Portuguese Certification Procedures for Export of Food of Non-Animal Origin 

This section provides an overview of the robust certification procedures implemented by the Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária (DGAV) to ensure the safety, quality, and regulatory compliance of food of non-animal origin exported from Portugal to countries outside the European Union. Our procedures are designed to provide assurance to importing authorities that products certified by DGAV meet stringent standards and are eligible for import. 

Legal and Regulatory Framework: 

DGAV’s certification procedures are primarily grounded in the European Union’s comprehensive legal framework for food safety and official controls. Portugal fully implements and applies these EU regulations, ensuring a harmonized and internationally recognized approach to food safety and export controls. The key legal instruments underpinning our certification system are primarily at the EU level: 

• Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products: Portugal directly applies this EU regulation, which sets out the harmonized rules for official controls performed by Member States to verify compliance with food and feed law. DGAV’s export certification procedures are designed and implemented in accordance with the requirements of this regulation. 

• Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety: This regulation establishes the fundamental principles and requirements of EU food law, ensuring a high level of protection of human health and consumers’ interests in relation to food. DGAV’s procedures are consistent with these overarching principles of EU food law. 

• Implementation within the Portuguese Legal System: While there may not be specific standalone Portuguese legislation dedicated solely to export certification of food of non-animal origin, DGAV operates as the designated competent authority within Portugal under the framework of EU law and the Portuguese legal system. DGAV’s mandate and powers to perform official controls and issue certifications are derived from the EU regulations and their implementation within Portugal.    

• International Standards and Agreements: DGAV procedures also take into account relevant international standards and guidelines, such as those established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, to ensure our practices are in line with global best practices for food safety and trade facilitation.    

Key Steps in the DGAV Certification Process: 

The DGAV certification process for food of non-animal origin typically involves the following key steps. It is important to note that the specific steps and documentation required may vary depending on the type of product, the destination country, and any specific requirements of the importing authority. 

1. Exporter Registration and Eligibility: Food business operators in Portugal intending to export are required to be registered with DGAV and must meet certain eligibility criteria. This ensures that only businesses operating under official oversight can apply for export certificates. See the official list of registered establishments.

2. Application Submission: Exporters must submit a formal application to DGAV for each consignment intended for export. This application typically includes detailed information about:  
   • The Food Product: Type, description, composition, processing methods, packaging, labeling, and intended use. 
   • The Consignment: Quantity, batch/lot numbers, identification marks, and details of transport and storage. 
   • The Destination Country: Specific country of import and, if known, any specific import requirements of that country. 
   • Supporting Documentation: Exporters are required to provide relevant supporting documentation to demonstrate compliance with food safety and quality standards. This may include:  
   • Results of laboratory analyses. 
   • Certificates of analysis for ingredients. 
   • HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) plans or equivalent food safety management systems documentation. 
   • Information on origin and traceability of raw materials. 
   • Other relevant documents as required. 

3. Document Verification and Compliance Checks: DGAV officials rigorously verify the submitted application and supporting documentation to ensure completeness, accuracy, and compliance with relevant regulations and standards. This includes checks against:  
   • Portuguese and EU food safety legislation. 
   • Any specific requirements communicated by the importing country (if applicable and available to DGAV). 
   • DGAV’s internal standards and procedures. 

4. Official Controls and Verification Activities: Depending on the product type and destination requirements, DGAV may conduct official controls and verification activities, which may include:  
   • Documentary Checks: Further in-depth examination of documents. 
   • Identity Checks: Verification that the consignment matches the documentation. 
   • Physical Checks: On-site inspections of the food product, packaging, labeling, and production/storage facilities. 
   • Sampling and Laboratory Analysis: Taking samples of the food product for laboratory testing to verify compliance with specific safety or quality criteria (e.g., microbiological testing, analysis for contaminants, etc.). 

5. Certificate Issuance: If, based on the application review, document verification, and any necessary official controls, DGAV is satisfied that the consignment meets all applicable requirements, an official export certificate is issued. This certificate is an official assurance from the Portuguese competent authority, to the importing country competent authority, that the certified products comply with the stated requirements and are fit for purpose. 

• 6. Certificate Recording and Traceability: DGAV maintains a record of all issued export certificates to ensure traceability and accountability. 

Commitment to Rigor and Transparency: 

DGAV is committed to maintaining a robust, transparent, and science-based certification system. Our procedures are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the latest scientific knowledge, international standards, and feedback from our international partners. We strive to provide a reliable and trustworthy certification service that facilitates safe and efficient international trade while upholding the highest standards of food safety and consumer protection. 

Types of Export Certificates Issued by DGAV for Food of Non-Animal Origin:

DGAV issues various types of export certificates to accompany consignments of food of non-animal origin exported from Portugal to third countries. These certificates serve different purposes and provide assurances regarding specific aspects of the exported products. Understanding the different types of certificates will assist importing authorities in verifying the nature and guarantees provided for each consignment certified by DGAV. 

The main types of export certificates issued by DGAV are: 

Ensuring Appropriate Certification:  

DGAV is committed to providing the most appropriate and relevant export certificate for each consignment, based on the type of product, the destination country, and the specific requirements of the importing authority.

