Recommendations to meet Italy's SPS regulations

The Vietnam Trade Office in Italy advises firms to master SPS standards and a 4-step risk management process for successful agro-aquatic exports.

According to information from the Viet Nam Trade Office in Italy, to protect domestic consumers, Italy sets many strict technical regulations and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) risk management procedures for Vietnamese agricultural, food, and aquatic products exported to the Italian market, VnEconomy e-magazine reported.

Strict 3-level appraisal process at Italian border gates

Regarding the legal mechanism, the Viet Nam Trade Office in Italy stated that all agricultural, food, and aquatic shipments from Viet Nam arriving at strategic seaports (Genoa, La Spezia, Trieste, Naples) or international airports (Rome Fiumicino, Milan Malpensa) are subject to direct inter-agency control between the Italian Customs Agency and the Ministry of Health through the Border Control Posts (BCPs) system.

Customs clearance operations comply with two core EU framework regulations: Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (General Food Law - requiring accurate traceability and defining legal responsibilities) and Regulation (EU) 2017/625 (Official Controls Law - regulating inspection mechanisms and methods).

When a shipment arrives at the port, the BCPs competent authority will conduct a 3-level inspection:

First, documentary checks, verifying the validity and synchronization among original certificates (quarantine, health, origin, catch certificate, CHED declaration - Common Health Entry Document). Any discrepancies in HS codes, scientific names, or factory information will cause the shipment to be immediately halted from clearance.

Second, identity checks by comparing container seals, batch codes, and actual physical labels with the declared documents.

Third, physical checks and sampling. Analyzing key indicators such as maximum residue levels (MRLs) of pesticides, mycotoxins, banned antibiotics, harmful microorganisms (Salmonella, E. coli), and heavy metals.

While waiting for the results (3-7 working days), the goods must be stored in quarantine under customs supervision. If the sample violates regulations, BCPs will issue a decision to destroy or force re-export (costs borne by the cargo owner).

Violation information will be automatically alerted on the EU's RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) system, placing the enterprise on a key monitoring list, with the frequency of physical checks automatically increasing to 20% - 50% in subsequent periods.

Effective 4-step risk management process for enterprises

Facing the above strict regulations, the Viet Nam Trade Office in Italy notes that exporting enterprises should proactively implement a 4-step risk management process before and during trading.

Step 1: Look up before signing the contract. Proactively access the EU Pesticides Database or the Viet Nam SPS Office's portal (spsvietnam.gov.vn) to update the latest MRLs according to the shipment's HS code.

Step 2: Test shipment representatives. Conduct sampling and analyze indicators at ISO/IEC 17025 certified laboratories recognized by the EU.

Step 3: Appraise documents before departure. Review the accuracy of the Phytosanitary Certificate, C/O (for agricultural products); or check the code status on TRACES NT, matching C/O data, animal quarantine, and CATCH certificate (for aquatic products).

Step 4: Handle incidents at the border gate. When customs clearance problems arise in Italy, immediately contact the Viet Nam SPS Office and the Viet Nam Trade Office in Italy to receive legal support and work promptly with local competent authorities.

Hong Ngoc