Updates to model animal/official health certificates for animal products and live fish/aquatic animals
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EU updates model animal/official health certificates for consistent wording
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2744 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 as regards model animal health certificates, model official certificates, model animal health/official certificates and private attestation, for the entry into the Union or transit though the Union of consignments of certain categories of animals and goods, and official certification regarding such certificates
Update
The EU has slightly revised the models of the animal health/official health certificates that must accompany animal products exported to the EU. Non-EU countries must ensure that certificates issued conform with these new models by 15 June 2024.
Impacted Products
animal products, composite products, live fish
What is changing?
The EU has amended certain parts of the animal health certificates to ensure greater consistency and to align with other recent Regulations.
These changes concern all official certificate models of Regulation 2020/2235 for exports to the EU. The changes include:
- Amendment of the required description of the consignment on all model animal health/official certificates (in Part I, Box I.27). The “identification mark” is no longer required.
- Clarification in bovine (BOV), ovine (OVI), porcine (POR), and equine (EQU) model certificates that it is not possible to export fresh blood into the EU (notes to Part I of those models, Box I.27, footnote 15).
- Amendment of the wording of the BSE declaration in the following model certificates: BOV, OVI, MP-PREP (meat preparations); MPNT and MPST (meat products intended for consumption); CAS (casings); GEL (gelatine); COL (collagen); RCG and TCG (raw materials for collagen and gelatin); and COMP (composite products). The new wording aligns with Regulation 999/2001.
- Amendments to the animal health attestation models MILK-RMP/NT DAIRY-PRODUCTS-PT; POU (poultry); MPNT and MPST (meat products intended for consumption); FISH-CRUST-HC (fish, crustaceans); and MOL-HC (molluscs). This reflects revisions made in Regulation 2020/692 (see Animal health requirements for third countries: Amendments).
- Corrections to the HS codes for the models MILK-RMP/NT (derived from raw milk or not required to undergo a specific risk-mitigating treatment); DAIRY-PRODUCTS-PT (required to undergo a pasteurisation treatment); DAIRY-PRODUCTS-ST (required to undergo a risk-mitigating treatment other than pasteurisation); and HON (honey) (listed in the notes for Box I.27).
- Updating references to legislation:
The Annex to the new Regulation includes new models incorporating the latest revisions. These new model certificates replace those in Regulation 2020/2235.
Why?
Some inconsistencies have been noted in recently published legislation concerning model animal health/official certificates. The EU is correcting this to ensure alignment of the wording between the various model certificates, and between these certificates and other recently updated Regulations (such as Regulation 2022/2292 on Public health requirements for exporting live animals replacing 2019/625; and the amendments to Regulation 2020/692 on Animal health requirements for third countries exporting to the EU).
Timeline
Date of publication: 15 December 2023.
Date of application: After 15 June 2024, all certificates/attestations issued for consignments of animal products imported into the EU must conform with the revised models included in this new Regulation. If certificates issued after 15 June 2024 do not conform with the new model, the animal products will not be allowed into the EU.
For a transitional period between 15 June and 15 September 2024, consignments of animal products will be allowed into the EU accompanied by certificates that are in conformity with the “old model” (in line with Regulation 2020/2235 prior to the revisions in Regulation 2023/2744), provided those certificates were issued before 15 June 2024.
What are the major implications for exporting countries?
Any error in filling in the certificate may result in the rejection of consignments at the EU border. It is essential to pay attention to the information provided in the certificates, and to adapt the certificates whenever the EU regulations are updated.
Recommended Actions
Exporters of live aquatic animals and animal products to the EU should use the updated model official certificates as soon as possible after the Regulations are published. This will ensure a smooth transition to the new model before the end of the transitional period and avoid any rejections. Where possible, it is recommended to use the digital system TRACES, as this reduces the chances of introducing errors.
Background
Consignments of animals and animal products from non-EU countries to the EU must be accompanied by an official health certificate. This certificate contains all the relevant information on the consignment so that it can be exported to the EU.
Model certificates and attestations are laid down as follows:
- Live terrestrial animals and germinal products: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403
- Animal products, composite products and live fish: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235
- Aquaculture: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2236.
For more detail see EU official health certificates for exports to the EU – explained.
Resources
Sources
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2744 amending Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 as regards model animal health certificates, model official certificates, model animal health/official certificates and private attestation
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