Regulatory Updates

Distribution date: 04 May 2010

Given that there is currently no system which enables establishments requiring a veterinary certificate of operation to be classified as small, medium or large, there is a need for a directive which establishes and defines this scale in general terms.

Products Covered: Products of animal origin

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 03 May 2010 | Final date for Comment: 02 July 2010

The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) has proposed to withdraw the Thai industrial standard for nitrocellulose lacquer thinner (TIS 520(1)-2527 (1984)) and replace it with TIS 520-2553(2010) as a mandatory standard.

Products Covered: Solvent (HS: 3814; ICS: 87.060.30)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 03 May 2010 | Final date for Comment: 02 July 2010

The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) has proposed to withdraw the Thai industrial standard for lacquer thinner (TIS 496-2526(1983)) and replace it with TIS 496-2553(2010) as a mandatory standard. This draft standard covers only lacquer thinner which is the mixture of nitrocellulose, solvent and others, intended for general proposes.

Products Covered: Solvent (HS: 3814; ICS: 87.060.30)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 30 April 2010

This proposed draft Standard, which "lays down the physico-chemical, microbiological, organoleptic, compositional, labelling, packing and packaging requirements to be met by uncanned sausages", was notified on 23 February 2010 in document G/SPS/N/DOM/46.Text available at: http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2010/sps/DOM/10_0777_00_s.pdf.

Products Covered:

Regulation Type: Addendum to Regular Notification

Distribution date: 28 April 2010

This proposed draft Standard, which "establishes the organoleptic, physico-chemical, microbiological, packaging, labelling and hygiene requirements, the permitted food additives and the maximum contaminant levels for the food product known as margarine, intended for both direct human consumption and industrial use", was notified on 23 February 2010 in document G/SPS/N/DOM/47.Text available at: http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2010/sps/DOM/10_0778_00_s.pdf.

Products Covered:

Regulation Type: Addendum to Regular Notification

Distribution date: 28 April 2010

This proposed draft Standard, which "lays down the physico-chemical, microbiological, organoleptic, compositional and packing and packaging requirements to be met by processed ham", was notified on 23 February 2010 in document G/SPS/N/DOM/45.Text available at: http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2010/sps/DOM/10_0776_00_s.pdf.

Products Covered:

Regulation Type: Addendum to Regular Notification

Distribution date: 26 April 2010

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing that Nisso America, Inc., has filed a petition proposing that the food additive regulations for hydroxypropyl cellulose be amended by lowering the minimum viscosity from 145 centipoises (cPs) to 10 cPs and to permit its use as a binder in dietary supplements.

Products Covered: Hydroxypropyl cellulose

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 26 April 2010 | Final date for Comment: 25 June 2010

Applies to building limes used as binders for preparation of mortar (for masonry, rendering and plastering) and production of other construction products. ; It gives definitions for the different types of building limes and their classification. It also gives requirements for their chemical and physical properties which depend on the type of building lime and specifies the conformity criteria. ;

Products Covered: Construction materials (HS: 252100 ICS: 91.100.10)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 26 April 2010

FDA is announcing the withdrawal, without prejudice to a future filing, of the remaining portion of a colour additive petition proposing an amendment of the colour additive regulations to provide for the safe use of composite pigments prepared from synthetic iron oxide, mica, and titanium dioxide to colour food.

Products Covered: Composite pigments prepared from synthetic iron oxide, mica, and titanium oxide to colour food

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 23 April 2010 | Final date for Comment: 22 June 2010

Definition of the procedures to be followed in the context of the official control of chemical residues in honey, ranging from the collection of samples and their analysis to penalties for failure to comply with the regulatory provisions contained in this text.

Products Covered: Honey

Regulation Type: Regular notification