The Rules on the Quality and Labeling of Honey will come into force on 14 June 2026. The key change, which transposes Directive (EU) 2024/1438, relates to the more precise labeling of the origin of honey blends. Instead of the current wording “blend of EU and non-EU honeys,” the packer will be required to state all countries of origin of the honey blend in the main field of vision of the product, along with their respective percentages in descending order. Honey placed on the market or labelled in the old manner before 14 June 2026 may continue to be marketed until stocks are exhausted. With this change, consumers will be able to make a more informed decision on whether to buy a honey blend from two, three, five, or more countries, or prefer to choose local.
Of course, this does not entirely solve the issue; it is merely a step in the right direction, which nevertheless brings numerous challenges, especially regarding the verification of the information stated on the packaging. Therefore, raising consumer awareness about the importance of local honey remains extremely important.
Beekeepers and conscious consumers must also contribute to verifying the accuracy of the origin declarations of honey blends in shops. Therefore, the European Beekeeping Association will collect anonymous reports of violations of the new legislation. We call upon everyone to visit grocery stores after 14 June 2026, and check the accuracy of the origin labeling. We have published a form (QR code) on the EBA’s website through which you can submit a report. We will gather these reports and forward them to competent national institutions for monitoring the adequacy of food labeling.
THE CONSUMER
IS KING!
Back in the distant year of 2018, the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association embarked on a mission that seemed unrealistic to many at the time. To me, it represented a great challenge in the lines of ‘The impossible is possible!’ A long and thorny path began with a clear message: THE CONSUMER IS KING and has the right to know where the honey they buy comes from.
We presented this initiative to the public at the Agra fair on August 26, 2018, and a joint declaration in support of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association was signed by the beekeeping associations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Republika Srpska, and Serbia. On the same day, we co-signed the same initiative with the company Medex d.o.o. At this point, I would like to thank all the co-signatories for believing in the initiative back then and supporting the visionary idea of Slovenian beekeepers.
Dr. Andreja Kandolf Borovšak, who professionally managed this project at the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association, and I were often ridiculed at the time. We heard day in and day out that we would never succeed and that we had set too big a goal. Trade lobbies and ‘counterfeiters’ would never allow it, we were told. This was not only said in Slovenia. Even at the Apimondia World Beekeeping Congress in 2019 in Montreal, Canada, many European beekeepers publicly doubted the success of our Slovenian initiative, even though deep down they wished that we would succeed one day.
Our idea was backed with full energy by the State of Slovenia. The proposal for the European Union was prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food. In this initiative, we did not divide ourselves into left and right, into ours and yours. It was started by Minister Aleksandra Pivec, continued by Minister Jože Podgoršek, followed by Minister Irena Šinko, and concluded by Minister Mateja Čalušić. Bravo, ministerial team of Slovenia!
In 2020, Slovenia and Portugal presented the initiative for labeling the exact origin of honey at the meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council. The European Parliament then approved the political agreement on greater transparency in labeling the origin of honey blends on April 10, 2024.
The process from the idea to formal confirmation took six years, and a full eight years until its realization in practice. Unfortunately, that is how the slow, very slow European political ‘mills’ grind. However, the lesson is clear: once you start with a noble and important idea, if there is unity, will, and energy, and if perseverance and a professional foundation are present, the result will come one day. June 14, 2026, is a historic day for consumer protection across Europe.
Consumers will finally know from which country the honey in each individual jar or other packaging comes from. They will be able to decide for themselves whether to buy honey from the local environment, from a beekeeper they know and trust, or honey from countries where production, hygiene, and phytopharmaceutical standards differ from European ones, as many things are still allowed there, even though they have been banned in Europe for decades. They will also be able to avoid products from environments where honey counterfeiting has long been a known problem and where the ‘business’ of honey counterfeiting is booming. A great day for consumers and beekeepers all over Europe!
As President, I am extremely proud that the Slovenian initiative has become a European reality. We have proven once again that united, we can achieve even the seemingly impossible. It is not all about numbers and the size of a country; what matters is the right idea, the right people, political wisdom, expertise, unity, and perseverance, which are rewarded in the end.
The declaration of World Bee Day in 2017 was one of Slovenia’s greatest diplomatic successes. For me personally, for beekeepers in Slovenia and Europe, and for all honey consumers, this victory—also over powerful trade lobbies—is an even greater success.
THANK YOU, UNITED SLOVENIA! We have proven that a small country with a big vision can change Europe.
Boštjan Noč
President of the European Beekeeping Association and President of the Slovenian Beekeepers’ Association