Authorized DGAV Officers and Official Controls for Export Certification: 

To ensure the integrity and reliability of export certificates issued by DGAV, Portugal employs a robust system of official controls and designates specific, qualified officers authorized to sign and issue these important documents. This section provides information on the roles, responsibilities, and oversight of DGAV’s authorized officers involved in the export certification process for food of non-animal origin. 

Designation and Authorization of Official Certifying Officers: 

• Official Designation by General Director: DGAV’s authorized certifying officers are formally designated by the General Director of DGAV. This designation is formalized through official orders, known as “Despacho”. For example, the most recent designation was established in Despacho nº 24/2024. This formal act by the highest authority within DGAV underscores the importance and official nature of the authorization. 

• Specific Mandate: The authorization granted to these officers is specific and clearly defined, outlining the scope of their certification powers, the types of certificates they are authorized to issue, and the categories of products they are qualified to certify. This ensures accountability and prevents unauthorized certification. 

• Rigorous Selection and Qualification: Officers are carefully selected for designation based on stringent criteria, including their professional qualifications, extensive training in food safety and hygiene, in-depth knowledge of export regulations, and proven expertise in official controls. 

Ongoing Training and Competence: DGAV is committed to ensuring the ongoing competence of its authorized officers. They receive regular, specialized training on the latest developments in food safety regulations, export procedures, destination country requirements, and certification best practices. This continuous professional development ensures they maintain the highest level of expertise and are up-to-date with evolving standards. 

Verifying the Legitimacy of DGAV Authorized Officers and Certificates: 

DGAV understands the importance of providing importing authorities with readily accessible and reliable means to verify the legitimacy of our authorized officers and the certificates they issue. To facilitate this verification process, DGAV provides the following: 

• Online Publication of “Despacho” Designations: For maximum transparency and ease of verification, DGAV publishes the official “Despacho” documents designating authorized certifying officers online. A link to the most current “Despacho” is provided below and will be updated whenever a new designation order is issued by the General Director. By consulting this official document, importing authorities can directly verify the list of currently authorized DGAV officers and the scope of their authorization. 
  • Despacho nº 111/G/2025

DGAV is committed to maintaining a transparent and easily verifiable system of export certification. Providing direct access to the official designation orders is a key

Validation of DGAV Digital Certificates for Export of Food of Non-Animal Origin:

DGAV is at the forefront of utilizing secure digital technologies to enhance the efficiency and security of export certifications. Export Health Certificates and other official certificates for food of non-animal origin are issued by DGAV as digitally signed PDF documents. Digital signatures provide robust assurance of the certificate’s authenticity and integrity, preventing tampering and fraud. 

This section provides clear, step-by-step instructions for Competent Authorities in importing countries on how to validate digital certificates issued by DGAV. By following these steps, you can easily verify the authenticity of a DGAV digital certificate. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Validate a DGAV Digital Certificate: 

1. Opening the PDF Document: 

• Use a standard PDF reader application (Recommended: Adobe Acrobat Reader) to open the PDF file containing the export certificate you wish to validate. 

2. Locating and Clicking the Digital Signature: 

• Within the PDF document, locate the digital signature field. This is typically visually indicated by a signature icon or a designated signature area within the certificate document. 

• Click on the digital signature field. This action will open the signature validation panel within your PDF reader. 

3. Verifying the Signature in the Validation Panel: 

• Validation Status: The signature panel will display the validation status of the digital signature. A “valid signature” status indicates that the digital signature is authentic and has not been tampered with. Ensure that the validation status confirms the signature is valid. 

• Signer Identity: Carefully check the signer’s name displayed in the signature panel. Verify that the signer’s name matches a name on the official list of authorized DGAV certifying officers, as published in the “Despacho” document linked in the “Authorized DGAV Officers and Official Controls” section of this webpage. This confirms that the certificate was signed by a legitimate DGAV official. 

• Signature Properties (Optional): For more detailed information, click on the “Signature Properties” button (or similar, depending on your PDF reader). This will display advanced details about the digital signature. 

4. Checking Certificate Details (Optional – within Signature Properties): 

• Certificate Information: Within the Signature Properties, review the details of the digital certificate itself. This includes verifying the signer’s identity again and confirming the signing time and date. 

• Advanced Settings: For technically advanced verification, you can explore the advanced settings within the Signature Properties. Confirm that the certificate was signed using a verified and recognized encryption algorithm. This technical detail further ensures the trustworthiness and security of the digital signature. 

5. Validating Encryption Algorithm and Signature Trust (Optional – Advanced Verification): 

• For authorities requiring the highest level of technical validation, ensure that the encryption algorithm used for the digital signature is a strong and recognized standard. Also, verify that your PDF reader software trusts the root certificate authority that issued the digital certificate. Standard PDF reader software is typically pre-configured to trust reputable certificate authorities used by government agencies. 

For more information acess our ilustrated manual.

Additional Information and Resources: 

For further information on digital certificate technology and Portugal’s eID solutions, you may consult the following resources: 

• Portugal’s eID Solutions: https://interoperable-europe.ec.europa.eu/collection/portuguese-egovernment-solutions/news/portugals-pioneering-eid-solutions 

• List of Portuguese Certification Entities (SCEE): https://www.scee.gov.pt/en/certification-entities/ 

By following these validation steps, Competent Authorities can confidently verify the authenticity and integrity of digital export certificates issued by DGAV, ensuring the se