Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/135 of 20 January 2026 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 as regards rules for entry into the Union, and the movement and handling after entry of consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2016 on transmissible animal diseases and amending and repealing certain acts in the area of animal health (‘Animal Health Law’) [^ntr1-L_202600135EN.000101-E0001], and in particular Article 234(2) thereof,

Whereas:

• (1) Regulation (EU) 2016/429 lays down rules for the prevention and control of animal diseases that are transmissible to animals or to humans, including, inter alia, rules for the entry of animals into the Union. In particular, Part V, Chapter I, Section 1 of that Regulation lays down the animal health requirements for the entry into the Union of animals, and the movement and handling of those animals after their entry.

• (2) Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 [^ntr2-L_202600135EN.000101-E0002] supplements the animal health rules laid down in Regulation (EU) 2016/429, as regards, inter alia, the entry into the Union, and the movement and handling after entry, of consignments of certain species and categories of animals. In particular, Title 5 of Part II of that Delegated Regulation lays down the animal health requirements for the entry into the Union of dogs, cats and ferrets.

• (3) Article 74 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 provides that consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets are to be permitted to enter the Union, only if each animal in the consignment is individually identified with an injectable transponder implanted in accordance with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 [^ntr3-L_202600135EN.000101-E0003].

• (4) Article 76 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 provides that consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets are to be permitted to enter the Union, only if those animals comply with specific animal health requirements laid down in that Article. Those requirements include that the animals are vaccinated against rabies, have undergone a rabies antibody titration test with favourable results, and in the case of consignments of dogs entering Member States with disease-free status from Echinococcus multilocularis, that the dogs are properly treated against that infestation. It also lays down the conditions for dogs, cats and ferrets to derogate from the mandatory rabies antibody titration test requirement.

• (5) Annex XXI to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 lays down specific requirements as regards dogs, cats and ferrets intended for entry into the Union, including the detailed requirements for the validity of the rabies antibody titration test and for the risk-mitigation measures for Echinococcus multilocularis.

• (6) The technical requirements for injectable transponders, the animal health requirements concerning the validity requirements for anti-rabies vaccines, and both the rabies antibody titration test and the conditions to derogate from that test requirement, and the risk-mitigation measures for Echinococcus multilocularis, as laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692, take into account and make a number of cross-references to the rules in Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council [^ntr4-L_202600135EN.000101-E0004], and in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 [^ntr5-L_202600135EN.000101-E0005] and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/772 [^ntr6-L_202600135EN.000101-E0006] which were adopted within the framework of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013.

• (7) Regulation (EU) No 576/2013, which lays down the rules for non-commercial movement of pet animals, was repealed by Article 270(2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 as from 21 April 2021. However, Article 277 of Regulation (EU) 2016/429 provides that notwithstanding that repeal, Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 is to continue to apply until 21 April 2026 in respect of non-commercial movements of pet animals, in place of Part VI of Regulation (EU) 2016/429.

• (8) The rules on validity requirements for anti-rabies vaccines and for the rabies antibody titration test laid down in Regulation (EU) No 576/2013, as well as the risk-mitigation measures for Echinococcus multilocularis, have proven to be effective in minimising the risk of the spread of these listed diseases through the movements of dogs, cats and ferrets. Accordingly, the main provisions of those rules should be maintained in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692, as amended by this Regulation but updated to take account of the practical experience gained by Member States in their application. Therefore, Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 should be amended by this Regulation to provide detailed rules for the validity of the anti-rabies vaccination for dogs, cats, ferrets, for the rabies antibody titration test and for the measures against Echinococcus multilocularis when such animals enter the Union from third countries or territories.

• (9) In addition, as the rules on the identification of dogs, cats and ferrets laid down in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 have been amended by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/132 [^ntr7-L_202600135EN.000101-E0007], it is necessary to update the rules laid down in Article 74 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692.

