Following Malaysia’s decision to voluntarily suspend the exports of fishery products to the EU, on 17 June 2008, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, which are the competent authorities (CAs) together with the industry, worked towards getting the first batch of exporters to be evaluated by EU inspectors. The exporters were companies that have their own farms or fishing vessels, transport, cold rooms and have full control of the whole supply chain.

The EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO)was held from 3 to 12 March 2009. Six establishments have been approved for relisting for exports of fishery products to the EU.
An official request by the Ministry of Health, Malaysia was submitted to Directorate General Health and Consumer Affairs (DG SANCO), European Commission on 16 March 2009 for the 6 Malaysian establishments to be re-listed as the approved establishments for exports of fishery products to the EU. Generally, it takes 6 weeks for the EU internal procedures to be completed before exports to the EU can resume.

The issuance of health certificates by the Malaysian Competent Authorities have started on 14 May 2009, when the updated list came into force. The CAs are working towards getting the rest of the aquaculture establishments to be re-listed as the approved establishments for exports of fishery products to the EU.