Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

14 February 2014 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No. 37330, 14 February 2014 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Regulations Relating to the Grading, Packing and Marking of Dry Beans intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

Coded list of objectives

A: Protection of human life and health 

Description of the measure

Grades of Beans
3 Dry beans shall for the purpose of the application of these regulations be-
(a) graded as Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3 or Split beans in the case of dry beans in retail quantities : Provided that dry beans in retail quantities of 5kg and more may also be graded as undergrade ; and
(b) (b) graded as Canning Grade 1 , Grade 2, Grade 3 and Grade 4 or Undergrade in the case of dry beans in bulk quantities.
Standards for grades
4. (1) A consignment of dry beans that is graded as Canning Grade, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3 or Grade 4, shall
(a) be of a particular size group;
(b) be of a particular colour group;
c) Be of a particular type group;
(d) be free from a musty or other unacceptable odour
e) be free from any dangerous objects;
(f) be free from dry beans in or on which a substance occurs that renders it unsuitable for human consumption or for processing into healthy food or feed;
(g) be free from noxious seeds: Provided that a consignment of dry beans in bulk quantities may contain noxious seeds to the extent permitted in terms of the Food stuffs, cosmetics and Disinfectant Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972);
(h) Be free from insects;
(i) Be free from organisms of phytosanitary importance as determined by Agricultural Pest Act, 1983 ( Act No. 36 of 1983) ;
(j) have a moisture content of not more that 14 percent , and
(k) not have a deviation specified in column 1 of Table 1(a) to a large extent than the applicable maximum specified in column 2, 3, 4, 5, of 6 of Table 1(a) opposite thereto for the grade concerned.
(2) A consignment of dry beans that is graded as Split beans shall
(a) comply with the requirements set out in subregulation 1(d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i);
(b) have a moisture content of not more than 12 percent , and
c) not have a deficiency specified in column 1 of Table 1(b) to a large extent than the applicable maximum specified in column 5 of Table 1 (b) opposite thereto for the grade concerned.
(3) a consignment of dry beans which does not comply with the requirements specified in subregulations (1) and (2) shall be graded as Undergrade: Provided that in the case of dry beans in retail quantities of 5kg and more which are graded as Undergrade shall –
(a) comply with the requirements set out in subregulation (1) (d), (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i); and
(b) not have a deviation specified in column 1 Table 1(b), to a larger extent than the applicable maximum specified in column 6 of the table opposite thereto for the grade concerned
Size groups
6. (1) The size groups for dry beans are Large, Medium and Small.
(2) A consignment of dry beans shall be deemed to be –
(a) of the size group Large if the count thereof is 140 or less per 100 gram;
(b) of the size group Medium if the count thereof is more than 140 but not more than 365 per 100 gram; and
c) of the size group Small if the count thereof is more that 365 but not more than 760 per 100 gram.
Colour groups
7. (1) The colour groups for dry beans shall be White, Red speckled, Non-red speckled and Coloured.
(2) A consignment of dray beans shall be deemed to be –
(a) of the colour group White if the color of the testa of those dry beans can be described as white;
(b) of the colour Red speckled if the testa of those dry beans-
(i) have fully or partly, pinkish red to reddish purple speckles ;
Have a white or light white background colour and a pinkish red to reddish purple secondary colour ; or
(iii) have a pinkish red to reddish purple colour inversion;
c) of the colour group Non-red speckled if the tests of those dry beans have speckles of a colour inversion of any colour other than pinkish red or reddish purple; and
(d) of the colour group Coloured if those dry beans are not of a colour group contemplated in paragraph (a) , (b) or c).
Type groups
8. (1) The type groups for dry beans are-
(a) Kidney beans;
(b) Medium white beans;
c) Small white beans;
(d) Red Speckled beans ;
(e) Non-red speckled beans;
(f) Half –white speckled beans;
(g) Coloured beans;
(h) Green beans ;
(i) Mixed dry beans; and
(j) Unspecified dry beans
(2)for the purpose of subregulation (1) –
(a) “Half white beans” means dry beans of which approximately one half of the testa is predominantly white or dull white , irrespective of whether a few small speckles occur thereon , and of which the remaining portion is speckled, naturally stained or coloured;
(b) “Green beans” means the threshed ripe seed of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (garden beans) ;
c) “Mixed dry beans ” means dry beans that consist of a mixture of different size groups, colour groups or types groups ; and
(d) “Unspecified dry beans ” means dry beans of a type group that is not otherwise specified in subregulation(1) 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 3 to 8 

Measure also domestic

No 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Dry beans 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries