lablab purpureus)
Hazard:AflatoxinsSalmonellaPesticide residuesAflatoxins and ochratoxin APesticide residuesPesticide residuesPesticide residues
Bangladesh20%
Bolivia50%
China10%*
Egypt30%
Ethiopia50%*
Ghana50%*
India 30%30%20%5%*10%*
Madagascar50%*
Nigeria50%
Pakistan10%*10%*
SyriaTahini and halva from sesame seeds 30%*
Türkiye20%*
Uganda30%
USA20%*

Source: EU Regulation 2019/1793 (consolidated version 18-2-2026) on the temporary rise in official border controls (Annex I* with asterisk), and food and feed from certain third countries subject to special conditions (Annex II) (updated March 2026).

Tips:

Control of pesticide residues

One of the most frequent issues with grains, pulses and oilseeds imported into Europe is excessive pesticide levels or traces of illegal pesticides. Table 2 shows the most common residues found in different products and the maximum residue levels (MRLs) permitted by European standards. The EU Pesticides Database sets out all MRLs for pesticides and substances in or on food products. 

A default MRL of 0.01 mg/kg applies if no specific MRL has been set. Products that contain more than the allowed levels of pesticide residues are removed from the European market. For organic-certified products, there must not be any detectable residue. Remember that regulations and allowed residues can change. For example, in March 2026 the allowed residue level of thiamethoxam for oilseeds and pulses was lowered from 0.02–0.04 mg/kg to 0.01 mg/kg.

Laboratory analyses must show that your product is in line with the legal standards. Importers usually ask for a pre-shipment sample. But the same product can be tested several times throughout the supply chain. Be aware that test results sometimes vary, depending on the laboratory, time and sample. Any occurring issue must be investigated. That is why traceability and record-keeping are key for all parties involved.

Table 2: EU maximum residue levels (MRLs) for commonly found residues in 2024 and 2025, in mg/kg

RiceSesameBeans/pulsesGroundnutsPseudocereals(*1)
Acetamiprid0.010.010.150.010.01
Imidacloprid0.010.01

0.01 

(Beans) (*2)

0.05*0.01
Thiamethoxam0.010.010.010.010.01
Tricyclazole0.010.010.010.010.01
Chlorate  0.050.050.350.050.05
Chlorpyrifos0.010.010.010.010.01
Paraquat0.020.020.020.020.02
Acephate0.010.020.010.020.01
Carbendazim0.010.10.10.10.01
Haloxyfop0.010.010.010.010.01
Ethylene oxide0.020.050.020.050.02
Carbaryl0.010.050.050.050.5
Carbofuran0.010.020.0050.020.01

Data last updated March 2026

  1. Pseudocereals include buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, and even chia seeds (!)
  2. None of the above substances are approved for use in the European Union, except for acetamiprid

*The European Food Safety Authority identified some information on residue trials and monitoring data as unavailable.

Source: EU Pesticides Database (updated March 2026)

Tips: 

Control of contaminants

Food contaminants are substances that are not intentionally added to food. But they can be present because of environmental pollution, agricultural practices or processing methods. Some contaminants can pose risks to human health over time, even at low levels. Annex I of EU Regulation 2023/915 (consolidated version 8-10-2025) shows the maximum levels for certain contaminants in food. Grains, pulses and oilseeds pose microbiological contamination risks. These are mainly in the form of mycotoxins, plant toxins, heavy metals and foreign matter.

Microbiological contaminants

Microbiological contamination of food can happen at any stage of the food chain. Bacteria like salmonella and E. coli can lead to foodborne diseases and must be avoided in any food product. EU Regulation 2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs (consolidated version 8-3-2020) includes information on sampling and testing methods.

Raw food products pose the highest risk to consumers. One of the main problems is contamination of salmonella in sesame. This issue was reported in Europe 58 times in 2025. Preventing such contamination starts with good agricultural and post-harvest practices. 

How to avoid salmonella in sesame seeds

  • Use clean water for irrigation;
  • When harvesting by hand, use tarpaulin for drying and threshing, to avoid soil contact;
  • Avoid animals coming near the harvested seeds;
  • After seed cleaning, apply disinfection treatment, such as UV-C or heat;
  • Use proper packaging and storage to avoid cross-contamination;
  • Monitor temperature and moisture during storage.

