The Federal Office of Consumer:Internal Health (BAVG) the competent authority in connection with the granting of export authorisations within the meaning of §6c Abs 1 Z 2 GESG, which are required on the basis of veterinary or food law provisions and the provisions under the EU-QuaDG.

The basic prerequisite for the export of animal products to third countries is, in addition to compliance with European regulations (in accordance with Article 12 of Regulation(EC) No. 178/2002), compliance with the veterinary import regulations of the destination country. In addition to export certificates, the following third countries in particular also require an export authorisation for certain animal products. This authorisation process, including the maintenance of the authorisation, is in many cases time-consuming and costly. The aim of the approval process is to register businesses that export to those third countries that require an export authorisation for certain product groups and at the same time to have the competent supervisory authority check and confirm that the requirements of the third country are met and that the production business is suitable for export to the third country.

The exporting company is responsible for compliance with the applicable requirements of the country of destination.

It is recommended that the food business operator enquire about the current status of the export authorisation with the responsible foreign trade centre after a longer interruption of the export activity, regardless of the status of the export authorisation in the consumer health information system or on the consumer health communication platform.

Establishments requiring an export authorisation shall submit an application in the VIS database. When submitting the application, a brief description of the products to be exported must be disclosed (e.g. baby milk, UHT milk, frozen fresh meat, etc.). After review of the initial application and submission of all required documents, an appointment for an on-site inspection will be made, if necessary.

Verification of the admission requirements

The review of the admission requirements is carried out by the competent Austrian authority or, depending on the requirements of the third country, an admission audit is carried out together with representatives of the third country.

Review of the maintenance of approval

At least once a year an on-site inspection is carried out by the competent Austrian authorities. Depending on the requirements of the respective third country, the frequency may be higher or the inspections may also be carried out by representatives of the third country together with representatives of the competent Austrian authority.

Export for third countries requiring an export authorisation is usually possible if the establishment has been approved and listed by the third country or by the competent authority. Often the third country provides the lists of approved establishments on the website of the competent authority. The mere submission of an application or documents or the successful completion of an audit is not sufficient. The dispatch of goods may only take place after receipt of the corresponding approval.

The third countries require that the data transmitted in the context of the initial authorisation are always kept up to date. Against this background, all significant operational changes must be reported without delay.

Notifications of changes to third countries become necessary in particular when

1. operational data changes (e.g. address, name, activities, persons responsible for operations)
2. serious reconstruction work takes place or changes are made to the operational process flow, or
3. establishments no longer meet the requirements for export to the third country.

The withdrawal of a valid export authorization can be requested at any time using the form provided for this purpose and becomes legally effective by an communication sent to you. To cancel a valid export authorization, please send the completed form to export@bavg.gv.at. The BAVG then updates
the status of the export authorization in the VIS and sends a communication with which the withdrawal of the export authorization becomes legally effective.

The export authorisation may be cancelled by the competent Austrian authority in the event of non-compliance with the requirements (incl. possible failure to remedy identified defects in due time). The third country may refuse the import - irrespective of the granting or maintenance of the domestic export authorisation.

If you do not find any information on the communication platform consumer health concerning the animal products you are looking for, please contact the foreign trade offices of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce to find out whether an export authorization is necessary at all or whether an export is possible.