Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

A33: Packaging requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

09 September 2004 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Notice R. 790 (Government Gazette 26530) Of 9 July 2004 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Compulsory Specification For The Manufacture, Production, Processing And Treatment Of Canned Fish, Canned Marine Molluscs And Canned Crustaceans 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

The rationale of the measure

This specification covers the manufacture, production, processing, and treatment of canned fish, canned fish products, canned marine molluscs, canned marine mollusc products, canned crustaceans and canned crustacean products. 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

6.1.5 Container integrity
The final product shall be free from container integrity defects that may compromise the hermetic seal. Additional requirements are stipulated in section 9.
6.1 -6 Net headspace and fill of containers
The containers shall be filled to practical capacity without being overfilled. The drained mass requirements are subject to the cans being filled to practical capacity. When examined in accordance with 11.4.2 and 11.4.3, the net headspace in cylindrical containers shall be not more than 13 mm, on condition that the product shall occupy at least 90 % of the total volume capacity of the container.
Sufficient headspace shall be allowed for expansion of the contents during the heat process and to ensure that the ends of the container or closure of jars are not convex when cooled after the retort process. Shallow containers with large flexible lids (see definition 2.54) need little or no measurable headspace on condition that the lid or lids do not remain convex.
6.1.7 Negative air pressure inside containers
The negative air pressure inside the container shall be adequate to prevent the bulging or flipping of containers at ambient temperature or lower atmospheric pressure in regions of higher altitude.
6.1.9 Requirements for the packing medium
The product may be packed in its own juice, potable water, brine, vegetable broth, a sauce, a gravy, fish oil, vegetable oil, or with vegetable oil added, in agar, or other suitable medium. The product may be packed dry. The packing medium shall be reasonably free from exuded proteins and fish matter indicating decomposed fish or presence of viscera or of excessive fish blood in the raw material. Parchment paper or similar lining material may be used to prevent surface discolouration or adhesion of the product to the container. Vegetables may be used in the preparation of the sauce or gravy. When tested in accordance with 13.2 the sauce or gravy without the solid ingredients shall contain not more than 6 % starch. Where the product is claimed to be in a broth, or a thick or rich sauce or gravy, the character of the packing medium shall, after equilibrium has been reached, be in accordance with the claim made. A product packed in a natural broth shall not be labelled in a sauce or gravy.
Where oil is declared as the sole packing medium, the presence of other liquid shall be not in excess of 30 % when determined in accordance with 11.6. When the packing medium contains more than 30 % exuded liquid it shall be labelled "X (name of product) with oil added. 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 6.1.5 to 6.1.7 and 6.1.9 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Fish, marine molluscs or crustaceans or products of these or any combination of these 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries