ARCHIVED - European Union (EU) Regulations

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the new European Union’s Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) Regulation?
2. Do I need a Catch Certificate for each consignment? If I have multiple species captured in Canada in one consignment, can I put them all on one Catch Certificate? And what do I do if I have a mix of Canadian and foreign catches?
3. To whom do I present my Catch Certificate?
4. How far in advance must I present the Catch Certificate to my import partner?
5. Does the Catch Certificate replace other documents that are required in order to export the consignment?
6. Do products merely passing through the EU need a Catch Certificate?
7. If my products harvested in Canada are processed here before being exported to the EU, do I need to present any other documents besides the Catch Certificate in order to meet the requirements of the new EU regulations?
8. If my products are exported to a non–EU country, processed in that country and then exported (indirect export) to the EU, will I need a Canadian Catch Certificate?
9. If my products are exported to a non-EU country, but are not processed in that country, and then exported to the EU (indirect export), will I need a Canadian Catch Certificate?
10. I am importing raw materials from a non-EU country, processing and then exporting all or a portion of these raw materials to the EU. Do I need a Catch Certificate from the responsible authorities in the country of origin of these products? What other documentation do I need to present?
11. What documentation is required in order to prove that the imported product(s) did not undergo any operations other than unloading, reloading or preservation before being exported to the EU?
12. How do I know if the Catch Certificate from another country is valid?
13. The supplier from whom I obtained raw materials or products from is not able to provide enough information for me to obtain a valid Catch Certificate.  What do I do with my products that are derived from this source?
14. Are the any documents that are equivalent to the Catch Certificate when exporting to the EU?
15. Do I need to have an Authorized Economic Operator (i.e. an importer from the EU on the official list for simplified processing in Europe)?
16. What happens if my shipment is detained by authorities of an EU member state?
17. What happens to the shipment once it has arrived in the EU and it is refused entry into the EU community?
18. How do I contact the DFO Catch Certification Office?
19. What information do I need in order to obtain a Catch Certificate?
20. Do I need to be registered in the DFO Fisheries Certificate System in advance before I apply for a Catch Certificate?
21. How long will the CCO take to issue a Catch Certificate?
22. Are there different categories of Catch Certificates in the Fisheries Certification System?
    
23. Will the product coding system be the same as the system currently in use?
24. How will the Catch Certificate numbering system work?
25. Do I need to use the FCS or can I fax or mail my information to apply for a Catch Certificate?
26. How will DFO validate Catch Certificates? More specifically, what is the basis for the validation?
27. Will I have access to my history in the Fisheries Certificate System?
28. Is there a system that provides data compatibility so that an application can be filled out more quickly?

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1. What is the new European Union’s Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) Regulation?

The Regulation was adopted in 2008 to deter IUU fishing. As part of the new regulation the European Union requires a Catch Certificate for most products exported to their member states, to attest that products originate from legal fisheries.

European Commission's website - Illegal fishing (IUU)

The list of exempted species and products can be found in Annex XIII of the regulation’s implementation rules.

2. Do I need a Catch Certificate for each consignment? If I have multiple species captured in Canada in one consignment, can I put them all on one Catch Certificate? And what do I do if I have a mix of Canadian and foreign catches?

Each consignment requires at least one Catch Certificate. It is also possible to put more than one species on a single certificate if they are part of the same consignment. To obtain one certificate for multiple species, you will need prior approval to create a grouping for your company. You will need to apply and have the Catch Certification Office validate the application in advance. See the Fisheries Certification System (FCS) for more details on groupings. Multiple certificates will be required in numerous cases.

When the consignment contains a mix of Canadian and foreign catches, the foreign catches must be accompanied by a Catch Certificate from their country of origin, as well as a separate form, called the Foreign Catch Export Certificate, to list information related to the foreign-caught fish.

European Commission's website - Illegal fishing (IUU)

3. To whom do I present my Catch Certificate?

To the European importer you do business with, who will in turn present it to the authorities there or to your client in another country, in the case of indirect importing to the EU. A copy of the Catch Certificate must accompany the consignment at all times. However, the FC does enable importers and EU authorities with certificate numbers and security codes to view certificates online.

