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,and Class 3 sweet potatoes in subregulation 2 and the permissible deviations, in subregulation 4 sweet potatoes 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 and mechanical damage;
(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 frost damage;
(m) be free from sun-scorch;
(n) be free from any other factors that affect or may affect the quality of the sweet potatoes detrimentally;
(o) be fresh and firm;
(p) be sound and attractive in appearance and have normal characteristics of the cultivar;
(q) be developed and of such conditions as to enable them to withstand transport and handling; and
(r) not show any malformation: Provided that up to 10% (m/m) is permissible in the case of Class 1 and up to 15% (m/m) is permissible in the case of Class 2.
Classification
(2) (a) Sweet potatoes classified as Class 1 may ;
(i) be abraded on not more than 20% of the tuber area: Provided that no sign of progressive development of abrasion is visible;
(ii) have one dry growth crack with a maximum depth of 3 mm, a maximum length of 25 mm and a maximum width of 3 mm;
(iii) have one insect damage mark with a maximum depth and diameter of 2 mm;
(iv) have latex stains with a maximum length of 25 mm and a maximum width of 5 mm;
(v) have broken sealed tips with a maximum diameter of 17 mm; and
(vi) not have sprouts.
(b) Sweet potatoes classified as Class 2 and Class 3 may ;
(i) be abraded on not more than 50% of tuber area: Provided that no sign of progressive development of abrasion is visible;
(ii) have two dry growth cracks with a maximum depth of 6 mm, a maximum length of 30 mm and a maximum width of 6 mm;
(iii) have two insect damage marks with a maximum depth and diameter of 4 mm;
(iv) have latex stains with a maximum length of 25 mm and a maximum width of 5 mm;
(v) have sealed broken tips with a maximum diameter of 25 mm; and
(vi) have two sprouts per tuber with a maximum length of 3 mm or three sprouts with a maximum length of 2 mm.
(e) In the case of Lowest Class sweet potatoes - unspecified.
Permissible deviations with regard to quality standards
(4) (a) Class 1 sweet potatoes may deviate from the quality standards for Class 1 with 10% by mass: Provided that the deviating sweet potatoes -
(i) at least comply with quality standards for Class 2; and
(ii) do not exceed the following individual limit:
-decay: 2%
-injuries: 6%
-Arthropoda infestation: Degree as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1.
(b) Class 2 sweet potatoes may deviate from the quality standards for Class 2, excluding malformation with 15% by mass: Provided that the deviating sweet potatoes:
(i) do not exceed the following individual limits:
-decay: 4%
-injuries: 8%
-Arthropoda infestation: Degree as set out in regulation 4(4)(c): Part 1.
(c) Class 3 sweet potatoes may deviate from the quality standards for Class 3, excluding malformation with 25% by mass: Provided that the deviating sweet potatoes:
(i) do not exceed the following individual limits:
-decay: 6%
-injuries: 10%
-Arthropoda infestation: Degree as set out in subregulation 4(4)(c): Part 1. 

Reference of the measure

Regulation 37(1) , (2) and (4) 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Sweet potatoes 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries