ARCHIVE: International trade: Importer Information Notes – Imports of certain Category 1 materials for certain uses (ABP IIN 25)

1.  Permitted imports

In accordance with Chapter VIII, Article 26 of Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 and Annex XIV, Chapter IV, Section I of Regulation (EU) No 142/2011, the competent authority may authorise the importation of the following Category 1 materials for certain uses only:

  • Hides and skins derived from animals which have been submitted to an illegal treatment as defined in Article 1(2)(d) of Directive 96/22/EC or in Article 2(b) of Directive 96/23/EC;
  • Ruminant intestines with or without content;
  • Bones and bone products containing vertebral column and skull.

The Category 1 material mentioned above must:

2.  Non-Permitted Category 1 material

The materials mentioned above must not include category 1 material derived from any of the following:

  • Animals suspected of being infected by a TSE in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 999/2001;
  • Animals in which the presence of a TSE has been officially confirmed;
  • Animals killed in the context of TSE eradication measures.

3.  Non-Permitted uses

The category 1 materials mentioned at 1 above must NOT be intended for the following uses:

  • Feeding;
  • Application to land from which farmed animals are fed;
  • The manufacture of:
    1. Cosmetic products as defined in Article 1(1) of Directive 76/768/EC;
    2. Active implantable medical devices as defined in Article 1(2)(c) of Directive 90/385/EEC;
    3. Medical devices as defined in Article 1(2)(a) of Directive 93/42/EEC;
    4. In vitro diagnostic medical devices as defined in Article 1(2)(b) or Directive 98/79/EC;
    5. Veterinary medicinal products as defined in Article 1(2) of Directive 2001/82/EC;
    6. Medicinal products as defined in Article 1(2) of Directive 2001/83/EC.

4.  Country of origin

Can only come from a third country approved by the competent authority of destination (applications will be assessed on a case by case basis).

5.  Commercial documentation

Each consignment must be accompanied by a commercial document or health certificate stating the details as laid down in the authorisation issued by Defra.

6.  Authorisation document

Prior to importation an authorisation document must be obtained from Defra.  The authorisation sets out the conditions for importing these animal by-products in the United Kingdom and will normally be valid for a period of 6 months.

This document must be obtained by the importer before imports can take place.  To apply for an authorisation please fill in an application form and supplementary form.

7.  Labelling

All packages must bear the following label which must be attached to the packaging, container or vehicle (as appropriate) which states:

“PROHIBITED IN FOOD, FEED, FERTILISERS, COSMETICS, MEDICINAL PRODUCTS AND MEDICAL DEVICES”.

8.  Norway/Liechtenstein/Switzerland

The EU has International Agreements with Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein which means that they implement EU veterinary legislation in relation to the movement of animal products.  Therefore animal products from Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein must comply with the same requirements applying to animal products from EU Member States.

9.  Veterinary checks

Consignments may only be imported through an approved BIP. Following satisfactory checks at the BIP, consignments may then circulate freely within the EU. A list of BIPs is available on the Defra website. If the consignment does not meet the import requirements, the BIP may require that the consignment is re-exported or destroyed.

Consignments must be pre-notified in accordance with the Products of Animal Origin (Third Country Imports) (England) Regulations 2006 to the relevant BIP, before arrival in the country, by completion of Part I of the Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED), or by electronic means as agreed with the BIPs competent authority.

For further guidance on products see the Defra website.

10.  Channelling of the products to an approved premises

Due to the high risk nature of the Category 1 material and based on the need to ensure the Category 1 material is not diverted at any stage in transit in the UK for prohibited use, the following conditions must be complied with.

Following the veterinary checks provided for in Directive 97/78/EC, and in accordance with the conditions laid down in Article 8(4) of that Directive, the animal by-products must be transported directly from the BIP under Customs T5 procedures to:

  • A registered establishment or plant approved in accordance with Article 24 of Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 for the manufacture of derived products other than food, feed, fertilizers, cosmetics, medicinal products or medical devices. 

11.  Disposal of unused or surplus materials

Unused or surplus materials shall be used or disposed of in accordance with Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009.

12.  Safeguard measures

Situations where emergency safeguard action has been taken, at very short notice, to prohibit or restrict the importation of certain animals/products from certain countries following an outbreak of serious disease in those countries may not be covered. Importers are advised to contact Animal Health (see below) to check if any action has been taken in relation to the current status of any particular country. Details of safeguard measures can also be found in our Declarations and Customer Information Notes.

Alternatively you can keep up to date with amendments to legislation by checking the European Commission’s website.

13. European Union legislation

Consolidated texts, which integrate the basic instruments of Union legislation with their amendments and corrections in a single, non-official document, are available. Each consolidated text contains a list of all legal documents taken into account for its construction.

Texts provided in this section are intended for information only. Please note that these texts have no legal value. For legal purposes please refer to the texts published in the 'Official Journal of the European Union'.

For non-consolidated legislation, please use the simple search option on the European Commission’s website.

14.  Contact for general information on import requirements

Specialist Service Centre for Imports
Animal Health
Government Offices
Beeches Road
Chelmsford
Essex CM1 2RU
Tel: 01245 454860
Fax: 01245 351 162
E-mail: AHITChelmsford@animalhealth.gsi.gov.uk

15.  Contacts for other important advice and guidance

Importers should note that the information given relates only to animal health and public health conditions of import. It does not give guidance on other conditions that may need to be met.

The information sheet below gives details of other organisations you may also need to consult.

Page published: 1 March 2011