4. How far in advance must I present the Catch Certificate to my import partner?

Consignments must be reported to EU authorities in advance, depending on the method of transport used and the type of product.

European Commission's website - Illegal fishing (IUU)

5. Does the Catch Certificate replace other documents that are required in order to export the consignment?

No. Other legislation that requires documentation or certification to accompany your consignment will still be required. The Catch Certificate will address the IUU regulation but is in addition to other documents required to export, such as the Health Certificate (obtained through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency) and an Export Declaration (obtained through the Canada Border Services Agency).

6. Do products merely passing through the EU need a Catch Certificate?

Yes. The only case where a Catch Certificate would not be necessary would be when the product stays on the ship in an EU port before being shipped elsewhere outside the EU.

European Commission's website - Illegal fishing (IUU)

7. If my products harvested in Canada are processed here before being exported to the EU, do I need to present any other documents besides the Catch Certificate in order to meet the requirements of the new EU regulations?

No, the Catch Certificate includes a section for processing information and this satisfies the conditions of Annex IV of the EU regulation.

Of course, you will still need the other documents that are already required under other existing regulations (health, transportation, etc.) – the Catch Certificate does not replace these documents.

European Commission's website - Illegal fishing (IUU)

8. If my products are exported to a non–EU country, processed in that country and then exported (indirect export) to the EU, will I need a Canadian Catch Certificate?

Yes, your client in the country that is processing and shipping the product to the EU will need a Canadian Catch Certificate for the consignment destined for the EU.

European Commission's website - Illegal fishing (IUU)

9. If my products are exported to a non-EU country, but are not processed in that country, and then exported to the EU (indirect export), will I need a Canadian Catch Certificate?

Yes, your client in that country will need a Canadian Catch Certificate in order to export the products to the EU.

European Commission's website - Illegal fishing (IUU)

10. I am importing raw materials from a non-EU country, processing and then exporting all or a portion of these raw materials to the EU. Do I need a Catch Certificate from the responsible authorities in the country of origin of these products? What other documentation do I need to present?

The company that provides the product should provide a Catch Certificate from the authorities of the country where the fish was caught. You will also need a Canadian Foreign Catch Export Certificate, available, through the Fisheries Certification System. This certificate identifies the processing method used on the products, thereby satisfying the conditions of the EU regulation.

Of course, you will still need the other documents that are already required under other existing regulations (health, transportation, etc.) – the Catch Certificate does not replace these documents.

European Commission's website - Illegal fishing (IUU)

11. What documentation is required in order to prove that the imported product(s) did not undergo any operations other than unloading, reloading or preservation before being exported to the EU?

According to the EU regulation, a single transport document issued by the flag country for the product(s) to travel from the flag country through the third country to the EU is sufficient or documentation from the third country’s competent validating authorities. Details of this can be found in Article 14(1) of the EU regulations.

European Commission's website - Illegal fishing (IUU)
 

12. How do I know if the Catch Certificate from another country is valid?

On the European Commission’s website there will be a list of flag states that have received notification from the Commission that their authorities are competent to validate Catch Certificates.

European Commission's website - Illegal fishing (IUU)

13. The supplier from whom I obtained raw materials or products from is not able to provide enough information for me to obtain a valid Catch Certificate. What do I do with my products that are derived from this source?

Without a valid Catch Certificate the products cannot be exported to the EU. They may be sold elsewhere where a Catch Certificate is not required.

14. Are the any documents that are equivalent to the Catch Certificate when exporting to the EU?

There are presently three acceptable catch documentation schemes as adopted by Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs) that can be used in place of the Catch Certificate. The first is the CCAMLR Toothfish (Dissostichus spp.) catch documentation scheme, the second is the ICCAT Bluefin tuna catch documentation program, and lastly, the third scheme is the CCSBT Bluefin tuna catch documentation scheme. Please see Annex V in EC No 1010/2009, implementing regulations.

You can still apply for a Catch Certificate if you are uncertain.

European Commission's website - Illegal fishing (IUU)

15. Do I need to have an Authorized Economic Operator (i.e. an importer from the EU on the official list for simplified processing in Europe)?

