The ONH specifications in detail (olive oil export)

Q: In brief: what are the ONH specifications for?

Short answer: the ONH specifications are the standard that any candidate for the olive oil exporter licence must meet. They govern four main areas: the facilities (storage, packing, hygiene), the traceability (lot tracking from purchase to shipment), the quality control (per-lot analysis via an IOC-approved laboratory, COA) and the commit

Q: What areas do the specifications cover?

Mainly: the facilities (storage, packing, hygiene), the traceability (per-lot tracking), the quality control (per-lot analysis, COA from an IOC-approved lab) and the commitments (marketing standards, labelling). The precise detail falls under the ONH.

Q: Are the specifications linked to the ONH licence?

Yes: meeting the specifications conditions obtaining and keeping the exporter licence. See the ONH licence guide for the full process.

Q: What role does the COA play in the specifications?

Per-lot quality control via an IOC-approved laboratory , evidenced by a COA (acidity, peroxide, K232/K270/ΔK…), guarantees that the oil matches the declared category. It is a central requirement of the system.

Q: Is compliance verified after the licence?

Yes. Compliance with the specifications is continuous and may be subject to inspections of the facilities, traceability and quality. The licence is not definitively acquired without maintaining compliance.

Q: Do the specifications replace IFS/BRC or organic certifications?

No. The ONH specifications govern export in Tunisia; the private certifications (IFS Food, BRCGS, organic Ecocert/USDA…) follow the target market and channel (large retail, USA, organic). They are complementary. See IFS/BRC.

You are preparing your ONH exporter licence and you want to understand precisely what the specifications cover? This guide breaks down the main required areas — facilities, traceability, per-lot quality control, commitments and compliance — to help you get compliant without unpleasant surprises. Written from the exporter's angle, with pointers for sellers and buyers. Tables, checklists and mistakes to avoid included.

Free PDF checklist: compliance with the ONH specifications (facilities, traceability, quality, commitments) on a single tick-box page. Get it by email »

Important: the exact content, thresholds and forms of the specifications are set by the official version in force at the ONH. This guide gives the structure and the watch points; verify each requirement with the ONH before committing.

In brief: what are the ONH specifications for?

Short answer: the ONH specifications are the standard that any candidate for the olive oil exporter licence must meet. They govern four main areas: the facilities (storage, packing, hygiene), the traceability (lot tracking from purchase to shipment), the quality control (per-lot analysis via an IOC-approved laboratory, COA) and the commitments to comply with marketing standards. Meeting them conditions obtaining and keeping the licence. The official detail is **.

The specifications are not a formality: they are the foundation guaranteeing that an oil exported under a Tunisian label is compliant, traceable and safe. They complement the licence process described in the ONH licence guide. The technical terms are defined in the glossary.

Box: the 3 angles of the specifications

The specifications structure the exporter's compliance, but they also speak to the seller and the buyer.

Angle	Who	What the specifications provide	Where the site helps
Exporter	Must be compliant	Roadmap for the licence and its maintenance	This guide + ONH licence
Seller	Must reassure	Proof of a structured quality framework	Quality process
Buyer	Must secure	Understand what guarantees the supplier's compliance	Choosing a supplier

Reading rule: an exporter who masters their specifications spontaneously reassures the buyer — it is a commercial argument as much as an obligation.

Step 1 — Understand the purpose and scope of the specifications

The specifications set the technical and commitment conditions the operator must meet to be licensed as an olive oil exporter by the ONH. They aim to guarantee that the shipped oil complies with the marketing standards (IOC/EU categories) and with traceability.

The main usual areas — to be confirmed against the official version:

Area	What it governs
Facilities	Storage, packing, hygiene conditions
Traceability	Tracking of each lot from supply to shipment
Quality control	Per-lot analysis, IOC-approved laboratory, COA
Commitments	Compliance with marketing standards and labelling
Continued compliance	Maintaining the requirements after obtaining the licence

Key point: the specifications are not fixed at the moment of submission — compliance is continuous and may be subject to inspections.

Step 2 — Bring facilities and hygiene into compliance

The facilities must preserve the quality of the oil and prevent any contamination.

Suitable storage: inert containers (stainless steel, food-grade tanks), protection against light, air and heat to limit oxidation.
Packing: filling lines (bulk: flexitank, IBC, drums; packed: bottles, tins) compliant with food hygiene rules.
Hygiene: good practices (cleaning, prevention of cross-contamination), generally within a HACCP logic.

Exporter's side: a well-preserved oil keeps its category (acidity ≤ 0.80% for extra virgin). Poor storage conditions degrade the oil and therefore compliance.

The exact required capacities and standards are **.

Step 3 — Structure per-lot traceability

Traceability is at the heart of the specifications: each lot must be tracked from supply to shipment.

Lot numbering and recording of their origin.
Documentary consistency: the lot number links the oil to the COA, the invoice, the packing list and the bill of lading (B/L).
History of storage and packing conditions.

Check the consistency of your per-lot documentary file with the export documents checklist.

Key point: solid traceability also protects the exporter in the event of a dispute on arrival — the lot is identifiable and documented.

Step 4 — Organise quality control (COA from an IOC-approved lab)

Per-lot quality control is foundational. Each lot destined for export is analysed, producing a COA (certificate of analysis).

IOC-approved laboratory: the COA is only valid for export if it comes from a recognised laboratory.
Measured parameters: free acidity (≤ 0.80% for EVOO), peroxide value (≤ 20 mEq O₂/kg), K232 (≤ 2.50), K270 (≤ 0.22), ΔK (≤ 0.01), sometimes polyphenols.
IOC/EU classification: the declared category (extra virgin, virgin…) must be confirmed by the analysis.

