SPS Regulations

The following are the main requirements in terms of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations regarding agrifood & drink exports. These elements are given for information purposes only, they are not necessarily exhaustive and are not a substitute for ocial texts. Information valid as of 28/07/2023.

Food & Drink SPS Regulations in France

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) regulations are a set of measures implemented to guarantee that products are compliant with health and safety standards. They seek to protect animal, plant and public health as well as mitigate the risks associated with the trade of food, animal products and plants, for instance, the introduction of diseases or pests. SPS controls concern all types of carriers: road, port, airport, rail.

It is important to note that SPS regulations in France are not a unilateral measure but rather part of a set of European regulations. Major non-compliances to these regulations will result in backflow or destruction of goods.

In order to ensure food is safe for consumption in Europe your product must be compliant with the EU standards: ingredient restrictions, nutrition information, labelling and packaging requirements, traceability, along with others

Product Standards

Note that safety and security declarations (ENS) are not needed for exports (only imports into the UK) However, you will need an export health certificate (EHC), an ocial document issued by British authorities that confirm your export meets the health requirements of the destination country.

Fiche de Produit (Product Sheet): In some cases the SIVEP (France's department of veterinary and phytosanitary border control) may ask for this document which should include the name of the product, list of ingredients and list of the species from which the ingredients of animal origin present in the product are derived (where applicable)

TRACES NT (Trade Control and Expert System) is the digital platform for managing imports into the European Union. It enables to obtain online SPS certifications as well as sending and receiving notifications.

Certification

You must complete a Common Health Entry Document (CHED) and submit a pre-notification through the platform to allow French authorities to prepare for necessary controls upon entry

The EU requires SPS checks at the first point of entry into EU territory, these are carried out at border control posts (BCP). Border controls apply to the

Health

Checks

following products: Products of animal origin intended for human consumption Products of animal origin not intended for human consumption (including pet food). Live animals. Animal feedstuffs of non-animal origin. Plant products.

SPS controls are carried out as follows :

1. Pre-notification

2. Document check

3 Identity check

4 Physical check

5 Release into free circulation

From July 2023 French border control posts (BCP) will carry out health checks on imported products of animal origin intended for human or animal consumption

End of Easement Period

These checks will be carried out randomly on 1-3% of the shipments and will last approximately 15 minutes The shipment will be released after the sample is taken and the results will be available in 10 days You shall only receive a notification (via TRACES NT) if the sampling is above the sanitary threshold in which case the merchandise will not have to be returned to the UK or destroyed but the importer and exporter must rectify the issue

Urgent Support

SIVEP (French Veterinary and phytosanitary border inspection service)

Export Support Team (Department for Business and Trade)

Gondrand France

Useful links

are BCPs located

New customs rules for trade with the EU

French Government Available: https://www douane gouv fr/sites/default/files/2018-11/10-questions-beforeexporting-en pdf

French Government. Available: https://teleprocedures.franceagrimer.fr/Impadon/ConditionsSanitairesPhyto/CondSaniPhyto.aspx

UK Government Available: https://www gov uk/guidance/new-border-requirements-for-moving-goods-toand-from-the-eu

UK Government. Available: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safety-and-security-requirements-on-imports-andexports

UK Government Available: https://assets publishing service gov uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment data/file/955537/ 1 R%C3%A9capitulatif des formalit%C3%A9s douani%C3%A8res entre la France et la GrandeBretagne new.docx

FDF Available: https://www fdf org uk/fdf/resources/webinar-listing/2021/the-future-of-imports-what-youneed-to-do-to-keep-your-goods-moving/

Disclaimer: The Department for Business & Trade provides this service Whereas every effort has been made to ensure that information provided through this service is accurate, DBT accept no liability for any errors, omissions or misleading statements in such information and accept no responsibility as to the standing of any firm, details, company or individual mentioned. Companies should undertake their own research and should not consider the information to be an endorsement of any goods, services or companies mentioned