Certificates for Export

Export Health Certificates for fishery products or Certificates of Good Manufacturing Practice for products of non-animal origin, plus information about Private Attestations.

The purpose of these certificates is to confirm that a specific business complies with all relevant legislation and that the food being produced is without risk to health.

Apply for a certificate for export

Depending on the destination country or food type, an Export Health Certificate will be issued by the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA), or Chichester District Council.

Type of certificate for export	How to apply for certificate	Certificate costs	Certificate process time
Certificates for fishery products and composite products	Apply for an Export Health Certificate relating to fishery and composite products	First certificate: £165 Subsequent Certificates requested on the same day: £80	It usually takes three to five days to process the certificate.
Certificates relating to meat and dairy products	Apply for an Export Health Certificate relating to meat and dairy products (opens new window) These certificates are issued by the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA)	No fee. Chichester District Council do not issue these certificates.	The Animal Plant Heath Agency will determine the process time.
Certificates which do not relate to any product of animal origin (meat, fish or dairy)	Apply for a certificate of Good Manufacturing Practice	First Certificate £80 Subsequent Certificates requested on the same day £54 Late notice charge £80 (if less than one working day's notice given) in addition to charge above	It usually takes three to five days to process the certificate.

Once the content of your certificate has been agreed, Chichester District Council will contact you to arrange a suitable time and date to view the consignment. An officer will visit to undertake relevant checks and view your food safety and other relevant documentation. Once completed, your certificate will be issued.

Export Health Certificate

Export Health Certificates (EHC) are required by food manufacturers and exporters when exporting food to any country.

The purpose of these certificates is to confirm that a specific business complies with all relevant legislation and that the food being produced is without risk to health.

APHA are likely to issue certificates relating to meat and dairy products. Your Local Authority EHO will issue certificates for fishery products and some composite products.

In all cases, it is important that the food manufacturer/exporter liaises with the relevant country, embassy or consulate, food authority and importer to find out about any specific import conditions, and to ensure the certificate meets the stipulated requirements.

It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that the destination country's requirements are met.

Certificates of Good Manufacturing Practice

Certificates of Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) may be required by food manufacturers/exporters who wish to export food products which are not of animal origin to countries outside the European Community (EC).

The purpose of these certificates is to confirm that a specific business complies with all relevant legislation and that the food being produced is without risk to health. If there is no CGMP template, the council can assist with the production of a non e-template CGMP.

It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that the destination country's requirements are met.

What information is required to complete a certificate?

The following information will be required to complete your certificate:

Manufacturer
Minimum durability
Storage conditions
Consignor
Consignee
Destination
Product
Quantity
Country of origin
Date of production
Packaging
Batch number

Private attestations

Some composite products do not require an EHC. In these cases your EU or Northern Ireland importer or agent must complete a private attestation for the composite food products if both of the following apply:

the products are shelf-stable (not chilled or frozen)
the products do not contain processed meat

You need to give your EU or Northern Ireland import agent information about the products you're exporting so they can complete and sign the attestation (opens new window). A certifying officer does not need to sign the attestation.