Animal products from China
- Feed additives
- Feed safety
- Food safety
Summary
Chitosan can now be exported from China to the European Union (EU) without an attestation, to be used as a feed material.
Chitosan now included on the list of animal products that can be exported from China to the EU
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1428 of 1 July 2026 amending the Annex to Decision 2002/994/EC concerning certain protective measures with regard to the products of animal origin imported from China
Update
Chitosan can now be exported from China to the European Union (EU) without an attestation, to be used as a feed material.
Impacted Products
Animal feed; prepared meat, fish, etc.; miscellaneous edible preparations
What is changing?
The EU has now included chitosan in the list of animal products that can be exported from China to the EU without an attestation (Decision 2002/994/EC, Annex, Part I) as a feed material.
Feed additives must comply with Regulation 1069/2009 and, when used in feed for farmed animals and pet food, with Regulation 1831/2003.
Why?
Due to specific EU concerns regarding food imports from China, only the animal products listed in Decision 2002/994/EC are authorised for export from China to the EU. Authorised exports are divided into products that require a declaration ("attestation") from the Chinese competent authorities that the products have been tested and do not present a danger to animal or human health (Annex, Part II), and those not requiring an attestation (Annex, Part I).
Chitosan is now added to Part I of the Annex as it is composed of glucosamine units and is obtained in a similar way as glucosamine, which is already authorised for export to the EU without an attestation.
Timeline
The Decision applies from 22 July 2026.
Recommended Actions
Establishments producing chitosan for the EU market must be registered (or approved for feed) by competent authorities of non-EU countries.
To export food and feed to the EU, establishments must be listed in TRACES NT and published on the European Commission website.
Listing of establishments is a completely electronic process, carried out directly in TRACES NT. Email is no longer used for establishment listing. The European Commission’s TRACES NT Documentation contains a section on Listing of EU approved establishments
Resources
Commission Decision of 20 December 2002 concerning certain protective measures with regard to the products of animal origin imported from China (2002/994/EC)
Sources
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1428 concerning certain protective measures with regard to the products of animal origin imported from China
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.
Chitosan now included on the list of animal products that can be exported from China to the EU
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1428 concerning certain protective measures with regard to the products of animal origin imported from China
What is changing and why?
Chitosan can now be exported from China to the European Union (EU) as a feed material, without a declaration (“attestation”) from the Chinese competent authorities that the products have been tested and do not present a danger to animal or human health. This is because chitosan is obtained in a similar way as glucosamine, which is already authorised for export to the EU without an attestation.
Actions
Establishments producing chitosan for the EU market must be registered (or approved for feed) by competent authorities of non-EU countries.
To export food and feed to the EU, establishments must be listed in TRACES NT and published on the European Commission website.
Listing of establishments is a completely electronic process, carried out directly in TRACES NT. Email is no longer used for establishment listing. The European Commission’s TRACES NT Documentation contains a section on Listing of EU approved establishments
Timeline
The Decision applies from 22 July 2026.
Disclaimer: Under no circumstances shall COLEAD be liable for any loss, damage, liability or expense incurred or suffered that is claimed to have resulted from the use of information available on this website or any link to external sites. The use of the website is at the user’s sole risk and responsibility. This information platform was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents do not, however, reflect the views of the European Union.