GEFS was introduced post-Brexit to support groupage exports of specific product categories to the EU and Northern Ireland (red lane). By allowing the use of time-limited Support Attestations (SAs), the scheme streamlined the certification process while upholding the legal requirement for each consignment to be accompanied by an Export Health Certificate (EHC).

Since 2021, GEFS has played a vital role in enabling exports of retail goods by providing a practical alternative to batch-specific health attestations, which would otherwise have made trade commercially unviable.

Based on feedback from industry, OVs and the RCVS, Defra has revised the scheme’s guidance and extended its operation beyond 31 December 2025. GEFS will now continue until the implementation of a future UK-EU SPS agreement, after which it is expected to be phased out.

In this article, our National Technical Lead for Exports, Georgios Kakarantzas, outlines the changes to the scheme.

 

Key Updates in the Revised GEFS Guidance (effective 1 August 2025):

Authorisation to Sign SAs:

Only Official Veterinarians (OVs with OCQ(V)-PX) and FCCOs (for eligible products) may now sign SAs. Registered Veterinarians and Certification Support Officers (CSOs) are no longer permitted.

Standardised Templates:

SAs must now use Defra-issued official templates. OVs may strike through inapplicable content but cannot modify wording. Official stamps are mandatory. APHA can now audit Official Veterinarians issuing SAs under GEFS.

New SA Types:

Defra has introduced three SA templates, based on commodity type and Certifying Officer (CO):

Amendments & Validity:

SAs are valid for 30 calendar days from the date of issue (not the date of inspection). Any corrections during the 30-day validity period must be initialled and stamped by the original OV.

Product Information:

Product-specific details (e.g. species, heat treatment), which were previously included in the SA schedule, should now be recorded in the Batch Declaration.

Compliance Visits:

The term “veterinary inspection” (in-person or remote), used in the previous guidance, has been replaced by “compliance visit”, which is defined as a physical or virtual audit conducted by an OV.

Compliance Visits- OV Attendance:

Under the previous guidance, an OV who carried out a remote visit was required to complete an in-person (physical) visit within a three-month cycle.

The revised guidance clarifies the following:

  • The initial compliance visit must be conducted in person by the OV signing the Support Attestation.
  • In-person visits must take place at least every three months.
  • Intervening visits may be conducted virtually.
  • Compliance visits do not need to be conducted by the same OV each time. However, an OV must have completed at least one in-person visit before carrying out a virtual visit.

Evidence Requirements:

OVs must retain the supporting evidence used to issue the SA. Manufacturers and OVs must also keep proof that compliance visits (both physical and virtual) took place, for at least 12 months or until the products are likely to have been consumed – whichever is longer.

Membership Conditions:

  • Exporters must appear on the ET200 list and be named as the exporter on the EHC.
  • Subsidiaries and sister companies must hold their own GEFS membership.
  • Membership lapses if unused for six months.
  • Audit frequency has increased (no more than two years between audits).
  • APHA may remove non-compliant members, with a formal appeals and reapplication process in place.

 

The revised GEFS guidance, SA templates, and FAQs are available via the interactive form finder on GOV.UK.