Brazil: Microbiological Criteria on Foods

The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency notified the World Trade Organization of the Normative Instruction (Instrução Normativa) number 542, 17 July 2018, which establishes the lists of microbiological criteria for food safety and hygiene.

USA: Pesticide Petitions

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has received several initial filings of pesticide petitions requesting the establishment or modification of regulations for residues of pesticide chemicals in or on various commodities.

Japan: MRLs Update

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan notified the World Trade Organization of the Revision of the Standards and Specifications for Foods and Food Additives under the Food Sanitation Act (Revision of agricultural chemical residue standards).

Japan: Pesticide Registration System

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan notified the World Trade Organization of the Summary of the Revision of the Pesticide Registration System.

India: Additional Tariffs Delayed

India has extended by 45 days the imposition of higher customs duties on 29 products imported from the US, including almonds and walnuts.

India: MLs for Aflatoxins, Draft

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India notified the World Trade Organization of the Draft Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Amendment Regulations 2018.

EU: Updated Blocking Statute

The Updated Blocking Statute in support of Iran nuclear deal entered into force on August 7, 2018. The Blocking Statute pursues the goal of mitigating the impact of the first batch of re-imposed US sanctions on Iran on the interests of EU companies doing legitimate business in Iran.

EFSA: Mandestrobin, Import Tolerances

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published the Reasoned Opinion on “Setting of import tolerances for mandestrobin in strawberries and table and wine grapes”.