April 12, 2018

Dear Exporters,

1. As per Notification 01/2015-220 dated 6 April, 2018 (Click Here) issued by the DGFT all varieties of edible oils, except mustard oil, have been made ’’free’’ for export without any quantitative ceilings, pack size etc., till further orders.


2. As per Circular 5/2015-2020 dated 4 April, 2018 (Click Here)issued by the DGFT as the export of all varieties of pulses, including organic pulses are free for export, vide DGFT Notification No. 38 dated 22.11.2017, the packaging restriction imposed vide DGFT Notification No. 40 dated 15.02.2016, on export of roasted gram would no longer be applicable.


3. The DGFT has developed an online EODC monitoring system for monitoring the progress of Export Obligation Discharge Certificate (EODC) applications of Advance and EPCG authorisations. The website can be accessed at http://eodc.online in which the input data related to applications submitted by exporters for EODC can be put and the status can be updated when either deficiency letter or EODC is issued as per Trade Notice 1/2018-2019 dated 4 April, 2018 (Click Here) issued by the DGFT.


4. As per Trade Notice 2/2018-2019 dated 11 April, 2018 (Click Here) issued by the DGFT facility to check status of Importer Exporter Code (IEC) application made to DGFT is available on the DGFT website.


5. The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published Food Safety and Standards (Alcoholic Beverages) Regulations, 2018 dated 5 April, 2018 (Click Here) specifying the standards for alcoholic beverages namely Distilled Alcoholic Beverage (Brandy, Country Liquer, Gin, Rum, Vodka and Whisky, Liquer or Alcoholic cordial), Wines and, Beer. It also specifies the specific requirement for labelling of Alcoholic Beverages. This regulation will come into force from 1 April, 2019.


6. The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, India published Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) (First Amendment) Order, 2018 dated 9 April, 2018 (Click Here) for certain amendments to the phytosanitary conditions governing the import of certain plants and plant materials into India.


7. The Thailand Food and Drug Administration published rules, procedures and conditions for the establishment of the inspection unit or food establishments dated 4 April, 2018 (Click Here).


8. The South Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) published Notice No. 2018-22 on 10 April, 2018 (Click Here) on revision of regulations for the designation of rare drugs.


9. Ministry of the Environment and Food, Denmark published Executive Order on restrictions on imports, sales and manufacturing for exports in the EU and to EFTA countries of Passenger Cars and SUVs, etc. containing certain hazardous substances dated 6 April, 2018 (Click Here). The Order shall enter into force on 6 June, 2018.


10. Health Canada published a notice of modification to the List of Permitted Preservatives dated 4 April, 2018 (Click Here) to enable the Use of Propionic Acid and Sodium Propionate as Preservatives in Ready-to-Eat Meat Products and Ready-to-Eat Poultry Meat Products.


11. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR), Australia published IFN 02-18 - Increased inspection times for surveillance foods Dated 6 April, 2018 (Click Here). The purpose of this notice is to advise food importers that inspection times and costs for those foods classified as surveillance foods under the Imported Food Control Act 1992 will increase for entries created within the Department of Home Affairs Integrated Cargo System (ICS) from 16 April, 2018.


12. The European Union published following:
    
    
    • Regulation (EU) 2018/524 on 4 April, 2018 (Click Here) amending Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 as regards the extension of the approval periods of the active substances Bacillus subtilis (Cohn 1872) Strain QST 713, identical with strain AQ 713, clodinafop, clopyralid, cyprodinil, dichlorprop-P, fosetyl, mepanipyrim, metconazole, metrafenone, pirimicarb, Pseudomonas chlororaphis strain: MA 342, pyrimethanil, quinoxyfen, rimsulfuron, spinosad, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, thiram, tolclofos-methyl, triclopyr, trinexapac, triticonazole and ziram.
    
    
    • Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety released update of Appendix 3E List of modifications to the Animal Feed Register dated 7 April, 2018 (Click Here).


13. Hong Kong published Toys and Children’’s Products Safety Ordinance dated 10 April, 2018 (Click Here).


14. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established tolerances for residues of Clethodim (Click Here) in or on various commodities dated 12 April, 2018.