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. 791 (Government Gazette 26531) of 9 July 2004 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Compulsory Specification For The Manufacture, Production, Processing and Treatment of Canned Meat Products 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

The rationale of the measure

This specification specifies requirements for the manufacture, production, processing and treatment of canned meat products intended for human consumption. 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

8.1 Types of container
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;
d) protect the contents from contamination by micro-organisms or any other substance;
e) be suitable for the type of product 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, and 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.
8.2 Condition of containers
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 detinning, delacquering, damages, serious solder splashing or excess application of solder. When lacquered cam 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 off-flavours, off-odours and discolouration. The seam/s 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.
9.1 Filling under hygienic conditions
The product shall be filled and processed under strictly hygienic conditions into containers that have been acceptably cleaned. 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 8.1 and 8.2
Regulation 9.1 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Canned meat products 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries