2023-11: Japanese Agricultural Standards (JAS) introduction of organic alcohol beverages

Date of issue: 21 December 2023 

Date of effect: 1 October 2022

Reference Number: MAA 2023-11

Attention

• Organic operators and exporters, organic certifying bodies, industry bodies
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry — Central and Regional offices

Purpose

This Market Access Advice provides information on the revision of the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS), which now includes alcoholic beverages.

The revised JAS organic standards to include alcohol beverages took effect on 1 October 2022.

The department is preparing an equivalency arrangement application for organic alcoholic beverages.

Until 30 September 2025, organic alcoholic beverages from Australia can be labelled and marketed as 'Organic' in Japan.

From 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2025, there are two ways organic alcohol beverages can be labelled, including:

1. New Standard
   Affix the Organic JAS logo by obtaining the organic JAS certification. The new standard is compulsory from 1 Oct 2025.
2. Current (Now Former) Standard

Label products in accordance with the Japanese National Tax Agency's "labelling standards for organic alcohol beverages". This is the current (now former) standard and, although repealed with effect from 1 Oct 2022, there is an allowed transition period with this standard continuing to apply until 1 Oct 2025 when the new standard becomes compulsory.

From 1 October 2025 an Organic JAS logo will be required for organic alcohol beverages which are labelled as "??" ("Organic" in Japanese) or "Organic".

Australia has an organic equivalence agreement with Japan.

The department and the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) organic equivalency agreement includes:

• organic plant and organic plant products
• organic livestock products
• organic processed food.?

Further information