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

9 Requirements to control the integrity of cans and other types of containers
9.1 General requirements
Containers, including lids or caps shall meet the following requirements:
a) be capable of maintaining the preservation of their contents in a sound wholesome condition;
b) be made of a suitable material and constructed so that they can be easily closed and sealed;
c) be sufficiently durable to withstand mechanical and thermal stresses during the canning processes and to resist physical damage and maintain their normal appearance during normal distribution and storage;
NOTE Collapsible tubes if unsuitable for heat sterilization, should be used only for products such as fish pastes or fish roe with a high salt content where heat sterilization is not obligatory.
d) protect the contents from contamination by micro-organisms or any other substance;
e) be suitable for the type of pro,duct and the conditions of storage and transportation;
f) their inner surfaces shall be adequately coated with a suitable material and shall not react with the contents in any way that would adversely affect the product or the containers;
g) the internal surface coating such as lacquer shall be uniformly applied and shall not become loose or peel off the surface of the can or lid during processing and normal storage conditions;
h) the outer surfaces shall be resistant to corrosion under normal storage and retail conditions;
i) the compound sealing material on lids or caps shall be suitable for the purpose and for the type of product used;
j) lids shall be tamper-proof, a tamper detector shall be provided in cases where lids or caps can be removed by hand, such as with screw-on caps on jars; and
k) the containers shall be such that the contents can be easily emptied out.
9.2 Condition of containers and closures
Containers or lids with signs of poor or doubtful container integrity shall not be used. The inner surfaces of all containers and closures shall, at the time of use, be clean and in the case of cans, free from corrosion, pinholes, evidence of de-tinning, de-lacquering, damages, serious solder splashing or excess application of solder. When lacquered cans or lids or both are used, the lacquer shall be free from drops or splashes of lacquer, significant scratches and other imperfections, and it shall have no detrimental effect on the product such as foreign flavours, foreign odours and discolouration. The seams and seals, where applicable, shall be normal in appearance with a strong leakproof structure and quality. The sealing compound on closures shall be evenly applied around
the entire contour with a normal appearance and adhesion.

Can bodies and lids with scoring lines for easy opening purposes of the final product by the consumer, shall be subjected to appropriate examinations for integrity. There shall be no signs of corrosion in the scoring lines. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 9 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Canned Fish, Canned Marine Molluscs And Canned Crustaceans 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries