Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

A31: Labelling 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

9.6.1 Coding
Each container shall be indelibly and legibly marked, and visible with the naked eye, coded from which the details of manufacture (see 10.2(9)) including the seamer and/or packing line identification and where applicable any sub-coding system used, can be determined.

Sub-coding may indicate and change according to the following: intervals or periods during a work shift; personnel shift changes; batches or catches, provided that containers comprising such batches shall not extend over a period of more than one personnel shift.
When coding is done by embossing, the lids or closers shall not be damaged.
9.8.4 A system for product traffic control shall be established to prevent the product from bypassing the thermal processing operation and being accidentally taken into the storage area, or being subjected to multiple processing. A method to indicate whether a retort trolley or basket has been thermally processed such as with the application of a heat sensitive tape or tag shall be employed. A container on top of a retort trolley or basket shall be conspicuously marked with a heat sensitive tape or a heat sensitive tag shall be tied to the retort trolley or basket.
risks of corrosion.
10 Labelling and marking
10.1 Labelling operations
10.1.1 Labelling area
Before the start of the labelling operation, the area shall be cleared of any stray cans. The labelling area shall be maintained in a clean, tidy and orderly condition.
10.1.2 Condition and handling of containers during labelling
Containers shall be in a condition complying with 9.2.
The handling of containers during the labelling process shall be done in a manner so as to avoid container abuse or damaging or their seams being subjected to undue stress or mechanical shock.
10.1.3 Labels
Labels, outer wrappers, outer cartons, lithographic markings and printing on containers, pictorial presentation and colouring shall be in accordance with the labelling requirements of 10.2.
The size of the label, outer wrapper and outer carton shall be suitable to the container size without being oversized. Printing shall be correct, proper and neat.
It is recommended that the authority administering this specification be consulted with regard to the printed lettering size, statements, pictorial presentation and colouring on newly designed labels, outer wrappers, outer cartons or lithographed cans before they are taken into use.
10.1.4 Attachment of labels
Labels, outer wrappers or outer cartons shall not be aatached or applied to containers by any person other than the manufacturer or by his authorsed agent.
Labels, outer wrapers or outer cartons on containers, shall be clean, neat, unspoiled, undamaged and labels or outer wrappers shall be securely attached at the time of despatch from the factory (or at the time of arrival when imported).
Misaligned labels, excess glue or lack of glue, or loose or pleated labels or outer wrappers shall not be present. Labels or outer wrappers shall not be superimposed over other labels or over outer wrappers that have been affixed on to containers or onto lithographic printed containers.
Materials such as adhesives or glues used for attaching or applying labels, outer wrappers or outer cartons or closing of packages shall not be hygroscopic, or liable to deteriorate during storage after being applied or conducive to corrosion of the can or lid.
10.1.6 Marking of packages
The following regarding the containers in the package shall be printed or stencilled on the outside of every package: The number and size or net mass of the containers and the information required by 10.2(a), 10.2(b), 10.2(9), 10.2(h), 10.2(i) (where applicable) and 10.2(f). The business address of the manufacturer need not be the full address but shall be sufficient for identification purposes.
In addition to the date code required by 10.2(h), any sub-coding indicating a time period of the production date, and/or any line or seamer number, that appeared on the containers shall also be printed or stencilled on every package. When a code system other than the conventional lettering and digital form such as a bar or edge coding system is used, sufficient information shall appear on the packages to identify the production date and any sub-coding.
10.2 Details required on each container or label
The following information shall appear on each container or label, clearly visible in legible and indelible markings not affected by pictorial or other matter, printed or otherwise, in type of such size and presentation as prescribed by regulation promulgated under the said Foodstuffs, Cosmetics
and Disinfectants Act and the Trade Metrology Act, 1973 (Act 77 of 1973) (as amended from time to time):
a) the name and full physical address of the manufacturer, importer, producer, proprietor or controlling company, or in the case of containers packed on behalf of any other person or body, the name and full physical address of that person or body;
