Regulatory Updates

Distribution date: 23 February 2005

The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) plans to restrict the packaging of gift boxes containing pastries, cosmetics, alcoholic products, and/or processed foods, as well as disks of computer programs (together referred to as "designated products"). The space volume ratio of packaging of the designated products shall not exceed 25%. The space volume ratio of packaging made of a single material shall not exceed 35%. The number of packaging layers shall be no more than two for gift boxes containing cosmetics, alcoholic products, and/or processed foods. The number of packaging layers shall be no more than three for disks of computer programs and gift boxes containing pastries. The first stage of the regulation will be effective starting 1 July 2006, covering pastries, cosmetics, alcoholic products and disks of computer programs. The second stage, set for 1 July 2007, will cover processed foods. This regulation also requires the manufacturers, importers and sellers of the regulated products (together referred to as "designated industries") to offer products for packaging inspection without compensation. In addition, the designated industries shall offer catalogues of products, information about the buyers, sale dates to the buyers, suppliers, and sale dates of the suppliers of designated products, when required by enforcement officials.

Products Covered: Gift boxes containing pastries, gift boxes containing processed foods, gift boxes containing cosmetics, gift boxes containing alcoholic products, disks of computer program works (HS chapters 16-24 and 33, HS 8524.39.90.29.4)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 February 2005

A proposed new prohibition regulation to remove or modify existing import restrictions from a range of currently prohibited U.S. commodities. These restrictions were introduced following the detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Washington State on 23 December 2003. Based on the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health, the CFIA plans to permit the importation of live cattle born in 1998 or later, beef from animals of any age from which specified risk material has been removed and various other commodities. Products that may pose risks, such as certain animal feeds, will remain prohibited.

Products Covered: Animals and products derived from animals of the sub-family Bovinae; animal food and fertilizers containing ruminant derived ingredients

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 February 2005

A proposed new prohibition regulation to remove or modify existing import restrictions from a range of currently prohibited U.S. commodities. These restrictions were introduced following the detection of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Washington State on 23 December 2003. Based on the guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health, the CFIA plans to permit the importation of live cattle born in 1998 or later, beef from animals of any age from which specified risk material has been removed and various other commodities. Products that may pose risks, such as certain animal feeds, will remain prohibited.

Products Covered: Animals and products derived from animals of the sub-family Bovinae; animal food and fertilizers containing ruminant derived ingredients

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 24 January 2005

This regulation consist of the general requirements, procurement, registration and its procedure including the cost, application, controlling, obligation, technical assistance, and sanction.

Products Covered: Organic fertilizers and soil ameliorations

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 24 January 2005

This regulation consist of the general requirements, procurement, registration and its procedure including the cost, application, controlling, obligation, technical assistance, and sanction.

Products Covered: Organic fertilizers and soil ameliorations

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 24 January 2005

This draft criterion stipulates the methods and technology for the assessment of general toxicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, carcinogenicity, toxicant metabolic dynamics and immunology, to meet the requirement for the assessment of the toxicity and safety of Chemicals. Relevant documents of OECD and US EPA have been referred to, and the actual situation in China has been taken into consideration. This criterion will be also notified under the TBT Agreement.

Products Covered: Chemicals

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 24 January 2005

This draft criterion stipulates the methods and technology for the assessment of general toxicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, carcinogenicity, toxicant metabolic dynamics and immunology, to meet the requirement for the assessment of the toxicity and safety of Chemicals. Relevant documents of OECD and US EPA have been referred to, and the actual situation in China has been taken into consideration. This criterion will be also notified under the TBT Agreement.

Products Covered: Chemicals

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 January 2005

It is evident that the reusing of food preparing oil may be harmful to consumer as it contains high levels of the polar compounds, chemical compounds resulting from breaking down of fat during deep-fat frying of foods. Therefore, it is deemed necessary for MOPH to stipulate the maximum level of polar compound not exceeding 25% by weight of food preparing oil which is derived from plant or animal for consumption.

Products Covered: Polar Compound in Food Preparing Oil (ICS 67.040)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 January 2005

It is evident that the reusing of food preparing oil may be harmful to consumer as it contains high levels of the polar compounds, chemical compounds resulting from breaking down of fat during deep-fat frying of foods. Therefore, it is deemed necessary for MOPH to stipulate the maximum level of polar compound not exceeding 25% by weight of food preparing oil which is derived from plant or animal for consumption.

Products Covered: Polar Compound in Food Preparing Oil (ICS 67.040)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 05 January 2005

Objeto, Campo de aplicación, Definiciones, Especies, Clasificación de las sardinas en conserva, Requisitos generales, Aditivos, Líquido de cobertura, Contenido del líquido de cobertura, Requisitos específicos, Fisicoquímicos, Límites máximos de metales pesados, Envase, Rotulado, Requisitos sanitarios para la exportación de sardinas en conserva, Vigilancia y control, Certificado y evaluación de la conformidad, Régimen sancionatorio y Procedimientos administrativos.

Products Covered: Preserved sardines (tariff heading 1604.13.00.00)

Regulation Type: Regular notification