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Seafood Exports to the EU: Updates on New Regulations and Support Tools from AGRINFO

However, along with opportunities come increasingly stringent requirements for quality, food safety, and traceability. Each year, the EU issues around 180 new or amended regulations related to agriculture, food, and fisheries. Early and accurate understanding of these regulations is crucial to maintaining market access, avoiding legal risks, and preventing trade disruptions.
As part of its support activities in Vietnam in August 2025, COLEAD collaborated with the AGRINFO information system – an EU-funded initiative – to introduce key policy changes from Europe. Notably, several upcoming regulations will directly impact the export operations of Vietnamese seafood enterprises.
One important issue is that the EU frequently adjusts Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides, with about 40–60 changes annually. This directly affects farming areas, production processes, and quality control systems of businesses.
 
A new regulation being prepared by the EU will establish limits on inorganic arsenic in fish and crustaceans, ranging from 0.10–0.50 mg/kg depending on species. Scheduled to take effect in Q4 2025, this regulation requires strict control of raw material sources and production processes. At the same time, new technical requirements for frozen brined tuna—such as installing temperature monitoring devices and verifying vessel freezing capacity—are adding pressure on operators.
In addition, from September 2026, the EU will completely ban the use of antimicrobials intended for human medicine or as growth promoters in animal products, including seafood. This regulation has already been reflected in certification requirements since September 2024, demanding careful preparation of processes and documentation. The EU has also shifted its approach to composite products, assessing them based on public health risks rather than simply the proportion of animal ingredients.
Given the EU’s dense and constantly evolving regulatory framework, access to accurate, timely, and easy-to-understand information is essential for businesses to remain competitive. AGRINFO is a valuable platform that helps enterprises track, understand, and prepare for regulatory changes in the EU.
Source: vasep.com
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