The fact that European Union countries assemble as a single market results in revocation of local principles. They have to follow central regulations upon which the majority of nations in the Union have agreed. Some rules are, however, still in process of consideration or proposal of draft to gain consensus vote.

Presently, the European Union has 15 countries as members. Revision of rules on the import of food products is conducted from time to time. Consequently, as a whole, the standard of food quality in those countries hasn't been completely unified, yet. The central rules declared by the EU cover products that have effects on the safety of consumers' physical condition, public health and environment.

In addition, in case of fresh product group - - meat, fishery products, vegetable and fruits - - including products transformed from fresh food and other fresh materials, importers must get approval from authorized person and/or pass the disease analysis prior to market distribution or food import.

The EU also sets rules for products imported from the Third World. Organizations in the developing countries in which the EU trusts work as Competent Authority, responsible for issuance of Health certificate. In Thailand, as an example, the Fishery Department has already signed in this type of agreement to be the issuer of health certificate.

Vital Rules in the Process of Product Importing and Inspection

	Rules or committee's orders concerning appropriate hygienic raw material acquisition and preservation. No raw materials extracted either from toxic plants or from poisonous animals will be allowed. (Council Directive 92/48/ EEC)
	Rules or committee's orders concerning the extension of raw material products, flavoring and frozen product preservation.
	Rules or committee's orders concerning the regulations for food safety, the general monitoring and extra check.
	Rules or committee's order concerning the prevention of import of living things which can be harmful to plants from entering the EU as well as the prevention of plant diseases from spreading out in the EU countries.
	Rules or committee's order concerning the packing, preservation and product delivery. (Council Directive 92/48/EEC)
	Rules or committee's order concerning the labeling on the food products.(Council Directive 79/112/EEC)
	Rules or committee's order concerning the import and export of animal products in 1996 (EC Directive 90/675)