No, that is not required for Canadian exporters. It is useful for European importers to be on this list because they benefit from more flexible rules on notification timelines. However, you may still wish to avail of this service, if deemed appropriate for your operation.

European Commission's website - Illegal fishing (IUU)

16. What happens if my shipment is detained by authorities of an EU member state?

Contact should be made with the importer to determine why the shipment is being detained. Follow up with the authorities in the member state or from the flag state may also be required. If required, EU authorities may contact the Catch Certification Office.

17. What happens to the shipment once it has arrived in the EU and it is refused entry into the EU community?

Products can be confiscated and destroyed, disposed of, or products may be sold in accordance with national law.

European Commission's website - Illegal fishing (IUU)

DFO Catch Certification Office (CCO) and Fisheries Certificate System (FCS)

18. How do I contact the DFO Catch Certification Office?

Toll-free in North America: 1-888-641-6464
Telephone: 613-998-8100
Fax: 613-990-5301
E-mail: CCO-BCC_Info@dfo-mpo.gc.ca
Website: http://fcs-scp.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fcsweb/

Please refer to the Fisheries Certificate System website (provided above) for information on hours of operation.

19. What information do I need in order to obtain a Catch Certificate?

On the Fisheries Certificate System website, you will find the information you need to provide in order to obtain a Catch Certificate, as well as the mandatory fields to be completed.

20. Do I need to be registered in the Fisheries Certificate System in advance before I apply for a Catch Certificate?

Yes. The registration process takes some lead time (up to 2 weeks) because all registrations must be approved by the Catch Certification Office. The registration process is very simple and intuitive. Assistance is also available via telephone or e-mail, if required.

After you register, you will be ready to apply for certificates.

Requests for groupings must also be completed in advance and is subject to Catch Certification Office approval. This process also requires some lead time (up to 2 weeks).

21. How long will the CCO take to issue a Catch Certificate?

Service standards for the CCO to issue certificates vary depending on the type of product exported and the transportation method.

Fresh/live products exported by air will be processed within a 2 hour service standard. Products that are processed and shipped by sea or air will be processed within a 48-hour service standard.

Visit the Fisheries Certificate System website for updates.

22. Are there different categories of Catch Certificates in the Fisheries Certification System?

Yes: the Catch Certificate - Standard; the Catch Certificate - Group Based; and the Foreign Catch Export Certificate.

Visit the Fisheries Certificate System website or contact the Catch Certification Office for more details on these types of certificates.

23. Will the product coding system be the same as the system currently in use?

The Fisheries Certificate System has a function that makes it possible to find the equivalent for species and/or product codes. The Harmonized System (HS) code will be used for products, in accordance with existing national and international standards. This code should generally reflect those used in Health Certificates.

24. How will the Catch Certificate numbering system work?

For security reasons, numbers will be issued non-sequentially.

25. Do I need to use the FCS or can I fax or my information to apply for a Catch Certificate?

You can send in the application by fax or mail, but the processing time is significantly longer than requests submitted through the Fisheries Certificate System. The CCO service standard for paper applications is 10 days (not including postage time). It is therefore recommended that you register in the FCS to obtain faster service.

Please visit FCS website or contact the Catch Certification Office to obtain more information on the paper-based process.

26. How will DFO validate Catch Certificates? More specifically, what is the basis for the validation?

Because Canada already has effective control measures in place, the certification system will build on existing systems, DFO will base its validation on information systems for management of vessels and fishery licences. By checking these systems, DFO will be able to validate the information provided in the application and issue Catch Certificates.

All certificates are subject to random annual audit, starting in 2010. You may be contacted at any time to provide information or clarification.

27. Will I have access to my history in the Fisheries Certificate System?

Yes, the system will store your account history. Over the next year, the CCO will determine the length of time records will be available to you through the FCS. The FCS will also allow you to export and save your history outside of the system.

28. Is there a system that provides data compatibility so that an application can be filled out more quickly?

The FCS can support XML (for certificate applications only, not for registration or grouping applications at this time), so information on a certificate application can be transmitted automatically instead of entered manually in the system.