The UK Government has confirmed that a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU is in progress. Implementation is expected from mid-2027. 

Particularly relevant to food manufacturers, processors, and suppliers, this development reflects a wider shift towards greater alignment with EU standards, bringing both new opportunities for trade and increased expectations around compliance. 

In the following article, we will share a quick overview of the SPS agreement. We will also explore how your business can prepare for these changes and where Klipspringer can support you. 

The SPS Agreement 

Covering areas such as food safety, hygiene, labelling, additives, and pesticide regulation, the SPS agreement aims to reduce the complexity that many businesses have faced since Brexit.  

For businesses currently trading with the EU, this could mean fewer delays, less paperwork, and more predictable supply chains. For those that stepped away from EU markets, it may present an opportunity to re-enter with greater confidence. 

However, while trade barriers at the border are expected to decrease, expectations within production environments will increase. 

To benefit from smoother access to EU markets, UK businesses will need to consistently meet EU aligned standards. This includes a stronger focus on hygiene practices, traceability, temperature control, and accurate documentation.  

With the timeline set for 2027, businesses now have a clear window to review their processes, identify any gaps, and ensure they are ready to meet these evolving requirements.

How can your site prepare for this upcoming change in legislation?

Playing catch up is never a good idea, especially when it comes to matters of compliance. Instead, it is best to prepare for any upcoming changes to legislation before the relevant deadline arrives.

With this in mind, we have listed five solutions that will help you to get ready for 2027 and ensure your site is aligned with EU standards.

1. Make Hygiene a Priority

Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 is expected to fall within the scope of the new SPS agreement. This regulation covers all stages of food production and requires businesses to maintain high standards of cleanliness, train staff effectively, and implement systems such as HACCP to identify and control food safety risks.

Ensure cleaning schedules are consistently followed, staff are fully trained, and any hazard controls are up to date and well documented. This is also a good opportunity to standardise procedures across different production areas.

Klipspringer supports businesses in maintaining robust hygiene standards. From colour-coded cleaning systems to visual management tools, we can help you ensure that your site meets regulatory requirements and is audit ready. You can explore our hygiene solutions and guidance via the online portal or speak with our team for tailored advice.

Colour-Coded Hygiene Tools
Visual Management Solutions

2. Temperature Control and Monitoring

Temperature control is another fundamental part of food safety and is likely to come under increased scrutiny.

If you are looking to strengthen accuracy and compliance in this area, you could benefit from introducing in-process data loggers for continuous, real-time monitoring of products and processes.

A site-wide Real-time Wireless Monitoring System can also be used to track key parameters such as temperature, humidity, and door contact, sending automatic alerts if a breach occurs.

Learn more about Real-Time Wireless Monitoring

3. Assess your Food Contact Materials

Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, is expected to fall within the scope of the new SPS agreement. This regulation requires that any materials or equipment intended to come into contact with food do not transfer substances that could endanger human health or compromise food safety. This includes items such as utensils, containers, and production equipment.

Review the materials currently in use across your site and confirm that they are suitable for their intended purpose and supported by appropriate documentation. This may also be a good opportunity to replace worn or non-compliant items and standardise equipment across different areas of production.

Klipspringer specialises in food-contact approved materials. If you have any questions about whether your current equipment meets the required standards, our team will be happy to help. You can also view certification details across our product range via the online portal.

4. Plan for Increased Production Demand

The SPS agreement is expected to increase trade with the EU, which could lead to higher product demand. This could place greater pressure on your storage, handling, processing systems, and hygiene controls.

Consider whether additional equipment, colour-coded storage, or temporary segregation solutions could help maintain efficiency and compliance during busier periods.

This is also a good opportunity to review staffing, workflows, and seasonal planning to ensure your team can meet demand without compromising food safety or compliance.

Food Handling & Storage
Segregation Solutions

5. Traceability and Documentation

Clear and accurate records will be essential for demonstrating compliance under the new SPS agreement.

Review how ingredients, materials, and finished products are tracked through your site, ensuring that information is easy to access and consistently recorded. The more thorough your records are at this stage, the easier it will be to meet any new expectations.

Strong documentation will not only support compliance with EU aligned standards but also help your business respond quickly and effectively in the event of an audit or recall.

At Klipspringer, we are closely following developments around the new SPS agreement to ensure we can provide the right products, systems, and support to help your business stay compliant.

If you have any questions about the guidance in this article, or want to explore how our food safety solutions can support your site through these changes, our team is here to help.

You can contact us directly on 01473461800 or sales@klipspringer.com. Alternatively, you can fill out the contact form below and one of our friendly team members will be in touch.

If you would like further guidance relating to the solutions included in this article, the Klipspringer team would be happy to help. Share your details below and we will be in touch.