Standards on Bee products - Honey, Royal Jelly, Propolis, Polen
ISO International standards and European standards (EN standards) for products from bees and beekeeping
ISO International standards and European standards (EN standards) for products from bees and beekeeping
Bee products — Palynology of honey — Specifications and test methods
20.98 Project deleted
Food authenticity - Determination of the δ13C value of mono- (fructose and glucose), di-, and trisaccharides in honey by liquid chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LC-IRMS)
60.55 Ratification completed (DOR)
Textiles — Determination of reduction activity of specific proteins derived from pollen, mite and other sources on textile products
60.60 Standard published
ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is a non-governmental organization that develops and promotes global standards for various products and services. One of the lesser-known but important areas of ISO standards is for bee products, including honey, royal jelly, propolis, and pollen. In addition, CEN is developing a standard for food authenticity and the determination of substances in honey.
ISO is taking care of standardization activities of the whole process and circulation of bee products, including but not limited to the following: - products standards,
- basic standards, - beekeeping practices, - quality standards, - testing method standards and - storage and transportation standards.
The Committee for European Standardization (CEN) has a technical committee for Food Authenticity that is developing a European standard EN 17958 (see below links) on Food authenticity - Determination of the d13C value of mono- (fructose and glucose), di-, and trisaccharides in honey.
There are also standards for air quality and pollen, as well as for Textiles (Determination of reduction activity of specific proteins derived from pollen, mites and other sources on textile products). Please note horizontal food safety standards exist, but they are not included in this page.
Currently, no accredited laboratory is found in Europe for the below-mentioned standards. Currently most laboratories refer to OIE standards (World Organisation for Animal Health) or other methods covered in standards and specifications.
See also Council Directive 2001/110/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to honey, amended by Directive 2014/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 relating to honey. The directive considers the existing Codex Alimentarius standard for honey, adjusted, as appropriate, to the specific requirements of the EU. The existence of ISO standards (voluntary standards) and the potential overlap with some definitions or requirements in the EU Directives 2001/110/EC and 2014/63/EU may be under evaluation by relevant European stakeholders and the European Commission.