1. Controlled and Prohibited Goods
Some animal products importation is banned in EU, and the list can be found here: Banned animal products importation to the EU.
Here is the list of animals and animal products that have official controls at border control posts in the EU.
The details information regarding control on animals and animal products importation to the EU can be found here: Animals and animal products entry into EU.
Animals and animal products must be free from harmful organisms and comply with the relevant EU rules. Animal and animal products are subject to documentary checks, identity checks and physical checks according to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2130.
The rules concerning the animal health requirements for the entry into the Union of products of animal origin are set out in Part V of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health ('Animal Health Law').
These rules are supplemented by the general rules, which are set out in Part I, and the specific rules concerning products of animal origin, which are set out in Parts IV and V, of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 as regards rules for entry into the Union, and the movement and handling after entry of consignments of certain animals, germinal products and products of animal origin.
For details information: Entry of the animals and animal products into the EU.
Member States of EU shall only permit the entry into the Union of consignments of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin if such consignments are accompanied by Animal Health Certificate.
Detail information can be found here: Regulation (EU) 2016/429.
4. Food Regulation and Standards
(a) Food law
Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law. The regulation applies at all stages of the food chain, from production, processing, transport and distribution to supply.
(b) Food Hygiene
Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 lays down general rules for food business operators on the hygiene of foodstuffs, taking particular account of the following principles:
• primary responsibility for food safety rests with the food business operator;
• it is necessary to ensure food safety throughout the food chain, starting with primary production;
• it is important, for food that cannot be stored safely at ambient temperatures, particularly frozen food, to maintain the cold chain;
• general implementation of procedures based on the HACCP principles, together with the application of good hygiene practice, should reinforce food business operators' responsibility.
• guides to good practice are a valuable instrument to aid food business operators at all levels of the food chain with compliance with food hygiene rules and with the application of the HACCP principles;
• it is necessary to establish microbiological criteria and temperature control requirements based on a scientific risk assessment;
• it is necessary to ensure that imported foods are of at least the same hygiene standard as food produced in the Community or are of an equivalent standard.
(c) Maximum Residues Levels (MRLs) of pesticides
Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 sets out the maximum residue levels for pesticides in or on food and feed of animal origin. To check if there is any change in the Regulation, visit the link: EUR-Lex -02005R0396-20221214 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu). Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/128 amended the Annexes II, III and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for benalaxyl, bromoxynil, chlorsulfuron, epoxiconazole and fenamiphos in or on certain products.
EU has developed a searchable database for MRLs, named EU pesticides database. One can find substances approved or non-approved in EU. Also, one can search by product’s name and find the MRLs apply to the product. The database can be found in the link: EU pesticides database.
(d) Contaminates
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets out maximum levels for certain contaminants in food.
(e) Microbiological Criteria
Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 lays down the microbiological criteria for certain microorganisms and the implementing rules to be complied with by food business operators when implementing the general and specific hygiene measures referred to in Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
(f) Food additive
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 lays down rules on food additives used in foods. According to the Article 5 of the regulation, “no person shall place on the market a food additive or any food in which such a food additive is present if the use of the food additive does not comply with this Regulation”. Table 1 of the regulation lists out the foods in which the presence of an additive may not be permitted. Table 2 of the regulation lists out the foods in which the presence of a food color may not be permitted. The regulation also lays down the labeling requirements of food containing food additive.
Regulation (EC) No 1332/2008 lays down rules on food enzymes used in foods, including such enzymes used as processing aids
Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 lays down rules on flavorings and food ingredients with flavoring properties for use in and on foods.
(g) Labeling Requirement
Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 establishes the general principles, requirements and responsibilities governing food information, and in particular food labelling. Chapter IV Section 1 Article 9 states the list of mandatory particulars to be included in the food label.