1.

Notifying Member: URUGUAY

If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):

2.

Agency responsible:

Asesoría de Política Comercial (Trade Policy Advisory Office)

Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas (Ministry of Economy and Finance)

Paraguay 1401 - 2º Piso

Tel.: (+598) 1712, Ext. 4319/4315

Email: apc.otc@mef.gub.uy

Montevideo, Uruguay

Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:

División de Evaluación Sanitaria (Sanitary Evaluation Division)

Ministerio de Salud Pública (Ministry of Public Health)

18 de Julio 1892

Tel.: (+598) 1934, Ext. 5084

Email: deptoalimentos1@msp.gub.uy

Montevideo, Uruguay

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], 3.2 [ ], 7.2 [ ], other:

4.

Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Rice (HS code: 1006)

5.

Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Proyecto de Decreto por el que se incorpora la Resolución GMC N° 18/21 - Modificación de la Resolución GMC N° 12/11 "Reglamento Técnico MERCOSUR sobre Límites Máximos de Contaminantes Inorgánicos en Alimentos" (Draft Decree incorporating GMC Resolution No. 18/21 - Amendment to GMC Resolution No. 12/11 "MERCOSUR Technical Regulation on maximum levels of inorganic contaminants in food") (5 pages, in Spanish)

6.

Description of content: The notified draft Decree proposes the incorporation into the national legal system of GMC Resolution No. 18/21, which amends the category "Rice and rice products other than oil" and its corresponding maximum limit of inorganic contaminants established in the table "Arsenic" under Part II of the Annex to GMC Resolution No. 12/11 incorporated into the National Bromatological Regulations.

The update responds to the need to adjust the limit for arsenic in rice in order to bring it into line with levels for inorganic arsenic established in the Codex Alimentarius.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Protection of human health or safety; Harmonization.

8.

Relevant documents:

9.

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined

10.

Final date for comments: 60 days from notification

11.

Texts available from: National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:

The full text of is attached to this notification.