If you haven't yet registered to use Export Health Certificate Online, you must do so by 1 January 2021 to ensure that you have the documentation you need for exports from Great Britain.
What do I need to do now?
• Check if your organisation/business is registered to use EHC Online.
• You should also check with the certifier that your business intends to use, that they are registered for EHC Online – if they are not, they will not be able to certify your consignments.
Please note:
• The process for registering and accessing the system is different for export businesses and certifiers – make sure you follow the correct process for your organisation type
• It is important that organisations are not registered more than once, so please ensure that you check that your business is not already registered before following the registration process
How do I register for EHC Online?
In order to access government digital services and use EHC Online you need a Government Gateway account. It is quick and simple to create an account and we recommend that you have one Government Gateway account for all Defra services you may need (e.g. Imports, Exports, Chemicals). You should register once then add any additional Defra services you need by signing into your account and clicking ‘register for more services’ via the manage account page.
If your business doesn’t already have a Government Gateway account for Defra services you can register via this link. Please do not use this link if you are an OV or Local Authority Certifying Officer as it is for exporters only – guidance for certifiers can be found here.
Remember to use an email address to which you have full access, as your login details will be sent to that address when you register.
• To help you further in-depth guidance for exporters can be found on the gov.uk website here: How to register for export health certificate (EHC) online
A reminder of the benefits of using EHC Online
EHC Online allows you to start an application, save it part way through and complete it later; replicate information from previous certificates into new applications by ‘cloning’ information which saves you time and effort in starting applications from the beginning each time; see the status of your applications in real time on the online dashboard, and have access to all your applications all in one place.
Your certifier can review, approve or reject the application through the service too, making the process quick and joined up.
You can check which EHCs are currently available using Form Finder on gov.uk.
Getting help and support
If you need help registering for EHC Online or have any operational and technical queries relating to an EHC application, please call the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) on 03000 200 301.
Please ensure that your business is registered for EHC Online so that you can apply for EHCs. You should also speak to your certifier to ensure that they are registered to use EHC Online too. If they are not registered, you will not be able to submit your EHC applications to APHA.