Regulatory Updates

Distribution date: 23 December 2002

Products Covered: Agricultural Chemicals (HS: 3208 which is imported as active ingredient of agricultural chemicals)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 05 December 2002

Products Covered: Laminated steel angles (HS 73.02)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 02 December 2002

1. The upper limits of these nutritional additives mentioned in item 3 in foods are regulated as 150 per cent of the recommended daily nutrient allowances (RDNAs). General foods are calculated on basis of the RDNA for 16-year-old male, and infant (supplementary) foods are calculated on basis of the RDNA for one-year-old infant. 2. The RDNAs in the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu have been reviewed and revised as "Dietary Reference Intakes, DRIs" on 15 October 2002. The application standards of these nutritional additives are accommodatingly amended. Considering the convenience for reading, the actual upper limits calculated from the data of DRIs are listed explicitly to replace the original description. 3. The Application standards for other specific foods, such as those foods in capsule or tablet form, and edible salts, are not amended.

Products Covered: The following nutritional additives: vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D, E, niacin, folic acid, compounds containing calcium, iron, iodine.

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 27 November 2002

Under the existing law, importers and manufacturers of agricultural chemicals are required to register agricultural chemicals with the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries before they sell those chemicals to Japan. After the amendment, in order to prevent distribution of un-registered agricultural chemicals, importers will be required to register the agriculture chemicals before they import them.

Products Covered: Agricultural Chemicals (HS:3208 imported agricultural chemicals)

Regulation Type: Emergency notifications (SPS)

Distribution date: 19 November 2002

Products Covered: Fertilizer (HS: 3103, 3105)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 November 2002

Products Covered: Cosmetics (HS:  30.03, 33.04, 33.05, 33.06, 33.07, 34.01)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 18 October 2002

1. The active substances listed below are subject, as of 13 August 2002, to the following maximum residue limits (MRLs): 1 2 3 4 5 6 Active substance Scope Foodstuff Tolerance value mg/kg Maximum residue limit (MRL) mg/kg Comments Furaltadone C Meat 0.001 Sum of the furaltadone and its metabolites with an intact 5-nitrofuran and 3-amino-5-morpholinomethyl-2-oxazolidinone (AMOZ) side chain; calculated as furaltadone Furazolidone C Meat 0.001 Sum of the furazolidone and its metabolites with an intact 5-nitrofuran and 3-amino-2-oxazolidinone (AOZ) side chain; calculated as furazolidone Nitrofurantoin C Meat 0.001 Sum of the nitrofurantoin and its metabolites with an intact 5-nitrofuran and 1-aminohydantoin (AHD) side chain; calculated as nitrofurantoin Nitrofurazone C Meat 0.001 Sum of the nitrofurazone and its metabolites with an intact 5-nitrofuran and semicarbazide (SEM) side chain; calculated as nitrofurazone 2. The tolerance value for furazolidone in list 3 of the Annex to the Ordinance on Foreign Substances and Toxic Components in Foodstuffs is hereby removed with immediate effect.

Products Covered: Foodstuffs of animal origin

Regulation Type: Emergency notifications (SPS)

Distribution date: 01 October 2002

Products Covered: Food and food additives (HS Section 4, Chapters 28 and 29)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 30 September 2002

This measure defines the requirements to countries that want to export the above-mentioned products to Brazil, according to their geographical risk and to the tissue infectivity level of the exported product. This rule reinforces the prohibition, throughout the Brazilian territory, of the entrance, trade and display of the above-mentioned products that come from countries of certain regions, according the classification specified in the notified Resolution. The Resolution RDC nº 213 replaces Resolution RDC nº 118, previously notified as G/SPS/N/BRA/56.

Products Covered:

Regulation Type: Emergency notifications (SPS)

Distribution date: 27 September 2002

The following message must appear on any food or food product label containing the additive TARTRAZINA (INS 102), - also known as yellow n.º 5, Food yellow 4 and Acid yellow 23: "Este produto contém o corante TARTRAZINA que pode causar reações alérgicas em pessoas sensíveis". (This product contains the color additive TARTRAZINA which may cause allergic response in susceptible people). Note: Also notified under TBT Agreement

Products Covered: Food additives – tartrazina (INS 102)

Regulation Type: Regular notification