Food Export Health Certificates
Any food business which exports food and drink to countries out with the European Economic Area may require to provide the receiving country with a certificate relating to the safety of the food, or the safety of the premises where the food was produced.
Food businesses trading in West Lothian and which are registered and inspected by environmental health, can apply to this service for an export certificate. We will only provide certificates for registered establishments which we inspect, and in circumstances where we can inspect the food or drink intended for export.
There is no legal requirement upon West Lothian Council to provide export certificates. This is a service we provide, in appropriate circumstances, to support and assure confidence in the West Lothian food and drink industry. There is a cost for providing this service which is outlined below.
We will normally provide certificates based on standards set out in guidance issued by COSLA and the Society of Chief Environmental health Officers in Scotland. Different countries may have specific requirements in regard to the level of information these certificates should have. The arrangements between countries on such requirements will be agreed by appropriate government departments. It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure the certificate requested will meet with the requirements of the importing country.
All enquiries regarding export certificates should be directed to environmental health by email environmentalhealth@westlothian.gov.uk or telephone 01506 280000. One of our environmental health officers will discuss your requirements with you and issue the appropriate certificate application form which should then be completed and returned to us.
It is important that you contact us at least one week before they certificate is required as we may need to inspect and/or sample the product. Certificates will not be issued for any product which has left the control of the business and which cannot be inspected by us.
Certificates are official documents and will normally be sent by post to you.
Cost of Food Export Health Certificate
2024/2025
- Food Export Health Certificate (per application) £105.75
- Duplicate certificate requested with application £9.33
- Duplicate requested after application / original issued £18.66
We will invoice you for the appropriate fee after the certificate is issued.
