Regulatory Updates

Distribution date: 17 August 2006

The complete revision to this Ordinance has adapted the Swiss provisions to those of the European Communities. Its purpose is to reduce customs formalities between Switzerland and the European Communities in international trade in animals and products of animal origin. It also establishes inspection procedures for animals and products of animal origin that will be imported from third countries, transit through these countries or be exported to these countries. In order to facilitate and harmonize international trade, from 1 February 2007 the veterinary certificates for animals and products of animal origin required by European Communities legislation will be accepted for imports into Switzerland of animals and products of animal origin from third countries. From 1 April 2007, these certificates, together with their latest amendments, will be compulsory for import into Switzerland and will replace the existing Swiss certificates.

Products Covered: Live animals; animal semen; unfertilized ova and embryos; foodstuffs of animal origin; foodstuffs containing foodstuffs of animal origin; animal by-products (ABPs); hay and straw; other products liable to harbour epizootic agents (Chapters Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 15 and 16, as well as certain headings of Chapters 12, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 28, 30, 31, 35, 41, 42, 43, 51, 95 and 97 of the Customs Tariff).

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 17 August 2006

The complete revision to this Ordinance has adapted the Swiss provisions to those of the European Communities. Its purpose is to reduce customs formalities between Switzerland and the European Communities in international trade in animals and products of animal origin. It also establishes inspection procedures for animals and products of animal origin that will be imported from third countries, transit through these countries or be exported to these countries. In order to facilitate and harmonize international trade, from 1 February 2007 the veterinary certificates for animals and products of animal origin required by European Communities legislation will be accepted for imports into Switzerland of animals and products of animal origin from third countries. From 1 April 2007, these certificates, together with their latest amendments, will be compulsory for import into Switzerland and will replace the existing Swiss certificates.

Products Covered: Live animals; animal semen; unfertilized ova and embryos; foodstuffs of animal origin; foodstuffs containing foodstuffs of animal origin; animal by-products (ABPs); hay and straw; other products liable to harbour epizootic agents (Chapters Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 15 and 16, as well as certain headings of Chapters 12, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 28, 30, 31, 35, 41, 42, 43, 51, 95 and 97 of the Customs Tariff).

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 14 August 2006

The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) has proposed to enforce TIS 2257-2549 (2006) as a mandatory standard. The standard covers cold reduced carbon steel coil, strip and sheet of structural quality; specifies mass, dimensions and tolerances, chemical compositions (i.e. carbon, manganese, phosphorous and sulphur), and general characteristics, mechanical properties; and includes marking and labelling, sampling and criteria for conformity and testing.

Products Covered: Flat steel products and semi-products (HS Chapter 7209, ICS : 77.140.50)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 14 August 2006

The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) has proposed to enforce TIS 2257-2549 (2006) as a mandatory standard. The standard covers cold reduced carbon steel coil, strip and sheet of structural quality; specifies mass, dimensions and tolerances, chemical compositions (i.e. carbon, manganese, phosphorous and sulphur), and general characteristics, mechanical properties; and includes marking and labelling, sampling and criteria for conformity and testing.

Products Covered: Flat steel products and semi-products (HS Chapter 7209, ICS : 77.140.50)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 11 August 2006

Establishment of maximum residue limits for veterinary drug, enrofloxacin, in foods.

Products Covered: Cattle (muscle, fat, liver, kidney and other edible parts), milk, pig (muscle, fat, liver, kidney and other edible parts), other terrestrial mammals (muscle, fat, liver, kidney and other edible parts), chicken (muscle, fat, liver, kidney and other edible parts), other poultry (muscle, fat, liver, kidney and other edible parts).

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 14 August 2006

The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) has proposed to enforce TIS 2223-2548 (2005) Electrolytic zinc-coated cold-rolled steel coil, strip and sheet as a mandatory standard. The standard covers electrolytic zinc-coated steel made from cold-rolled carbon steel only; specifies types, grades and symbols, basic mass, dimensions and tolerances, materials; prescribes chemical properties (i.e. coating mass, chemical treatment and symbol, oiling and symbol) and mechanical properties (i.e. yield point, tensile strength and elongation, bake hardening amount, hardness, bendability), maximum camber, out-of–square and deviation from flatness; includes marking and labelling, sampling and criteria for conformity and testing.

Products Covered: Flat steel products and semi-products (HS Chapter 7210, ICS : 77.140.50)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 11 August 2006

Establishment of maximum residue limits for veterinary drug, enrofloxacin, in foods.

Products Covered: Cattle (muscle, fat, liver, kidney and other edible parts), milk, pig (muscle, fat, liver, kidney and other edible parts), other terrestrial mammals (muscle, fat, liver, kidney and other edible parts), chicken (muscle, fat, liver, kidney and other edible parts), other poultry (muscle, fat, liver, kidney and other edible parts).

