Standards Library
Certificates guide
The certificates food exporters are asked for: who issues each one, what it covers, how long it is valid and which key markets require it.
Key markets are the markets our standards team maps certificate by certificate.
Health certificate (food export, fit for human consumption)
Sanitary / food safety
Mandatory
- Type
- Government (issued by exporting-country authority)
- Issued by
- Exporting-country competent authority (e.g. ministry of health/agriculture, food safety agency)
- Product scope
- Processed and primary food; product-specific formats agreed bilaterally
- Typical validity
- Per consignment; many importers want issue within 30-90 days of shipment
Key markets requiring it: 17
Sanitary certificate (public-health / SPS)
Sanitary / food safety
Mandatory
- Type
- Government (issued by exporting-country authority)
- Issued by
- Exporting-country public health or food control authority
- Product scope
- Processed foods, fishery products, water, ingredients
- Typical validity
- Per consignment
Not yet listed for a key market
Veterinary health certificate (products of animal origin)
Veterinary
Mandatory
- Type
- Government (issued by exporting-country authority)
- Issued by
- Exporting-country Official Veterinary Service (Chief Veterinary Officer)
- Product scope
- Meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, fish & seafood, honey, gelatine, composite products
- Typical validity
- Per consignment; often must be signed before loading
Key markets requiring it: 19
Phytosanitary certificate (IPPC / ePhyto)
Phytosanitary
Mandatory
- Type
- Government (issued by exporting-country authority)
- Issued by
- Exporting-country National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO)
- Product scope
- Plants and plant products (fresh produce, grain, seeds, nuts, spices, dried herbs); re-export form for transit
- Typical validity
- Per consignment; commonly 14 days from issue to shipment
Key markets requiring it: 19
Certificate of origin – non-preferential
Origin
Mandatory
- Type
- Government (issued by exporting-country authority)
- Issued by
- Chambers of commerce (ICC World Chambers Federation chain) or ministries of economy/trade
- Product scope
- All goods
- Typical validity
- Per consignment
Key markets requiring it: 14
EUR.1 / EUR-MED movement certificate
Origin (preferential)
Mandatory to claim preference
- Type
- Government (issued by exporting-country authority)
- Issued by
- Exporting-country customs authority
- Product scope
- Goods meeting FTA rules of origin
- Typical validity
- Generally 4 months from issue (varies by agreement)
Key markets requiring it: 2
GSP Form A / REX statement on origin
Origin (preferential)
Mandatory to claim GSP preference
- Type
- Government (issued by exporting-country authority)
- Issued by
- Formerly exporting-country authority (Form A); now self-certified by exporters registered in REX
- Product scope
- Goods from GSP beneficiary countries
- Typical validity
- Statement valid 12 months (EU GSP)
Key markets requiring it: 2
Fumigation certificate
Phytosanitary / treatment
Mandatory for certain products/markets
- Type
- Government (issued by exporting-country authority)
- Issued by
- Licensed fumigation operator; endorsed by NPPO in some countries
- Product scope
- Grain, pulses, nuts, dates, spices, dried fruit, wood packaging
- Typical validity
- Per consignment
Key markets requiring it: 1
SABER Product Certificate (PC) & Shipment Certificate (SC) – Saudi Arabia
Pre-shipment / conformity
Mandatory for products under SASO technical regulations
- Type
- Market-specific registration/conformity
- Issued by
- SASO via SABER platform; certificates issued by SASO-approved notified bodies
- Product scope
- Food products are mostly regulated by SFDA, not SABER; SABER applies to packaging/food-contact and non-food items
- Typical validity
- PC up to 1 year; SC per shipment
Key markets requiring it: 1
KEBS PVoC Certificate of Conformity (Kenya)
Pre-shipment / conformity
Mandatory
- Type
- Market-specific registration/conformity
- Issued by
- Kenya Bureau of Standards via appointed PVoC agents
- Product scope
- All imports incl. processed foods (exemptions e.g. Diamond Mark, some EAC goods)
