of 12 February 2026 amending Annex III to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 and Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403 as regards model certificates for entry into the Union of consignments of certain products of domestic solipeds origin intended for human consumption and certain categories of equine animals
Official Journal of the European Union – L series
2026/318 – 20 February 2026
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 853/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on laying specific hygiene rules for food of animal origin (1), and in particular Article 7(2), point (a), thereof,
Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) (2), and in particular Articles 238(3) and 239(3) thereof,
Having regard to 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… (3), and in particular Article 90, first paragraph, point (a), and Article 126(3) thereof,
Whereas:
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 (4) lays down rules regarding animal health certificates…
- Chapters 4 (model ‘EQU’), 24 (model ‘MP‑PREP’), 25 (model ‘MPNT’) and 26 (model ‘MPST’) of Annex III to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 set out model animal health/official certificates…
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403 (6) establishes, amongst others, model certificates…
- Article 15 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403 provides that the animal health certificates… shall correspond to one of the models set out in Annex II thereto…
- Chapters 13 and 14 of that Annex set out, respectively, the model animal health/official certificates and model declarations for the entry into the Union of equine animals not intended for slaughter (model ‘EQUI‑X’) and intended for slaughter (model ‘EQUI‑Y’).
- Annex III to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 and Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403 should therefore be amended accordingly.
- In order to avoid any disruption to trade… the use of certificates or declarations issued… prior to the amendments made by this Regulation shall continue to be authorised during a transitional period subject to certain conditions.
- The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Annex III to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 is amended in accordance with Annex I to this Regulation.
Article 2
Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403 is amended in accordance with Annex II to this Regulation.
Article 3
- For a transitional period until 12 December 2026, the use of official certificates or animal health/official certificates issued in accordance with the models set out in Chapters 4, 24, 25 and 26 of Annex III to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235, as applicable before the amendments made by this Regulation, shall continue to be authorised for entry into the Union consignments of certain products of domestic solipeds origin intended for human consumption, provided that those certificates were issued no later than 12 September 2026.
- For a transitional period until 12 December 2026, the use of animal health/official certificates and declarations, issued in accordance with the models set out in Chapters 13 and 14 of Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/403, as applicable before the amendments made by this Regulation, shall continue to be authorised for entry into the Union of consignments of certain categories of equine animals provided that those certificates and declarations were issued no later than 12 September 2026.
Article 4
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. It shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 12 February 2026 For the Commission The President Ursula VON DER LEYEN
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