b) taking cognisance of the provisions of the correct Merchandise Mark Act the name and true description of the contents (see 10.3), including where applicable, the nature of the packing medium in which the product is packed;
1) the description "natural oil" or "natural" shall not be used for products in a "plain" or "brine"
packing medium;
2) where the product is packed in oil, the name of the type of oil. If the term "vegetable oil" appears in the name of the product, the specific type of vegetable oil shall be declared in the list of ingredients;
3) if the product has been smoked or smoked flavoured, this information shall appear on the label in close proximity to the name of the product. The qualifying word(s) e.g. "smoked or "smoke-flavoured whatever is appropriate shall appear in immediate conjunction to the product name in a letter size at least half that in that the product name is featured and in equal prominence and boldness;
c) where applicable, a list of ingredients including the name(s) of the fish, molluscs or crustacean species;
d) where permitted by the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, the presence of artificial colorants;
e) where the product is required to be stored under refrigeration, the words "Perishable - Keep under refrigeration at a temperature not exceeding 5 "C in a prominent position on the main panel, in plain capital letters at least half the size of that used for the product name, with a minimum of 3 mm in height, except that the word "Perishable" shall be in bold type of at least 4,0 mm in height;
9 the d.n.m. of the contents;
g) the product identification, the date of canning, the batch number (if used) and the factory identification embossed or otherwise indelibly marked on the container or, in the case of jars, on the cap or label (see 9.6.1); any mark or code used for the foregoing shall be disclosed to the authority administering this standard. Where individual containers are labelled, wrapped in an outer wrapper or packed inside an outer carton in such a way that the code on the container is not visible without removing the label, outer wrapper or outer carton, the corresponding code of the container shall be marked on the label or outer carton;
h) words indicating the country of origin where the product was produced; and
i) information required in terms of the relevant subsection(s) dealing with the specific product.
10.3 True description of the canned product
10.3.1 General
10.3.1.1 The name of canned fish, molluscs or crustaceans declared on the label shall be the common or usual name applied to the species.
10.3.1.2 The product shall be correctly described in the name of the product appearing on the label.
10.3.1.3 In addition to 10.3.1 .I and 10.3.1.2, the label shall include other descriptive terms that will avoid misleading or confusing the consumer.
10.3.1.4 Any descriptive terms used including those denoting style of presentation, shall accurately reflect the contents of the container.
10.3.1.5 No fish, molluscs or crustaceans shall be labelled under a name or designation that is misleading or no descriptive terms or statements that are misleading or confusing to the consumer shall be used.
10.3.1.6 Where the words "selected fish" or similar words are used to describe the product, the name of the fish, molluscs or crustaceans shall appear in plain type of the same letter size and colour as the product name.
10.3.1.7 The name of the product shall be qualified by a term descriptive of the representation. A product presented as solid pack or chunks or as flaked, grated, shredded, minced or similarly prepared, shall be described by the appropriate word(s) on the main panel of the label in letters of the same size and prominence as the name of the product that shall include the name of the fish.
Where the name of a minor ingredient appears in the name of the product, the mass of the minor ingredient shall not constitute less than 5 % of the d.n.m.
10.3.1.8 Fish packs other than whole packs (heads and tails removed and eviscerated) such as cutlets, fillets or slices shall be appropriately described on the main panel(s) of the label.
10.3.1.9 Pictorial presentations shall not be misleading or confusing to the consumer. Any fish, molluscs or crustaceans depicted on the container, label, outer wrapper or outer carton shall bear a reasonable likeness to the type of fish, molluscs or crustacean, cut of fish or colour of fish or product in the container.
10.3.1.10 Where applicable, the common or usual name of the product shall be qualified by the country, or region of origin.
10.3.1.11 The "Best before" date or expiry date shall appear legibly on the label. 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 9.6.1 and 9.8.4
Regulations 10.1.1 to 10.1.4 and 10.1.6
Regulations 10.2 and 10.3.1 

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