For ready-to-eat foods, there are legal limits for listeria monocytogenes. Buyers of grains, pulses and oilseeds can also have specific requirements that vary by product. The total plate count can also be important. Table 3 shows the most common and legal requirements.

Table 3: Legal and common standards for ready-to-eat grains, pulses and oilseeds 

Micro-organismsLimit
Salmonella (legal)Not detected in 25 g
Listeria monocytogenes (legal)<100 cfu/g or not detected in 25 g*
E. coli<10 cfu/g
Cloriforms<10 cfu/g – 10,000 cfu/g
Bacillus cereus<1,000 cfu/g
Yeast and mould<1,000-10,000 cfu/g
Total plate count<50,000-500,000 cfu/g

Source: Industry sources and EU Regulation 2073/2005 (consolidated version 8-3-2020). Does not include food intended for infants or medical purposes. 

* A new amendment will lower the limit for L. monocytogenes to 'Not detected in 25 g' for business operators that have not been able to demonstrate that the level will not exceed 100 cfu/g throughout the shelf-life of the food (updated March 2026).

Tip:

Mycotoxins 

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds that are produced naturally by fungi under specific temperature and humidity conditions. These mycotoxins are invisible but highly toxic to consumers. Table 4 shows the maximum levels of mycotoxins allowed in different cereals and oilseeds, including groundnuts. Products with high levels of mycotoxins cannot be put on the market.

The most common mycotoxins in grains, pulses and oilseeds are aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A. Aflatoxin B1 contamination is particularly common in groundnuts (reported 189 times in 2025), followed by rice. Ochratoxin A appears mainly in rice. Other issues include rye ergot and ergot sclerotia in wheat, and tropane alkaloids in maize and other grains.

Drying is an important process when harvesting and storing grains and oilseeds. Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) such as crop rotation, soil management and weed control, as well as crop sorting and proper storage, can also reduce the risk of mycotoxin formation. The video in Figure 4 explains this for groundnuts. Once products are stored, you should monitor temperature and moisture. 

Video 1: Preventing aflatoxin in groundnuts

Source: SAWBO on YouTube

Table 4: Simplified summary of the maximum levels for common mycotoxins in grains, pulses and oilseeds

MycotoxinProductDescriptionMaximum level (μg/kg)Sum of B1, B2, G1 and G2 (μg/kg)Maximum level (g/kg)
AflatoxinsGroundnuts/OilseedsBefore sorting, except seeds for crushing for refined vegetable oil

8.0 for B1

15.0 
Groundnuts/OilseedsFor final consumption or use as a food ingredient2.0 for B14.0
CerealsCereals and products derived from cereals or processed cereals, except maize and rice, for sorting2.0 for B14.0
Maize/riceMaize and rice for sorting or other physical treatment5.0 for B110.0
Ochratoxin AOilseedsSunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, melon/watermelon seeds, hemp seeds, soybeans5.0
CerealsUnprocessed cereal grains (with husk)5.0
CerealsFor final consumption, except for bakery wares, cereal snacks and breakfast cereals containing oilseeds, nuts, dried fruits3.0
DeoxynivalenolCerealsCereals and cereal products (maximum level depends on specific product)150–1,750
ZearalenoneCerealsCereals and cereal products (maximum level depends on specific product)20–350
FumonisinsMaizeMaize and maize products (maximum level depends on specific product)200–4,000
T-2 and HT-2 toxinsCerealsCereals and cereal products (maximum level depends on specific product)10–1,250
Ergot sclerotiaCerealsUnprocessed cereal grains, except maize and rice0.2
Ergot alkaloidsCerealsMilling products20–500

Source: Annex I in Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food (consolidated version 8-10-2025).

*Limits do not apply for vegetable oils or food for infants, young children and medical purposes (updated March 2026).

Tip:

Plant toxins

Table 5 shows the maximum allowed levels of plant toxins when supplying to the European market. Some toxins occur naturally as part of a plant's defence system. Common plant toxins are tropane alkaloids in certain cereals, hydrocyanic acid (HCN) in linseed, and opium alkaloids in poppy seeds. 

