EU, the United States, Japan alongside multiple WTO members have just issued 53 new SPS notifications, concentrating on tightening food safety and quarantine standards, placing higher requirements on exporting enterprises.

53 new SPS notifications concentrate on food safety and quarantine

The Vietnam SPS Office (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) has compiled draft notifications and notifications coming into force regarding sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures from members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) during the period from July 16 to July 31, 2026.

During this period, WTO members issued 53 SPS notifications, comprising 48 draft notifications open for comment and 15 notifications coming into effect. The new regulations primarily relate to maximum residue limits (MRL) for plant protection chemicals, animal and plant quarantine conditions, food additives, feed additives, and food contact materials

According to the Vietnam SPS Office, this trend demonstrates that multiple import markets continue strengthening measures to ensure food safety, protect consumer health, and tighten technical requirements on imported goods.

Notably, the European Union (EU) issued three notifications relating to animal import conditions and feed additive licensing. Within which, Regulation 2026/1052 amends regulations on the import, movement, and handling of animals, germinal products, and products of animal origin; excludes gelatin and collagen from the scope of regulation, adds exceptions for conservation birds, and updates risk management requirements for milk and egg products.

The EU also updated regulations licensing the use of certain essential oils as flavoring substances in feed additives, while adding requirements to guarantee safety for users.

In the United States, changes concentrated on food additives, feed additives, and plant protection chemical residues. The US continues removing certain obsolete food colorings such as Citrus Red No.2 and Orange B, proposing permission for ethyl cellulose as a binder in ruminant feed, and adjusting residue levels for the active substance epyrifenacil.

Meanwhile, Japan announced eight notifications amending maximum residue limits for multiple active plant protection substances. Separately, the active substance tetraniliprole was adjusted across multiple agricultural product groups and animal-origin products, alongside active substances such as prosulfocarb, mepronil, carbaryl, triforine, kasugamycin, acephate, and phenthoate.

Enterprises need to proactively adapt to reduce export risks

Beside the EU, the United States, and Japan, multiple other nations also updated SPS regulations. Brazil issued 17 notifications amending 44 monographs on active plant protection substances, adjusting residue limits and withdrawal periods, while adding phytosanitary requirements for a number of imported commodities.

Israel amended regulations on food contact materials toward harmonization with the EU's new standards, prohibiting the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic materials contacting food and strengthening control over risky substitute substances.

Meanwhile, Canada updated regulations on animal feed, contaminants in food, and plant protection chemical residue limits; Morocco amended regulations for sauces, fruit jams, spices, dried herbs, and wine; Chile added requirements regarding veterinary hygiene, phytosanitary quarantine, and origin traceability for imported pork

The Vietnam SPS Office evaluated that regularly monitoring SPS notifications from WTO members carries particularly vital significance for exporting enterprises. Changes regarding plant protection chemical residues, quarantine conditions, food additives, or import regulations—if not updated promptly—can cause enterprises to face risks of warnings, goods rejection, or export disruptions.

To adapt, enterprises need to shift from a mindset of "complying when requested" to "proactively adapting," strengthening control over plant protection chemical residues right from raw material areas, proactively testing prior to export, and building complete origin traceability systems.

In addition, enterprises need to pay special attention to regulations on labeling, allergens, food additives, and packaging materials in direct contact with food. The Vietnam SPS Office also recommended thoroughly researching regulations for products of animal origin, while preparing for the EU's roadmap to digitize import procedures in the upcoming period.

According to this agency, the EU market evaluates risks by commodity sector rather than solely by individual enterprise. A single non-compliance case can cause Vietnam's entire commodity sector to face increased inspection frequencies or stricter control measures. Therefore, compliance with SPS regulations not only helps safeguard the export activities of individual enterprises, but also contributes to maintaining the reputation of Vietnamese agricultural products on the international market.

Source: Tap chi Doanh nghiep va Hoi nhap