Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

A31: Labelling requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

30 November 2012 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No. 35910, 30 November 2012 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Regulations Relating To The Grading, Packing And Marking Of Citrus Fruit Intended For Sale In The Republic Of South Africa 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

2. (1) No person shall sell citrus fruit in the Republic of South Africa, other than imported citrus fruit referred
to in sub regulation (3)
(f) unless such containers are marked with the particulars and in the same manner prescribed in regulation 11
MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR CITRUS FRUIT
11. (1) Each container containing citrus fruit shall be marked clearly, indelibly, legibly and not untidy, upside
down or askew, in block letters and numerals on any visible short or long side of the lid or container, where lids are not used, by printing, stamping or by means of specially designed labels, with the following particulars: Provided
that in the case of cartons and bulk containers all particulars shall be grouped on the same side:
(a) The expression "Grapefruit", "Pummelos", "Kumquats", "Lemons", "Limes", "Oranges" or "Seville oranges".
(b) The appropriate cultivar.
(c) The appropriate class in accordance with regulation 3.
(d) The size reference as set out in Part 2 (excluding fruit for processing) for a specific type of citrus fruits preceded by the expression "Size code", "Size", "Size reference" or any other suitable term having a similar meaning: Provided that:
(aa) the lower and upper size reference shall be indicated if mixed sizes of fruit are packed in bulk containers; and
(bb) such a size reference shall be preceded by the expression "Size range" or any other suitable term having a similar meaning.
(e) The number of fruit in each container (count) in the case of citrus fruit which are packed according to a specific count: Provided that such a count reference shall be preceded by the expression "Count".
(f) The name and physical or postal address of the producer or owner of the contents of container.
(g) The producer's code or the packhouse code (excluding imported citrus fruit) which is registered with the Executive Officer by the producer or packhouse, as the case may be: Provided that --
(i) the packhouse code shall be used if the origin of the citrus fruit cannot be traced back to the producer;
(ii) if a producer has more than one farm, each farm shall be registered separately; and
(iii) such code shall be preceded by the expression "Producer", "Packhouse", "Packer",
"PUC", "PHC", "FBO" or any other suitable term having a similar meaning.
(h) The country of origin.
(i) Indication of date code on at least 90% of the containers and prepacked containers: Provided that only the following type of packing date shall be used:
(2) If citrus fruit is packed in pockets, or re-usable containers, excluding cartons, the particulars required in
subregulation (1)(b), (c), (e), (0 and (g) shall be indicated on labels which are specially designed for this purpose and which
(i) in the case of pockets, are affixed to the top ends of those pockets.
(ii) in the case of re-usable containers, excluding cartons, fit into the slot specially affixed for this purpose.
(3) If citrus fruit is packed in bulk containers, the particulars required in subregulation (1) (b), (c), (e), (f) and (g) shall be indicated on the two adjoining sides of the bulk containers by means of suitable stamps or labels specially designed for this purpose.
(4) In the case of prepacked units of which the contents are not visible from the outside, the grade and cultivar shall appear on the outside of the container in block letters and numerals of at least 3 mm in height: Provided
that the particulars may be omitted in the case of transparent prepacked units.
(5) Subject to the provisions of subregulation (1), each outer container containing prepacked units shall be marked with an indication of the total number of prepacked units per outer container: Provided that if the total
number of prepacked units is visible from the outside, it does not have to be indicated on the outer container.
(6) If containers are marked by means of affixing labels thereupon, such labels shall be clean and securely
attached and shall not be superimposed on other labels.
(7) If citrus fruit is displayed for sale in loose quantities --
(a) any quantity of a particular class, cultivar or count, as the case may be, shall not be displayed mixed with citrus fruit of any other class, count or cultivar; and for retail purposes, should different counts of the same class and cultivar be displayed simultaneously, the different counts may be displayed, provided they are grouped separately; and
(b) if imported, the country of origin of the citrus fruit shall be indicated in clear, legible block letters on a notice board placed at the quantity of citrus fruit.
PROHIBITED PARTICULARS
12. No wording, illustration or other device of expression which constitutes a misrepresentation or which directly or by implication can create a misleading impression of the contents shall appear on a container which contains citrus fruit.
Display
13. (1) If citrus fruit in containers for sale is being displayed, such container shall be placed in such a manner
to ensure that the prescribed markings on the containers or labels, as the case may be, are clearly visible.
(2) If citrus fruit are displayed for sale other than in containers, --
(a) any quantity thereof of a particular class, count or cultivar, as the case may be, shall not be so displayed mixed with citrus fruit of any other class, size group or cultivar; and
(b) the class and cultivar of such quantity of citrus fruit shall be displayed in clear legible block letters of at least 10 mm in height on a notice board prominently placed at such quantity of citrus fruit. 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 2(1) (f), 11-13 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Citrus fruit i.e grapefruit, kumquats, lemons, limes, oranges and Seville oranges, pummelos (Shaddocks) as
well as soft citrus (easy peelers) 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries