These changes were informed by the Sernapesca Chinese counterpart AQSIQ (General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine) and are due to the recent increase in global requirements to ensure the safety of food products subject to exchange in the international markets.
The National Director of Sernapesca, Juan Luis Ansoleaga reported that these new requirements relate to the requirement of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) for manufacturing establishments, registration of establishments in a given list by AQSIQ, and modification of the current health certificate format used to export the products.
The authority said that to comply with the changes, they should be implemented in the control system of production and shipment of products for human consumption destined for the Chinese market.
These changes will be made gradually, so as not to hinder trade between both countries. The changes consist of:
- Implementation of the new format of certificate for products for human consumption from November 1, 2012.
- Facilities that currently do not have a HACCP system will be required to implement this, the deadline is the first of March 2013. By then the Quality Assurance Program (CAP) must be approved for certification audit.
- To access the CAP, the plants should be classified in category A or B.
Mr Ansoleaga acknowledged that the measures imposed by the Chinese authority may require a greater effort by some companies responsible for these shipments to the country.
