European Union (EU) – Export requirements for products of animal origin derived from domestic ungulates, poultry, rabbits or fishery products intended for human consumption and not covered by Articles 8 to 26 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235

1. Eligible/ineligible product

It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that the product being exported will be covered by the certificates issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Eligible

As per the list of Harmonized System (HS) codes which can be found in the TRACES system

Ineligible

Information not available

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

Establishments

The highly processed products of animal origin (HPPAO) must come from an establishment licensed under the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations (SFCR).

The EU requires that HPPAO originate from an establishment operating under the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles (see Preventive control plan [PCP]) as stipulated in Commission Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council. In addition, these establishments must be regularly audited by the competent authorities (CA) in accordance with Regulation (EC) 853/2004 which applies to processed and unprocessed products of animal origin.

If applicable, the raw animal material used in the HPPAO must come from an establishment (such as: meat or fish, etc.) which is approved to export to the EU and on the list administered by the Directorate-General of Health and Food Safety (DG-SANTE). TRACES should be used to consult the lists of authorized establishments.

3. Production controls and inspection requirements

The inspector must verify during a preventive control inspection that the manufacturer is aware of the standards and requirements of the EU and has a specific export procedure in place. In particular, this procedure should contain the following elements:

reference to relevant EU regulations (see 6 below)
how the manufacturer follows changes in European legislation
comparison of EU regulations/standards/parameters with those of Canada
the procedure to be followed in the case of a difference between EU and Canadian regulations/standards/parameters in order to ensure that the product meets the requirements of the EU
the corrective and preventive actions to be considered in the event of non-compliance
a traceability procedure to demonstrate that products destined for the EU market meet applicable requirements and to assure complete segregation when both eligible and ineligible products are present on the premises
other

The highly processed products of animal origin (HPPAO) must meet the requirements as described on the EU model certificate. Part II of the certificate is completed by a CFIA officer, however some information will have to be provided by the applicant in the form of a manufacturer's declaration on company letterhead and if applicable any other supporting document to confirm the following:

that a specific export procedure is in place demonstrating that the products meet EU requirements
that the raw materials used to manufacture the HPPAO are of food grade
the raw materials of animal origin come from meat or fish establishment(s) approved for export to the EU. Please indicate the country, the name of the establishment as well as the approval number as indicated on the EU list
the raw materials of animal origin used (including imported materials) come from third countries listed for the respective raw material in the Annex to Decision 2011/163/EU. Please indicate the country(ies)

Note: Canada is listed in the Decision 2011/163/EU, however, for meat products, the manufacturer of the HPPOA will need to ensure and prove the following:

that the meat products are derived from animals that are eligible for slaughter for export to the European Union. For traceability purpose, the Annex J should be used

Imported ingredients of animal origin

The use of imported ingredients of animal origin from certain countries may limit the ability to export to the EU.

If imported ingredients of animal origin are used in the HPPAO, the competent authority of the exporting foreign country must provide support documentation (Export health certificate) attesting that the imported ingredients comply with the EU requirements. This should confirm, among other things, the following:

that the country is listed on decision 2011/163/EU
that the products are derived from animals eligible for slaughter for export to the European Union
that the products are derived from approved carcasses following ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection
the materials of animal origin come from meat or fish establishment(s) approved for export to the EU. Please indicate the country, the name of the establishment as well as the approval number as indicated on the EU list

4. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements

Products need to satisfy EU labelling requirements.

5. Export documents available upon request

Canada does not have a bilateral certificate negotiated with the EU. The certificate issued for product of animal origin (PAO) comes from EU regulations.

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.

As a manufacturer/exporter and in order to facilitate the certification process, it is important that you are familiar with the content of parts I and II of the EU model certificates.

The export certificate will be issued through TRACES. The applicant must select the EU model certificate that corresponds to the product intended for export and complete Part I. Please note that the applicant is responsible for the details entered in Part I of the certificate. In addition, the applicant will need to include the EU reference IMSOC number (Box I.2.a of Part I of the certificate) with their export request in order for the CFIA to retrieve the certificate in TRACES.

Part II must be completed by a certifying officer (official veterinarian or official inspector). However, some information will have to be provided by the applicant in order for Part II to be completed, if applicable. This information should be provided in the form of a manufacturer's declaration when applying for an export certificate. See 3 above.

These animal health/official certificates shall be completed according to the notes for the completion of certificates provided for in Chapter 4 of Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 and its amendments as well as the notes on the export certificates.

For more information about TRACES, please refer to the CFIA web page Exporting food and animal products to the European Union.

Certificate

(2020/2235) Other products of animal origin derived from domestic ungulates, poultry, rabbits or fishery products intended for human consumption and not covered by articles 8 to 26 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 – Model PAO

Note:

Export certificates cannot be issued after the products have left Canada.
The health certificate is to be signed by an official veterinarian or official inspector.

6. 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. Please work closely with your importer.

Samples (personal or commercial) of highly refined products may be subject to the same requirements as regular shipment. It is strongly recommended that the exporter verify these requirements with his importer and/or at the EU border inspection post where the products will be shipped.

Links to the EU regulation

Please ensure that you are using the most up-to-date/consolidated version. See EUR-Lex, the official and most comprehensive online access point to the EU legal documents.

Member countries of the European Union (EU)

Please note that the EU has international agreements with some countries (example Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein), which means that they implement EU veterinary legislation with regard to movement of animal products.

Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs
Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives
Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 of 16 December 2020 laying down rules for the application of Regulations (EU) 2016/429 and (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards model animal health certificates, model official certificates and model animal health/official certificates, for the entry into the Union
Regulation (EU) 2019/625 of 4 March 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to requirements for the entry into the Union of consignments of certain animals and goods intended for human consumption
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1471 of 18 August 2021 amending and correcting Implementing Regulations (EU) 2020/2235 and (EU) 2020/2236 as regards references to national measures designed to limit the impact of certain diseases of aquatic animals and to lists of third countries, territories or zones thereof from which entry into the Union of animals and goods is permitted
2011/163/EU: Commission Decision of 16 March 2011 on the approval of plans submitted by third countries in accordance with Article 29 of Council Directive 96/23/EC
Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2744 of 20 November 2023 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 through the Union of consignments of certain categories of animals and goods, and official certification regarding such certificates.

Language selection