Date of issue: 8 August 2024
Date of effect: 8 August 2024
Reference Number: MAA 2024-09
Attention
- Industries—Industry bodies – Australian Food and Grocery Council
- Export establishments
- Exporters
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry — Central and Regional offices
Purpose
This Market Access Advice (MAA) is to notify exporters of changes to the export health certificate for consignments of composite products exported from Australia to the European Union.
Summary of key points
- The European Union (EU) has implemented new requirements for model certificates for the entry into and transit through the union of edible non-prescribed goods, as published in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2744.
- Export certificates for consignments of edible non-prescribed goods issued (signed, stamped and dated) after 11 June 2024 must meet the new EU requirements.
- Due to the implementation of these new requirements, the department understands that current Australian health certification used for the export of edible non-prescribed goods is no longer accepted by EU authorities.
- Given this, the M492 (12/22) for exports of composite goods has been amended in line with the updates to the EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2744, and will be in use from 8 August 2024.
- The changes to the M492 are administrative only, and information to be entered by exporters to obtain these certificates has not changed.
- The other minor changes do not affect exporters. They include:
- Changes to the certificate title and template number, as per the table below.
- Changes to legislative references in the attestations.
| New template number | New title of certificate |
|---|---|
| M492 (07/24) (manual only) | Official Certificate for the Entry into the Union of Not Shelf-Stable Composite Products and Shelf-Stable Composite Products, containing any quantity of meat products except gelatine, collagen, highly refined products, or any quantity of colostrum-based products, and intended for human consumption. |
- Whilst the department seeks to amend other edible non-prescribed goods certificate templates in accordance with the new EU requirements, the EUET, M022, Z995, M589 and EUHGB health certificates will remain unavailable, as outlined in MAA 2024-08: European Union: Edible non-prescribed goods: Amendments to export health certificates for edible non-prescribed goods to the European Union from 25 July 2024.
- The department will provide further updates as information becomes available.
Further information
Contact ExportStandards@aff.gov.au if you have any queries.
The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.