GCC Guide for Control on Imported Foods

This Guide describes principles and regulatory requirements to be applied by the exporting country and the importing GCC countries in assuring the safety and suitability of shipments of imported food. Health certificates for imported food (from animal and plant origins) which include specific attestations are provided in the Guide.

In 2017, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notified WTO (SPS) about this Guide (G/SPS/N/SAU/14). Due to comments from many WTO Members, this Guide had been reviewed by GCC Food Safety Committee and modified accordingly. The attached version has been adopted by all GCC countries. The implementation of this Guide is voluntary, and it shall not come into force until further notice.

http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/SAU/17_4289_00_e.pdf

http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/SAU/17_4289_00_x.PDF

This addendum concerns a:

[ ]           Modification of final date for comments

[ ]           Notification of adoption, publication or entry into force of regulation

[ ]           Modification of content and/or scope of previously notified draft regulation

[ ]           Withdrawal of proposed regulation

[X]          Change in proposed date of adoption, publication or date of entry into force

[X]          Other: This addendum on the GCC Guide for Control on Imported Foods, which contains requirements and health certificates, has been reviewed and revised by GCC Food Safety Committee to facilitate international trade.

Comment period: (If the addendum extends the scope of the previously notified measure in terms of products and/or potentially affected Members, a new deadline for receipt of comments should be provided, normally of at least 60 calendar days. Under other circumstances, such as extension of originally announced final date for comments, the comment period provided in the addendum may vary.)

[ ]           Sixty days from the date of circulation of the addendum to the notification and/or (dd/mm/yy): Not applicable

Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X] National Notification Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:

Saudi Food and Drug Authority

SFDA - 3292 North Ring road Al Nafel Area Unit (1) - Riyadh 13312 - 6288

Tel: +(966 11) 275 9222, ext. 3331

Fax: +(966 11) 210 9825

E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa

Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa

Text(s) available from: [X] National Notification Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:

Saudi Food and Drug Authority

SFDA - 3292 North Ring road Al Nafel Area Unit (1) - Riyadh 13312 - 6288

Tel: +(966 11) 275 9222, ext. 3331

Fax: +(966 11) 210 9825

E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa

Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa