Import of certain processed animal by-products containing animal by-products used as a stabiliser or carrier at a concentration of 10% or less - Import Information Note (IIN) ABP/42
Published 2 December 2024
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1. General information
This IIN must be read in conjunction with the IIN for general information for imports of animal by-products (ABPs), which provides information on pre-notifications, veterinary checks, risk categories and more.
References to European Union (EU) legislation within this document are references to direct EU legislation which has been assimilated in Great Britain (assimilated direct legislation), as defined in the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and can be viewed on the UK legislation website.
2. Scope
This IIN covers the importation of certain processed ABPs where any ABP used as a stabiliser or carrier is at a concentration of 10% or less and the product is imported for the purpose of laboratory or research use or resale for laboratory or research use only.
This IIN covers carriers and stabilisers containing the following derived products only:
- monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, proteins, enzymes, peptides and polypeptides separated from plasma or serum and purified to the extent that they do not contain any viable pathogenic microorganisms
- cells which do not contain a pathogen
- cell cultures more than one generation removed from tissue harvested from an animal
- stem cells derived from laboratory and reared animals
- ABPs for use in in-vitro and in-vivo laboratory research and diagnostic use which have undergone processing to such an extent that they should be regarded as processed and out of scope of the ABPs Regulation (EU) 142/2011
All animal-based materials used in the products must originate from materials as defined in Articles 8, 9 and 10 of Regulation (EU) 1069/2009.
3. ABPs which have been used as a stabiliser or carrier at a concentration of more than 3%
If you wish to import the products listed in section 2 above and the ABP is used as a stabiliser or carrier at a concentration of more than 3%, then you will need to comply with different requirements as set out below.
Imports for resale purposes or commercial use
Imports must take place under the requirements as laid down in Regulation (EU) 142/2011 in relation to the stabiliser or carrier agent used. If the stabiliser or carrier is:
- a blood product, then conditions for importing blood products will apply
- a milk product, then the requirements for milk products will apply.
Please see the relevant Import Information Notes for the specific commodity for more information on the import requirements.
Imports for research and diagnostic purposes and not for resale or commercial use
If you cannot comply with the conditions as set out in section 5 below, you may require an authorisation issued by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Importers must use application form IV58 to apply for a specific authorisation and send it to the contact address in section 8.
4. Country of origin
Imports are permitted from any country.
5. Documentation
IMP/GEN/14/02 (PDF, 169 KB, 3 pages) is a general import authorisation for products listed in section 2, where the ABP which has been used as a stabiliser or carrier is deemed at a concentration of 3% or less.
IMP/GEN/2015/06 (PDF, 175 KB, 4 pages) is a general import authorisation for products listed in section 2, where the ABP which has been used as a stabiliser or carrier is deemed at a concentration of 10% or less.
Each consignment must be accompanied by the documentation as required by the conditions of the general authorisation.
6. Packaging
The product must be securely packaged in clean, leak proof containers.
7. Labelling requirements
The outer packaging must be clearly labelled “NOT FOR FEED OR FOOD USE – FOR TECHNICAL USE ONLY”.
8. Contact for further information
For more information about import requirements, contact the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) imports team:
Centre for International Trade - Carlisle
Eden Bridge House
Lowther Street
Carlisle
CA3 8DX
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk
Telephone: 03000 200 301