• (10) As the transitional period related to the repeal of Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 is to cease on 21 April 2026, this Regulation should enter into force as a matter of urgency and apply from 22 April 2026,

HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Amendments to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 is amended as follows:

• (1) in Article 74, paragraph 1 is replaced by the following:

‘1.   Consignments of dogs, cats and ferrets shall only be permitted to enter the Union if each animal in the consignment is individually identified by an implanted injectable transponder implanted by a veterinarian as referred to in Article 70, point (b)(i), of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 and which complies with the requirements laid down in Article 70, point (a), and Article 70a, points (a) and (b), of that Delegated Regulation.’

;

• (2) Article 76 is amended as follows:

• (a) in paragraph 1, points (a) and (b) are replaced by the following:

• ‘(a) they have received a vaccination against infection with rabies virus administered by an official veterinarian or an authorised veterinarian as defined in Article 2(1) of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131[^ntr*1-L_202600135EN.000101-E0008] and that vaccination complies with the following conditions:

• (i) the animals must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of the primary vaccination;

• (ii) the vaccine must comply with the requirements set out in Part 1(1) of Annex VII to Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/688;

• (iii) at the day of dispatch to the Union, at least 21 days must have elapsed since the completion of the primary vaccination against infection with rabies virus;

• (iv) any subsequent vaccination against infection with rabies virus must have been carried out within the period of validity of the preceding vaccination and must be considered a primary vaccination if it was not carried out within that period of validity;

• (v) the dates of administration of the vaccine and the periods of validity of the relevant vaccinations are indicated in the animal health certificate referred to in Article 3, point (c)(i), and the date of administration of the vaccine does not precede the date of identification of the animals. A certified copy of the vaccination details must be attached to that certificate.

• (b) they have undergone a valid rabies antibody titration test that complies with the following conditions:

• (i) the test must be carried out in accordance with point 1 of Annex XXI;

• (ii) the date of the blood sample is indicated in the animal health certificate referred to in Article 3, point (c)(i), and an official report of the designated laboratory certifying the test results must be attached to that certificate.

[^ntr*1-L_202600135EN.000101-E0008]: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 of 20 January 2026 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council, as regards animal health requirements for non-commercial movement of pet animals (OJ L, 2026/131, 27.3.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/131/oj).’;"

• (b) paragraph 2 is replaced by the following:

‘2.   By way of derogation from paragraph 1, point (b), dogs, cats and ferrets originating in, or originating in and transiting through third countries or territories or zones thereof included in the list set out in the table in Part 1 of Annex VIII to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404[^ntr*2-L_202600135EN.000101-E0009], and for which no specific conditions referred to in column 5 of that table are required, shall be permitted to enter the Union without being subjected to the rabies titration test.

[^ntr*2-L_202600135EN.000101-E0009]: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 of 24 March 2021 laying down the lists of third countries, territories or zones thereof from which the entry into the Union of animals, germinal products and products of animal origin is permitted in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and the Council (OJ L 114, 31.3.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2021/404/oj)).’;"

• (c) paragraph 3 is replaced by the following:

‘3.   Consignments of dogs shall only be permitted to enter into a Member State or zone thereof with disease-free status from Echinococcus multilocularis, if the animals of the consignment comply with the following requirements:

• (a) they have been treated by a veterinarian against that infestation in accordance with point 2 of Annex XXI within the required period set out in that point;

• (b) the following details of the treatment must be certified by the administering veterinarian in the animal health certificate referred to in Article 3, point (c)(i), accompanying the animals to the Union:

• (i) the transponder alphanumeric code of the dog;

• (ii) the name of the product against infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis;

• (iii) the name of the manufacturer of the product;

• (iv) the date and time of treatment;

• (v) the name, stamp and signature of the administering veterinarian.’

;

• (3) Annex XXI is replaced by the text set out in the Annex to this Regulation.

Article 2

Entry into force and application

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 22 April 2026.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 20 January 2026.

For the Commission

The President

Ursula VON DER LEYEN

[^ntr1-L_202600135EN.000101-E0001]: OJ L 84, 31.3.2016, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/429/oj.

