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 cultivated mushrooms in subregulation 4 and the permissible deviations in subregulation 6; mushrooms shall;
(a) be intact;
(b) be free from decay;
(c) be clean and free from foreign matter,
(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 from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the mushrooms detrimentally;
(n) be fresh and show no sign of withering;
(o) be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar; and
(p) be of such development and condition as to enable them to withstand transport and handling.
(2) Mushrooms are divided into two groups:
(a) Uncut mushrooms, mushrooms which have the lower part of the stalk uncut; or
(b) Cut mushrooms, mushrooms which have the lower part of the stalk cut: Provided that the cut shall be clean and approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
(3) In both above-mentioned groups a distinction is made between:
(a) Closed mushrooms if the pileus is closed; or
(b) Open mushrooms if the pileus is open: Provided that the pileus retain its convexity.
Classification
(4) The amount of casing material (determined as a ration between the mass of the dried adhering casing material and that of the mushroom) may not exceed ;
(a) in the case of Class 1 ;
(i) uncut mushrooms not exceed 6%; or
(ii) cut mushrooms not exceed 2%; and
(b) in the case of Class 2 and Class 3 ;
(i) uncut mushrooms not exceed 8%; or
(ii) cut mushrooms not exceed 4%
(c) In the case of Lowest Class mushrooms - unspecified.
(6) (a) Class 1 mushrooms may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by mass: Provided that the deviating mushrooms ;
(i) at least comply with quality standards for Class 2; and
(ii) do not exceed the following individual limits:
-decay: 2%
-injuries: 6%
-Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1.
(b) Class 2 mushrooms may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2 with 15% by mass: Provided that the deviating mushrooms ;
do not exceed the following individual limits:
-decay: 4%
-injuries: 8%
-Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1.
(c) Class 3 mushrooms may deviate from the quality standards for Class 3 with 25% by mass: Provided that the deviating cultivated mushrooms ; do not exceed the following individual limits:
-decay: 6%
-injuries: 10%;
-Arthropoda infestation: Limit as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 27(1)-(4) and (6) 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Mushrooms 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries