Provisional Translation
| OTO No. | 528 | Classification | MAFF-86 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of Acceptance | March 7, 1995 | Ministry/Agency Receiving Complaint | Economic Planning Agency |
| Responsible Ministries | Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries | Related Laws | Law Concerning Standardization and Proper Labeling of Agricultural and Forestry Products |
| Complainant | Domestic firm | Exporting Countries | USA |
| Subject | Simplification and clarification of JAS grading inspection for glucose imports | ||
| Details of Measures | The JAS system consists of a voluntary system used to improve the quality of agricultural products, rationalize their use and consumption and approve affixing of the JAS symbol in accordance with quality and labeling standards (JAS specifications), and an obligatory labeling system under which manufacturers are obliged to affix labeling concerning quality. 1. Affixing the JAS symbol requires passing the JAS grading inspection conducted by registration and grading organizations, etc., but each shipment for which application for grading has been made must be inspected to check whether it meets quality standards. For each product type, products from manufacturing plants, either in Japan or abroad, which are approved and certified as meeting technical standards, conducting appropriate quality control and having stable product quality, are not inspected as frequently as usual, but in the case of agricultural products, product quality is easily affected by changes in the quality of the ingredients used, and for example, the maximum interval between inspections of shipments of glucose is set at 15 days. Accordingly, it is not possible to conduct JAS grading inspection for glucose from the same manufacturing plant only once a year. 2. The registration requirements for registration and grading organizations are set out under the JAS Law, and after registration, the Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries Consumption Technology Center undertakes investigation and guidance once a year. The Japan Starch Sweetener Industry Association is a neutral and impartial non-profit organization meeting the Law's requirements and is able to adequately respond to demand for the grading of glucose. The complainant was also advised that domestic and imported products are handled alike, in accordance with the principle of non-discrimination in grading inspections and handling of shipments. |
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| Classification of Processing | D | Directions | 1. II-a 2. IV |
| Remarks | |||