Notifications for Republic of Korea (388 notifications)

The proposed amendment seeks to: 1. Establish the standard and specifications of nutritional formulas for patients with lung disease; 2. Revise the standard for using food ingredients; 3. Revise the maximum residual limits of pesticides for food.

- With revised legislation which requires animal-origin products to get import sanitation assessment before importation, the requirements and import procedures for animal origin products (Other meat or other egg products, meat-containing products and egg-containing products) have been established as that of livestock products. The revision describes that animal-origin products should be indicated separately in the production item for foreign food facility registration.  - Methods for labelling inspection and analytical testing on the directly purchased products from overseas have been prepared. The scope and methods for the research on the current status also have been prepared.   - The period for laboratory inspection and random sampling for livestock products is reduced from current 18 days to 14 days.  - Only machineries attached to facilities of food processing and manufacturing business is exempt from import declaration.

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in the Republic of Korea, has added host plants of Radopholus similis, one of the prohibited quarantine pests of Korea, which is based on the result of Pest Risk Analysis (PRA).The import of living and fresh underground parts of Chlorospatha spp. and Callopsis volkensii from the regions or countries specified below will be prohibited, and this measure will be applied on consignment shipped on and after 18 December 2023.- Products covered: Relevant parts of host plants (available in English, 1 page) associated with Radopholus similis- Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:North America: Canada, Mexico, United States of AmericaCentral America: All countriesSouth America: All countries (except Chile)Africa: All countriesAsia: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China (restricted areas: Guangzhou City, Maoming City and Shenzhen City in Guangdong, Fujian; and Hong Kong, China), India, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanese Republic, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, YemenEurope: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, United KingdomOceania and the Pacific: Australia (except Tasmania), Cook Islands (New Zealand), Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaiian Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue (New Zealand), Norfolk Island (Australia), Palau, Papua New Guinea, American Samoa, Samoa, Solomon Islands, TongaFull information of prohibited host plants and countries (regions) related to Radopholus similis, can be found in the Attachment 1 (available in English):

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in the Republic of Korea, has added host plants of Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), as one of the prohibited quarantine pests of Korea, which is based on the result of Pest Risk Analysis (PRA). The import of seeds for sowing, fresh stems and leaves, and living and fresh underground parts of Lycium spp. from the specified regions or countries will be prohibited and this measure will be applied on consignments shipped on and after 1 February 2024.- Add Lycium spp. to the list of host plants of PSTVd.However, among the host plants from prohibited regions or countries where PSTVd has been distributed will be permitted for import to Korea by meeting certain conditions (see attachment 1).Full information of prohibited host plants, countries (regions) and additional requirements related to Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) can be found in attachment 1 (available in English).[Attachment 1] Import-prohibition (restriction) of host plants and region (countries) of PSTVd. [Attachment 2] PCR Inspection Certificate.

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in the Republic of Korea, has added distributed countries (regions) of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV), as a one of the quarantine pests of Korea, which is based on the result of Pest Risk Analysis (PRA).The below 6 countries (regions) have been added as ToBRFV distributed countries (regions) and the import of seeds for sowing and seedlings (such as nursery/root stocks, cuttings and scions) of Capsicum spp. and Solanum lycopersicum from ToBRFV distributed countries (regions) will need to meet certain conditions for import to Korea (see Attachment 1 for details).6 countries (regions) are added to ToBRFV distributed countries (regions): Russia, China (Region: Ningxia Hui, Shaanxi, Beijing), Argentina, Morocco.Full information about the plants, countries (regions) and additional requirements related to Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) is available in Attachment 1 (available in English).This measure will be applied on consignments shipped on and after 1 February 2024.[Attachment 1] Additional requirements related to ToBRFV. [Attachment 2] PCR Inspection Certificate.

A person who wishes to import foods etc. satisfying the requirements prescribed by the Ordinance of the Prime Minister, such as compliant results of inspection, according to Article 21 or Article 25 of the Special Act on the Imported Food Safety Control, according to an annual plan, may apply for planned import and obtain approval from the Minister of Food and Drug Safety. When making adjustments to the matters prescribed by the Ordinance of the Prime Minister, he or she should submit an application to the Minister of Food and Drug Safety and obtain approval for the changed matter.  Approval for planned import may be revoked when the approval is gained by fraud or other improper means, or when imports are falsely declared etc. during the period of planned import. When revocation is made, he or she can not apply for planned import for 3 years from the date of revocation. Specifics for planned import, such as procedures for approval and approval for modifications, and revocation etc., are prescribed by the Ordinance of the Prime Minister.  Imported foods, etc. approved for planned import according to an annual plan may be exempt from all or part of inspection.

