The European Union (EU) has introduced Regulation (EU) 2023/2652, mandating that U.S. exporters of apiculture products, including honey, register with the EU’s Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES).
This measure addresses concerns about honey adulteration in the EU market. TRACES is the EU’s online platform for health certification required for importing animals, animal products, food, and feed of non-animal origin into the EU, as well as for intra-EU trade and exports of certain animal products. All establishments that import into the EU, or supply honey or other apiculture products to food manufacturers that import products containing honey or other apiculture products into the EU, must be registered in TRACES. This includes producers of honey, beeswax, royal jelly, propolis, and pollen intended for human consumption.
To comply, U.S. businesses must undergo an on-site assessment by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS). This assessment includes a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Verification Survey, Plant Survey, and Food Defense System Survey. After successful registration in TRACES, certification of honey and other apiculture exports may still be required prior to shipping to the EU.
Following the USDA-AMS assessment, businesses should apply for inclusion on the export lists via the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Export Listing Module (ELM). As part of this application process, FDA verifies that the applicant maintains good regulatory standing. The FDA plans to transmit an initial list of compliant establishments to the EU by December 31, 2024. Establishments wishing to be included in this initial list should apply by December 23, 2024.
Once the registration is finalized and uploaded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General of Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), it will be publicly available on the TRACES website.
Detailed information about the new requirements for U.S. importers of apiculture products into the EU, including directions for how to complete the necessary steps with USDA, FDA, and DG SANTE, can be found on the FDA’s website.
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