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
16(1) Subject to the regulation for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class cucumbers in subregulation 2 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 5, cucumbers 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 injuries;
(h) be free from bruises;
(i) be free from abnormal external moisture;
(j) be free from foreign odours;
(k) be free from cold damage;
(I) be free from sun-scorch;
(m) be free of bitter taste;
(n) be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the cucumbers detrimentally;
(o) be fresh and firm and show no sign of withering;
(p) be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar; and
(q) be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling.
Classification
(2) (a) Class 1 cucumbers shall be ;
(i) well developed: Provided that the seed must be soft;
(ii) well shaped and practically straight with the maximum height of the arc not more than 10 mm per 100 mm of the length of the cucumber; and
(iii) free of defects, including malformations and particularly those caused by seed formation.
(b) Class 2 cucumbers shall be ;
(i) reasonably developed: Provided that the seed must be soft;
(ii) virtually straight with the maximum height of the arc not more than 10 mm per 100 mm of the length of the cucumber; and
(iii) free of deformation caused by seed formation.
(c) Class 3 cucumbers ;
(i) shall be reasonably straight with the maximum height of the arc not more than 20 mm per 100 mm of the length of the cucumber; and
(ii) may have slight discolouration limited to one-third of the surface area of the cucumber.
(d) In the case of Lowest Class - unspecified.
Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards
(5) (a) Class 1 cucumbers may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10%
by mass: Provided that the deviating cucumbers ;
(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 and Class 3 cucumbers may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 and Class 3 with 15% and 25% respectively by mass: Provided that the deviating cucumbers ; do not exceed the following individual limits:
decay: 4% and 6% respectively;
injuries: 8% and 10% respectively;
Arthropoda infestation: Degree as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1.
Bitter taste: 2%
(c) In the case of Lowest Class - decay shall not exceed 20% by mass or number. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 16 (1), (2) and (5) 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Cucumbers 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries