Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

21 June 2013 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No. 32190, 8 May 2009 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Regulations Relating To The Grading, Packing And Marking Of Maize Intended For Sale In The Republic Of South Africa 

Country/Region applying the measure

South Africa 

The rationale of the measure

2. These regulations are the minimum standards applicable to maize that are destined for sale in the Republic of South Africa but does not include
(a) maize in retail quantities; and
(b) maize for seed production purposes. 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

3. (1) No person shall sell maize in the Republic of South Africa
(a) unless the maize is sold according to the classes set out in regulation 4;
(b) unless the maize complies with the standards for the class concerned set out in regulation 5;
(c) unless the maize complies with the grades of maize and the standards for grades, where applicable, set out in regulations 6 and 7 respectively;
Classes of maize
4. The classes of Maize shall be -
(a) Class White Maize;
(b) Class Yellow Maize; and
(c) Class Other Maize.
Standards for classes of maize
5. (1) A consignment of maize shall be classified as Class White Maize if -
(a) subject to the allowable deviation in respect of other colour maize kernels that apply to the different grades of white maize, it consists of maize the endosperm of which is by nature white in colour; and
(b) it complies with the standards for one of the grades of white maize set out in regulation 7.
(2) A consignment of maize shall be classified as Class Yellow Maize if
(a) subject to the allowable deviation in respect of other colour maize kernels that apply to the different grades of yellow maize, it consists of maize the endosperm of which is by nature yellow in colour; and
(b) it complies with the standards for one of the grades of yellow maize set out in regulation 7.
(3) A consignment of maize shall be classified as Class Other Maize if the consignment does not comply with the standards for Class White Maize or Class Yellow Maize.
Grades of maize
6. (1 ) Maize of the Class White Maize shall be graded as WM1. WM2 or WM3.
(2) Maize of the Class Yellow Maize shall be graded as YM1. YM2 or YM3.
(3) No grades are determined for Class Other Maize.
Standards for grades of Class White Maize and Class Yellow Maize
7. All grades of maize
(a) shall be free from a musty. sour or other undesired odour;
(b) shall be free from glass. metal, coal or dung;
(c) shall be free from a substance which renders it unfit for human consumption or for processing into or utilisation thereof as food or feed;
(d) shall be free from insects;
(e) shall be free from stones which cannot pass through the 6.35 mm round-hole sieve;
(f) shall contain not more than one gram of stones. which can pass through the 6.35 mm round-hole sieve. per 10 kg;
(g) shall contain not more poisonous seeds than permitted in terms of the Foodstuffs. Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act. 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972);
(h) shall have a moisture content of not more than 14 per cent; and
(i) shall not exceed the maximum percentage of permissible deviation as determined in the table in the Annexure for each grade. 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 3(1)(a)-(c), 4-7 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Maize 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries