Shrimp processing line for export in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Hong Dat/VNA

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Belgium and the EU, the European Food Safety Authority has conducted an analysis and risk assessment of the intake of inorganic arsenic in the diet and/or drinking water associated with health concerns, risk of diseases such as lung, bladder and skin cancer. The agency also identified fish and other seafood as a source of exposure for adults in some countries.

Therefore, the European Food Safety Authority considers it necessary to set maximum levels for fish and other seafood products listed in Annex I of Regulation 2025/1891 at 0.05 - 1.5 mg/kg. In particular, the inorganic arsenic content in the octopus group (Cephalopods) is 0.05 mg/kg and this content in Lobster and Langoustine (Nephrops norvegicus) and rock lobster (Jasus species) is 1.5 mg/kg.

According to the Vietnam Trade Office in Belgium and the EU, the EU has recently simplified many administrative procedures and import regulations. Specifically, the EU has reduced the number of businesses affected by CBAM regulations by up to 90%; the EU also classifies businesses affected by anti-deforestation regulations (EUDR), in which the EU puts Vietnam in the group of countries with the lowest risk, creating conditions for customs clearance of goods.

In addition, in the Green Deal standard, the EU has adjusted and postponed the application deadline. Thus, in the short term, access to the EU market for Vietnamese enterprises is forecasted to not have many difficulties in terms of procedures and administration. Notably, trade between the two countries is enjoying great advantages from the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). From August 2025 onwards, over 90% of export tax lines to the EU will be 0%, which is a great advantage for domestic enterprises to diversify export markets.

However, with the great incentives from the EVFTA, many businesses and partners will take advantage of Vietnam's advantages to avoid taxes... Therefore, it is necessary to tighten management of trade flows between Vietnam and the EU with a third country, to ensure that Vietnamese businesses enjoy maximum benefits from the EVFTA.

It is expected that at the end of September 2025, the two sides will conduct a review session of the EVFTA Agreement. Vietnam can propose to accelerate the opening of the agricultural market for Vietnamese agricultural products to the EU such as rice; request the EU to amend and add Vietnamese agricultural products to the list of products enjoying preferential tariffs.

Regarding the IUU yellow card, ministries, management agencies and businesses need to make more efforts to coordinate and remove the EU's IUU yellow card. If the IUU yellow card is successfully removed in 2025, it will create very good conditions for the development of caught seafood, especially tuna products. Vietnamese tuna is currently favored and sought after by many EU importers.

Meanwhile, for food products, including vegetables, tubers, fruits... Mr. Quan recommends that domestic enterprises need to strictly control pesticide residues and strictly comply with EU market regulations to boost exports.

To maintain and expand market share in the EU, the Vietnam Trade Office in Belgium and the EU recommends that domestic export enterprises strictly comply with sustainability standards and traceability, especially IUU regulations, to avoid the risk of being warned or banned from importing. On the other hand, promote deep processing and develop value-added products, take advantage of EVFTA tariffs and meet the high-end tastes of European consumers.

In addition, businesses need to focus on building reputable brands, focusing on designing environmentally friendly packaging and labels; diversifying markets within the EU, expanding from major import destinations such as Germany, the Netherlands, Italy to potential Northern European markets such as Finland, Sweden, and Denmark.

According to baotintuc.vn

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/eu-ban-hanh-quy-dinh-moi-ve-ham-luong-arsenic-trong-ca-thuy-san-nhap-khau-157963.html