[^ntr2-L_202600135EN.000101-E0002]: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 of 30 January 2020 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards rules for entry into the Union, and the movement and handling after entry of consignments of certain animals, germinal products and products of animal origin (OJ L 174, 3.6.2020, p. 379, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2020/692/oj).

[^ntr3-L_202600135EN.000101-E0003]: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 of 28 June 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/429 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards rules for establishments keeping terrestrial animals and hatcheries, and the traceability of certain kept terrestrial animals and hatching eggs (OJ L 314, 5.12.2019, p. 115, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2019/2035/oj).

[^ntr4-L_202600135EN.000101-E0004]: Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the non-commercial movement of pet animals and repealing Regulation (EC) No 998/2003 (OJ L 178, 28.6.2013, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2013/576/oj).

[^ntr5-L_202600135EN.000101-E0005]: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 577/2013 of 28 June 2013 on the model identification documents for the non-commercial movement of dogs, cats and ferrets, the establishment of lists of territories and third countries and the format, layout and language requirements of the declarations attesting compliance with certain conditions provided for in Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 178, 28.6.2013, p. 109, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2013/577/oj).

[^ntr6-L_202600135EN.000101-E0006]: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2018/772 of 21 November 2017 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to preventive health measures for the control of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in dogs, and repealing Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1152/2011 (OJ L 130, 28.5.2018, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2018/772/oj).

[^ntr7-L_202600135EN.000101-E0007]: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/132 of 20 January 2026 amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2035 as regards rules for the traceability of kept dogs, cats and ferrets (OJ L, 2026/132, 27.3.2026, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/132/oj).

ANNEX

‘ANNEX XXI

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS AS REGARDS DOGS, CATS AND FERRETS INTENDED FOR ENTRY INTO THE UNION

1. RABIES ANTIBODY TITRATION TEST REQUIREMENTS

The rabies antibody titration test shall:

• (a) be carried out without undue delay after sample collection on a sample collected by an official veterinarian or an authorised veterinarian as defined in Article 2(1) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/131 at least 30 days after the date of the primary vaccination, or within a current valid vaccination series, and not less than 90 days before the date of issue of the animal health certificate accompanying the consignment of animals to the Union;

• (b) measure a titre of neutralising antibody to rabies virus equal to or greater than 0,5 IU/ml and using a method prescribed in the relevant part of the chapter concerning rabies in the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH);

• (c) be performed in one of the following:

• (i) an official laboratory designated in accordance with Article 37 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 for the performance of the rabies antibody titration test and for which the competent authority has provided to the Commission its name and contact details; or

• (ii) a laboratory in a third country or territory listed in Annex VIII to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/404 designated by the competent authority of the third country as meeting the requirements laid down in Article 37(4) and (5) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 for the performance of the rabies antibody titration test and for which the competent authority has provided to the Commission its name and contact details;

• (d) be certified by an official report from the designated laboratory referred to in point (c) as regards the results of the rabies antibody titration test.

A report issued from 1 January 2028 shall bear a security feature in the format of a code to permit verification of its authenticity on the dedicated internet-based pages of the designated laboratory and be attached to the animal health certificate referred to in point (a);

• (e) not have to be renewed on an animal which, following the antibody rabies titration test with satisfactory results, has been revaccinated against rabies within the period of validity of the primary vaccination referred to in point (a) and all subsequent valid vaccinations in the series.

2. TREATMENT AGAINST INFESTATION WITH ECHINOCCOCUS MULTILOCULARIS

Prior to entering a Member State or zone thereof with disease-free status for Echinococcus multilocularis, dogs shall be treated against infestation with Echinococcus multilocularis, as follows:

• (a) the treatment shall consist of an approved veterinary medicinal product which contains the appropriate dose of praziquantel or other pharmacologically active substances, which alone or in combination, have proven to reduce the burden of mature and immature intestinal forms of Echinococcus multilocularis in dogs at least as effectively as praziquantel;

• (b) the product shall be administered by a veterinarian within a period commencing not more than 120 hours and ending not less than 24 hours prior to the time of entering that Member State or zone.

’

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2026/135/oj

ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)