As with other forms of contamination, GAP are necessary. Avoid plant stress from drought and keep plants healthy and well-fed. Make sure that plants grow strong by testing and improving soil fertility. 

Table 5: Maximum levels of plant toxins

Plant toxinsProductDescriptionMaximum level (μg/kg)Maximum level (mg/kg)
Tropane alkaloids: Sum of atropine and scopolamineCerealsMaize, millet and sorghum for final consumption5.0
"BuckwheatUnprocessed or for final consumption10
"MaizeUnprocessed  15
"Millet & sorghumUnprocessed  5.0
Hydrocyanic acid (HCN)LinseedLinseed, not for direct consumption250
"LinseedLinseed, for direct (raw) consumption150
Opium alkaloidsPoppy seedsFor direct consumption20
"Poppy seedsBakery products containing poppy seeds1.50
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) equivalentsHemp seedsRaw or processed (except oil)3.0

Source: Annex I in Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (consolidated version 8-10-2025). 

*Limits do not apply for vegetable oils and fats and food for infants, young children and medical purposes (updated March 2026).

Tip:

  • Keep your soil healthy. You can do this, for example, by adding organic matter like compost, minimising tillage and using mulch or cover crops to prevent erosion. Crop rotation and the use of nitrogen-fixing crops can also help improve biodiversity. Watch the video Understanding Our Soil: The Nitrogen Cycle, Fixers, and Fertiliser on YouTube to understand the advantage of nitrogen-fixing plants.

Metal contaminants

Heavy metal contaminants like lead, cadmium and arsenic can have natural or human origins. Regions where fertilisers and agrochemicals have been widely used pose a higher risk. Cadmium was the most common contaminant in grains, pulses and oilseeds in 2025. Arsenic contamination is a risk for rice. Integrated pest management and soil management can reduce the risk of metal contamination. 

Table 6: Maximum levels of heavy metals

Metals and other elementsProductDescriptionMaximum level (mg/kg)
LeadPulsesAll0.20
CerealsAll0.20
CadmiumPulses Except proteins from pulses0.04
Oilseeds  Rape seeds0.15
Oilseeds  Peanuts & soybeans0.20
Oilseeds  Mustard seeds0.30
Oilseeds  Linseeds & sunflower seeds0.50
Oilseeds  Poppy seeds1.20
Oilseeds  Other oilseeds, except those for crushing and oil refining0.10
CerealsBarley & rye0.050
CerealsRice, quinoa, wheat bran, wheat gluten0.15
CerealsDurum wheat (Triticum durum)0.18
CerealsWheat germ0.20

Cereals

Other cereals, except cereals used for the production of beer or distillates0.10
ArsenicRiceNon-parboiled milled rice (polished or white rice)0.15
RiceParboiled rice, husked rice and rice flour0.25
RiceRice waffles, rice wafers, rice crackers, rice cakes, rice flakes, popped breakfast rice0.30
TinFoodCanned food200
NickelPulsesPulses, except for dry beans and dry lupins4.0
PulsesDry beans and dry lupins/lupini beans12
OilseedsSunflower seed8.0
OilseedsPeanuts12
OilseedsSoy beans15
CerealsExcept for durum wheat and rice0.80
CerealsDurum wheat (Triticum durum) and unhusked rice1.5
CerealsHusked rice2.0
CerealsPseudocereals and millet3.0
CerealsOats5.0

Source: Annex I in Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (consolidated version 8-10-2025). 

* Limits do not apply for food for infants, young children and medical purposes (updated March 2026).

Tip:

  • Evaluate your agricultural inputs. Avoid cadmium-rich phosphate fertilisers and monitor your soil's acidity – for example, a higher pH reduces cadmium mobility.

Foreign matter and infestation

Foreign matter contamination in crops means any non-food substance introduced into agricultural products during harvesting, handling, processing or storage. 

In 2025, there were 8 reported incidents involving foreign matter in grains, pulses and oilseeds. Examples were stones, glass, plastic, metal pieces, and even an injection needle. When these pose a risk to the consumer, the product will be rejected. In most cases, your buyer can have your product re-cleaned at an additional cost. In 7 cases there were reports of insect or pest infestation. Weevil infestation in beans and rice is a common problem that needs to be dealt with. 

