AIC Launches Sustainable Commodities Scheme to Support EUDR Compliance and UK Market Demands

AIC is proud to announce that the AIC Sustainable Commodities Scheme (ASCS) will be launched on 8 December 2025.

This new initiative is designed to help all feed sector businesses meet the requirements of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the UK Soya Manifesto, supporting the transition to deforestation-free supply chains across the UK and Northern Ireland.

Over the past two and a half years, AIC has played a pivotal role in providing interpretation and insight to Members and stakeholders across supply chains on the implications of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). While the final implementation date of this significant legislation remains unknown, it is clear that EUDR will have direct implications for businesses in Northern Ireland, where the regulation will apply, and indirect implications for businesses in Great Britain. From 2026, it is expected that some processors and retailers who are signatories to the UK Soya Manifesto may seek to specify EUDR-aligned feed.

Introducing the AIC Sustainable Commodities Scheme

Developed in response to Member and market requests, the ASCS offers a single, feed industry-developed certification scheme that satisfies Soya Manifesto requirements and removes the need for businesses to comply with multiple, non-harmonised requirements from downstream customers. The Scheme is open not only to AIC Members but also to other eligible Scheme Participants. It can be applied across a wide range of forest-risk commodities, ensuring inclusivity and strengthening the integrity and resilience of supply chains.

James McCulloch, AIC Head of Feed, commented:

“The development of the Scheme is an important milestone for AIC and its Members in delivering deforestation-free supply chains, while avoiding unnecessary cost and complexity for Member businesses.”

“The Scheme has been two years in the making, and AIC would particularly like to thank Member businesses that have committed time and expertise to our working groups to bring it to fruition. We also recognise the contribution of critical friends in the UK sustainable commodity community in helping to develop a Scheme that is both pragmatic and robust.”

Efeca, Secretariat to the UK Soy Manifesto commented:

“We welcome the publication of this standard and plans to roll-out in 2026. UK Soy Manifesto signatories have committed to ensuring soy used in their supply chains is deforestation-and conversion-free but have lacked a mechanism to be able to communicate this clearly across complex, multi-tiered supply chains and verify that soy landed in the UK market meets these requirements. This standard is an important step towards this, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with AIC on its successful implementation in 2026, and to discussing the opportunity to extend the scope of the scheme to exclude all land conversion associated with soy production.”

Scheme Structure and Roll-Out Timeline

The Scheme will launch with two initial modules:

• Module One: For Participants to demonstrate alignment with EUDR from origin to UK – applicable to importers.

• Module Two: For feed mill operators, who will be required to account for the flows of ‘EUDR aligned’ commodities entering and leaving the mill.

AIC and industry representatives have ensured that the standard meets UK Soya Manifesto signatory requirements and allows AIC compound feed Members to maintain a mass balance of EUDR-aligned and non-aligned soya supplies, stored together in a single bin.

• 8 December 2025: Launch of the first two modules in the Scheme.

• Q1 2026: Test audits and a communication plan to explain how Participants can engage with the Scheme and its benefits.

• Late Q1 and Q2 2026: Participants can book audits and secure certification.

ENDS

About AIC

As the UK agricultural supply industry's leading trade association, the Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) represents businesses in key sectors within the supply chains that feed the nation.

Its Member businesses supply UK farmers and growers with the animal feed, fertiliser, seed, crop protection products, trusted advice and quality services that are essential to producing food, as well as trading crops and commodities across the globe.

Formed in October 2003 by a merger of three trade associations, today AIC has over 230 Members in the agri-supply trade and represents £17.8 billion* turnover at farmgate.

AIC works on behalf of its Members by lobbying policymakers and stakeholders, delivering information, providing trade assurance schemes, and offering technical support.

AIC Services manages a range of services, including Trade Assurance Schemes and professional registers recognised by the UK Government as essential means to underpin feed and food safety alongside fertiliser security.

These schemes and professional registers include:

• Trade Assurance Scheme for Combinable Crops (TASCC)
• Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS)
• Universal Feed Assurance Scheme (UFAS)
• European Seed Treatment Assurance (ESTA)
• Fertiliser Industry Assurance Scheme (FIAS)
• Feed Adviser Register (FAR)
• Renewable Energy Directive (RED)
• Forage Assurance Scheme (FAA)
• AIC Services Palm Oil Credit Scheme (APOCS)

www.agindustries.org.uk

^{*According to a 2023 survey of AIC Members.}

Press Contact

Wendy Ford, Communications Manager, AIC 
+44 (0)1733 385230
[email protected]