TRACES
European Union’s online animal and plant health certification platform
DescriptionOverview of the initiative and its approach.
The Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES) is an online platform operated by the European Union for the tracking of animal and plant health certification. Certificates are required for the import of animals, animal products, food and feed of non-animal origin and plants into the European Union, and for the intra-EU trade and EU exports of animals and certain animal products.
TechnologyTechnology used by the initiative.
TRACES is a web-based application with different interoperable modules, and is defined legally as a computerized information management system for official controls (IMSOC) for the management, handling and automatic exchange of data, information and documents in support of official controls. TRACES is integrated with Qlik Sense, a statistical tool that facilitates the extraction of valuable data related to intra-Union trade, imports and exports, which are retrieved from official documents and certificates issued within TRACES.
TargetUsers, groups, or communities targeted by the initiative.
TRACES’ user-friendly interface facilitates communications between private sector operators and the competent public authorities of both EU and non-EU nations, significantly reducing the administrative burden on all those involved and working on the same platform. Consumers, animals and plants indirectly benefit from TRACES in terms of safety protection, health and wellbeing.
Business modelHow the initiative delivers and sustains its value.
Prive sector traders and competent public authorities in both EU and non-EU countries can access the platform free of charge upon official registration. The platform is co-funded by the European Union and the Member States.
ImpactThe observed or intended effects of the initiative.
Each year, vast quantities of live animals and goods are traded within and outside the European Union for the benefit of over 440 million Europeans. As of November 2024, TRACES is in use in around 90 countries around the world by more than 113 000 users for the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary certificates and official documents required for imports, intra-EU movements and exports from the European Union of animals and goods. The main impact of the TRACES system has been the streamlining of the certification process and entry procedures through the fully digitized and paperless workflow, in line with the European Commission’s policy priority: “A Europe fit for the digital age.
PartnersOrganizations and stakeholders involved in the initiative.
European Union’s Member States
Four BettersThe FAO Four Betters supported by the initiative.
Better production
Better nutrition
Better environment
Better life