The best way to avoid contamination with foreign matter is to keep your agricultural fields clean and use good manufacturing practices (GMP) during seed cleaning or processing. It helps to use equipment such as destoners, sieves, magnets and metal detection, or more advanced machines like optical sorters.

Figure 3: Example of alert notification in RASFF

Figure 4 - Example of alert notification in RASFF

Source: RASFF Window (2026)

Tips:

  • Invest in post-harvest processing equipment, like mechanical sieves and metal detectors. More advanced technology includes optical sorting equipment. Use expert advice when building a processing facility.
  • Keep the product cool and dry during warehousing and transport. Insect control treatment can be necessary if the product is stored for more than a few weeks. Read more about maintaining product quality during storage and transport in CBI's 8 tips for organising your exports of grains, pulses and oilseeds.
  • For more information on the EU'smanagement of food contaminants, see the factsheet on how the EU ensures that food in Europe is safe (PDF).

Allergens

Several seeds and grains are allergens and need to be properly handled in accordance with EU allergen labelling requirements. Allergenic grains, pulses and oilseeds include:

  1. Gluten-containing grains: wheat, rye, barley, oats;
  2. Peanuts;
  3. Soybeans;
  4. Mustard;
  5. Sesame seeds;
  6. Lupine.

Minimise cross-contact by keeping allergenic processing lines and storage separate and setting up rigorous cleaning protocols.

Tip:

Use correct labelling and documentation

If you sell or manufacture non-prepacked or unpacked foods to other businesses, rules vary depending on how you sell or pack your product. Still, you need to make sure you supply the information to your buyers so they can provide the mandatory food information to the final consumer.

Information or labelling of bulk packaging

The packaging of larger units of food destined for production companies must state:

  • The product name and variety; 
  • The batch code or lot identification number.

Secondary packaging, such as cartons with pre-packaged consumer foods, must also include:

  • Minimum durability ('best before' date or 'use by' date);
  • Storage conditions and/or instructions for use;
  • Name and address of the manufacturer, packer, distributor or importer.

If your product is organic-certified and you are using the EU organic logo, you must also include on the label:

  • The name/code number of your certification body;
  • The place where the agricultural raw materials have been cultivated. You need to indicate 'EU Agriculture', 'non-EU Agriculture', or 'EU/non-EU Agriculture', where part of the agricultural raw materials has been cultivated in the EU and another part in a third country.

Any extra information must be included in the accompanying documentation or on the label. The traceable lot number connects this documentation to the product. This guarantees that your client has all the data they need for consumer sales. See the labelling of pre-packaged food below for information that is relevant to consumers.

Figure 4: Example of labelling for bulk packaging

Figure 5 - Example of labelling for bulk packaging

Source: ICI Business, 2021

Labelling of pre-packaged food

Labelling for consumer products is much more detailed. If the imported product is sold directly to the retail channel, the package or label must include mandatory food information. The information on the label must be easy to read and in the language of the destination country. Relevant details for pre-packaged grains, pulses and oilseed products include:

Tip:

Check whether your product is a novel food

'Novel foods' are goods that have recently entered the European food market or that were not commonly consumed in the EU before 1997. To introduce these foods, you must show evidence that they are safe for consumption within their recommended use. 

Approved food ingredients can be found on the EU's list of novel foods in the ANNEX of implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 (consolidated version 30-11-2025). The EU has authorised novel foods like chia seeds and oil, fonio grain, fermented black bean extract, coriander seed oil and tiger nut oil.

Authorised novel foods may have rules about how they can be used as food. Sometimes, for example with mung bean protein and defatted chia seed powder, only the authorisation holder can market the product in the European Union.

Tips:

Meet the additional requirements for seeds for sprouting

Due to the risk of microbiological contamination, the EU has set out specific regulations for sprouts and seeds intended for sprouting. Their import must be traceable through an official certificate. Only approved establishments that meet the general hygiene provisions, traceability and microbiological criteria are allowed to produce sprouts. 

The sprouting of seeds, like mung beans, is done almost exclusively in Europe. If you export seeds to sprouting companies, you will need to fill in additional paperwork. There will be a higher risk of intensive food safety checks.

