Global Milestone for Sri Lankan Organic Agriculture

Sri Lankan Organic Standard SLS 1324: 2025 Earns Global Recognition

Organic agriculture is no longer limited to traditional farming practices. Today, it has become a strategic component of national food security, environmental sustainability, consumer protection and export competitiveness. As demand for safe and environmentally friendly food continues to grow, the need for credible national standards and effective regulatory frameworks has become increasingly important.   

A national organic standard plays a vital role in defining what “organic” truly means in practice. It sets clear requirements for how food is grown, processed, labelled and certified, ensuring consistency across the entire value chain from farm to market. This helps prevent misleading or false organic claims, builds consumer confidence and promotes environmentally responsible farming methods. At the same time, internationally recognised standards support both local and international trade, as buyers and regulators rely on it to verify the authenticity and quality of organic produce and products.   

In this context, Sri Lanka has reached a major milestone. The Sri Lanka National Organic Standard – SLS 1324:2025 (Requirements for Organic Agriculture Production and Processing) has been officially approved for inclusion in the IFOAM Family of Standards, confirming its equivalence with internationally accepted organic requirements.   

This standard was developed by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), the National Standards Body responsible to maintain standards in technology, manufacturing, health, safety and sustainability. Notably, this marks the first time a Sri Lankan national standard has received formal international recognition of equivalence, making it a significant national achievement.  This recognition was granted by IFOAM – Organics International, the global umbrella organisation for the organic agriculture movement, which establishes internationally accepted benchmarks for organic production and certification. Inclusion in its Family of Standards signifies global acceptance of Sri Lanka’s organic standard.   

SLS 1324: 2025 serves as the national benchmark for organic agriculture in Sri Lanka, setting out requirements for the production, handling, storage, processing, packaging, labelling and marketing of organic produce and products. It applies across a wide range of sectors, including crops, mushroom, livestock, aquaculture, apiculture and wild harvested and serves as the basis for certification, inspection and regulatory control of organic agriculture in Sri Lanka.   

The standard also defines the scope of products that can be certified as organic. These include fresh agricultural products, processed food products, livestock feed and seeds and other propagating materials used in organic production. By covering the entire value chain from production to final products the standard ensures consistency, traceability and integrity in organic production systems.   

The standard has evolved over time to reflect changing needs and global developments. It was first published in 2007, first revised in the year 2018 and second revision published in 2025 as SLS 1324:2025 through a transparent, consensus-based process involving regulators, technical experts, industry stakeholders and academia. The latest revision aligns with international best practices while addressing Sri Lanka’s local agricultural conditions, including smallholder farming systems and tropical environmental challenges.   

This achievement is the result of a long-term collaborative effort led jointly by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) and the Export Development Board (EDB), with the National Organic Control Unit (NOCU), operating under the EDB, serving as the primary competent authority for organic agriculture in Sri Lanka.   

Technical advisory support for achieving IFOAM recognition was provided through the United Kingdom Trade Partnerships (UKTP) Programme, funded by the UK Government and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC). This support facilitated the alignment of the revised standard with internationally recognized organic frameworks, including the principles of IFOAM – Organics International.   

This milestone significantly strengthens confidence and credibility of Sri Lankan organic products, assuring global markets that they are produced and processed in line with recognized organic principles. It facilitates improved market access and trade opportunities by aligning the national standard with globally accepted frameworks, helping to reduce barriers to export. This recognition also enhances consumer trust by clearly distinguishing certified organic products from misleading or unverified claims.   

Furthermore, it reinforces Sri Lanka’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, including biodiversity conservation, soil health, animal welfare, ethical and sustainable production practices, in line with the core principles of organic agriculture—health, ecology, fairness and care. Importantly, it supports the development of a credible and transparent organic sector, including benefits for smallholder farmers through recognized certification systems, while strengthening the country’s reputation as a reliable source of high-quality organic produce and products.   

The Author, Ganiesha Jayamini De Silva, serves as Deputy Director of the Agriculture Section of the Standardization Division at the Sri Lanka Standards Institute