European Union (EU) - Export requirements for honey and other apiculture products

On this page

• 1. Eligible/ineligible product
• 2. Pre-export approvals by the competent authority of the importing country
• 3. Production Controls and Inspection Requirements
• 4. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements
• 5. Documentation requirements
• 6. Other information

1. Eligible/ineligible product

Eligible

• As per the list of harmonized system (HS) codes which can be found on the models of health certificates available in the TRACES system.

Note: Bee products for human consumption, such as honeycomb (comb honey), flavoured honey, royal jelly, bee propolis, and bee pollen, are also regulated under the Food and Drugs Act, the Food and Drugs Regulations. Additionally, honey for human consumption is regulated under the Safe Food for Canadians Act and Safe Food for Canadians Regulations.

Ineligible

• Information not available.

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

Establishments

• Establishments must operate using HACCP principles (see Preventive control plan (PCP) for domestic guidance) as stipulated in Commission Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Product specifications

Maximum levels for chemical contaminants

• Products must meet the requirements, as they relate to honey, for veterinary drug residues according to Council Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996 on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products.

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. This procedure should clearly refer to the relevant EU regulations. See Other information section below.

Directive 2001/110/EC defines in Annex I different types of honey. Annex II lays down composition criteria to be met by honey when placed on the market or used in any other product intended for human consumption. These criteria regard sugar content, moisture, water-insoluble content, electrical conductivity, free acid, diastase activity and hydroxymethylfurfural content (HMF).

• The exporter should contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) regional office closest to where the shipment will be loaded at least 7 business days before the scheduled date of shipment, and request the following documents:
  • Request to export honey to the European Union
  • Exporter's declaration for the export of honey to the European Union
• The exporter may be required to provide additional information to the CFIA to support the submission of the above documents and ultimate certification (for example: certificates of analysis).

Imported honey

• If the product contains imported honey from another country, either as part of a blend or as a repackaged product, the source country must be listed as approved in the Annex of the 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.
• The export certificate that accompanied the imported honey should be provided to CFIA staff to verify that the attestations on the source country certificate meet the EU import requirements.

4. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements

Exported products depending on their final destination must meet certain packaging and labelling requirements. The exporter must work closely with the importer to ensure the compliance of their products.

5. Documentation requirements

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.

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.

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.

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

• (2020/2235) Honey and other apiculture products intended for human consumption – Model HON

Note:
Export certificates cannot be issued after the products have left Canada.

6. Other 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 honey products may be subject to the same requirements as a regular shipment. It is strongly recommended that the exporter verify these requirements with their 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.

• Regulation (EU) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 lays down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety.
• Regulation (EU) No 852/2004 of the European parliament and of the council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs (HACCP principles).
• Regulation (EU) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 lays down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin.
• Regulation (EU) No 2017/625 of the European Parliament and 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Council Directive 2001/110/EC of December 2001 relating to honey.