Tips:

  • Find the model official certificate for seeds intended for the production of sprouts for human consumption in Chapter 51 of EU Regulation 2023/2744.
  • Use the ESSA hygiene guideline for the production of sprouts and seeds for sprouting.

Export only non-GMO grains, pulses and oilseeds

The EU is very cautious about genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Only a few genetically modified varieties have been authorised for soybeans, rapeseed and maize. These are mainly used in the animal feed sector. For human consumption, most food businesses choose not to sell genetically modified food at all. 

Because of the growing importance of sustainable agriculture, the EU is rethinking GMO rules for gene-edited crops. A provisional agreement in 2025 sets out a potential legal framework for new genomic techniques (NGTs). This could open the door for newly developed crop varieties in the near future.

Tips:

Green deal ambitions

The EU Green Deal plans to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050 through sustainable growth. Some of the proposed regulations will seriously impact exporters by focusing on a circular economy, lower emissions and stricter sustainability requirements for products. But over time, some of these ambitions could be weakened by political lobbyists.

Sustainable Use Regulation (SUR)

As part of the Green Deal, the EU Commission proposed a new regulation to lower pesticide use. The EU Pesticide Reduction had a central goal to halve the use and risk of pesticides in the EU by 2030. But because the pesticide industry and the industrial farming lobby were very much against it, the Commission withdrew its proposal in February 2024.

EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR)

Another result from the Green Deal is the EU Deforestation Regulation 2023/1115 (consolidated version 26-12-2025). As a major consumer of food commodities, the European Union wants to reduce its contribution to global deforestation and forest degradation. Under the new EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), only products from agricultural land that has not been deforested or degraded since 2020 may be sold in the EU market. Its implementation has been postponed to 30 December 2026, or 30 June 2026 for small and micro businesses. For now, these rules will apply only to cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soy and wood. 

Tips:

2. What other requirements and certifications do buyers ask for in the grains, pulses and oilseeds sector?

European buyers often have other requirements apart from legal obligations. These requirements can include quality standards, extra procedures, certification and ethical business practices. Product quality and consistency are extremely important for European buyers. Although these are not legal requirements, they are just as important to buyers. 

Product quality requirements

Product quality and characteristics depend on your buyer and cannot be changed. Buyers expect you to supply the product in accordance with their specifications and always keep the quality the same.

Importers serve different market channels, each with their own preferences. Product specifications can include grain quality, size, colour, purity level, moisture level, cooking quality (for pulses) or oil content (for oilseeds). If your product does not meet their specifications, you or your buyer will need to find a different end client. Or you could pay extra costs to reprocess the product. This also means a buyer can say no to your product, even if it meets the legal standards.

The Codex Alimentarius also gives general quality standards for certain products, such as an updated standard for rice and several older standards for other grains and pulses. But buyer specifications can sometimes be stricter.

Tips:

  • Ask your buyer for a technical data sheet. This will give you an idea of the characteristics your product needs to fulfil. One example is the product specifications of white beans of the company DO-IT Organic.
  • Self-analyse the quality and purity of your product. Use optical, metal and similar detectors as an extra safeguard against contamination with foreign objects. 
  • See the CBI tips for organising your export of grains, pulses and oilseeds to learn more about purchase conditions. Besides product specifications, the price, payment terms, delivery terms and special conditions are also part of a purchase agreement.

Sampling and testing

Traceability, sampling and record-keeping are very important to knowing what you are selling. Buyersalmost always want samples and laboratory tests to make sure the product meets the legal standard and the buyer’s specifications. These tests can be more rigorous and detailed in Europe than in the origin country. Residue levels and microbiological contamination are among buyers' main concerns. 

Samples for buyers and laboratory testing need to be representative – a good example of the product. A representative sample should weigh 0.5 to 1 kilogram and be taken from different places or bags in the lot. There are also independent companies like SGS and Bureau Veritas, which offer official sampling and inspection services. 

