What is “CertEX” and how does the system work?

In NL/EU day‑to‑day practice, people often use “CertEX” as an umbrella term for the   digital certificates/official controls workflow   around   (pre‑)notification and border controls . The core is: TRACES NT   is the EU system where consignments that fall under SPS/official controls are   notified   using a   CHED : CHED-P   (plants/plant products), CHED-A   (animals), CHED-PP   (products of animal origin / POAO), CHED-D   (certain goods / food & feed of non‑animal origin, depending on the regime). In the Netherlands this is commonly referred to as   “GGB”   (Gemeenschappelijk Gezondheidsdocument bij Binnenkomst) — in practice the Dutch naming/handling of the   CHED   workflow. Process at a glance (end‑to‑end): Scope check : does the commodity/consignment fall under EU “official controls” (phytosanitary, veterinary, high‑risk FNAO, etc.)? Pre‑notification : importer/agent creates a   CHED/GGB   in TRACES NT and attaches: consignment details (origin, destination, HS/commodity code, quantities, packaging), documents (certificates, analyses, attestations), logistics (BIP/BCP, ETA, container/vessel/flight data). Arrival & controls   by NVWA/BCP: documentary check, identity check, (where applicable) physical check / sampling. Decision : release / release with conditions / rejection / redirection / destruction / re‑export. Downstream effect : release is often a prerequisite for   customs clearance   and onward movement. Important: a   CHED/GGB is consignment‑based , not “product‑based”. You can’t use one CHED indefinitely for multiple physical shipments.