New EU requirements for importing animals and animal products: what changes in 2026

Key data

European importers of animals and animal-derived material face a significant regulatory change. The Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1052, published on 23 July 2026, amends and corrects Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692, which is the regulation that details the animal health obligations of the so-called "Animal Health Law" (Regulation EU 2016/429).

The practical result is clear: the requirements for introducing shipments into the EU have changed. Anyone who does not update their documentation and internal procedures before the regulation becomes applicable risks having their shipments blocked at the border.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation (EU) 2026/1052 acts on three major areas of the previous regulation:

In addition to the amendments, the regulation includes corrections to the text of Regulation (EU) 2020/692, which means that some existing requirements are clarified or rectified. Companies must review not only what changes, but also what is corrected, as they may have been applying incorrect criteria without knowing it.

The legal framework of reference is as follows:

• Regulation (EU) 2016/429 — "Animal Health Law": the basic regulation that establishes the European animal health framework.
• Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 — the regulation that develops the requirements for entry into the EU: now amended and corrected by 2026/1052.
• Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1052 — the regulation covered in this article: introduces the changes and corrections.

Economic and operational impact

The impact is not abstract. The consequences of non-compliance with the new requirements are concrete and economically significant:

• Shipment retention at the border: if the documentation does not meet the new requirements, the border inspection post may retain the shipment until the problem is resolved, generating storage and delay costs.
• Shipment return: in the most serious cases, the shipment may be returned to the country of origin, resulting in total loss of the value of the goods plus transport costs.
• Review of health certificates: the required certificates have changed, which may involve renegotiating with third-country suppliers the format and content of the documentation that will accompany each shipment.
• Update of internal protocols: the import, quality and regulatory compliance departments will need to review their standard operating procedures (SOPs) and documentation verification checklists.

The cost of adaptation (document review, training, coordination with suppliers) is significantly lower than the cost of a shipment retained or returned at the border. Acting before the regulation becomes applicable is the economically rational decision.

Who does it affect?

• Importers of live animals from third countries destined for the EU (livestock farmers, animal trade operators, zoos, breeding centers).
• Importers of animal genetic material: genetic improvement companies, artificial insemination centers, laboratories working with semen, ova or embryos of animal origin.
• Importers of animal products: food chain operators that introduce into the EU products such as meat, dairy, eggs, honey or other animal products from third countries.
• Customs agents and freight forwarders who manage the clearance of this type of goods on behalf of their clients.
• Official veterinarians and border inspection post operators who apply the controls.
• Advisors and consultants in foreign trade specializing in agri-food and animal products.

Practical example

A Spanish company specializing in bovine genetic improvement regularly imports doses of semen from high-production bulls from Brazil. Until now, its documentation followed the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2020/692 as written before this amendment.

With the entry into force of Regulation (EU) 2026/1052, the health certificates required for reproductive products such as semen have changed. If the company does not update the certificate model it requests from its Brazilian supplier and a shipment arrives at the border inspection post with the old documentation, the official veterinarian may retain the shipment.

The result: refrigerated storage costs at the border post, delay in the availability of material for client farmers, and potential loss of semen viability if the cold chain is compromised by the delay. All of this avoidable with prior document review.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify what categories of products you import and verify whether they are included in the scope of Regulation (EU) 2026/1052: live animals, reproductive products (semen, ova, embryos) or animal products.
2. Review the current health certificates that accompany your imports and compare them with the new requirements established in the amended regulation.
3. Contact your suppliers in third countries to inform them of the changes in required certificates and ensure they will be able to issue the correct documentation before the next shipments.
4. Update internal protocols of your import, quality and regulatory compliance departments (SOPs, document verification checklists, instructions to customs agents).
5. Consult with an official veterinarian or advisor specialized in animal health and foreign trade to validate that the interpretation of the new requirements is correct before the next shipment arrives.
6. Monitor the entry into force date, which has not been specified in the publication. Stay alert to complementary communications from the European Commission or national competent authorities (MAPA in Spain).

Official source

View complete regulation in official source — EUR-Lex OJ:L_202601052

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601052