On November 28, 2023, according to the Official Journal of the European Union, on September 15, the European Commission issued the Authorisation Regulation (EU) 2023/2652, amending and correcting the Authorisation Regulation (EU) 2022/2292 concerning the requirements for honey, meat, refined products, gelatin capsules, aquatic products to enter the European Union and the private certification requirements. And amend Authorisation Regulation (EU) 2021/630 concerning the requirement for private certification of composite products exempt from official inspection at border checkpoints. Main contents:

(1) Main Amendments to (EU) 2022/2292. Insert points (34a) and (34b) below after point (34) of Article 2: (34a) "Honey" shall be understood to mean honey as defined in Council Directive 2001/110/EC, including the main types of honey; (34b) "beekeeping product" means honey, beeswax, royal jelly, propolis or pollen intended for human consumption. In article 5 (2), the fourth indent is replaced by the following: "wild caught aquatic products, insects, frogs, frog legs, snails, reptiles and reptile meat". In article 15, the introductory paragraph is replaced by the following: "The following products of animal origin may enter the Union only if they are made from raw materials obtained in abattoirs, game treatment establishments, cutting plants and aquatic product treatment establishments and appear on the list of establishments established and kept up to date in accordance with Article 127 (3) (e) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, or if they are available to a Member State." The introductory paragraph of Article 21 is replaced by the following: "Each shipment of the following animals and goods may be placed on the EU market only if accompanied by an official certificate".

(2) Amendments to Authorisation Regulation (EU) 2022/2292. Point (d) of article 14 is replaced by the following: "Part II of Annex I to (EEC) No 2658/87 includes refined products of animal origin within the meaning of HS Code 2932 or 3503."

(3) Transitional provisions. This Regulation allows for the importation into the European Union of honey and other beekeeping products intended for human consumption by institutions not listed in accordance with Article 13 of the Authorisation Regulation (EU) 2022/2292 for a period of 12 months from the date of publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

(4) Entry into force. The Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day after its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The regulations are fully binding and directly applicable to all Member States.

Learn more: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202302652