Unlike imports of animal-origin products, imports of plants and plant products into the EU market do not require positive list of eligible countries and approved establishment list. Therefore, it is important that exporters from third countries understand relevant EU requirements:
- General food law (Regulation 178/2002)
- Food Hygiene (Regulation 852/2004)
- Microbiological criteria
- Contaminants
- Pesticide residues
- Plant protection products
- Harmful organisms (Directive 2000/29)
- Phytosanitary Certificate (Part B Annex V of Directive 2000/29)
- Seeds and propagating material
- GM plant & seeds
On 1 July 2009, marketing standards including criteria on quality, size, labelling, packaging and presentation of fruit and vegetables were repealed for 26 products: apricots, artichokes, asparagus, aubergines, avocadoes, beans, Brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflowers, cherries, courgettes (zucchini), cucumbers, cultivated mushrooms, garlic, hazelnuts in shell, headed cabbage, leeks, melons, onions, peas, plums, ribbed celery, spinach, walnuts in shell, water melons and chicory. Fruit and vegetables not covered by a specific standard must conform to the general marketing standard established by Commission Regulation 1221/2008. Products that are in conformity with any applicable standards adopted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) will be considered as conforming the general marketing standard.
Regulation 1221/2008 maintains specific marketing standards for 10 products: apples, citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, lettuces, peaches and nectarines, pears, strawberries, sweet peppers, table grapes and tomatoes. The specific marketing standards are set out in Part B of Annex I to Regulation 1221/2008.
Certificate of Conformity (Regulation 1148/2001, article 7)
