Provisional Translation
| OTO No. | 418 | Classification | MHW-204 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of Acceptance | June 20, 1990 | Ministry/Agency Receiving Complaint | Economic Planning Agency |
| Responsible Ministries | Ministry of Health and Welfare | Related Laws | Food Sanitation Law |
| Complainant | Delegation of the Commission of the European Community (proxy complaint) | Exporting Countries | EC |
| Subject | Revision of inspection of methyl alcohol, etc. in importing liquors | ||
| Details of Measures | Since methyl alcohol is highly toxic and fatal accidents are reported in other countries, Japan implemented strict inspection at the time of distilled liquor imports. However, starting in December 1989, an inspection or confirmation of whether methyl alcohol is contained in imported liquors, except brandy, is conducted only in the case of first-time imports unless there is a specific reason and no inspection, etc. of methyl alcohol conducted in the second time onward even if there is a lapse of six months or more between the first and second imports. As for brandy, the government thinks it necessary to continue inspections because methyl alcohol is still detected in inspections and because it was discovered that methyl alcohol is generated in the process of brandy production. But even in this case, inspections are not conducted on all brands of brandy but only on those that violated the Food Sanitation Law with regard to methyl alcohol in the past. If there is no violation, the same brand of brandy can be imported many times for a period of six months since the inspection results for the first-time imports are deemed valid for subsequent imports. This should facilitate the simplification of import procedures. With regard to Italian wine, inspections for diethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and methyl alcohol had been conducted due to failures to submit documents concerning measures to prevent residuals of the violating substances. However, since Italy has established a monitoring system, etc., the government explained that it suspended inspections with regard to these substances and is now adopting a normal supervision system. |
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| Classification of Processing | Cc | Directions | II-a |
| Remarks | |||