Tips:

  • Make sure you monitor product quality at different stages of production and keep counter samples when you sell your product. When your customer says there is an issue with your product, you must be able to show evidence. Also, check beforehand whether your buyers in Europe have any extra requirements around MRLs and pesticide use.
  • Use ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories for testing contaminants, preferably the same EU lab as your buyer, to avoid different test results.
  • Find valuable tips in the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board’s introduction to grain sampling at different stages of the supply chain. 

Food safety certification

Food safety is a main concern for EU buyers. Food safety issues can result in reputational damage, additional costs or even losses. That is why EU buyers take their task to check the products very seriously. Proper food safety management at the supplier side helps minimise risks for importers. As a supplier, you have a better chance of doing business when you have a certified food safety management system in place.

For food processors or traders, the most common food safety certifications are:

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) recognises these certifications, and they will benefit for your company. Serious buyers might also visit or audit the production facilities of new suppliers.

If you do not have a food safety certification, at least make sure you follow HACCP principles. If you are not certified, you may get a lower price for your product and lower your chances with potential clients.

Tip:

  • Get a GFSI-recognised food safety certification to boost your opportunities in the European market. Check with your buyers which food safety certification they prefer. 

Sustainability compliance

Although it is less important than product and food safety requirements, social and environmental compliance is increasingly demanded by European buyers. This often means the supplier must follow the buyer's social policies or code of conduct (CoC). You could also have your business certified by a third-party scheme. This can be a requirement for niche markets

Code of Conduct

Buyers generally have a CoC, which normally also applies to their business partners. Agreeing with a CoC means you must meet a set of ethical, social and environmental rules, such as:

  • Compliance with social, environmental and labour laws
  • Ethical business behaviour
  • Child labour and forced labour are not allowed
  • No discrimination, violence or harassment
  • Employees have the right of association and collective bargaining
  • Decent working hours
  • Fair remuneration
  • Safe working conditions
  • Protection of the environment

Your European counterparts expect you to actively communicate and practice these social commitments.

You can also have your own CoC. The Business Social Compliance Initiative (amfori BSCI) offers a good format and is well-known to European buyers. Some of the major British retailers follow the ETI base code.

Social compliance audits

Some buyers in Europe have extra standards or certifications that can also affect you as a supplier. For example, Tilda (UK) and DO-IT Organic (NL) are B Corp certified, and Rhumveld chooses to be a member of Sedex. These buyers also expect a stronger social and environmental performance from their suppliers. 

As a supplier, you must be transparent in your dealings and undergo social due diligence. To make this easier, you can review your performance by doing your own assessment. amfori BSCI and Sedex Members' Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) offer strong tools for this, with the option to have audits conducted by an accredited third-party auditing company.

  • The Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX) is a well-known global initiative where buyers, suppliers and auditors can store and share information. It wants to make global supply chains more transparent. The Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) helps businesses understand and improve working conditions and environmental performance across their operations and supply chains. 
  • B Corp is a business-wide certification that requires companies to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency.

Commodity initiatives

Major commodities are sometimes part of a specific initiative, like the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP Standard for Sustainable Rice Cultivation) and the round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS certification).

The Soy Sourcing Guidelines (2023) of the European Compound Feed Manufacturers' Federation (FEFAC) help meet the standard of responsible soy and contribute to 'conversion-free soy'. This means soy that has not been grown in converted natural ecosystems, such as forests, swamps and savannahs, after a specific date.

Tips:

Overview of certifications and their costs

Table 7 shows the most important standards and certifications for the grains, pulses and oilseeds sector and their costs. The mentioned fees are estimates for certification body audit and certification only, and may be different for your situation. Authorised certification bodies can give you a real idea of the costs. Besides the auditing time, certifiers often charge for travel and accommodation.

The total investment you may need could be much higher than the certification costs. As an initial investment, you should also think about:

  • Consultants who can advise on the implementation;
  • Staff training and training material;
  • Modifications and adjustments to your facility to meet the standards of the certification;
  • Documentation systems, quality assurance and control systems;
  • Non-conformity or corrective action review after a first audit.

For small, informal businesses, starting to use new standards can be a lot of work. At the same time, you need certain minimum standards to access European partners.

