Exporting cell-cultivated products from GB to non-EU countries

You and the importer at your destination country must work together to check whether you can import cell-cultivated products into that country.

Confirm that your destination country accepts cell-cultivated products. Compliance with UK law does not create a right to export. In GB, we classify cell-cultivated products as POAO, which aligns to current EU classification. Other countries may classify cell-cultivated products differently. 

When you’re checking this, consider:

• whether cell-cultivated products are permitted for import and sale
• how your destination country classifies cell-cultivated products for import purposes
• whether the destination country has published official import conditions
• whether market access arrangements exist

You can find exporting country guides online.

You can also submit an export enquiry online.

Market access must be established for exports to take place. Businesses may initiate requests for market access, while formal negotiations on import requirements are generally conducted between the competent authorities of the exporting and importing countries.

Where market access for cell-cultivated products has not yet been established, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Centre for International Trade at Get help with animal and plant health - GOV.UK. They can advise you on whether you need government-to-government engagement to clarify import conditions.

Related guidance:

Get help with your export query - GOV.UK

You must ensure that your GB-based production establishment complies with applicable Great Britain food law requirements, as well as any requirements imposed by the destination country. In Great Britain, CCP production establishments must be registered with the relevant local authority as food businesses. Destination countries may also require your establishment to be registered, listed or approved for export to their market. These requirements are separate from GB food business registration and vary between jurisdictions.

You should:

• register your food business with the relevant local authority;
• confirm whether any activities carried out at your establishment are subject to additional approval or authorisation requirements;
• check whether your production establishment meets the destination country's export requirements;

verify those requirements directly with the destination country's competent authority.

Related guidance and legislation:

Cell-cultivated products: food business hygiene requirements.

Regulation (EC) 178/2002, Articles 12 (Food and feed exported from the Community), 17 (Food business operator responsibilities) 

Check that your cell-cultivated product meets the destination country's import, marketing, SPS and certification requirements.

Your consignment may be subject to official controls undertaken by the competent authority under Regulation (EU) 2017/625 if these controls are applicable to the product and establishment concerned. In addition, the consignment must comply with any of the requirements of the destination country, which may impose different or additional inspection or documentary requirements.

Check product authorisation requirements

You should contact the destination country’s competent authority to confirm:

• what type of food marketing authorisation, novel food approval, GMO approval (if applicable), taste-trial approval or equivalent you need.
• whether your product falls within any commodity-specific import controls the destination country applies
• find out the destination country’s SPS requirements, as officials will check these at origin or point of dispatch, including your declaration status and any risk flags
• follow any traceability and record-keeping requirements set by the importing country, your product authorisation, import permit or certification requirements
• check for any restrictions or safeguard measures affecting your commodity
• the destination country’s labelling requirements
• any CCP-specific labelling requirements that apply
• have evidence ready for any official assurances, attestations or certification requirements the destination country specifies
• make sure your product meets GB food safety and hygiene legislation, where the importing country requires this

Check product compliance requirements

You should:

Check labelling and market requirements

You should check:

Prepare supporting evidence

You should:

Related legislation:

• Regulation (EU) 2017/625, Article 1.3 (Subject matter and scope) 

Regulation (EC) 178/2002, Articles 12 (Food and feed exported from the Community), 17-19 (Food business operator responsibilities)