The “Approval Standard of Temporary Standards and Specifications for Food etc.” is being amended by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) as follows: - Addition of approval procedure for cell-based food ingredients.

The proposed amendments seek to: A. Prepare a consistent regulation by integrating the regulations enacted by product type, such as the ‘Regulation on the Inspection of Imported Foods, etc.’, the ’Regulation on the Inspection of Imported Health Functional Foods’, the ’Regulation on the Declaration and Inspection of Imported Livestock Products’, and the ’Regulation on the Inspection for Imported Fishery Products’. B. Better the understanding of consumers and industries by preparing a reasonable and effective integrated imported food inspection regulation by integrating the composition system (title·details of provisions, etc.) into one, unifying the overall customs inspection regulations for imported health functional foods, imported livestock products, imported fishery products, and imported foods, etc., whilst clarifying the inspection system by applying the unique characteristics of each product type, and organizing repetitive laws and regulations, etc.  Major Details  -  Integration of the regulations enacted by product type for import declaration and inspection. a) Necessity to provide consistent standards through integration of regulations on import declaration and inspection, of which are currently distinguished by imported foods, etc., health functional foods, livestock products, fishery products.  b) Provide convenience to the consumers and administrative efficiency by preparing an integrated regulation on the import declaration and inspection of imported foods, etc., health functional foods, livestock products, fishery products.

Republic of Korea is proposing to amend the "Standards and Specifications for the Food Additives" as follows: 1)    7 food additives such as the following are newly allowed: Potassium dihydrogen citrate, Monosodium Citrate, Magnesium di-L-Glutamate, Monocalcium di-L-Glutamate, Potassium acetate, Menaquinone-7, Adsorbent resin; 2)    Sulfur dioxide residue standards have been newly established at “less than 0.20 g/kg” to allow the use of sulfites in “non-alcoholic beverages made from fruit wine”; 3)    A regulation is newly established to exempt the application of use level of food additives for imported foods which are used as raw materials for in-house product manufacturing; 4)    The regulation, in Annex 1, Matters concerning Application for Establishment of Standards and Specifications of Food Additives and Revision of Use Level, has been relaxed to specify that the submission of ‘Usage Status in Foreign Countries’ data is required only when necessary, rather than being mandatory; 5)    The synonyms of two synthetic flavouring substances are corrected; 6)    The names of two components of food-contact surface sanitizing solutions are corrected; 7)    The analytical methods for the following 6 food additives are revised: α-Glucosidase, Dextranase, Methyl cellulose, Shellac, Phospholipase, Ferric pyrophosphate.

The proposed amendments seek to: 1)   Revision of specification, warning notice for intake, and daily intake amount:-    Tighthen heavy metal specification of conjugated linoleic acids and chitosan/chitooligosaccharides;-      Strengthen anthraquinone compound specification in aloe gel;-    Alteration of daily intake amount of oat dietary fiber, chitosan/chitooligosaccharides, garcinia cambogia extracts, and aloe gel;-    Amendment of warning notice of intake for 9 functional raw materials;2)   Establishment of definition and test method for 'long-acting' product with delayed-release:-    Limited to water-soluble vitamins;3)   Improvement of manufacturing method of aloe gel;4)   Unification of Folic acid units - ㎍ ⇒ ㎍ DFE.

The proposed amendment seeks to: 1.    Revise the definition, the standard and specification of certain foods; 2.    Revise the “Ingredients Approved for Use in Food" list by newly adding 105 ingredients including "Lilium hansonii 3.    Revise and establish the maximum residual limits of pesticides for agricultural products [114 pesticides including Glyphosate]; 4.    Revise the maximum residual limit of veterinary drugs for fish [Febantel/Fenbendazole/Oxfendazole]; 5.    Revise and establish the general test methods; 6.    Revise several terms for clarification and harmonization.

The proposed amendment seeks to: 1.    Revise the standard for Salmonella in eggs; 2.    Limit and remove the use of food ingredients in [Annex 1] and [Annex 2]; 3.    Revise the maximum residual limits of pesticide [Simazine] for agricultural products.