- Typical validity
- Per consignment (CoC); registration/licence routes for frequent exporters
Key markets requiring it: 1
SONCAP certificate (Nigeria)
Pre-shipment / conformity
Mandatory for SON-regulated goods (not NAFDAC-regulated food)
- Type
- Market-specific registration/conformity
- Issued by
- Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) via SONCAP portal / NSW
- Product scope
- Non-food goods; food/beverages are under NAFDAC and generally excluded
- Typical validity
- Product Certificate 1 year; SC per shipment
Key markets requiring it: 1
US FDA food facility registration
Product/facility registration
Mandatory
- Type
- Market-specific registration/conformity
- Issued by
- US Food and Drug Administration (FFRM)
- Product scope
- Facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food for US consumption
- Typical validity
- Renew biennially (Oct-Dec of even-numbered years)
Key markets requiring it: 1
US FDA prior notice
Import notification
Mandatory
- Type
- Market-specific registration/conformity
- Issued by
- US FDA (PNSI / CBP ACE)
- Product scope
- Every shipment of food/feed imported or offered for import
- Typical validity
- Per shipment (2-8 hours before arrival depending on mode)
Key markets requiring it: 1
China GACC overseas food manufacturer registration (CIFER; Decree 248 → Decree 280)
Product/facility registration
Mandatory
- Type
- Market-specific registration/conformity
- Issued by
- General Administration of Customs of China (GACC/GAC)
- Product scope
- All overseas manufacturers, processors and storage facilities of food (additives, contact materials excluded); cold stores newly in scope under Decree 280
- Typical validity
- 5 years; auto-renewal for most categories under Decree 280 (meat & bird's nest need active renewal)
Key markets requiring it: 1
Indonesia BPOM ML registration (imported food)
Product/facility registration
Mandatory
- Type
- Market-specific registration/conformity
- Issued by
- Badan POM (Indonesian FDA) via e-registration
- Product scope
- Imported processed food (ML = Makanan Luar)
- Typical validity
- 5 years
Key markets requiring it: 1
EU TRACES CHED (Common Health Entry Document)
Import notification
Mandatory
- Type
- Market-specific registration/conformity
- Issued by
- EU Commission TRACES; border control post authorities
- Product scope
- CHED-A animals, CHED-P products of animal origin, CHED-D feed/food of non-animal origin under increased checks, CHED-PP plants; also e-COI for organic
- Typical validity
- Per consignment
Key markets requiring it: 1
UK IPAFFS pre-notification & GB health certificate
Import notification
Mandatory
- Type
- Market-specific registration/conformity
- Issued by
- Defra / APHA (Great Britain)
- Product scope
- Animals, POAO, high-risk FNAO, composite, medium/high-risk plants
- Typical validity
- Per consignment
Key markets requiring it: 1
Japan food import notification (MHLW)
Import notification
Mandatory
- Type
- Market-specific registration/conformity
- Issued by
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare quarantine stations
- Product scope
- All food, additives, apparatus, containers imported for sale
- Typical validity
- Per shipment (advance/planned-import notification possible)
Key markets requiring it: 1
NAFDAC product registration (Nigeria)
Product/facility registration
Mandatory
- Type
- Market-specific registration/conformity
- Issued by
- National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control
- Product scope
- All packaged/processed foods and beverages sold in Nigeria
- Typical validity
- 5 years
Key markets requiring it: 1
UAE halal conformity (MoIAT national halal system, EIAC-accredited CBs)
Halal
Mandatory for meat/poultry & animal-derived products; commonly requested for all food
- Type
- Religious
- Issued by
- Halal certification bodies registered with UAE MoIAT; accredited by EIAC (or IHAF-recognised ABs)
- Product scope
- Meat, poultry, products with animal-derived ingredients, and any food with halal claim
- Typical validity
- Scheme certificate usually 1-3 years; per-shipment halal slaughter cert for meat
Key markets requiring it: 1
Indonesia halal certificate (BPJPH / MUI fatwa; foreign halal certificate registration)
Halal
