Defra has published a further update on Live Animal PDF Certificates. The full update can be found below.
From 31 January 2024 we are extending the use of PDF certificates for live animals. For further details on which countries can provide verifiable PDF certificates please visit, Countries Great Britain will accept validated PDF GB health certificates from – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
If you are importing Live Animals into Great Britain (GB), you must ensure you are following the correct process for uploading the PDF Export Health Certificate (EHC) when you create your notification on IPAFFS.
Your exporter is responsible for ensuring that the digitally signed EHC is exported in the PDF format from either TRACES, e-CertNL for the Netherlands, Mattilsynet for Norway and CEXGAN for Spain in the correct way. The exporter is also responsible for sending the PDF of the digitally signed EHC to the importer or their agent.
The person responsible for the load is responsible for creating the notification in IPAFFS and uploading the digitally signed PDF to that notification.
The PDF certificate downloaded from TRACES or other approved EU/EFTA country systems must be uploaded to IPAFFS.
A verifiable PDF is a certificate issued electronically from the exporting country’s system, it has a QR code and/or hyperlink that allows GB inspectors to validate the status of the certificate. If a verifiable PDF is attached to IPAFFS there is no need for a copy of the EHC to accompany the consignment.
If a paper certificate is used, it will need to travel with the consignment, a scan will also need to be provided to the importer to upload to IPAFFS.
The use of verifiable PDFs is highly encouraged to avoid unnecessary administrative burden.
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