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 standards for Class 1, Class 2, Class 3 and Lowest Class lettuce in subregulation 3 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 6, each lettuce 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) not be running to seed;
(k) be free from foreign odours;
(I) be free from frost damage;
(m) be free from sun-scorch;
(n) be free from any other factors that detrimentally affect or may affect the quality of the lettuce;
(o) be fresh 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 it to withstand transport and handling.
(2) The stalk of the lettuce shall be cut off directly beneath the outer leaves.
Classifications
(3) (a) Class 1 lettuce shall -
(i) be well-formed; and
(ii) in the case of head lettuce, have a single well-formed heart: Provided that lettuce grown under protection and in the case of cos lettuce, the heart may be less well-formed.
(b) Class 2 and Class 3 lettuce shall-
(i) be reasonably well-formed;
(ii) be slightly discoloured; and
(iii) in the case of head lettuce, have a heart, which may be small: Provided that head lettuce grown under protection and cos lettuce may not have a heart.
(c) In the case of Lowest Class lettuce - unspecified.
(6) (a) Class 1 lettuce may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 by not more than 10% by number: Provided that the deviating lettuce ;
(i) at least complies with the quality standards for Class 2; and
(iii) does not exceed the following individual limit:
-decay: 2%;
-injuries: 6%;
-Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1.
(b) Class 2 and Class 3 lettuce may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 and Class 3 by not more than 15% and 25% respectively by number: Provided that the deviating lettuce does not exceed the following individual limit:
-decay: 4% and 6% respectively;
-injuries: 8% and 10% respectively;
-Arthropoda 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 26(1)-(3) and (6) 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Lettuce 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries