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Get in with the ATT SPS UK Veterinary Border Scheme under the TOM

Discover the UK SPS Accredited Trusted Trader Scheme (ATT) pilot under the TOM. Explore the benefits for businesses dealing with the UK veterinary border.


The Accredited Trusted Trader Scheme will help businesses that import medium-risk products, as defined by the Border Target Operating Model, to Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales). The medium-risk products in this scheme include:


  • products of animal origin (POAO)

  • animal by-products (ABP)

Businesses approved to take part in the pilot are known as trusted traders.


The Accredited Trusted Trader Scheme is a single modular framework that gives businesses flexibility and choice in the benefits they gain as a trusted trader.


It contains 3 modules initially and will explore further benefits for trusted traders in the future. Each module has different eligibility criteria. You can apply for more than one module.


Module 1: Certification Logistics

The Certification Logistics module will simplify the certification process for packaged products moving from a consolidation hub in the European Union (EU) to Great Britain.


Trusted traders will be able to use an export health certificate (EHC) from the point of origin of the goods (such as a manufacturing site) without the need for re-certification at a consolidation hub in the EU prior to dispatch to Great Britain.


Trusted traders will have to provide assurances for the biosecurity and food safety integrity of the goods throughout transport, storage and any limited manipulation that is permitted.


This module will initially be limited to packaged goods which originate from the EU. Government and trusted traders will identify the intended use of products moved under the scheme (such as for retail or wholesale). These products will be assessed for public health and food safety risks. The types of packaged products that trusted traders can move in this module will be confirmed after the risk assessments.


This module will be piloted from January 2024.


Module 2: Checks Away From the Border

The Checks Away From the Border module will allow trusted traders to carry out routine identity and physical checks of imports at their own site in Great Britain rather than at a border control post (BCP). The physical checks will be similar to checks which will apply on a risk basis to sanitary and phytosanitary goods not imported by a trusted trader.


The trusted trader checks will not necessarily replicate BCP checks, but they will be closely regulated by government and provide equivalent standards of biosecurity and public health protection.


The products in this module include:


  • all medium-risk POAO and ABP

  • goods originating from the rest of the world as well as the EU

This module will be piloted from April 2024.


Module 3: Journey Assurance

The Journey Assurance module will use supply chain data and other technology-enabled data to determine whether journey assurance evidence can be used as part of sanitary and phytosanitary controls to provide benefits for trusted traders.


Defra would like to hear from businesses that record data:


  • to provide assurance that goods within a consignment are those listed on accompanying documentation

  • that provides evidence of goods remaining stable and secure during a journey, such as temperature tracking

The products in this module include:


  • all medium-risk POAO and ABP

  • goods originating from the rest of the world as well as the EU

This module will be tested from April 2024.


Eligibility criteria

To apply for any module businesses must:


  • be registered in the UK for customs purposes

  • not have an adverse customs or sanitary and phytosanitary compliance history

  • have a named responsible person with authority to act on behalf of the business

  • have a record of pre-notifications

Module 1 eligibility criteria

To apply for module 1 businesses must operate a consolidation hub site in the EU that:


  • meets food hygiene regulations

  • is listed as an approved establishment to export animals and animal products to Great Britain

Module 2 eligibility criteria

To apply for module 2 businesses must:


  • be able to implement government-produced standard operating procedures which ensure equivalent assurance of public health, food safety and biosecurity safeguards

  • have bio-secure premises and infrastructure in Great Britain that meet food safety standards

  • provide end to end supply chain assurance, for example through a documented procurement policy

  • have suitably trained staff who can act independently, and manage any staff conflicts of interest effectively

Module 3 eligibility criteria

To apply for module 3 businesses must already collect data on the journey that goods make to Great Britain. Data can include environmental sensor data from devices which record the temperature, humidity and CO2 levels of goods during transit.


This module will test whether the data provides assurances that could be used to provide benefits for trusted traders. Business must be willing to share the data with government.


How the pilot will run

The pilot will run in 4 phases.


Phase 1: apply for the pilot

Businesses express interest by applying for one or more of the modules.


Phase 2: co-design phase

Defra will invite successful businesses to participate in the co-design phase. This will be a collaborative process.


Defra, the Scottish and Welsh Governments, the Food Standards Agency, Food Standards Scotland and the business will work in partnership to establish any necessary changes to the business’ operational processes.


Phase 3: start pilot

Businesses will make the designed changes, monitor their success implementing the new procedures and identify any challenges or issues. Defra and other agencies will provide technical support throughout this phase to help with any difficulties.


The Certification Logistics module will begin implementation from 31 January 2024. The Checks Away From the Border and Journey Assurance modules will begin from 30 April 2024.


Phase 4: evaluation

Defra, the Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland will audit whether businesses follow the new and existing procedures throughout the pilot. Businesses that do not comply with the procedures may not be able to continue the pilot.


At the end of the pilot, an evaluation working group will assess:


  • if the proposed benefits of the scheme were realised

  • if any identified risks were managed effectively

  • how well the scheme model worked in practice

The evaluation framework will depend on which modules were tested by a business. The main aim of evaluation will be to make sure that the UK’s high biosecurity and food safety standards are maintained.


The feedback and data gathered during this phase will help government refine the scheme for any wider rollout.


Selection criteria

A cross-government panel will review every application and assess whether businesses pass or fail the eligibility criteria.


The panel will select businesses for the pilot based on:


  • their compliance history with existing border checks

  • whether they meet the relevant eligibility criteria

  • industry representation – government want a diverse group of participants that can provide a wide range of perspectives and insights on the operation of the scheme

For the Certification Logistics module, government want to include participants with a variety of business models, sizes and different points of export.


It may not be possible to include all businesses in the initial phase of the pilot. Businesses that are not selected for this pilot can apply for future opportunities to join the scheme.


How to apply

To apply for the pilot, complete the relevant sections of the expression of interest form for the modules you want to apply for.


You must apply by 6 October 2023.


Outcome of your application

Defra will tell you if your expression of interest is successful once applications have been reviewed.


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