International Standards

The Czech Republic is located near Europe’s ‘industrial core’ – a densely populated and highly industrialized area – attractive for investments and close to international trade connections.

Any business operating in the Czech Republic, in whatever form, generally needs to obtain a trade license. For most operations, including retail and wholesale, a simple general trade license will suffice. Any importer or exporter can obtain a trade license by notification filed with a trade license department of any district or municipal office. Other trade licenses, such as for transportation services, are issued by the trade license department on fulfillment of specific requirements. The type of license required is determined by the nature of the trade business and the types of products.

Czech Republic makes a part of the EU. That is why, all the trade standards correspond to the EU trade norms. All kinds of products tested and certified in different countries need retesting and re-certification to EU requirements as a result of the EU’s different approach to the protection of health and safety of consumers and the environment. Where products are not regulated by specific EU technical legislation, they are always subject to the EU’s General Product Safety Directive, as well as to possible additional national requirements.

All the trade standards in Czech Republic are designed and elaborated by three European Standards bodies:

1. CEN, European Committee for Standardization  http://www.cen.eu/cen/pages/default.aspx 

2. CENELEC, European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization  http://www.cenelec.eu/   

3. ETSI, European Telecommunications Standards Institute http://www.etsi.org/  

LABELING REGULATIONS

Manufacturers are advised to take note that all labels require metric units although dual labeling is also acceptable.  The use of language on labels has to be the English one, including the detailed information about the product.

The labels on the imported product has to contain the following information: 

1. All the information about the product has to be printed on a label securely affixed to the package or printed on the package itself;

2. All lables on the package have to be printed in English or Czech languages;

3. All the products with only one standard label are not allowed to be placed on the market;

4. All products with false, misleading or deceprive representation are not allowed to be placed on the market;

5. The content on the label has to be clear, prominent, indelible, and readily legible by the consumer.

Packaged food must carry a statement identifying either:

1. the country where the food was made, produced or grown; 

2. the country where the food was manufactured or packaged and that the food is a mix of ingredients imported into that country or a mix of local and imported ingredients.

Country of origin labeling applies to unpacked fresh and processed fruit, vegetables, nuts, spices, herbs, legumes, seeds, fish (including shellfish) and meat (pork, beef, sheep and chicken).

For example, the following unpacked foods are required to have country of origin labeling:

1. fresh and sun-dried tomatoes

2. processed ham and bacon

3. fresh and smoked fish fillets, and crumbed fish fillets

4. fresh apples and dried apples

5. chicken, pork, beef and lamb.

ACCREDITATION

Independent test and certification laboratories, known as notified bodies, have been officially accredited by national authorities to test and certify EU requirements. "European Accreditation" is an organization representing nationally recognized accreditation bodies.

Czech Republic has established specific certification requirements for certain products. This certification procedure is referred to as "homologation", and requires product testing by approved laboratories. Local homologation requirements and testing standards have adapted Czech legislation, which is in line with EU directives. 

DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

In order to import or export different products, the person has to present a large number of documents and quality certificates. These are: 

1. Pro-forma Invoice (This may occasionally be requested by the importer. A minimum of two copies is required);

2. Commercial Invoice (No prescribed form and a minimum of two copies is required. The invoice must include: the name and address of both buyer and seller; method of packing; marks and numbers; number of containers; description of the merchandise (including HS description); net and gross weight; free on board (FOB) value (Incoterms 1990); freight; insurance and other charges);

3. Bill of Lading (No special requirements. To Order bills are acceptable);

4. Packing List (Not obligatory but simplifies clearance if a variety of goods are packed in different cases);

5. Certificate of Insurance (Normal commercial practices apply);

6. Weights and Measures (Metric measurements (grams, kilograms, milliliters or liters) are used when selling packaged or loose goods).

7. Insurance

PUBLIC HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

The Czech Republic is a member of the EU and these rules and directives need to be respected. Imports of animals and animal products and of plants and vegetable products must be licensed by the License Authority of the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade. 

From import administration view, these products can be split into two groups. The first group covers live animals, foodstuffs and foodstuffs of animal origin and fodders, requires veterinary certificates by the State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic. The second group, including plants and seeds, requires psychopathological sanitary certificates and in some cases even additional declaration by FITO Service.

Pharmaceuticals require an import license issued by the Ministry of Health. At the same time any pharmaceutical is subject to the registration by the State Institute of Pharmaceutical Control prior to import.

Electrical appliances, toys, fireworks and cosmetics must conform to safety regulations being identical with those of the EU.