Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

07 November 2014 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No. 38159, 7 November 2014 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Regulations Relating To The Grading, Packing And Marking Of Rice 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

Restriction on the sale of rice
2. (1) No person shall sell a consignment of rice in the Republic of South Africa --
(a) unless the rice concerned is sold according to the classes set out in regulations 4;
(b) unless the rice concerned complies with the standards for the classes set out in regulations 5;
3. Notwithstanding the provisions of regulations 4 and 5, all consignments of rice shall-
(a) be free from abnormal flavours and odours;
(b) be free from heavy metals limits set out in the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act 54 of 1972);
(c) be safe and suitable for human consumption;
(d) be free from poisonous seeds: Provided that a consignment of rice in bulk quantities may contain poisonous seeds to the extent permitted in terms of the Foodstuffs,
Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972);
(e) comply with the maximum residue levels prescribed for agricultural remedies in terms of Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, 1972 (Act No. 54 of 1972);
(f) have moisture content not exceeding 14 percent;
(g) be free from insects and mites;
(h) be free from organisms of phytosanitary importance as determined by Agricultural Pest Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983); and
(i) not have a deviation specified in column 1 of Table 2 to a larger extent than the applicable maximum specified in column 2, 3, 4 or 5 of Table 2 opposite thereof for the class concerned.
Classes of rice
4. All rice shall be classified according to the length of grain as defined by regulation 5 -
(a) Long grain;
(b) Medium grain; or
(c) Short grain.
Standards for classes
5. (1) The standards for grain length shall be as follows:
(a) Long grain rice - rice with 70 % or more of whole milled rice grains having a kernel length of 6.6 mm or more.
(b) Medium grain rice - rice with 70% or more of whole milled rice having a kernel length of 5.5 mm but less than 6.6 mm;and
(c) Short grain rice - rice with 70% or more of whole milled rice having a kernel length of less than 5.5 mm.
(2) Milled rice may be further classified into the following degree of milling:
(a) Under milled rice;
(b) Well-milled rice; or
(c) Extra-well-milled rice. 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 2(1)(a)-(b), and 3-5 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Rice 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries