Product testing requirements
All products produced at export registered establishments must meet the microbiological limits specified by the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code), importing country requirements and be produced in accordance with the company requirements documented in the approved arrangement (AA).
Importing countries may have their own testing requirements/ limits which may be different from those specified in the Code.
Find out more about additional testing requirements for specific dairy product exports to the EU.
Read our manual of importing country requirements (Micor) for any additional testing required by the country to which you are exporting.
Testing samples in a NATA accredited laboratory
Whenever health certificates make a reference to compliance with a particular standard or importing country requirement, testing must be conducted in a National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA) accredited laboratory.
The laboratory must be accredited for the specific test against the particular product.
The certificate of analysis must clearly identify (including where the test results are provided to us as part of the export permit application):
- the NATA logo and accredited number
- the test method used to analyse the product (must be linked to the Australian Standard test method) where the country of destination has no specific requirements to be met
- the manufacturer and the establishment number
- a full description of the product and its unique identifier e.g. production date and or batch code of the product
- an indication of pass or fail against each specific test.
Documenting a testing regime in your approved arrangement
In addition to any testing regime required to meet general export requirements, the AA must also document testing required to meet the requirements of importing countries to which you are intending to export, where they exist.
Find out about requirements for documenting a testing regime in your AA.