EU delay when traders must start to use new Export Health Certificates

The date for using the new Animal Health Regulation (AHR) EHCs has been pushed back to 15 January 2022

The EU has voted to delay when traders must start to use the new Export Health Certificates (EHCs) for goods moved to Northern Ireland or exported to the EU from GB.

The new Animal Health Regulation (AHR) EHCs were due to be used from 21 August 2021 however the date has now been pushed back by the EU to 15 January 2022. This includes EHCs for all products of animal origin, live animals, germinal products and composite products.

All existing and most of the new AHR EHCs are available and traders can decide which ones they wish to use until 15 January 2022.

A small number of new EHCs have been removed from EHC Online for now. This is because the EU will be amending some EHCs, and some are subject to ongoing discussions with the EU regarding GB’s disease freedom status.

You should continue to use the existing EHCs for these products until the new certificates are made available again. They will be available in advance of 15 January 2022.

If you have already started using any of the new EHCs placed on hold, and your consignment has already been certified you do not need to do anything. Your EHC will still be valid for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland.

If you have made an application for one of the EHCs below but the certificate has not yet been issued, your application will be deleted and you will need to apply again, using the equivalent current EHC.

The following new EHCs are currently not available on EHC Online:

Dairy

• 8353 - dairy products intended for human consumption derived from raw milk or that are not required to undergo a specific risk-mitigating treatment
• 8354 - dairy products intended for human consumption that are required to undergo a pasteurization treatment
• 8358 – colostrum-based products intended for human consumption

Live animals

• 8446 – bovine animals
• 8447 - bovine animals intended for slaughter
• 8448 - ovine and caprine animals
• 8449 - ovine and caprine animals intended for slaughter
• 8452 – camelid and cervid animals

Read more about how to get an export health certificate.

First published 26 August 2021