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Apply for Animal Food and Drug Export Certificates Online via CVM eCATS

FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has launched a new online system that enables animal food, drug, and device manufacturers to apply for, track, and receive export certificates electronically for the first time. The newly available electronic certificates will help facilitate exports by assisting industry in fulfilling importing country requirements for certification by CVM of CVM-regulated animal products. The CVM Export Certification Application and Tracking System (CVM eCATS) also provides a tool for foreign governments to verify the authenticity of export certificates provided to them by industry. 

On June 22, 2020, CVM started accepting applications from industry for the following export certificates through CVM eCATS: Certificates of Exportability (COE), Certificates to Foreign Government (CFG), Certificates of Free Sale (COFS), Certificates of a Pharmaceutical Product (CPP), and Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) Certificates. CVM eCATS can be accessed at https://www.access.fda.gov/.

Effective January 1, 2021, CVM will no longer issue these certificates on unique CVM paper with a gold seal. Exporters will be able to access these certificates online and print them on their own.

Effective January 18, 2024, CVM will no longer be accepting paper copies of certificate applications: all applicants will need to apply using CVM eCATS.

CVM eCATS enables U.S. exporters of animal food, drugs, and devices to apply for and obtain export certificates electronically, track the status of requests through email notifications, and print the approved certificates online. CVM eCATS will reduce the amount of time it takes for a manufacturer to apply for and receive export certificates, simplify the process for applying for multiple certificates, and enable foreign governments to verify the authenticity of a manufacturer’s export certificate via the website at any time, enabling faster import processing. The new portal will also help the FDA to review the applications more efficiently in a paper-less environment and better track applications and export certificates that have been issued.  

Check this web page periodically for updates related to the CVM eCATS.

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