Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

B7: Product quality, safety or performance requirements 

Date when the measure came into force

29 August 2015 

Publication where the measure is specified

Government Gazette No. 37949, 29 August 2014 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Regulations Relating To The Quality, Packing And Marking Of Dried Fruit 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

Whole Dates
46. (1) Unpitted dates shall -
(a) be ripe, plump and plastic where applicable;
(b) be intact;
(c) have the shape, development and colour characteristic of the variety and/or commercial type: Provided that Standard Grade dates may have slight defects in form or development;
(d) be amber-coloured to brown: Provided that Standard Grade dates may have defects of colouration;
(e) have abundant flesh which is fat or semi-fat and greasy;
(f) have a translucent epicarp, which, according to the variety, adhere to the flesh.
Standard Grade dates may have slight defects of the epicarp that do not affect the pulp;
(g) be uniform and each package shall contain only fruit of the same origin; and
(h) be of the same variety: Provided that Standard Grade shall be of the same commercial type.
(2) Size:
(a) Irrespective of the variety, the minimum weight of a date shall be 4,75 g.
(3) Moisture content for:
(a) Cane sugar varieties shall not contain more than 26% moisture;
(b) Invert sugar varieties shall not contain more than 30% moisture; and
(c) Daglat Noor variety, in their natural state, shall not contain more than 30% moisture.
(4) Varieties:
(a) Cane sugar varieties which contain mainly sucrose including -
(i) Daglat Noor (Deglet Nour); and
(ii) Daglat Beidha (Deglet Beidha).
(b) Invert sugar varieties which contain mainly glucose and fructose including -
(i) Akhaout alig, Alig, Amri, Barhi (Barhee), Deri, Hallaawi (Halawy), Khadhraawi (Khadrawy), Majhoul (Medjool), Saiidi (Saidy), Sayir (Sayer), Zandi (Zahidi).
Tolerances:(see Table on page 35 of the Regulations)
(6) Markings:
(a) The word "dates" shall be marked on non-transparent containers.
(b) The name of the variety or the commercial type shall be marked on containers containing Choice Grade dates.
(c) The word "common" shall be marked on Standard Grade and SubStandard Grade dates when the variety or commercial type is not defined or cannot be guaranteed.
Date Blocks
47. (1) Date blocks shall -
(a) consist of compressed whole dates packed in rectangular blocks;
(b) be free from blackened portions;
(c) have an attractive and typical colour for Choice Grade fruit and be reasonably attractive and typical of the cultivar concerned for Standard Grade fruit; and
(d) have a good and fleshy texture for Choice Grade fruit.
(2) Moisture content:
(a) Cane sugar varieties shall not contain more than 26% moisture.
(b) Invert sugar varieties shall not contain more than 30% misture; and
(c) Daglat Noor variety, in their natural state, shall not contain more than 30%
moisture.
(3) Tolerances:(see Table on page 36 of the Regulations)
(4) Marking of Block Dates containers:
(a) The word "dates" shall be marked on non-transparent containers.
(b) The name of the variety or the commercial type shall be marked on containers containing Choice Grade dates.
(c) The word "common" shall be marked on Standard and SubStandard Grade dates blocks when the variety or commercial type is not defined or cannot be guaranteed.
Whole Figs
48. (1) Moisture Content:
(a) Whole figs shall not contain more than 25% moisture.
(2) Whole figs shall -
(3)(a) be prepared from whole figs with the same cultivar characteristics;
(b) have an attractive colour typical of the cultivar concerned;
(c) have a uniform colour when examining a single container with dried figs;
(d) be free from blackened portions; and
(e) have a good and fairly fleshy texture for Choice Grade figs.
Stems, including the nodule, of length 8 mm and less are allowed on whole figs.
(4) Size group:(see Table on page 36 of the Regulations)
(4) Tolerances:(see Table on page 35 of the Regulations)
Fig Blocks
49. (1) Moisture Content:
(a) Fig blocks shall not contain more than 25% moisture.
(2) Fig blocks shall -
(a) consist of compressed whole figs packed in rectangular blocks;
(b) be free from blackened portions;
(c) have an attractive and typical colour for Choice Grade fruit and be reasonably attractive and typical of the cultivar concerned for Standard Grade fruit; and
(d) have a good and fleshy texture for Choice Grade fruit.
(3) Tolerances:(see Table on page 37 of the Regulations)
Tomatoes - Bleached and Unbleached
50. (1) Moisture Content:
(a) Tomatoes shall not contain more than 20% moisture.
(2) Quality standards:
(a) Choice Grade
(i) Fruit ingredient:
(aa) Unpeeled tomatoes with the same cultivar characteristics, consisting of cleanly cut halves, quarters or wheels.
(bb) Tomatoes shall have a bright and uniform colour.
(ii) Shape:
(aa) In the case of halves and wheels the normal round appearance of the fruit shall be retained.
(b) Standard Grade
(i) Fruit ingredient:
(aa) Unpeeled tomatoes with the same cultivar characteristics, consisting of cleanly cut halves, quarters or wheels but shall contain thin and overripe halves and quarters.
(bb) Flats are prepared from unpeeled tomatoes with the same cultivar characteristics which shall consist of halves and quarters which have dried flat and with irregular shapes because of over ripeness.
(cc) Tomatoes shall be reasonably bright and have a reasonably uniform colour.
(3) Size group: Halves(see Table on page 38 of the Regulations)
(4) Tolerances:(see Table on page 38 of the Regulations)
Unspecified Dried Fruit
51. (1) Proposed quality standards shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Officer.
(2) Tolerances: 

Reference of the measure

Regulations 46-51 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

Other dried fruit ie dates , figs , tomatoes 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries