Whitepapers
2026
by: EU Cluster of Food Traceability, Prepared; Force, Trust Multidisciplinary Task
CATCH in Practice: Bridging Regulatory Intent and Operational Reality under Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 Technical Report
2026, (Convened under: EU Cluster of Food Traceability and Trust Publication support: FoodGuard EU Horizon Project · ACT4FOOD Digital Europe Project).
@techreport{nokey,
title = {CATCH in Practice: Bridging Regulatory Intent and Operational Reality under Regulation (EU) 2023/2842},
author = {Prepared by: EU Cluster of Food Traceability and Trust Multidisciplinary Task Force},
editor = {Co-Authors: Agritrack SA · Seafood Europe (AIPCE-CEP) · German Association of Fish
Processing and Fish Wholesale Industry (Bundesverband der deutschen Fischindustrie und des
Fischgroßhandels e.V) · Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) · Thammasat University · Queen’s
University Belfast · University of Thessaly · Agricultural University of Athens · University of
Coimbra },
url = {https://act4food.eu/eu_cluster_2842_whitepaper_202606-4/
https://act4food.eu/joint-statement-catch-whitepaper-v03/},
year = {2026},
date = {2026-07-13},
urldate = {2026-07-13},
abstract = {This white paper examines the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 and the mandatory adoption of the CATCH module within TRACES NT for the electronic submission of catch certificates and IUU documentation. While the regulation represents a major step towards the digitalisation of seafood import controls, this paper argues that digital submission alone does not deliver true interoperability. Drawing on operational experience from industry stakeholders, academic expertise, and evidence gathered by the EU Cluster of Food Traceability and Trust, the paper identifies the practical challenges faced by importers, competent authorities, customs brokers, and third-country operators during the transition to mandatory electronic compliance. It highlights the persistent reliance on manual data re-entry, the absence of harmonised implementation artefacts, inconsistencies in technical interpretation, and the lack of structured interoperability between CATCH and commercial traceability systems. Building on existing EU legislation and international standards, the paper proposes a practical framework centred on common data definitions, Critical Tracking Events (CTEs), Key Data Elements (KDEs), governed system integration, and transparent implementation guidance. Five policy recommendations are presented to support the European Commission in strengthening interoperability, reducing administrative burden, improving data quality, and enabling secure, scalable digital traceability across global seafood supply chains. The paper positions CATCH as an import-control hub that should interoperate with, rather than replace, the wider digital traceability ecosystem.},
note = {Convened under: EU Cluster of Food Traceability and Trust
Publication support: FoodGuard EU Horizon Project · ACT4FOOD Digital Europe Project},
keywords = {},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {techreport}
}
This white paper examines the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 and the mandatory adoption of the CATCH module within TRACES NT for the electronic submission of catch certificates and IUU documentation. While the regulation represents a major step towards the digitalisation of seafood import controls, this paper argues that digital submission alone does not deliver true interoperability. Drawing on operational experience from industry stakeholders, academic expertise, and evidence gathered by the EU Cluster of Food Traceability and Trust, the paper identifies the practical challenges faced by importers, competent authorities, customs brokers, and third-country operators during the transition to mandatory electronic compliance. It highlights the persistent reliance on manual data re-entry, the absence of harmonised implementation artefacts, inconsistencies in technical interpretation, and the lack of structured interoperability between CATCH and commercial traceability systems. Building on existing EU legislation and international standards, the paper proposes a practical framework centred on common data definitions, Critical Tracking Events (CTEs), Key Data Elements (KDEs), governed system integration, and transparent implementation guidance. Five policy recommendations are presented to support the European Commission in strengthening interoperability, reducing administrative burden, improving data quality, and enabling secure, scalable digital traceability across global seafood supply chains. The paper positions CATCH as an import-control hub that should interoperate with, rather than replace, the wider digital traceability ecosystem.