Date of issue: 09 April 2024
Date of effect: 30 April 2024
Reference Number: MAA2024-03
Attention
- Industries—Industry bodies – Food and Grocery Council
- Export establishments
- Exporters, EXDOC users
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry — Central and Regional offices
Purpose
This Market Access Advice notifies industry of changes to certification for edible composite products to Great Britain (United Kingdom, excluding Northern Ireland) from 30 April 2024.
Summary of key points
In July 2023, the UK Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) informed the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the department) of upcoming changes to their model certificates for imports of edible composite products to support the Great Britain new strategy and risk settings for imports, the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) which commenced on 30 April 2024.
Under the new import conditions of Great Britain, composite products are categorised as “medium risk” for all permitted countries including Australia and “low risk” if shelf stable at ambient temperature and sterilised.
“Low risk” edible composite products no longer require a health certificate.
“Low risk” edible composite products are shelf-stable at ambient temperature and sterilised, meaning a product must be both shelf-stable at ambient temperature (can be safely stored at room temperature in a sealed container), and sterilised by either:
- having undergone specific heat treatment in a hermetically sealed container that achieves an F0 value of three or more, or
- having undergone heat treatment prior to aseptic packaging that achieves commercial sterility
For “medium risk” edible composite products, the NGBB health certificate template has been amended, as required by Great Britain. the new certificate template NGBB (04/24) to export edible composite products can be issued manually from 30 April 2024.
Notes for completion
The amended certificate template does not contain a “Notes for completion” section.
This formatting change reduces the size and complexity of the issued certificates. For exports of non-prescribed goods such as edible composite products, exporters will need to refer to the notes to assist with application of manual cross outs applied after printing. Exporters will be able to access these instructions via a link to the UK government website in the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) page.
The department encourages exporters to ensure the correct cross out are actioned on the NGBB certificate.
A link to the UK model certificates landing page will be made available in the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) page for composite products. Exporters will be able to access each model template and associated ‘Notes for Completion’, which are located at the end of each model certificate (Part III Notes for Completion). Exporters are reminded:
- It is essential that exporters do not print and/or use the UK model certificates for export. Australian government export certificates, based on the UK model templates, must be used for exports to the UK.
- Please ensure the UK model template being accessed matches the appropriate Australian certificate template.
- For example: Composite products GBHC440 v1.1 is accessed for notes applicable to the Australian certificate template NGBB – health certificate for import of composite products intended for human consumption to Great Britain.
To minimise the potential of accessing the incorrect template notes, the department has included the UK model template code and version number in the certificate title.
Full details of the Great Britain import conditions can be viewed on the UK government website.
The Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor) will be updated to reflect this market access advice. Exporters are encouraged to subscribe to the Micor update service for commodity-specific emails that lists changes that have been made.
Trade to Northern Ireland
Trade to Northern Ireland must continue to use the existing European Union (EU) certificates in accordance with the Windsor Framework agreed between the United Kingdom (UK) and the EU. Exports to Northern Ireland must continue to meet EU regulations and marketing standards.
The department strongly advises exporters to work closely with their importers to ensure product is eligible to be exported to Northern Ireland as above and to contact the department if there are any difficulties with clearance of consignments.
Further information
Contact exportstandards@aff.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.