What should a U.S. buyer know about FSVP for imported pet products?

The Foreign Supplier Verification Programs rule can apply to U.S. importers of human and animal food. Its purpose is to help ensure imported food meets applicable U.S. requirements. Importers may need a hazard analysis, supplier evaluation, verification activities and records; the exact obligations and exemptions depend on the facts. Supplier certificates alone do not complete the importer’s program. The U.S. importer should determine its role early and build required verification into sourcing, audit and document requests.