Regulatory Updates

Distribution date: 18 November 2004

Sri Lanka standard for Portland limestone cement covers the requirements for composition, manufacture, chemical, physical and mechanical properties and for packaging and marking. This specification pertains to one strength class of Portland limestone cement.

Products Covered: Portland Lime Stone Cement  HS Code: 25.23.29

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 18 November 2004

Sri Lanka standard for Portland limestone cement covers the requirements for composition, manufacture, chemical, physical and mechanical properties and for packaging and marking. This specification pertains to one strength class of Portland limestone cement.

Products Covered: Portland Lime Stone Cement  HS Code: 25.23.29

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 11 November 2004

Prohibition on the imports of live swine, fresh meat, meat products, offal, skins and bristles from swine originating in the Republic of Italy and the Republic of Portugal, with the exception of products obtained from swine that have undergone a thermal or chemical treatment ensuring the destruction of the virus of the Swine Vesicular Disease and African Swine Fever. The prohibition on the imports of live swine, fresh meat, meat products, offal, skins and bristles from swine originating in the Republic of Portugal has been withdrawn due to the data provided with regard to the favourable epizootic situation.

Products Covered: Live swine, fresh pork meat, pork meat products, offal, skins and bristles from swine.

Regulation Type: Emergency notifications (SPS)

Distribution date: 11 November 2004

Prohibition on the imports of live swine, fresh meat, meat products, offal, skins and bristles from swine originating in the Republic of Italy and the Republic of Portugal, with the exception of products obtained from swine that have undergone a thermal or chemical treatment ensuring the destruction of the virus of the Swine Vesicular Disease and African Swine Fever. The prohibition on the imports of live swine, fresh meat, meat products, offal, skins and bristles from swine originating in the Republic of Portugal has been withdrawn due to the data provided with regard to the favourable epizootic situation.

Products Covered: Live swine, fresh pork meat, pork meat products, offal, skins and bristles from swine.

Regulation Type: Emergency notifications (SPS)

Distribution date: 11 November 2004

Products Covered: Fertilizer (HS: 3103)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 11 November 2004

Products Covered: Fertilizer (HS: 3103)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 03 November 2004

Decrees prohibiting the importation of goods and products of bovine origin from countries that are, or are suspected of being, infected with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Products Covered: Bovine animals, parts, products and by-products, and biological, chemical and pharmaceutical products intended for administration to, or consumption by, ruminants

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 03 November 2004

Decrees prohibiting the importation of goods and products of bovine origin from countries that are, or are suspected of being, infected with Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy

Products Covered: Bovine animals, parts, products and by-products, and biological, chemical and pharmaceutical products intended for administration to, or consumption by, ruminants

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 29 October 2004

The proposed measures can be outlined as follows: Following the advice from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (See under N°. 9 "relevant documents") and with a view to reduce the level of nitrosamines in meat products, this proposal decreases the permitted levels of added nitrites and nitrates while preserving the microbiological safety of products. Further to Commission Decision 2004/37 of 13 April 2004 suspending the placing on the market and import of jelly mini-cups containing the food additives E 400, E 401, E 402, E 403, E 404, E 405, E 406, E 407, E 407a, E 410, E 412, E 413, E 414, E 415, E 417 and/or E 418 (O. J. of the EU, No L118, 23 April 2004 p.70) notified in G/SPS/N/EEC/242 (7 April 2004) and following advise by the EFSA (See N°. 9) this proposal withdraws the authorisation for gel-forming food additives in jelly mini-cups. It is proposed to withdraw the authorisation for the use of propyl p-hydroxybenzoate (propyl paraben, E216) and its sodium salt (E217). The proposed amendments follow the advice from EFSA (See N°. 9). It is proposed to authorise the following food additives: ethyl cellulose, erythritol, 4-hexyl resorcinol and soybean hemicellulose; the proposed amendments follow the advice from EFSA (See N°. 9).

Products Covered: Numerous food products mostly in HS headings: 1006 (Rice); 0210 (Meat and edible meat offal, salted, in brine, dried or smoked); 0305 (Subheading 030561 Fish salted - Pickled Herrings); 0402 (Dairy based drinks); 0405 (Butter and other fats and oils; dairy spreads); 0406 (Cheese); 0408 (Birds' eggs, not in shell); 0710 subheadings 071010 (Potatoes) and 071021 (Leguminous vegetables); 1302 subheading 130220 (pectic substances); 1600 (Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates); 1601 (Sausages and similar products); 1602 (Other meat preparations); 1704 (Confectionery); 2004 and 2004 (when related to pre-processed potatoes); 2008 (Jams, fruit jellies etc.); 2103 (Sauces and preparations thereof etc.); 2208 (Spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages). ICS: 67.040 (Food products in general) and 67.220 (Spices and condiments. Food additives).

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 29 October 2004

The proposed measures can be outlined as follows: Following the advice from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (See under N°. 9 "relevant documents") and with a view to reduce the level of nitrosamines in meat products, this proposal decreases the permitted levels of added nitrites and nitrates while preserving the microbiological safety of products. Further to Commission Decision 2004/37 of 13 April 2004 suspending the placing on the market and import of jelly mini-cups containing the food additives E 400, E 401, E 402, E 403, E 404, E 405, E 406, E 407, E 407a, E 410, E 412, E 413, E 414, E 415, E 417 and/or E 418 (O. J. of the EU, No L118, 23 April 2004 p.70) notified in G/SPS/N/EEC/242 (7 April 2004) and following advise by the EFSA (See N°. 9) this proposal withdraws the authorisation for gel-forming food additives in jelly mini-cups. It is proposed to withdraw the authorisation for the use of propyl p-hydroxybenzoate (propyl paraben, E216) and its sodium salt (E217). The proposed amendments follow the advice from EFSA (See N°. 9). It is proposed to authorise the following food additives: ethyl cellulose, erythritol, 4-hexyl resorcinol and soybean hemicellulose; the proposed amendments follow the advice from EFSA (See N°. 9).

Products Covered: Numerous food products mostly in HS headings: 1006 (Rice); 0210 (Meat and edible meat offal, salted, in brine, dried or smoked); 0305 (Subheading 030561 Fish salted - Pickled Herrings); 0402 (Dairy based drinks); 0405 (Butter and other fats and oils; dairy spreads); 0406 (Cheese); 0408 (Birds' eggs, not in shell); 0710 subheadings 071010 (Potatoes) and 071021 (Leguminous vegetables); 1302 subheading 130220 (pectic substances); 1600 (Preparations of meat, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates); 1601 (Sausages and similar products); 1602 (Other meat preparations); 1704 (Confectionery); 2004 and 2004 (when related to pre-processed potatoes); 2008 (Jams, fruit jellies etc.); 2103 (Sauces and preparations thereof etc.); 2208 (Spirits, liqueurs and other spirituous beverages). ICS: 67.040 (Food products in general) and 67.220 (Spices and condiments. Food additives).

Regulation Type: Regular notification