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 10 August 2006

The community legislation on food flavourings was created in 1988, 17 years ago, before the creation of the WTO agreement on the application of SPS measures. Since then the legislation has been further developed and amended and includes: Council Directive 88/388/EEC of 22 June 1988 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to flavourings for use in foodstuffs and to source materials for their production. (OJ L 184, 15.7.1988 p.61) Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 October 1996 laying down a Community procedure for flavouring substances used or intended for use in or on foodstuffs (OJ L 299, 23.11.1996, p. 1–4) It is therefore appropriate to replace the existing legislation with a new updated legal act. This proposal aims: To modernise and adapt the existing legislation on flavourings to technological and scientific developments; to establish clear evaluation and authorisation procedures; to better inform the consumer about the use of natural flavourings. Further Background The Commission with a view to clarifying the legislation, incorporating new scientific knowledge and the ultimate aim of facilitating trade by setting clear rules, is presenting a package of four related proposals. Of most relevance is the proposal notified under G/SPS/N/EEC/294 which includes the common procedure for the authorisation of food flavourings. The other proposals are notified in G/SPS/N/EEC/291Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council on Food Additives [COM(2006) 428 final / 2006/0145 (COD)] 48 pages. G/SPS/N/EEC/292Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on food enzymes and amending Council Directive 83/417/EEC, Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999, Directive 2000/13/EC, and Council Directive 2001/112/EC [COM(2006) 425 final. 2006/0144(COD)] 37 pages. G/SPS/N/EEC/294Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common authorisation procedure for food additives, food enzymes and food flavourings [COM(2006) 423 final 2006/0143 (COD)] 21 pages.

Products Covered: Flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties. HS 0910, 2103, 3302.10 and other headings, when circulating for use in food. ICS: 67.220 and the foods in which they are used.

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 10 August 2006

The community legislation on food flavourings was created in 1988, 17 years ago, before the creation of the WTO agreement on the application of SPS measures. Since then the legislation has been further developed and amended and includes: Council Directive 88/388/EEC of 22 June 1988 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to flavourings for use in foodstuffs and to source materials for their production. (OJ L 184, 15.7.1988 p.61) Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 October 1996 laying down a Community procedure for flavouring substances used or intended for use in or on foodstuffs (OJ L 299, 23.11.1996, p. 1–4) It is therefore appropriate to replace the existing legislation with a new updated legal act. This proposal aims: To modernise and adapt the existing legislation on flavourings to technological and scientific developments; to establish clear evaluation and authorisation procedures; to better inform the consumer about the use of natural flavourings. Further Background The Commission with a view to clarifying the legislation, incorporating new scientific knowledge and the ultimate aim of facilitating trade by setting clear rules, is presenting a package of four related proposals. Of most relevance is the proposal notified under G/SPS/N/EEC/294 which includes the common procedure for the authorisation of food flavourings. The other proposals are notified in G/SPS/N/EEC/291Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council on Food Additives [COM(2006) 428 final / 2006/0145 (COD)] 48 pages. G/SPS/N/EEC/292Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on food enzymes and amending Council Directive 83/417/EEC, Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999, Directive 2000/13/EC, and Council Directive 2001/112/EC [COM(2006) 425 final. 2006/0144(COD)] 37 pages. G/SPS/N/EEC/294Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common authorisation procedure for food additives, food enzymes and food flavourings [COM(2006) 423 final 2006/0143 (COD)] 21 pages.

Products Covered: Flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties. HS 0910, 2103, 3302.10 and other headings, when circulating for use in food. ICS: 67.220 and the foods in which they are used.

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 10 August 2006

The community rule for the use of enzymes fall into the scope of several legislative frames such as Council Directive 83/417/EEC of 25 July 1983 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to certain lactoproteins (caseins and caseinates) intended for human consumption (Official Journal L 237 , 26/08/1983 P. 0025 – 0031) Council Directive 89/107/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning food additives authorised for use in foodstuffs intended for human consumption (Official Journal L 40, 11/02/1989 P. 27) Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999 of 17 May 1999 on the common organisation of the market in wine (Official Journal L 179 , 14/07/1999 P. 0001 – 0084) Council Directive 2001/112/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption (Official Journal L 010 , 12/01/2002 P. 0058 – 0066) National legislation of the member States of the EC. As a consequence there are different rules for the authorisation and use of food enzymes, which leads to confusion and therefore would benefit from some clarification. This proposal aims: To harmonise the area of food enzymes within the European Community through new proposed rules for the authorisation and use of all food enzymes To set provisions for the establishment of a Community list of permitted food enzymes with transition measures. To provide labelling requirements for food enzymes. Food enzymes used as processing aids (i.e. which there are present in food in the form of residues and no longer exert a technological function in the final food) will not be labelled. On the other hand, food enzymes used to exert a technological function in the final food will be labelled with their function (e.g. stabiliser) and specific name. When adopted this legislation will abrogate the corresponding provisions for the use of enzymes in other legislation Further Background The commission with a view to clarifying this legislation by incorporating new scientific knowledge and the ultimate aim of facilitating trade by setting clear rules, is presenting a package of four related proposals. Of most relevance is the proposal notified under G/SPS/N/EEC/294 which includes the common procedure for the authorisation of food enzymes. The other proposals are G/SPS/N/EEC/291Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council on Food Additives [COM(2006) 428 final / 2006/0145 (COD)] 48 pages. G/SPS/N/EEC/293Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods and amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89, Council Regulation (EEC) No 1601/91, Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 and Directive 2000/13/EC [COM(2006) 427 final 2006/0147 (COD)] 49 pages. G/SPS/N/EEC/294Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common authorisation procedure for food additives, food enzymes and food flavourings [COM(2006) 423 final 2006/0143 (COD)] 21 pages.

Products Covered: Food enzymes. HS 3527, ICS: 67:220 and the foods in which they are used.

Regulation Type: Regular notification