A new digital catch certification system for fishery products entering the European Union came into force on 10 January 2026, replacing the long-standing paper-based process and tightening controls on imports linked to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
The system, known as CATCH, introduces a mandatory digital catch certificate for all relevant fishery products entering the EU market. The stated aim is to improve traceability, strengthen enforcement of existing rules and prevent illegally caught fish from entering EU supply chains.
According to the European Commission, the shift to a fully digital system is intended to make import controls more effective and consistent across Member States. By standardising how information is exchanged between EU operators and control authorities, CATCH is designed to reduce loopholes created by uneven national implementation of paper documentation.