Scheduled Report - Public distribution

**Date:** 7/23/2008

**GAIN Report Number:** HR8006

HR8006

**Croatia**

**FAIRS Country Report**

**Annual**

**2008**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Quintin Gray

U.S. Embassy Zagreb

**Prepared by:**

Andreja Misir

**Report Highlights:**

.This report provides information on the food import rules for Croatia.
It includes information on labeling, packaging, food additives and
import procedures. Important points of contact for U.S. food exporters
are listed in the appendices. All sections of this annual report were
updated in July 2008. It should be noted that due to Croatia's rapid
harmonization of food legislation with EU legislation, information in
this report should be double checked for obsolescence with the USDA
office in Croatia.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Annual Report

Zagreb \[HR1\]

\[HR\]

# Table of Contents:

# 

[I. FOOD LAWS 2](#i.-food-laws)

[II. LABELING REQUIREMENTS 6](#ii.-labeling-requirements)

[III. PACKAGING AND CONTAINER REGULATIONS
8](#iii.-packaging-and-container-regulations)

[IV. FOOD ADDITIVE REGULATIONS 9](#iv.-food-additive-regulations)

[V. PESTICIDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS
9](#v.-pesticide-and-other-contaminants)

[VI. OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
10](#vi.-other-regulations-and-requirements)

[VII. OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS 10](#vii.-other-specific-standards)

[VIII. COPYRIGHT AND/OR TRADE MARK LAWS
11](#viii.-copyright-andor-trade-mark-laws)

[IX. IMPORT PROCEDURES 12](#ix.-import-procedures)

[APPENDIX I. GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS
13](#appendix-i.-government-regulatory-agency-contacts)

[APPENDIX II. OTHER IMPORT SPECIFIC CONTACTS
14](#appendix-ii.-other-import-specific-contacts)

**Disclaimer**

> This report was prepared by the Office of Agricultural Affairs of the
> USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service in (***Zagreb, Croatia***) for U.S.
> exporters of domestic food and agricultural products. While every
> possible care was taken in the preparation of this report, information
> provided may not be completely accurate either because policies have
> changed since its preparation, or because clear and consistent
> information about these policies was not available. It is highly
> recommended that U.S. exporters verify the full set of import
> requirements with their foreign customers, who are normally best
> equipped to research such matters with local authorities, before any
> goods are shipped. FINAL IMPORT APPROVAL OF ANY PRODUCT IS SUBJECT TO
> THE IMPORTING COUNTRY\'S RULES AND REGULATIONS AS INTERPRETED BY
> BORDER OFFICIALS AT THE TIME OF PRODUCT ENTRY. 

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

# 

# I. FOOD LAWS 

Croatian food legislation consists of the following types of laws:

\-- The Food Act and regulations

\-- regulations under the old Food Act

\-- regulation under The Law on Health Standards, Health Control Over
Food Products and Objects for General Use

\-- regulations under the Law on Norms

\-- The Act on Cattle‑Breeding and regulations;

\-- Veterinary Act and regulations;

\-- regulations under the old Veterinary Law;

\-- The Vine Act and regulations

Croatian food laws and regulations are valid both for domestic and
imported products, and border inspections are regular and consistent.
Since the first Food Act was published, Croatia has attempted to
harmonize its food legislation with EU food and labeling legislation.
This resulted in the new Food Act that was published on 7^th^ of May,
2007 and came into effect on 15^th^ of May, 2007, and since then,
Croatian food legislation has been changing rapidly (complying with EU
legislation) almost every year.

Scope of laws and regulations:

1\. The Food Act (Governmental Gazette NN46/2007) and regulations:

\-- regulation on labeling feed and placing feed on the market
NN54/2007;

\-- amendment to the regulation on egg quality NN69/2007, NN69/2007;

\-- regulation on mineral and natural spring waters NN73/2007;

\-- amendment to the regulation on regulation on strong alcohols and
alcoholic drinks NN/73/2007

\-- regulation on edible casein and caseins NN80/2007;

\-- regulation on condense milk and powdered milk NN80/2007;

\-- regulation on official controls for verification of conduct in
accordance with provisions of regulation on food, feed and regulations
on health and protection of animals NN99/2007, NN74/2008 -- few articles
of this regulation will be in effect only after Croatia becomes an EU
member;

\-- regulation on hygiene of food originated from animals NN99/2007 -
few articles of this regulation will be in effect only after Croatia
becomes the EU member;

\-- regulation on official controls of food that has animal origin
NN99/2007 - few articles of this regulation will be in effect only after
Croatia becomes an EU member;

\-- regulation on food hygiene NN99/2007, NN27/2008 - few articles of
this regulation will be in effect only after Croatia becomes an EU
member;

\-- regulation on quality of paprika NN101/2007;

\-- regulation on cost of the procedure of registration and right to use
registered mark of strong alcoholic and aromatized drinks NN123/2007;

\-- regulation on milk and milk products NN133/2007;

\-- regulation on methods of analysis of milk that is treated with heat
and will be used for human consumption NN133/2007;

\-- regulation on secondary substances in the process of production
NN38/2008 - article 8 line 6 and article 10 line 2 will be in effect
only after Croatia becomes an EU member;

\-- regulation of food that was treated with ionization radiation
NN38/2008;

\-- regulation on fast frozen food NN38/2008;

\-- regulation on labeling, marketing and presenting of food NN41/2008;

\-- regulation on plan of sampling and methods of analysis for official
control of amount of nitrates in food NN42/2008;

\-- regulation on plan of sampling and methods of analysis for official
control of amounts of dioksin and dioksin alike PCBs in food NN45/2008;

