On July 13 2023, the President of the EU Commission announced that the EU Commission is lifting the import restrictions for food from Japan, introduced after the nuclear accident at Fukushima in 2011. The decision was made based on positive results from product inspection and successive reviews verifying the safety of Japanese food.
On July 14, the EU released Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1453, officially repealing the restrictions on imported food originating in or dispatching from Japan. The new Regulation will take effect on August 3, 2023. Although the restrictions have been lifted, Japan will continue to maintain a control system to detect the presence of radionuclides in food and release the monitoring result.
Countries like the US and Canada have lifted their restrictions on food from Japan. But places like South Korea, Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan area retain their import restrictions on certain Japanese foods at different levels.
EU Import Controls & Certification
Removal of Japan Radiation Declarations & Lab Reports
The controls for Japanese food and feed imports relating to radiation resulting from the 2011 Fukushima nuclear incident have now been revoked in England.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/6 that imposed special checks on food and feed originating or consigned from Japan has been revoked. The EU, therefore, no longer requires radiation declarations or laboratory reports for radiation to accompany Japanese-origin food and feed imports.
Removal of Japan CHED-D Requirements
There are currently no other specific import controls for Japanese food and feed products related to FNAO (High-Risk Food / Feed of Non-Animal Origin). This means that a CHED-D would not currently be required for any Japanese non-animal origin food and feed imports. (Please note that all food and feed consignments imported must comply with general food/feed hygiene requirements & rules on, for example, composition (such as those on additives) and labelling).
CHED-P and EU SPS Import Controls
There will still be a requirement to provide a CHED-P and original Health Certification (as appropriate) for Japanese products that are considered to be Products of Animal Origin (POAO), Composite POAO and Animal by-products, which are all subject to veterinary checks.
UK & Japan Import Controls
UK retained Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/6 that imposed special checks on food and feed originating or consigned from Japan was revoked in England on Wednesday 29th June 2022.
Falsum & SPS Advisory
Falsum are experts in Agrifood, POAO, HRFNAO, SPS and Import Control advisory.
Get in touch with our expert advisors for guidance on importing food products into the EU and UK or detailed assistance with IPAFFS, TRACES-NT (IMSOC), PEACH or EHCO import control systems.
