Date of issue: 15 September 2021
Date of effect: 7 October 2021
Reference Number: MAA2021-12
Related: nil
Attention:
- Industries- Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) and Australian Honeybee Industry Council
- Export establishments
- Exporters
- Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment —Central and Regional offices
Purpose
To notify of the extended scope of food products exported to Thailand which are required to be accompanied by a production certificate.
Scope
Manufacturers of all non-prescribed goods for human consumption including, edible salt, drinking water, mineral water or ice milk, canned food and acidified food that utilises thermal treatment.
Key points
- On 9 February 2021, Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has published notification no. 420 B.E. 25603 on the Food Production Processes, Processing Equipment/Utensils and Storage Practices.
- The new legislative requirement has expanded the scope of food products which are required to present a production certificate to now cover all types of imported food. This expanded requirement is to be fully implemented on 7 October 2021; however, is effective immediately for all exporters or food producers not currently exporting food to Thailand.
- The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the implementing authority of the new requirement. Thai FDA requires that food importers present a production certificate that demonstrates that a production standard, equivalent to MOPH’s requirements has been achieved. Examples of the international standards accepted by FDA has been published.
- These requirements are designed to ensure Australian producers and processors comply with food safety requirements. These requirements are outlined in Notification of the MOPH (Number 420) of B.E. 2563
- Australian exporters are advised to communicate with their Thai importers and suppliers to ensure the Thailand MOPH requirements are met.
- Live animals, wild-caught harvested seafood material and animal feed input are not covered by these new regulations.
What is a production certificate?
- A production certificate is a Document or Certificate Assuring Food Production Standards and issued by an organisation that follows the Codex Guidelines for the Design, Operation, Assessment and Accreditation of Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems (CAC/GL 26-1997). For example, the certificate issued by a certification body (CB) being membered and accredited by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF). For Australia, these certification bodies will need to be accredited by the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ).
- The Thailand FDA will check the accredited certification body against the Accredited Bodies Search | JAS ANZ (jas-anz.org) list. If your CB is not found, the production certificate will be delayed and/or declined by the Thailand FDA.
- Producers may contact a JAS ANZ accredited body for information on how to obtain certification to the required standards.
- Such certificates are required for the product registration with FDA and the product clearance processes at the point of entry into Thailand. If a copy of the original certificate is used, it must be verified prior to presenting it to FDA.
- Verification of copies of the certificate may be conducted by:
- The certifying organisation where the certificate is issued;
- Australian embassy based in Thailand;
- Government organisation; or
- Notary public.
The Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) shall be updated to reflect this Market Access Advice.
Further information
Further information can be found on MICoR or by contacting exportstandards@awe.gov.au if you have any queries.
The information provided in this advice is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.