Interpret a COA (acidity, peroxide, K232/K270, polyphenols) with the quality classifier. The detailed thresholds are on the quality process page.

Seller's side: providing a per-lot COA from an IOC-approved laboratory is not a marketing argument — it is a requirement embedded in the specifications.

Step 5 — Formalise the commitments and prepare for the ONH inspection

The operator signs commitments to comply with the standards and may be subject to an inspection of the facilities and capacities.

Compliance undertaking with marketing standards and labelling.
Inspection readiness: facilities in order, traceability records available, recent COAs.
Maintenance: compliance with the specifications continues after the licence.

The undertaking forms and inspection procedures are **.

Compliance checklist for the specifications

Tick off before submitting your licence application.

Facilities & hygiene

Inert storage, protected from light/air/heat
Packing lines compliant with food hygiene
Good hygiene practices (HACCP logic)

Traceability

Lot numbering and recorded origin
Consistency lot ↔ COA ↔ export documents
Storage/packing history

Quality control

Per-lot analysis via an IOC-approved laboratory
COA compliant with the declared category
Parameters within thresholds (acidity, peroxide, K232/K270/ΔK)

Commitments

Compliance undertaking signed
Records available for a possible inspection
Compliance with labelling rules

Verify each requirement in the official version of the ONH specifications.

Mistakes to avoid

Treating the specifications as a one-off formality: compliance is continuous.
Neglecting per-lot traceability: it is the pivot of the system and your protection in a dispute.
Using a COA from a laboratory not approved by the IOC: it is not valid for export.
Storing the oil poorly: bad conditions degrade the category and break compliance.
Improvising the labelling: a non-compliance can block the shipment.
Confusing ONH specifications and private certifications: IFS/BRC, organic… follow the target market (see IFS/BRC).
Not verifying the official version: requirements change.

Golden rules

Four pillars: facilities, traceability, per-lot quality control, commitments.
Per-lot COA from an IOC-approved laboratory, always.
Consistent traceability between lot, COA and export documents.
Continuous compliance, not only at submission.
Careful storage to preserve the oil's category.
Verify the official version of the specifications with the ONH.

Link this guide to the ONH licence one and continue with the EU quota / SICAD.

FAQ — ONH specifications

What are the ONH specifications?

They are the set of requirements that any candidate for the olive oil exporter licence must meet: facilities, traceability, per-lot quality control and compliance commitments. Their official content is set by the ONH and **.

What areas do the specifications cover?

Mainly: the facilities (storage, packing, hygiene), the traceability (per-lot tracking), the quality control (per-lot analysis, COA from an IOC-approved lab) and the commitments (marketing standards, labelling). The precise detail falls under the ONH.

Are the specifications linked to the ONH licence?

Yes: meeting the specifications conditions obtaining and keeping the exporter licence. See the ONH licence guide for the full process.

What role does the COA play in the specifications?

Per-lot quality control via an IOC-approved laboratory, evidenced by a COA (acidity, peroxide, K232/K270/ΔK…), guarantees that the oil matches the declared category. It is a central requirement of the system.

What quality thresholds must be met?

For extra virgin: free acidity ≤ 0.80%, peroxide value ≤ 20 mEq O₂/kg, K232 ≤ 2.50, K270 ≤ 0.22, ΔK ≤ 0.01. The declared category must be confirmed by the COA. Interpret your analyses with the quality classifier.

Do the specifications impose storage conditions?

Yes, in spirit: inert storage, protected from light, air and heat, preserves the oil's category. The exact required capacities and standards are **.

Is compliance verified after the licence?

Yes. Compliance with the specifications is continuous and may be subject to inspections of the facilities, traceability and quality. The licence is not definitively acquired without maintaining compliance.

Do the specifications replace IFS/BRC or organic certifications?

No. The ONH specifications govern export in Tunisia; the private certifications (IFS Food, BRCGS, organic Ecocert/USDA…) follow the target market and channel (large retail, USA, organic). They are complementary. See IFS/BRC.

Is traceability really mandatory?

Yes, it is a pillar: each lot must be tracked from supply to shipment, with consistency between the lot number, the COA and the documents (invoice, packing list, B/L). It also protects the exporter in the event of a dispute.

Where can you find the official version of the specifications?

With the ONH (National Oil Board) / the Ministry of Agriculture. This guide gives the structure and the watch points; the exact requirements, thresholds and forms are to be confirmed with the ONH.

Can a buyer require proof of compliance?

Yes, and it is even recommended on the buyer's side: requesting proof of the licence and the seriousness of the quality system is part of due diligence. See choosing a supplier.

Do the specifications change?

Yes, the regulation and standards may be updated. Never rely on an old version: verify the version in force with the ONH before any commitment.

Take action

You know what the ONH specifications cover and how to comply with them. The next step: securing your quality file and your first shipment.

Request a free quote — a dated quotation, sample COA and standard documentary file from an approved exporter, for your market. Drawer pre-filled "ONH specifications guide".

Free PDF checklist (lead magnet): get by email the "Compliance with the ONH specifications" checklist — facilities, traceability, per-lot quality and commitments, ready to tick off. Simple sign-up (double opt-in Brevo), no spam. Get the PDF checklist »

To go further, read the ONH licence guide, the EU quota / SICAD guide, the repatriation of earnings guide and the FOPRODEX subsidies guide.

Regulatory data July 2026, indicative and to be re-verified before any commitment. Sources: ONH / Ministry of Agriculture (Tunisia), IOC/T.15/NC trade standard (categories/COA), EU regulation. The exact content of the specifications is to be confirmed with the ONH.