Table 7: Most important certifications and CoC requested by buyers in the grains, pulses and oilseeds sector

Name TypeCostMost used in European end marketsFurther information on getting certification
International Featured Standards (IFS)Food safety for suppliers to food retail No fixed fee. Costs depend on number of products, number of certification days and company size. Average price for a 2-day audit for SMEs and 3–5 products is €2,600–3,600, including the IFS audit fee of €575. Annual re-certification involves recurring costs.Recognised in most European markets, leading in Germany and France.

British Retail Consortium Global Standards (BRCGS) Food safety for suppliers to UK food retailersNo fixed fee. Costs depend on audit duration, company size, number of products, and role in the supply chain. Typical certification costs for a small company with up to 3 products are €3,200–€5,500. Annual service fee: £1,005 (2026). Audits are annual or biannual, depending on number of non-compliance instances (or 'minors') identified in the initial audit. Recognised in most Western European markets, especially demanded by UK retailers.
Food Safety System Certification (FSSC 22000)Food safetyNo fixed fee. Costs depend on company size, complexity and audit days. Typically, certification for a small operator costs €1,500–4,200 (2-phase audit), plus €60 per certified site and €330 per uploaded audit report. Long-term costs are lower due to its 3-year certification cycle with annual surveillance audits.Recognised globally, including European markets.

Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA)Social audit Approximately €900–2,700 certification costs with an approved audit company, including £185 for the SMETA audit. Sedex charges an annual membership fee of £215–£365 per site.Recognised in most European markets, with a higher adoption rate in northern Europe.
Amfori BSCISocial audit and CoCamfori BSCI membership fee starts at €2,090 (minimum turnover €500,000). Audits by an external auditor vary depending on complexity and duration. For medium-sized companies, the range could be €1,500–€4,000.Recognised in most European markets, with a higher adoption rate in northern Europe.
EU OrganicEnvironmental certification 

Every actor in the organic food chain must have organic certification. Certification costs of primary production depend on farmer group size and location.

Additional administrative and internal monitoring costs, as well as external inspection costs, can weigh heavily on small farmer groups.

Larger cooperatives (up to 2,000 farmers) typically pay €7,000–€15,000 due to the number of farmer inspections. The fee for processors and traders can be as low as €200-500.

Recognised in the European Union, accepted in the UK, Switzerland and Norway.

Note that European countries may also have national organic labels.

Source: ICI Business (2026)

Tips:

  • Adapt to your customers: Always ask your customers which standards are important in their specific market. BRCGS may be key to getting into major UK supermarkets, while a German buyer would probably prefer IFS. See the use of BRC, IFS, FSSC 22000 Certification in Europe and which are the most common in which country.
  • Make certification easy and affordable for yourself: Lower costs by doing self-study and a self-assessment before hiring a consultant or applying for certification. Or try to upgrade your current standard, for example from ISO 9001 to FSSC 22000.
  • Take a look at the ITC Sustainability Map for a full overview of certification schemes in the sector.

3. What are the requirements and requested certifications in the niche grains, pulses and oilseeds markets?

The most relevant niche market for grains, pulses and oilseeds is the organic sector. Other niche requirements include social or fair trade consumer labels, which can be important for very specific clients.

Organic certification

The EU market share of organic-certified food is 4.5% on average, but varies a lot by product and country. The organic market share is highest in Denmark, Switzerland and Austria, with percentages around 11–12%. Products known for their health benefits, like chia seeds, will probably have a higher demand for organic. 

If you want to sell organic grains, pulses and oilseeds in Europe, you must use organic production methods and labelling that comply with Regulation (EU) 2018/848 (consolidated version 25-2-2025). You can apply for an organic certificate from an accredited certifier. Cooperatives or smallholder farmers can be certified as a group of up to 2,000 producers if they organise an internal control system (ICS). Once you are certified, you can use the EU organic logo (see Figure 6).

