Notifications for Republic of Korea (388 notifications)

The proposed amendment seeks to: 1. Revise and establish the maximum residual limits of pesticides in agricultural products [67 pesticides including Meptyldinocap]; 2. Establish General Test Methods [four pesticides including Meptyldinocap].

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 17 quarantine pests (2 genera and 15 species). Also, the APQA removed 34 quarantine pest species from 24 November 2021. The information is detailed in the attachments.

This revision describes that when corrective measures are required, MFDS may notify, in writing, the exporting country of violations of foreign establishment (livestock products) so that the exporting country can investigate the cause of violation and take corrective measures. And it describes that specific methods and procedure for requesting corrective measures will be determined and published by the Minister of Food and Drug Safety. It is also established that in case the products purchased directly from overseas by consumers contain raw materials or ingredients prescribed by the Minister of Food and Drug Safety due to the occurrence of risks or the fear to cause harm to public health, the information of such products (i.e. product name, country of origin and manufacturing facility) will be published on the official website of MFDS.

The proposed amendments seek to: 1. Revise the Preservation and Distribution Standards; 2. Establish standards and specifications of "Nutritional formulas for the elderly"; 3. Establish the manufacturing standards of "Food for special medical purposes for cancer patients"; 4. Limit and remove the use of food ingredients in [Annex 1] and [Annex 2]; 5. Revise the limit of mycotoxin(fumonisin) in maize; 6. Revise the specification of frozen foods for consumption after heating; 7. Revise the specifications of foodborne pathogens in Ready-to-eat/Convenience foods; 8. Revise and clarify some food ingredients in [Annex 1], [Annex 2] and [Annex 3]; 9. Establish the maximum residual limits in veterinary drugs [Ketoprofen]; 10. Revise and establish the maximum residual limits in livestock and fishery products [Spinosad and five residual substances including Cyhalothrin]; 11. Revise other provisions such as General Test Methods.

The proposed amendments seek to: 1. Remove the standard for the maximum residual limits of unregistered pesticides in the Republic of Korea [79 pesticides including Dimethoate]; 2. Revise and establish the maximum residual limits of pesticides in agricultural products [131 pesticides including Iminoctadine]; 3. Revise and establish the General Test Methods.

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in the Republic of Korea, has amended prohibited areas and host plants of Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), 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 host plants from the specified regions will be prohibited from the consignments with Phytosanitary Certificate, shipped on and after 11 November 2021. The information of prohibited areas and host plants about Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) is detailed in the attachment 1 (available in English). - Three regions or countries are removed from prohibited areas: Argentina, Chile, New Zealand. - Among the host plants from prohibited areas where PSTVd has been distributed, the import of the following products will be permitted on condition as follows:    - Product covered: Seeds for sowing of Atriplex semilunarisis, Brugmansia spp., Capsicum annuum (syn. Capsicum frutescens), Cestrum aurantiacumCestrum elegansCestrum endlicheriCestrum nocturnumCestrum x cultumChenopodium eremaeum, Dahlia spp., Datura leichhardtiiErigeron bonariensisHevea brasiliensisLycianthes rantonnetii (syn. Solanum rantonnetiiNicandra physalodesPersea americanaPhysalis angulataPhysalis peruvianaSolanum anguiviSolanum coagulansSolanum dasyphyllumSolanum laxum (syn. Solanum jasminoidesSolanum lycopersicum (syn. Lycopersicon esculentumSolanum melongenaSolanum muricatumSolanum nigrumSolanum pseudocapsicumSolanum sisymbriifoliumStreptosolen jamesonii    - Import will be permitted on condition of either (1) or (2):      (1) By certifying that the exported seeds are produced in areas, places or production sites free from Potato spindle tuber viroid. Each consignment must be accompanied by the Phytosanitary Certificate endorsed with the following additional declaration: "The seeds are produced from pest free area, places or production site for Potato spindle tuber viroid by establishing and maintaining the pest free status in accordance with ISPM No. 4 or No. 10."      (2) By certifying that the export seeds are free from Potato spindle tuber viroid through PCR test before export. Each consignment must be accompanied by Phytosanitary Certificate endorsed with the following additional declaration. "The seeds were tested by PCR before export and found free from Potato spindle tuber viroid." Or each consignment should be accompanied by the Phytosanitary Certificate and a separate "PCR Inspection Certificate" (see attachment 2, available in English, https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2021/SPS/KOR/21_7104_01_e.pdf) PCR test results from public testing agencies and labs authorized by the NPPO (educational organizations, commercial testing labs or seed industry labs etc.) will be accepted. * If the PCR test certificate is accompanied, the copy of authorization of the testing agencies or labs issued by the NPPO of an export country and the electrophoresis report of PCR test would be required.

