European Union (EU) - Export requirements for processed egg

On this page

• 1. Eligible/ineligible product
• 2. Pre-export approvals by the competent authority of the importing country
• 3. Production Controls and Inspection Requirements
• 4. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements
• 5. Documentation requirements
• 6. Other information

1. Eligible/ineligible product

EU export certificates for processed eggs refer to a list of HS code(s). It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that the product being exported will be covered by the certificates issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Eligible

• As per the list of Harmonized System (HS) codes which can be found on the models of health certificates available in the TRACES system.

Ineligible

• Information not available.

2. Pre-export approval by competent authority of the importing country

Establishments

• Exporting processed egg establishments must be federally registered or licensed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
• Establishments must operate using HACCP principles (see Preventive control plan (PCP) for domestic guidance) as stipulated in Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs, detailing hygiene of foodstuffs.
• Processed egg establishments must meet all the conditions outlined in Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin detailing specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin.
• Processed Egg establishments must appear on the Section X: Eggs and egg products – PDF (53 kb) list found on the Third Country Establishments List per Country website.
• Establishments seeking addition to the EU list must contact their CFIA regional office and complete the following form:

  HACCP plan compliance checklist for processed egg establishments seeking addition to European Union (EU) export approval list PDF (4 kb)

  Note: the form must be signed and dated by the company representative.

• The approximate timeline for approval of establishments to be listed on the EU website is 40 days. The CFIA has no control on the EU timeline for approval of establishments.

Note: Canada appears on the list of third countries authorized to export to the EU according to Commission Regulation (EC) No 798/2008 of 8 August 2008 laying down a list of third countries, territories, zones or compartments from which poultry and poultry products may be imported into and transit through the Community and the veterinary certification requirements.

Note: egg products imported into Canada for processing must be sourced from EU approved establishments of countries authorized to export to the European Union. Refer to the Commission Regulation (EC) No 798/2008 to verify if the exporting third country is on the list approved to export to the EU. Imported egg product must comply with the animal health requirements of Council Directive 2002/99/EC of 16 December 2002 laying down the animal health rules governing the production, processing, distribution and introduction of products of animal origin for human consumption and of Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin detailing specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin.

Product specifications

• Specifications related to microbiological, chemical contaminant and drug residue limits can be found in the annexes of various regulations that can be found in the section European Union (EU) Legislation.

3. Production controls and inspection requirements

The inspector must verify during a preventive control inspection that the manufacturer is aware of the standards and requirements of the EU and has a specific export procedure in place. This procedure should clearly refer to the relevant EU regulations. See 6 below.

• The following tests must be completed. These tests can be conducted by a CFIA laboratory or by a lab accredited by either the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) or the Canadian Association of Laboratory Accreditation (CALA). The results of these analyses must accompany the EU export certificate.
  • Organic acid (3 OH-butyric acid and lactic acid)

    If laboratory results show no detection of organic acids, the results should be recorded as negative. If results are positive, the laboratory should indicate the type and amount of organic acid present.

    To be eligible for certification the amount of each organic acid cannot exceed that listed below:

    Lactic acid: 1000 mg/kg

    3 OH-butyric acid: 10 mg/kg

    Example of instruction to the laboratory technician: "Test for organic acids (3 OH-butyric acid and lactic acid)"

  • Enterobacteriaceae

    A lot is not eligible for certification if any result for Enterobacteriaceae is reported as more than 100 colony forming units (CFUs) per gram or mL, or if more than 2 samples are greater than 10 colony forming units per gram or mL.

  • Extraneous material (egg shell, egg membrane, and other particles)

    Collect and identify a separate sample of finished product for analysis of extraneous material.

Imported ingredients

• The use of imported egg product ingredients is acceptable; however, the operator must demonstrate through official documentation (for example, the model health certificate as per Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 issued by the competent authority of the country of origin) that the imported ingredients meet EU requirements. This also applies to imported ingredients from EU member states and countries maintaining international agreements with the EU.
• The manufacturer of the imported ingredients requires to be included on the EU eligibility list.