Five steps towards certification and organic export:

  1. Develop an organic farm management plan and implement step-by-step organic production practices as described in Regulation (EU) 2018/848. Normally, you must use these production methods for at least two years throughout a conversion period before you can certify your produce as organic. Learn about all requirements for organic production and, if possible, use local consultancy services.
  2. Apply for certification. Select and negotiate a certification fee with an EU-recognised control body from Annex II of EU Regulation 2021/1378 (consolidated version 25-10-2025). 
  3. Organise inspections before planting. An inspector checks whether your organic farm management plan is being set up properly and will take soil samples. If they find serious instances of not following the rules, you must correct these first. 
  4. Once you are certified after the conversion period, you can use the EU organic logo on your products. Besides the logo, you must print the certifier code number. To stay certified, you must undergo annual inspections.
  5. Maintain traceability documentation needed for inspection and export. Each batch of organic products imported to the EU must also have an electronic certificate of inspection (e‑COI), as defined in the Annex of EU Regulation 2021/2306 (consolidated version 2-12-2024). Your certifying body generates this electronic certificate of inspection via the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES).

Figure 5: The logo for certified organic products in the European Union comes in three different colour schemes

Figure 6 - Different color schemes for the logo for certified organic products in the European Union

Source: European Commission, 2023

It is important that you only use organic inputs. Regulation (EU) 2021/1165 (consolidated version 1-1-2026) shows which products and substances are allowed in organic production. There may be no measurable chemical residues or traces on your product. According to the legal guidelines, this is below 0.01 mg/kg. However, given the accuracy of modern labs, organic buyers often refuse a product with any measurable trace, even if it is below 0.01 mg/kg.

National organic standards

In some countries, like Germany and Switzerland, companies sometimes prefer the national certification scheme. You can compare these to the EU organic certification but they often exceed EU requirements. For this reason, national certification schemes can be a valuable benefit when supplying these specific markets. Examples are Naturland in Germany, KRAV in Sweden and BioSuisse in Switzerland.

Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC)

Regenerative Organic Certified (ROC) is an agricultural certification for soil health, animal welfare, and fairness for farmers and workers. It uses practices that focus on regenerating soil health and the full farm ecosystem. ROC certification is becoming a popular standard in the United States, while in Europe it is slowly starting to become popular.

Tips:

  • Do a cost-benefit analysis for EU organic certification. Organic practices will make your production more sustainable and climate-resilient. But remember that the certification process can be very expensive. Your situation and location need to be suitable. 
  • Check the possibilities for group certification if you are part of a small farmers' group. IFOAM Organics International offers training manuals for smallholder group certification and internal control systems (ICS). 
  • Find a customer (potential or existing) that is interested in organic grains, pulses and oilseeds. You could take a look at the international directory of organic food wholesale & supply companies (Organic-bio) or take part in trade fairs for organic products, like Biofach in Germany. Get the customer involved in the process and ask for support where relevant. 

Social labels

Social consumer labels can give you access to a growing market of consumers who prefer ethical and sustainable choices. It can also help your company stand out in a competitive market. But they are not very common for grains, pulses and oilseeds. 

The decision to adopt a social label is often driven by a specific client. There are specialised buyers in Europe, like Rapunzel, that have their own Hand in Hand label. The best crops for social labelling are products from smallholder farmers that can be consumer-packed as a single ingredient, like basmati rice from Fairtrade Original.

Fairtrade

Fairtrade International defines minimum prices and price premiums for conventional and organic products from several countries and regions. The organisation has two specific standards for small-scale producer organisations of grains, pulses and oilseeds:

Fair for Life

Fair for Life is an independent third-party certification programme for fair trade and responsible supply chains. It is a guarantee for consumers that the product they buy supports better livelihoods, environmental sustainability and ethical business practices. Fair for Life is a fairly small label with 442 certified partners worldwide. There are several companies from the grain, pulses and oilseed industry, like Fairoils in Kenya and Andean Valley in Bolivia.

Tips:

ICI Business carried out this study on behalf of CBI.

Please review our market information disclaimer.

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You can see certification for one of the food safety standards as a license to operate in the EU. Companies from outside the EU that are keen on obtaining or retaining food safety certification find it easier to access the challenging European market. We select actively according to this criterion.

Maarten Molenaar

Maarten Molenaar, Do-It Organic

Certification is important for you as it opens new markets, and also as it builds trust within supply chains and towards the end consumer. At the same time, meeting standard and export requirements can be overwhelming and challenging. As a certification partner we see these challenges every day, guiding companies through every step of the process.

Jordi Meijer

Jordi Meijer, Regional Director Africa Middle East at Control Union