Mandatory (phased; imported F&B deadline Oct 2026)
- Type
- Religious
- Issued by
- BPJPH (Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency) with MUI fatwa; foreign halal certificates via MRA and registration with BPJPH
- Product scope
- All F&B, ingredients, additives; slaughter products
- Typical validity
- Valid while halal process unchanged (per 2023 rules) subject to supervision
Key markets requiring it: 1
GAC halal accreditation (GCC Accreditation Center)
Halal
Commonly requested (accepted in GCC)
- Type
- Religious
- Issued by
- GCC Accreditation Center accredits halal CBs to GSO 2055-2
- Product scope
- Halal CBs certifying food
- Typical validity
- Accreditation cycle ~4-5 years
Key markets requiring it: 6
IHAF-recognised halal accreditation
Halal
Voluntary (supports acceptance)
- Type
- Religious
- Issued by
- International Halal Accreditation Forum (Dubai) – network of accreditation bodies
- Product scope
- Halal CBs
- Typical validity
- N/A
Not yet listed for a key market
Kosher certificate (Letter of Certification)
Kosher
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Religious
- Issued by
- Kosher agencies (e.g. OU, OK, Star-K, KOF-K, CRC)
- Product scope
- Ingredients, processed foods
- Typical validity
- Annual (LOC renewed yearly)
Key markets requiring it: 1
EU organic certificate (Reg. (EU) 2018/848) & e-COI
Organic
Mandatory for organic claims
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- Control bodies recognised by EU Commission (third countries) or equivalent-country authorities
- Product scope
- Organic agricultural products & food
- Typical validity
- Certificate typically 1 year+; e-COI per consignment in TRACES
Key markets requiring it: 1
USDA NOP organic certificate & NOP Import Certificate
Organic
Mandatory for organic claims
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- USDA-accredited certifying agents; NOP (AMS)
- Product scope
- Organic crops, livestock, handling
- Typical validity
- Continuous (annual inspection); NOP Import Certificate per shipment (SOE rule)
Key markets requiring it: 2
Canada Organic Regime (COR) certificate
Organic
Mandatory for organic claims in Canada
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- CFIA-accredited certification bodies (via Conformity Verification Bodies)
- Product scope
- Organic products (excl. cosmetics, pet food, etc.)
- Typical validity
- Annual
Not yet listed for a key market
FSSC 22000
Food safety (GFSI)
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- Foundation FSSC
- Product scope
- Manufacturing, packaging, feed, storage/transport, catering, retail (scope categories)
- Typical validity
- 3 years with annual surveillance
Key markets requiring it: 5
BRCGS Food Safety
Food safety (GFSI)
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- BRCGS (LGC Group)
- Product scope
- Food manufacturing, processing, packing
- Typical validity
- 12 months (6 months for grade D); grades AA+ to D
Key markets requiring it: 3
IFS Food
Food safety (GFSI)
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- IFS Management GmbH
- Product scope
- Food processing and packing of loose products
- Typical validity
- 12 months; annual audit, at least every third unannounced
Key markets requiring it: 1
SQF (Safe Quality Food) Food Safety Code
Food safety (GFSI)
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- SQF Institute (FMI)
- Product scope
- Primary production through manufacturing, storage & distribution, retail
- Typical validity
- 12 months
Key markets requiring it: 1
GLOBALG.A.P. IFA
Primary production (GFSI)
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- GLOBALG.A.P. c/o FoodPLUS GmbH
- Product scope
- Crops (fruit & veg, flowers), livestock, aquaculture
- Typical validity
- 12 months
Key markets requiring it: 3
CanadaGAP
Primary production (GFSI)
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- CanAgPlus
- Product scope
- Fresh fruit & vegetables: production, packing, storage, repacking, brokerage
- Typical validity
- 12 months
Key markets requiring it: 1
PrimusGFS
Primary production & processing (GFSI)
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- Azzule Systems
- Product scope
- Farm, indoor ag, harvest crew, cooling, processing, storage of produce
