A CSO (Certification Support Officer) is a trained professional who works alongside an Official Veterinarian (OV) to support the certification of products of animal origin for export. While the OV holds the legal responsibility for signing and authorising export health certificates, a CSO assists by carrying out a range of preparatory and administrative tasks. These may include gathering and checking supporting documentation, verifying traceability records, inspecting product labels, liaising with producers, and preparing draft certificates for the OV’s review.
In the export process, a CSO plays a crucial role by reducing the administrative burden on the OV and helping ensure that all paperwork is complete, accurate, and compliant with importing country requirements. This partnership allows the OV to focus on their legal and veterinary responsibilities while ensuring the certification process is carried out efficiently and without delays.
By involving a CSO, exporters benefit from a smoother, faster certification process, fewer errors in documentation, and improved coordination between producers, certifiers, and authorities. In short, the CSO helps streamline the workflow, making it easier for OVs to deliver timely certification — and for producers to get their products cleared for international markets.
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Written by Chris Eglington on and tagged in .