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

Quality standards
(1) Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class carrots in subregulation 2 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 8, carrots shall -
(a) be intact;
(b) be free from decay;
(c) be clean and free from foreign matter, including soil;
(d) be free from Arthropoda infestation;
(e) be free from insect damage or damage caused by other organisms;
(f) be free from blemishes;
(g) be free from cracks;
(h) be free from injuries;
(i) be free from bruises;
(j) be free from abnormal external moisture;
(k) not be running to seed;
(I) be free from foreign odours;
(m) be free from cold damage;
(n) be free from sun-scorch;
(o) be fresh and firm and show no sign of withering
(p) not be malformed or forked or have secondary roots;
(q) not be woody;
(r) be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the carrots detrimentally;
(s) have fresh, green and sound foliage not longer than 50 mm: Provided that if topped, it must be evened off or cut off at the top of the root, without damaging it;
(t) be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar; and
(u) be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling.
Classifications
(2) (a) Carrots classified as Class 1 -
(i) shall be of a colour typical of the cultivar: Provided that the tops of the carrots may ;
(aa) have a purple or green discolouration of 10 mm in the case of carrots 80 mm and shorter; or
(bb) have a purple or green discolouration of 20 mm in the case of carrots longer than 80 mm;
(ii) may have one or more cracks which separately or collectively do not exceed -
(aa) 10 mm in length and 2 mm in depth in the case of carrots 80 mm or shorter; and
(bb) 20 mm in length and 2 mm in depth in the case of carrots longer than 80 mm.
(iii) may have slight defects in shape; and
(iv) the roots must be of fresh appearance.
(b) Carrots classified as Class 2 and Class 3 ;
(i) shall be of a colour typical of the cultivar: Provided that the tops of the carrots may ;
(aa) have a purple or green discolouration of 20 mm in the case of carrots 100 mm or shorter; or
(bb) have a purple or green discolouration of 30 mm in the case of carrots longer than 100 mm; and
(ii) may have one or more cracks which separately or collectively do not exceed 30 mm in length and 3 mm in depth;
(iii) defects in shape.
(c) In the case of Lowest Class - unspecified.
Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards
(8) (a) Class 1 carrots may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 by a maximum of 10% by mass or number in case of bunched carrots and an additional 10% by mass or number in case of bunched carrots may show a discolouration green or violet purple on the top: Provided that the carrots ;
(I) at least comply with the quality standards for Class 2; and
(ii) do not exceed the following individual limits:
decay: 2%
injuries: 6%
Arthropoda infestation: Degree as set out in regulation 4(4)(c);Part 1.
(b) Class 2 carrots may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 by a maximum of 15% by mass and an additional 25% by mass broken carrots and carrots with broken tips are permissible: Provided that the carrots ;
( ) do not exceed the following individual limits, excluding carrots that are broken or have tips that are broken off:
decay: 4%
injuries: 8%
Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulatin 4(4)(c): Part1.
(c) Class 3 carrots may deviate from the quality standards for Class 3 by 25% by mass and an additional 25% by mass of broken carrots are permissible: Provided that the carrots ;
(i) are not affected by decay; and
(ii) do not exceed the following individual limits, excluding carrots that are
broken or have tips that are broken off:
decay: 6%
injuries:10%
Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c):Part 1.
(d) In the case of Lowest Class- decay shall not not exceed 20% by mass or number.
Permissible deviations with regard to colour variations
(10) Class 1 and Class 2 carrots may deviate from the colour variations requirements, set out in subregulations 1 and 2, with 20% and 25% respectively by mass or number. Class 3 and Lowest Class are unspecified. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 10 (1) , (2) (8) and (10) 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Carrots 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries