ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to bring its food safety and certification systems in line with international standards in an effort to improve access to lucrative European markets. However, coordination gaps between federal and provincial authorities remain a major challenge.
The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has approved the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to enhance cooperation on food safety, certification, and technical regulations.
The decision was made during a recent meeting of the PSQCA board of directors. Officials said the move is aimed at harmonising Pakistan’s food safety framework with international norms — a critical step for securing market access to the UK and European Union (EU).
The proposal follows recommendations from the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Industries and Production, which had directed PSQCA to explore strategies for expanding exports of food products, particularly honey, to European destinations.
Under the planned MoU, PSQCA’s testing and certification systems could gain recognition under UK and EU standards. This would allow PSQCA to issue export certificates acceptable to British regulators, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming third-party validation in Europe.
The agreement will cover compliance with key European food safety regulations, including EC 852/2004, 853/2004, 178/2002, and Regulation (EU) 2017/625, and promote the adoption of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles in Pakistan.
Officials noted that recognition by DEFRA would significantly improve the export potential of Pakistani honey, processed foods, and agricultural products by boosting international credibility.
However, food safety remains primarily a provincial responsibility under the 18th Amendment, posing coordination challenges. Industry experts have suggested that exporters might need to create separate production facilities for export items, or provincial food authorities must harmonise their regulations with PSQCA standards to avoid duplication.
Exporters have long urged for local certification systems to be recognised globally, stressing that the lack of internationally approved testing has led to repeated delays and rejections of consignments in European markets.
