EU POAO PDF Health Certificates: From 31st January 2024

17th January 2024

From 31 January 2024 importers of animal products that need certification, originating in the EU and EFTA countries, will need to obtain a verified PDF copy that can be uploaded to the IPAFSS declaration.

DEFRA strongly encourage the use of verifiable PDF certificates and has published a list of EU and EFTA countries, from which they will accept these., please use the below link.

How to get validated PDF GB health certificates for imports of live animals and products of animal origin to Great Britain - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

A verifiable PDF is a certificate issued electronically from the exporting country’s system which has a QR code and/or hyperlink that allows GB inspectors to validate the status of the certificate. 

If a paper certificate is used, it will need to travel with the consignment, and a scan will need to be provided to the agent to upload to IPAFFS.