Control Points (CP) are inland inspection facilities where SPS checks of plants and plant products can take place, which operate under customs supervision. CPs have the same function as a Border Control Post (BCP), providing the first line of control in maintaining UK biosecurity. CPs are designated by Competent Authorities -- any local or national government department or agency that oversees the legislative and legal requirements to ensure they are fulfilled. This is the responsibility of Defra and APHA.
Border Control Posts (BCPs) for EU goods are purpose-built facilities to enable effective plant health (and other SPS) checks to be performed by specially trained inspectors, helping to maintain UK biosecurity. They will facilitate the efficient and timely flow of SPS goods across the border and service most of GB’s SPS check requirements.
A CP needs to provide the same biosecurity safeguards as a BCP and enable movements away from the border under customs control. Consequently, they must be customs authorised as a temporary storage facility and meet the same minimum requirements as a BCP in terms of facilities and resource to facilitate inspections.
Defra have provided a short guidance document to give information on how to becoming a designated Control Point: Click on the link here for access: Control Point guidance leaflet