The EU Has implemented Regulation (EU) 2023/2652, which requires U.S. importers of apiculture products like honey to register with the EU’s Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES).

Adulteration of honey imported into the EU has been a rising concern, and the European Commission and Member States have been taking steps to combat the amount of fraudulent honey entering the EU market.

TRACES is the EU's online platform for health certification required for the importation of animals, animal products, food, and feed of non-animal origin into the EU, and for intra-EU trade and exports of certain animal products. All establishments that import into the EU, or supply honey or other apiculture products to food manufacturers that import products containing honey or other apiculture products into the EU, must be registered in TRACES. This includes producers of honey, beeswax, royal jelly, propolis, and pollen intended for human consumption.

Steps for U.S. Businesses Exporting Apiculture Products to EU

To be eligible for importation into the EU, the EU requires that establishments successfully complete an onsite assessment by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS) before applying for registration through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Export Listing Module (ELM). The USDA-AMS assessment includes a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Verification Survey, Plant Survey, and Food Defense System Survey.

After successful registration in TRACES, certification of honey and other apiculture exports may still be required prior to shipping to the EU.

Upon successful completion of the USDA on-site assessment, applicants should apply for inclusion on the export lists via FDA’s ELM. As part of this application process, FDA verifies that the applicant maintains good regulatory standing. FDA will maintain and update a list of establishments in good standing, with the intent to transmit an initial list to the EU by December 31, 2024. Establishments wishing to be included in this initial list should apply by December 23, 2024.

Once the registration is finalized and uploaded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General of Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE), it will be publicly available on the TRACES website.

Detailed information about the new requirements for U.S. importers of apiculture products into the EU, including directions for how to complete the necessary steps with USDA, FDA, and DG SANTE, can be found on FDA’s website.