CAC/GL 38-2001 Guidelines for Design, Production, Issuance and Use of Generic Official Certificates
SECTION 1 – PREAMBLE
1. These guidelines recognize that the importing country’s competent authority may, as a condition for clearance of food presented for international trade, require importers to present official certificates issued by or with the authority of the exporting country’s competent authority.
2. These guidelines are not intended to encourage or mandate the use of official certificates for food presented for international trade or to diminish the trade facilitating role of commercial or other types of certificates, including third party certificates that are not issued by, or with the authority of, the government of the exporting country.
3. These guidelines recognize that while official certificates may help importing countries to achieve their objectives relating to food safety and ensuring fair practices in the food trade there may also be other approaches, which can complement or substitute for official certificates, e.g., establishment listing.
