Since the beginning of 2023, the EU has had a number of new regulations related to import activities. Most of these are regulations related to agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
According to information from the Vietnam Trade Office in Belgium, Since the beginning of 2023, the EU has had a number of new regulations related to import activities. Most of these are regulations related to agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Some of the regulations may include:
New EU regulations on residues of arsenic, active ingredients isoxaben, novaluron and tetraconazole applied on agricultural products and food
On March 3, 2023, the European Commission issued EU Regulation (EU) 2023/466 amending Annexes II, III and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Europe regarding the maximum residue level (MRL) for the active ingredients isoxaben, novaluron and tetraconazole in or on a food product including fresh and frozen vegetables, tubers and fruits; groups of nuts, cashews, coffee, tea, spices, cereals, oilseeds and terrestrial animal products of all kinds, eggs, milk, honey... MRL levels of active ingredients on all products ranging from 0.01 mg/kg. However, the EU also sets a regulated level of residues MRL of one of the above active ingredients from 0.05 mg/kg, 0.07 even 1.5 mg/kg in product groups such as vegetables and herbs. flavors, meat and offal of animals. In 2023, the EU focused on revising many of the MRL regulations in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. This regulation will take effect on September 26, 2023.
On the same day 3/3/2023, the European Commission Commission EU also issued new Regulation No (EU) 2023/465 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 regarding maximum Arsenic MRL levels in certain types food. Specifically stipulating the level of arsenic residues for rice, rice-based products, baby nutritional foods, fruit juices, concentrated fruit products, and salt. The Ascen MRL threshold ranges from 0.01 to 0.15 mg/kg of product. This regulation applies directly to all EU members and takes effect from March 26, 2023.
EU changes the form of Aquatic Animal Quarantine Certificate imported into the EU
On March 8, 2023, the European Commission issued Regulation (EU) 2023/516 amending Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2020/2236 on the form of Certificate of animal quarantine imported into the EU for animals. consignments of aquatic animals for aquaculture, release into the wild or for other purposes, excluding direct human consumption. Details of the Certificate of export animal quarantine are specified in Appendix II to Regulation (EU) 2020/2236 and this Regulation takes effect immediately after the publication of the EU Official Gazette directly applied to members of EU.
However, Regulation 2023/516 also stipulates the transition period to apply the old certificate template for consignments of aquatic animals imported into the EU for aquaculture, release into the wild or for rehabilitation. for other purposes, excluding direct human consumption, until September 15, 2023.
In addition, the guiding documents on the EU certificate form No. 2020/2235, or 2021/608 all require that for multi-page certificates, the pages should be numbered consecutively, with each page having a code number. specification of the certificate, the seal of the competent authority and the signature of the certifier. It is recommended that Vietnamese agencies and businesses should note this additional regulation.
New EU regulation on emergency and temporary measures to control food safety
On June 7, 2023, the EU published in the Official Gazette Regulation (EU) 2023/1110 signed on June 6, 2023 amending Regulation 2019/1973 on emergency measures to control food exported to the EU. Accordingly, the EU has officially brought Vietnam's instant noodles from Appendix II (control by food safety certificates and control at border gates) to Appendix I with the inspection frequency at the border is 20%. Thus, from June 27, 2023, instant noodle products exported from Vietnam will not be required to be accompanied by a certificate of food safety inspection issued by a competent authority of Vietnam. The Regulations take effect 20 days after the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
Also in this Regulation, bell peppers from Vietnam are still included in Appendix I with 50% inspection frequency at the border gate; Okra and dragon fruit are still included in Appendix II with inspection frequency of 50% and 20% respectively. This means that agricultural commodities are unchanged from the regulation of 6 months ago.
Thus, only 6 months after the EU approved the emergency control regulations for Vietnamese noodles and vermicelli (effective from January 1, 2022), Vietnam has successfully persuaded the EU to bring noodles to the EU. vermicelli, rice products were removed from the list of food safety management and 18 months later, instant noodles were successfully transferred from Appendix II (controlled by certificate and at border gate) to Appendix I (controlled by certificate and at border gate). at border gate). This demonstrates the great and timely efforts of the Ministry of Industry and Trade in food safety control as well as actively supporting businesses to solve difficulties. However, the fact that the EU still maintains control at the border gate with a frequency of 20% requires Vietnam to always maintain good food safety control for instant noodles. If in the last 6 months of 2023, Vietnam's instant noodles exported to the EU have many violations of food safety regulations, the next EU roadmap will be to increase supervision to 50% at border gates and after which is brought back to Appendix II. If Vietnam's instant noodles are returned to Appendix II (as is the case with dragon fruit), the process of persuading the EU to bring back Appendix I will be much more difficult. Therefore, it is recommended that Vietnamese instant noodle exporters must continuously control food safety well, and even consider applying voluntary measures such as self-testing at reputable laboratories. for shipments of instant noodles exported to the EU.
New EU regulations for certain products related to deforestation and forest degradation
On June 9, 2023, the EU published in the Official Gazette Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the introduction and exportation of certain products related to deforestation and forest degradation. supersedes regulation number 995/2000. Accordingly, commodities subject to accountability include cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm and palm oil, rubber, soybeans, and timber. This regulation takes effect on the 20th day from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