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affair (MAFRA) in the Republic of Korea has newly amended measures on Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV), which is based on the result of Pest Risk Analysis(PRA), to prevent Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) from introduction into and the spread within the Republic of Korea. The measure covers seeds for sowing and seedlings (such as nursery/root stocks, cuttings and scions) of Capsicum spp. and Solanum lycopersicum from ToBRFV distributed countries (regions). Those host plants from restricted countries (regions) will need to certify certain conditions. Detailed information about the additional requirement can be find at the attachment. The measure will be applied on consignment shipped on and after 28 August 2023.

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in the Republic of Korea has amended the phytosanitary measure of Sudden Oak Death (SOD) disease, one of the prohibited quarantine pests of the Republic of Korea. This measure is based on the result of Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) and also has reviewed comments about the phytosanitary measure of SOD disease from trading partners.The consignment of propagative materials except seeds (such as nursery stocks including root stocks, cuttings and scions), bark, woods (including logs) with bark of the host (and/or associated) plants from prohibited (and/or regulated) areas will be prohibited. However, some consignment is available to import to the Republic of Korea, by attaching phytosanitary certificate with additional declaration (see Attachment).Full information about the phytosanitary measures and areas/plants related to Sudden Oak Death (SOD) disease is available in the attachment (available in English).The measure will be applied on consignment shipped on and after 28 August 2023.[Attachment] Measures and List of Areas/Plants related to Sudden Oak Death (SOD) Disease

The Republic of Korea is proposing to amend the "Standards and Specifications for the Food Additives": 1)    In [Annex 1], 34 microbial species are added to the list of ‘Microorganisms which their safety data may be omitted partially’; 2)    The standards and specifications of Iron Oxides are newly established to use it for food supplements; 3)    The definition of  the Mixed Preparations is revised, the standards for the use of Hexan is revised; 4)    In the General Rules, the definition of the following four terms is clearly revised: Dried potatoes, Dried Fruits, Dried Vegetables, Dried mushrooms; 5)    The specifications of the following two food additives and the list of Synthetic flavouring substances are corrected: (Food Additive) Calcium citrate, γ-Oryzanol; (Synthetic flavouring substances) one compound listed as duplicate is deleted, the  synonyms of four compounds are corrected, and one compound is added; 6)    The analytical methods for the following 13 food additives are revised: Glucose Oxidase, Glucose Isomerase, L-Ascorbic Acid, Sodium Aluminium Phosphate, Acidic, α-Amylase, Invertase, Ferric Phosphate, Calcium Phosphate, Tribasic, Potassium Phosphate, Monobasic,  Calcium Phosphate, Dibasic,  Calcium Phosphate, Monobasic, Pancreatin, Enzymatically Modified Stevia.

Specifying options of the food safety management system of establishments by adding GMP and GFSI (Attached Form 16 of the Enforcement Rule of the Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control).

Defining the scope of animal products subject to sanitation assessment in Article 1-2 of the Enforcement Decree of the Special Act on Imported Food Safety Control as follows: Other meat or other egg products, meat-containing products and egg-containing products.

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in the Republic of Korea, has added host plants of Radopholus similis, one of the prohibited quarantine pests of Korea, which is based on the result of Pest Risk Analysis (PRA).The import of living and fresh underground parts of Chamaedorea spp. from the regions specified as below will be prohibited from the consignment with phytosanitary certificate, shipped on and after 14  June 2023.- Products covered: Relevant parts of host plants (available in English, 1 page) associated with Radopholus similis- Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  North America: Canada, Mexico, United States of America  Central America: All countries   South America: All countries (except Chile)  Africa: All countries  Asia: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China (restricted areas: Guangzhou City, Maoming City and Shenzhen City in Guangdong, Fujian; and Hong Kong, China), India, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanese Republic, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Yemen  Europe: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom  Oceania and the Pacific: Australia (except Tasmania), Cook Islands (New Zealand), Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaiian Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue (New Zealand), Norfolk Island (Australia), Palau, Papua New Guinea, American Samoa, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in the Republic of Korea, has amended the quarantine pest list which is based on the result of a Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) and in accordance with the provisions of Articles 4 and 6 of the Ministerial Ordinance of the Plant Protection Act. The APQA notified to add 23 quarantine pest species from July 2023. The information is detailed in the attachment.[Attachment] List of newly added quarantine pests (23 species)

The proposed amendments seek to: 1.    Revise and establish the maximum residual limits of pesticides in agricultural products [87 pesticides including Kasugamycin]; 2.    Establish the maximum residual limits of veterinary drugs(Diclazuril) in egg.