Who are we?

The International Honey Commission (IHC) was formed in 1990 in order to create a new world honey standard.  All modern routine honey analysis methods were collaboratively tested and compiled as “Harmonised methods of the European Honey Commission”, published in Apidologie, extra issue, 1-59, 1997. Based on these method the Codex Alimentarius Standard and the EU Honey Directive were revised.

Next, the major European unifloral honeys were characterised in a special issue of Apidologie (2004), allowing the international trade with these honeys.

In 2009 the „Harmonised methods“ were updated.

Presently the IHC is chaired by Dražen Lušić, Croatia, co-chairs are Maria Teresa Sancho, Spain and Miguel Vilas Boas, Portugal.

Current Objectives of the IHC

The specific current objectives of the IHC are

  • work out better and new analysis methods of honey and the other bee products
  • inform members of the group on current aspects of quality and control of honey and other bee products
  • work out standards for other bee products besides honey
  • work out quality criteria for specific honeydew honeys

Would you like to join?

Here you may find our membership form – please fill in the personal data and your skills. If you need more space, please feel free to use it – it is a word document, so you are able to change. We are looking forward to hearing from you!