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA), Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) in the Republic of Korea, has amended 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 Alpinia spp. from the regions specified as below have been prohibited through the SPS notification of emergency measures (G/SPS/N/KOR/248/Add.20). This import requirement for fresh underground parts for human consumption of Alpinia spp. excluding A. nutansA. zerumbet and A. purpurata with accompanied Phytosanitary Certificate with following additional declaration is amended. "This shipment was inspected and found free of Radopholus similis This measure will be applied from the consignments with Phytosanitary Certificate, shipped on and after 13 October 2021. - 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  Africa: All countries  Asia: Brunei Darussalam, China (restricted areas: Guangzhou City, Maoming City and Shenzhen City in Guangdong Province, Fujian Province and Hong Kong, China), India, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanese Republic, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Yemen  Europe: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom  Oceania and the Pacific: Australia (except Tasmania), Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, Hawaiian Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Polynesia, American Samoa, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga

The main proposed amendments are as follows: - regulating detailed procedures, such as the contents of the notification from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) and the time frames of the submission of the result of the cause investigation and corrective actions from an exporting country in the cases where MFDS requests the government of the exporting country to make corrections on a foreign establishment in which hazard has been found at the border inspections in Korea, stipulating necessary measures taken by MFDS if the exporting country does not provide requested information or its corrective actions are not appropriate; - increasing the frequency of an on-site inspection up to five consecutive times for the same livestock products from the same establishment when non-compliance in total consignment is identified at the on-site inspection; - expanding the range of information to be disclosed, such as inspection items when standards and specifications are newly established or reinforced.

The proposed amendments seek to: 1. Revise and establish the maximum residual limits of pesticides in agricultural products [109 pesticides including Iminoctadine]; 2. Establish the General Test Methods.

The proposed amendments seek to: 1. Revise the classification of Cheeses; 2. Establish the limit of fatty acid and General Test Methods in krill oil; 3. Revise the General Test Methods in veterinary drug residues; 4. Establish the Review Period.

Details, which are mutually set under consultation with the government of an exporting nation, including HACCP requirements for imported kimchi, certification requirements, certification/amendment certification, valid date extension procedures, and surveillance audits for a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)-certified facility for imported food.

(1) Listing Infection with Decapod iridescent virus-1 (DIV1) as contagious aquatic organisms disease; (2) Listing amphibian to be quarantined before import; (3) Approving electronic certificates provided by exporting countries' competent authorities; (4) Expanding the scope of import risk analysis; (5) Performing on-site audit based on a consultation with exporting country.

- Dairy products from Latvia and Slovakia are added to the [Countries (Regions) Allowed for Import of Livestock Products and Import Sanitation Requirements]; - As 'meal kits containing meat' is newly added to the type of processed edible meat products under the Livestock Products Sanitary Control Act, countries exporting such type of products to Korea will be subject to the Import Sanitation Assessment of MFDS.

The proposed amendment allows submission of electronic health certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting country when declaring imported fishery products.

The proposed amendments seek to: 1. revise and establish the maximum residue limits (MRLs) of pesticides in agricultural products (107 pesticides including Iminoctadine); 2. revise and establish the General Test Methods.

The proposed amendments seek to: 1. remove the provisional standard for maximum residue limits (MRLs) of pesticides unregistered in the Republic of Korea (47 pesticides including Methyldinocap); 2. revise the MRLs of pesticides in agricultural products (33 pesticides including Iminoctadine).

As methods of remote inspection, followings are determined; remote communication which enables a real-time interaction between the parties, and the submission of necessary materials for inspection via the internet. One or both of these methods can be used considering the target and purpose of inspection and the condition of ICT in the exporting country. The Minister of Food and Drug Safety may determine and publish matters deemed necessary for remote inspection other than those prescribed in the enforcement rule.

Republic of Korea is proposing to amend the "Standards and Specifications for the Food Additives". 1) In order to distinguish clearly mixed preparations from foods, the provisions for mixed preparations are revised. 2) the following 2 food additives are classified according to manufacture process and ADI based on CODEX classification Carmel Color → Carmel Color I, Carmel Color II, Carmel Color III, Carmel Color IV Glycerin Esters of Fatty Acids → Diacetyltartaric Acid and Fatty Acid Esters of Glycerol, Glycerin Esters of Fatty Acids, Polyglycerol Esters of Fatty Acids, Polyglycerol Esters of Interesterified Ricinoleic Acid 3) The standards for the use of the following 16 food additives are revised: Carmel Color I, Carmel Color II, Carmel Color III, Carmel Color IV, Diacetyltartaric Acid and Fatty Acid Esters of Glycerol, Flavoring Substances, Natural Flavoring Substances, Polyglycerol Esters of Fatty Acids, Polyglycerol Esters of Interesterified Ricinoleic Acid, Sulfites(Sodium Metabisufite, Potassium Metabisufite, Sulfur Dioxide, Sodium Bisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Hydrosulfite), Synthetic Flavoring Substances 4) The analytical methods for the following 5 food additives are revised. Arabic Gum, Cross-Linked Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Sodium Methoxide, Sodium Selenite, Zinc Gluconate 5) The provision concerned micro-organism used for manufacture of food additives in Annex 1 is clearly revised.

The Minister of Food and Drug Safety may publish information on the official website about the directly purchased overseas food products etc. that have caused or may cause hazards in order to prevent the public health risks. The standard, method and procedure to publish such information will be prescribed by the Ordinance of the Prime Minister.

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 Alpinia spp. from the regions specified as below will be prohibited from the consignments with Phytosanitary Certificate, shipped on and after 20 July 2021. - 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  Africa: All countries  Asia: Brunei Darussalam, China (restricted areas: Guangzhou City, Maoming City and Shenzhen City in Guangdong Province, Fujian Province; and Hong Kong, China), India, Indonesia, Japan, Lebanese Republic, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Yemen  Europe: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom  Oceania and the Pacific: Australia (except Tasmania), Cook Islands, Fiji, Guam, Hawaiian Islands, Micronesia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Polynesia, American Samoa, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga