Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

24 May 2013 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No. 36480, 24 May 2013 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Regulations Relating To The Grading, Packing And Marking Of Fresh Vegetables 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

ASPARAGUS
2. The regulations for asparagus of the varieties grown form Asparagus officinalis L. are as follows:
Quality standards
(1) Subject to regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class asparagus as set out in subregulation 3 and the permissible deviations set out in subregulation 11, each asparagus shall ;
(a) be intact;
(b) be free from decay;
(c) be clean and free from visible foreign matter, including soil;
(d) be free from damage caused by unsuitable washing of the asparagus: Provided that asparagus may be washed but not soaked.
(e) be free from Athropoda infestation;
(f) be free from insect damage or damage caused by other organisms;
(g) be free from blemishes;
(h) be free from injuries;
(i) be free from bruises;
be free from abnormal external moisture: Provided that asparagus if washed orcooled by water the asparagus shall be properly dried;
(k) be free from cold damage;
(I) be free from foreign odours;
(m) be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the asparagus detrimentally;
(n) be fresh and firm;
(o) have a sound and attractive appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar;
(p) be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling;
(q) be cut off clean and square at the base of the shoot: Provided that to improve the presentation in the case of asparagus packed in bundles, the shoots packed on the outside of the bundle may be slightly bevelled to the extent that the bevelling does not exceed 1 cm; and
(r) not be hollow, scraped, peeled or broken.
(2) Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 asparagus are divided into the following three groups according to colour:
(a) white asparagus;
(b) violet asparagus if the tip of the asparagus is of a pink to violet colour whilst the rest of the shoot is white;
(c) violet/green asparagus if part of the asparagus is of violet and green colour, and
(d) green asparagus if the tip and all or the largest part of the shoot is a greenish colour.
Classifications
(3) (a) Class 1 asparagus ;
(i) shall be of good quality, well formed, compact and practically straight thus not deviated by more than 10 mm from a straight line;
(ii) shall be closed at the tips;
(iii) shall not show any woodiness: Provided that in the case of asparagus other than white asparagus woodiness on the lower part of the shoot which can be removed through normal scrapping/pealing by the consumer, is permissible;
(iv) may, in the case of white asparagus, show a faint pink colour on the tip and shoot;
(v) shall in the case of green asparagus, be of a greenish colour for at least 80% of the length of the shoot;
(vi) may show no discolouration due to oxidation or age;
(vii) may have slight traces of rust which can be removed through normal scraping by the consumer; and
(viii) may show one or more cracks which in length, individually or collectively, not exceed 25 mm and not be deeper than 3 mm;
(b) Class 2 and Class 3 asparagus;
(i) shall be well formed, compact and practically straight;
(ii) shall be closed at the tips;
(iii) shall be practically free from woodiness;
(iv) may in the case of white asparagus show a faint pink or green colour on the tip;
(v) shall in the case of green asparagus be of a greenish colour for at least 60% of the length of the shoot;
(vi) may in the case of violet asparagus have a slight green tint at the tip;
(vii) may show slight discolouration due to oxidation or age: Provided that it is restricted to two lengths of 50 mm each;
(viii) may have slight traces of rust which can be removed through normal scraping by the consumer; and
(ix) may show one or more cracks which in length, individually or collectively, not exceed 25 mm and not be deeper than 3 mm.
(c) In the case of Lowest Class asparagus - unspecified.
Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards
(11) (a) Class 1 asparagus may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with not more than 10% by number: Provided that ;
(i) the deviating asparagus shall at least comply with the quality standards for Class 2; and
(ii) the following individual limits are not exceeded:
decay: 2%
injuries: 6%
Athropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1
(b) Class 2 and Class 3 asparagus may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 and Class 3 with 15% and 25% respectively by number: Provided that the following individual limits are not exceeded:
decay: 4% and 6% respectively
injuries: 8% and 10% respectively
Athropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1
(c) In the case of Lowest Class - decay shall not exceed 20% by mass or number. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 2(1)-(3) and (11) of Part II 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Asparagus 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries