European Union – Export requirements for seeds for sprouting intended for human consumption

On this page

1. Eligible/ineligible product

Eligible

Seeds for sprouting for human consumption, in the list of harmonized system (HS) codes can be found on the model of health certificate available in the European Union's (EU) Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES NT).

TRACES NT is the European Commission's digital certification and management platform for all sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. It supports the importation of food and feed of non-animal origin, animals, animal products, plants, and plant products into the EU.

For more information on TRACES NT, see Exporting food and animal products to the European Union.

Ineligible

Information not available

2. Pre-export approvals by competent authority of exporting country

Establishments

Seeds for sprouting must come from an establishment licensed under the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations (SFCR) by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

3. Pre-export approvals by competent authority of importing country

Establishment approval

Information regarding the EU approval of establishments producing sprouts pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 can be found in Commission Regulation (EU) No 210/2013. This regulation sets out the conditions under which such establishments should operate to ensure food safety.

Request for EU listing

Establishments must contact their local CFIA office to request addition to the EU's establishment listing for non-EU countries.

CFIA review and submission

The CFIA reviews a company's request for recommendation as an approved establishment. CFIA will verify that the establishment meets EU requirements for exported sprouts such as public health and hygiene standards, including microbiological testing and traceability requirements.

CFIA submits the establishment details to the European Commission for approval via the TRACES-NT system.

The European Commission may conduct an audit prior to adding the establishment to the list of approved foreign establishments.

Export from Canada to the EU cannot occur until the establishment is approved by the EU and added to the EU's published list of authorized establishments.

4. Product specifications

Microbiological contaminants

Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 of 15 November 2005 microbiological criteria for foodstuffs provides specifications related to microbiological contaminants of sprouts and seeds intended for the production of sprouts, including limits, sampling, and testing for various pathogens.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 209/2013 regarding microbiological criteria for sprouts strengthens food safety controls over sprouts by amending the above regulation 2073/2005 to include additional microbiological sampling and testing to prevent contamination.

Traceability

Specifications related to traceability of sprouts and seeds intended for the production of sprouts can be found in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 208/2013.

Pesticide maximum residue limits

It is the responsibility of the Canadian industry to ensure that levels of residues, including pesticides, in the food products for export are compliant with the EU's regulations, as per EU Regulation 396/2005.

The EU establishes maximum residue limits (MRL) for every individual food commodity. For foods where a pesticide use is not approved and there is no import tolerance, a default MRL of 0.01 mg/kg is applied. Any food that fails to comply with MRLs may not enter the market.

5. Production controls and inspection requirements

The EU requires that seeds for sprouting originate from a Canadian establishment operating under the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles (see Preventive control plan (PCP)) as stipulated in Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Seeds for sprouting must meet the requirements as described on the EU model certificate. Manufacturers must implement export controls under their PCP or Export control plan (ECP) to demonstrate that the product meets EU regulations.

6. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements

Products need to satisfy EU labelling requirements. For more information, exporters can refer to Labelling and nutrition, managed by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety. Exporters should also work with their EU importers.

7. Documentation requirements

Export certificates will be issued by CFIA inspectors through the EU's online TRACES system. Industry applicants must select the EU model certificate that corresponds to the product intended for export and complete Part I of the certificate.

It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that the issued certificate meets the requirements of the entry border control post (BCP)/member state of destination in terms of official language.

Part II of the certificate must be completed by a CFIA inspector. However, the inspector may request additional information from the applicant to complete Part II.

Certificate

Official certificate for the entry into the Union of seeds for sprouting intended for human consumption (Chapter 51, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235).

8. Additional information

Exported products transiting through a country may require transit documentation. It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that the shipment will be accompanied by all necessary certificates. Work closely with your importer.

Samples (personal or commercial) of seeds for sprouting may be subject to the same requirements as regular shipments. It is strongly recommended that the exporter verify these requirements with their importer and/or at the EU Border Inspection Post (BIP) where the products will be shipped.

Note that the EU has international agreements with some countries (for example Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), which means that they implement the EU legislation with respect to the entry and movement of regulated products.

Designated Border Control Posts (BCPs)

Additional EU food production legislation

Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and setting general rules on food safety, including traceability and responsibilities of food business operators.

Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 sets out the general hygiene rules for all food business operators to ensure food safety throughout the value chain. This regulation sets specific hygiene standards on establishments that produce sprouts, requiring good manufacturing practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) systems, and controls to minimize contamination risks during sprouting.

When accessing EU regulations online, please ensure that you are using the most up to date/consolidated version. See EUR-Lex.

Date modified: