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

21. The regulations for pods of beans of the varieties (cultivars) grown from Phaseolus vulgaris L. and Phaseolus coccineus L., are as follows:
Quality standards
(1) Subject to the regulations for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class green beans in subregulation 2 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 4 green beans shall -
(a) be intact, except in the case of trimmed green beans: Provided that trimmed green beans must be clearly marked as "topped and tailed" or any other suitable expression indicating that the beans have been trimmed;
(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) be free from foreign odours;
(I) be free from cold damage;
(m) be free from sun-scorch;
(n) be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the green beans detrimentally;
(o) be free from hard endosperm;
(p) be fresh and show no sign of withering;
(q) be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar;
(r) be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling; and
(s) have a peduncle of at least 5 mm except in the case of trimmed beans.
Classifications
(2) (a) In the case of green beans classified as Class 1 -
(i) the pods shall be closed, tender, young and turgescent;
(ii) the green beans shall be stringless, except in the case of green beans destined for slicing;
(iii) the seeds shall, if present, be small and soft; and
(iv) the pods shall be free from rust spots.
(b) In the case of green beans classified as Class 2 and Class 3 ;
(i) the pods shall be closed, reasonably tender, young and fairly turgescent;
(ii) the green beans shall be stringless, except in the case of green beans intended for slicing;
(iii) the seeds, if present, may not be too large and must be reasonably soft; and
(iv) the pods may have slight rust spots except in the case of needle beans.
(c) In the case of Lowest Class green beans - unspecified.
(4) (a) Class 1 green beans may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by mass and with an additional 15% beans with stalks and a small part of the neck missing: Provided that the deviating green beans ;
(i) at least comply with the quality standards for Class 2; and
(ii) do not exceed the following individual limits:
-decay: 2%;
-injuries: 6%;
-beans with strings in the case of stringless varieties: 5%;
-Arthropoda infestation: Limit set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1.
(b) Class 2 and Class 3 green beans may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 with 15% and 25% respectively by mass and with an additional 30% beans with stalks and a small part of the neck missing: Provided that the deviating green beansdo not exceed the following individual limits:
-decay: 4% and 6% respectively;
-injuries: 8% and 10% respectively;
-beans with strings in the case of stringless varieties: 5%;
-Arthropoda infestation: Limit 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 20(1) ,(2) and (4) of Part II 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Green beans 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries