Bacalhau export certifications — FDA, DIPOA, CIQ and MSC explained

Why certifications are a commercial asset, not just an obligation In the international trade of dried salted cod and other salted fish, certifications are often perceived as regulatory burdens. In commercial practice, they are entry barriers that protect certified operators and constitute mandatory supplier qualification criteria in the procurement processes of large distributors, supermarket chains and organised importers. Without the correct certifications, you simply cannot participate in supply tenders. FDA — Access to the US market The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) registration is the mandatory entry requirement for any food product entering the United States. For a dried salted cod processor, FDA registration means that the production facility is listed in the FDA Facility Registry and subject to the inspection and audit regime of FSMA (Food Safety Modernization Act). Key points: FDA registration must be renewed every two years. The facility is subject to unannounced inspections. FSVP (Foreign Supplier Verification Program) requires the US importer to verify that its foreign suppliers meet FDA safety standards. DIPOA — Access to the Brazilian market DIPOA (Departamento de Inspeção de Produtos de Origem Animal) is the Brazilian inspection body that certifies animal product processing establishments for export to Brazil. DIPOA approval is a mandatory prerequisite for any shipment of dried salted cod destined for Brazil. The certification process involves factory inspection by Brazilian veterinary authorities, verification of HACCP implementation, food safety documentation systems and traceability. Once approved, the establishment receives a registration number that must appear on all export documents. CIQ — Export to China CIQ (China Inspection and Quarantine) certification is the Chinese entry system for food products of animal origin. China is a growing market for premium dried salted cod, and CIQ certification is the indispensable access key. The certification process is bilateral: the Portuguese competent authority (DGAV) certifies the establishment, which is then registered in the Chinese system. Each shipment must be accompanied by a health certificate issued by DGAV. MSC — Sustainability certification MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certification is a voluntary market certification but has become a de facto requirement in many European retail supply chains. It guarantees that the fish was sourced from sustainable, well-managed fisheries. For a dried salted cod processor, MSC chain of custody certification (CoC) allows the use of the MSC blue label on the final product. This requires full traceability from the certified fishery through the entire supply chain to the consumer. HACCP and European regulatory baseline For the European market, the starting point is the implementation of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) as required by Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. HACCP is not a certificate to be obtained from a third party — it is an internal management system that must be implemented, documented and audited. How certifications work as a competitive differentiator A supplier with simultaneous FDA, DIPOA, CIQ and MSC certifications can serve four major global markets without additional barriers. This represents a significant advantage over competitors without these certifications, who are structurally excluded from significant portions of international demand.