European Union: Update on Changing EU Import Conditions for Composite Products

U.S. exporters of composite products will face new documentary requirements for shipments to the European Union after January 15, 2022. The new requirements are broken down into three categories of composite products: non-shelf stable, shelf stable with meat, and shelf stable without meat. A new mandatory U.S. government-issued export certificate is needed for all non-shelf stable composite products and for shelf-stable composite products containing meat (except gelatin, collagen, and highly refined products derived from meat). The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will issue the certificate for composite products that bear the USDA mark of inspection. The Agricultural Marketing Service, Dairy Program, will issue the composite products certificate for products that do not bear the USDA mark of inspection, regardless of whether dairy is an ingredient in the composite product. For shelf-stable composite products not containing meat, a private attestation from the importer will be required.