- Typical validity
- 12 months
Key markets requiring it: 1
JFS-C (Japan Food Safety Management Association)
Food safety (GFSI)
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- JFSM
- Product scope
- Food processing (CI-CIV), chemicals/bio-cultures (K)
- Typical validity
- 12 months
Key markets requiring it: 1
ISO 22000 (food safety management system)
Food safety (non-GFSI alone)
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- ISO (standard); certificates by accredited CBs
- Product scope
- All food chain organisations
- Typical validity
- 3 years with annual surveillance
Key markets requiring it: 6
HACCP certification
Food safety
Mandatory as system (EU, US seafood/juice, Japan meat); certificate commonly requested
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- Certification bodies auditing against Codex CXC 1-1969 (rev. 2022) or national HACCP standards
- Product scope
- All food businesses
- Typical validity
- 1-3 years
Key markets requiring it: 9
ISO 9001 (quality management)
Quality
Voluntary
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- ISO (standard); certificates by accredited CBs
- Product scope
- Any organisation
- Typical validity
- 3 years with annual surveillance
Not yet listed for a key market
SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit)
Social / ethical
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- Sedex
- Product scope
- Any production site
- Typical validity
- Audit report, typically re-audited every 1-2 years (not a certificate)
Key markets requiring it: 2
Rainforest Alliance certificate
Sustainability
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- Rainforest Alliance
- Product scope
- Farms and supply chain actors for tropical commodities
- Typical validity
- 3-year cycle with annual audits
Key markets requiring it: 1
Fairtrade certificate
Social / ethical
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- Fairtrade International; certified by FLOCERT
- Product scope
- Coffee, cocoa, tea, bananas, sugar, rice, flowers, others
- Typical validity
- 3-year cycle
Key markets requiring it: 3
MSC Chain of Custody (and fishery) certificate
Sustainability (seafood)
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- Marine Stewardship Council
- Product scope
- Wild-capture seafood & supply chain
- Typical validity
- CoC certificate 3 years with surveillance
Key markets requiring it: 1
ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council)
Sustainability (seafood)
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- Aquaculture Stewardship Council
- Product scope
- Farmed fish & shellfish
- Typical validity
- 3 years with annual surveillance
Key markets requiring it: 1
BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices)
Aquaculture (GFSI via GSA)
Voluntary (commonly requested)
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- Global Seafood Alliance
- Product scope
- Hatcheries, farms, feed mills, processing plants (star levels 1-4)
- Typical validity
- 12 months
Key markets requiring it: 1
Non-GMO Project Verified
Label claim
Voluntary
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- The Non-GMO Project
- Product scope
- Food & supplements with GMO-risk ingredients
- Typical validity
- Annual renewal
Key markets requiring it: 1
GFCO gluten-free certification
Label claim
Voluntary
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GIG)
- Product scope
- Gluten-free products (<10 ppm or national threshold if lower)
- Typical validity
- Annual
Key markets requiring it: 1
Vegan Trademark (The Vegan Society)
Label claim
Voluntary
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- The Vegan Society (UK)
- Product scope
- Vegan food & non-food
- Typical validity
- Annual licence
Key markets requiring it: 1
V-Label (vegan/vegetarian)
Label claim
Voluntary
- Type
- Private scheme (GFSI-benchmarked or other)
- Issued by
- V-Label GmbH (Switzerland)
- Product scope
- Vegan & vegetarian food
- Typical validity
- Annual licence
Key markets requiring it: 1
Screening guidance based on published standards — not legal clearance. Requirements marked "needs verification" are directional hints; confirm with the destination regulator or a licensed advisor before shipping.