United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – Export requirements for composite 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. Export documents available upon request
• 6. Additional information

1. Eligible/ineligible product

Great Britain (GB) regulations define composite product as a foodstuff intended for human consumption that contains both processed products of animal origin and products of plant origin and includes those where the processing of primary product is an integral part of the production of the final product. The export certificates for composite products (CP) refer to a list of Harmonized System (HS) code(s). 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

• The list of Harmonized System codes can be found on the model health certificates.

Ineligible

• Information not available

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

Country

To export composite products to GB, the exporting country must be listed as an approved country for the products of animal origin (POAO) contained in the composite product. Canada is an authorized third country to export to GB.

Establishments

No information is known regarding an approved list of CP manufacturing establishments.

• The manufacturing, exporting and storage facilities of composite products must be under the official oversight of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and be licensed under the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations (SFCR).
• Establishments supplying the meat, dairy and/or fish ingredients must appear on the appropriate establishment list administered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
• The list pertinent to ingredients of animal origin is available on the Establishments approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain. Please select List of establishments in non-EU countries approved to export animal products to GB. Please sort by:
  • Country name "CA Canada"
  • Sector "food"
  • Section – select appropriate section based on type of ingredient of animal origin.

Products

No information known regarding products registration.

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 must contains the following elements in particular:

• reference to relevant GB regulations
• how the manufacturer follows changes in the GB legislation
• comparison of GB regulations/standards/parameters with those of Canada
• the procedure to be followed in the event of a difference between the regulations/standards/parameters of the GB and those of Canada in order to ensure that the product meets the requirements of the GB
• the corrective and preventive actions to be considered in the event of non-compliance

Manufacturer's declaration

• All final applications for CP must be accompanied by a Manufacturer's Declaration completed and signed by an authorized person at the approved establishment where the product was manufactured or prepared.
• It is important that the manufacturer is familiar with the UK certificate for CP and the relevant regulations. Additional support documents may be required depending on the POAO used.
• Please note the notes at the end of the composite product certificate to complete the manufacturer's declaration if necessary.
• The product(s) must be clearly identified on the Manufacturer's Certificate and exactly match the product(s) included in the export shipment.

Note: Inspectors will verify that the manufacturer's declaration is properly completed and reserve the right to request any other information they deem necessary for final certification of the product.

See also European Union (EU) – Export requirements for composite products

Certification requirements

Health certificates whose final destination is GB contain animal health and public requirements.

4. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements

Exported products depending on their final destination (Great Britain and/or Northern Ireland) mainly must meet certain packaging and labelling requirements. The exporter must work closely with the importer to ensure the compliance of their products.

5. Required documents

Canada does not have negotiated certificates with Great Britain.

Products imported into the UK will be subject to the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) risk categorisation (low, medium and high) and related rules. Thus, consignments of certain products of animal origin that have been categorized as low risk by the UK may no longer require an export certificate issued by the CFIA. A commercial document from the supplier may be adequate. The CFIA strongly recommends that industry work closely with their importer and familiarize themselves with the new UK import requirements.

The export health certificates below cover products exported to Great Britain (GB) including England, Wales, Scotland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. References to EU legislation on the notes of these certificates are references to direct EU legislation which has been retained in Great Britain (retained EU law as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018).

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 UK model certificates including the notes in part III. All health certificates of GB are published on the website gov.uk.

It's the responsibility of the applicant to choose model health certificate that corresponds to the product intended for export and to provide the inspector with the information entered in Part I. Details of dispatched consignment of the certificate.

Part II. Certification, must be completed by an official veterinarian or an official inspector. However, some information will have to be provided by the applicant in order for Part II to be completed if applicable.

Official health certificates shall be completed according to the guidance provided at How to complete a health certificate for export to Great Britain, as well as the notes on the export certificates.

If a container is used to ship the products, it is mandatory that the exporter provides the container and seal number in Part I: Details of dispatched consignment.

Certificate

Certificates for composite products

• Health Certificate for composite products intended for human consumption (COMP) GBHC440. (CFIA/ACIA FA1044)

Certificate for transit or storage

• Health certificate for transit or storage of composite products intended for human consumption (COMP-T/S) GBHC441. (CFIA/ACIA FA1045)

  Note: The model health certificate (COMP-T/S) GBHC441 form number CFIA/ACIA FA1045 used for transit through GB or storage within the territory of GB must be accompanied by the certificate of final destination of the product.

Note:

• The health certificates are signed by the official veterinarian/ official inspector after having read and understood the notes in Part III.
• Please ensure that the certificate issued by the CFIA doses not contain Part III. Notes for completion the certificates.
• Export certificates cannot be issued after the products have left Canada.

6. Additional information

Exported products transiting through a third 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 products may be subject to the same requirements as a regular shipment. A special import permit could be required. It is strongly recommended that the exporter verify these requirements with their importer and/or with the border control post where the products will be shipped.

Relevant links

• Health certificates for animal and animal product imports to Great Britain
• How to complete a health certificate to export to Great Britain
• Risk categorisation and related rules for animals and animal products
• List of trading partners approved to export consignments of raw milk, dairy products, colostrum a and colostrum-based products a and indicating the type of heat treatment required for such commodities to Great Britain (PDF)
• List of Non-EU trading partners with approved residue monitoring control plans for products of animal origin (PDF)
• EU and EFTA countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain
• Non-EU countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain
• United Kingdom border control posts
• Northern Ireland Points of Entry
• Legal standards for labelling and composition for certain food products
• General import licences for research and diagnostic samples, trade samples and display items and some animal products
• Import of products, animals, food and feed system (IPAFFS)
• UK Legislation, stay up to date with new enacted legislation for the UK, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• EUR-Lex, the official and most comprehensive online access point to the EU legal documents. Ensure that you are using the most up-to-date/consolidated version of the document you are looking for.