4. Labelling, packaging and marking requirements

Exported products depending on their final destination must meet certain packaging and labelling requirements. The exporter must work closely with the importer to ensure the compliance of their products. Please refer also to regulation (EC) 853/2004. The labelling activity must be conducted in the EU approved establishment.

5. Documentation requirements

Certificate

It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that the issued certificate meets the requirements of the entry border control post (BCP)/Member state of destination in terms of official language.

As a manufacturer/exporter and in order to facilitate the certification process, it is important that you are familiar with the content of parts I and II of the EU model certificates.

The export certificate will be issued through TRACES. The applicant must select the EU model certificate that corresponds to the product intended for export and complete Part I. Please note that the applicant is responsible for the details entered in Part I of the certificate. In addition, the applicant will need to include the EU reference IMSOC number (Box I.2.a of Part I of the certificate) with their export request in order for the CFIA to retrieve the certificate in TRACES.

Part II must be completed by an official veterinarian. However, some information will have to be provided by the applicant in order for Part II to be completed, if applicable. This information should be provided in the form of a manufacturer's declaration when applying for an export certificate.

These animal health/official certificates shall be completed according to the notes for the completion of certificates provided for in Chapter 4 of Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 as well as the notes on the export certificate.

• 2021/1471 (2020/2235) Egg products intended for human consumption – Model EP.

Note: the EU requires that the certificate above also be presented with exported product intended for a market other than EU, to permit its transit or storage into the Union. In such case, Section II.1. Public health attestation of Part II: Certification is to be deleted (as indicated on the certificate).

Export certificates cannot be issued after the products have left Canada.

6. Other information

Exported products transiting through a country may require transit documentation. It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that the shipment will be accompanied by all necessary certificates. Please work closely with your importer.

Samples (personal or commercial) of dairy products may be subject to the same requirements as a regular shipment. It is strongly recommended that the exporter verify these requirements with his importer and/or at the EU border inspection post where the products will be shipped.

Links to the EU regulation:

Please ensure that you are using the most up-to-date/consolidated version. See EUR-Lex, the official and most comprehensive online access point to the EU legal documents.

• Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 of 15 November 2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs
• Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives.
  • For more information on permitted additives please consult the DG-SANTE database on Food Additives.
• Commission Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 of 22 December 2009 on pharmacologically active substances and their classification regarding maximum residue limits in foodstuffs of animal origin
• Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 of 16 December 2020 laying down rules for the application of Regulations (EU) 2016/429 and (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards model animal health certificates, model official certificates and model animal health/official certificates, for the entry into the Union.
• Regulation (EU) no 852/2004 of the European parliament and of the council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs (HACCP principles).
• Regulation (EU) no 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 lays down specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin including gelatin, collagen, raw material and treated raw material for the production of gelatin and collagen.
• Regulation (EU) 2021/405 of 24 March 2021 laying down the lists of third countries or regions thereof authorised for the entry into the Union of certain animals and goods intended for human consumption in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 of 24 March 2021 laying down the lists of third countries, territories or zones thereof from which the entry into the Union of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin is permitted in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council.
• Commission Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 of 22 December 2009 on pharmacologically active substances and their classification regarding maximum residue limits in foodstuffs of animal origin.
• Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 of 30 January 2020 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council 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.
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1471 of 18 August 2021 amending and correcting Implementing Regulations (EU) 2020/2235 and (EU) 2020/2236 as regards references to national measures designed to limit the impact of certain diseases of aquatic animals and to lists of third countries, territories or zones thereof from which entry into the Union of animals and goods is permitted.
• 2011/163/EU: Commission Decision of 16 March 2011 on the approval of plans submitted by third countries in accordance with Article 29 of Council Directive 96/23/EC.