\-- regulation on plan of sampling and methods of analysis for official
control of amounts of led, cadmium, mercury, inorganic tin,
3-monoclorpropandiola and benzopyrenes in food NN45/2008;

\-- regulation on plan of sampling and methods of analysis for official
control of amounts of mycotoxins in food NN 45/2008;

\-- regulation on health standards of drinking water NN47/2008;

\-- regulation on aromas NN53/2008 -- article 8 line 3 will be in effect
only after Croatia becomes an EU member;

\-- regulation on karst waters and table waters NN56/2008;

\-- amendment to the regulation on beer and beer with supplements
NN69/2008

\-- amendment to the regulation on products similar to chocolates,
cream-products and bonbon products NN69/2008;

\-- amendment to the regulation on cookies and cookie related products
NN69/2008;

\-- regulation on permitted percentage of eruca acids in oils and fats
NN70/2008 -- article 3 line 2 will be in effect only after Croatia
becomes an EU member;

\-- regulation on citing nutritional value of food NN60/2008, NN74/2008;

\-- regulation on the procedure of conducting Trichinae test in meat
NN62/2008, NN74/2008;

\-- regulation on microbiological criterions for food NN74/2008 -- in
effect from 1^st^ of January 2009 except from addendum I chapter 1
sections 1.16, 1.17, 1.25, 1.26 and 1.27 that are in effect from 28^th^
of June 2008;

\-- regulation on food for babies, and small children and processed food
on a grain base for babies and small children NN74/2008 -- article 25
will be in effect only after Croatia becomes an EU member;

\-- regulation on the highest permitted quantities of veterinary drug
residues in the food of animal originNN75/2008 - article 9 will be in
effect only after Croatia becomes an EU member ;

\-- regulation on food for special nutritional purposes NN78/2008 --
article 15 line 3 and article 16 line 3 will be in effect only after
Croatia becomes an EU member;

\-- regulation on food additives NN81/2008 - article 9 line 3 and
article 12 line 2 will be in effect only after Croatia becomes an EU
member;

...

This law regulates the following: general requirements relating to food,
Croatian Food Agency, crisis and emergency management, food hygiene,
feed hygiene, official controls, new (novel) food (not pertaining to
GMO), food and feed that contains genetically modified organisms or
consists of them, food and feed quality and areas of responsibility of
responsible Government bodies. This law applies to all stages of
production, processing, storage and distribution of food and feed,
except for primary production, preparation, handling and storage of food
in households intended for personal consumption and feeding of household
animals, which are not intended for sale on the market.

2\. The OLD Food Act (Governmental Gazette NN117/2003, NN130/2003,
NN48/2004, NN85/2006) is out of effect but until replaced with new ones
following regulations issued under that old Food Act are still in
effect:

\-- ordinance on levels of GMOs in products under which products that
are placed on the market do not have to be labeled as containing GMOs
(with a list of GMOs that can be in a product as technological trace) NN
34/2004;

\-- regulation on health standards of objects that are in contact with
food NN46/2004;

\-- regulation on food for special nutritional purposes NN81/2004 -- in
effect only parts that deal with food supplements, food supplements for
sportsmen, food with health claims, food for special medical purposes,
food for weight reduction, food for diabetics, food with
small/reduced/changed amount of nutritional value, food with enriched
nutritional value, food with increased or decreased energy value and
food without gluten;

\-- regulation on food monitoring because of determination of nutrient
levels, contaminants, additives and other food and foodstuff components
and substances NN135/2004;

\-- regulation on strong alcohols and alcoholic drinks NN 172/2004,
NN73/2007 -- article 9a is out of effect;

\-- regulation on coffee, grain coffee substitutes and products from
coffee and grain coffee substitutes NN172/2004;

\-- regulation on "domestic" sugar and the rest of saharides (sugars),
their solutions as well as starch and starch solutions NN 174/2004;

\-- regulation on handling and veterinary-health check of shipments of
animal origin / products and waste of animal origin and
hygienic-technical conditions that vehicles and shipments must comply
with in domestic and international transshipments NN13/2005;

\-- regulation on toxins, metals, metalloids and other harmful
substances that can be found in food NN16/2005;

\-- regulation on beer and beer with supplements NN42/2005, NN57/2005,
NN69/2008 -- article 9 and tables 1 addendum 1 are out of effect;

\-- regulation on products similar to chocolates, cream-products and
bonbon products NN73/2005; NN69/2008

\-- regulation on cacao and chocolate products NN73/2005;

\-- regulation on cookies and cookie related products NN73/2005,
NN69/2008;

\-- regulation on grains, mill and bakery products, pastry, dough and
dough products NN78/2005; \-- regulation on marks of authenticity and
marks of GI of food NN 80/2005, NN11/2007;

\-- regulation on special food traits and recognition of "traditional
reputation" NN127/2005;

\-- regulation on analytical methods for strong alcoholic beverages
NN138/2005;

\-- regulation on fruit juices, nectars and similar products NN152/2005;

\-- regulation on conditions that companies dealing with feed have to
comply with NN96/2005;

\-- regulation on olive oils NN63/2006;

\-- regulation on fruit jams, jellies, marmalades, and sweetened mashed
chestnut NN76/2006;

\-- regulation on conditions that need to be fulfilled when working with
feed NN84/2006;

\-- regulation on official testing laboratories for testing food quality
NN92/2006;

\-- regulation on egg quality NN115/2006, NN69/2007;

\-- regulation on tomato quality NN124/2006;

\-- regulation on meat products NN1/2007;

\-- regulation on feed additives NN9/2007;

\-- regulation on registration and protection of GI and marks of
traditional drink reputation for strong alcoholic and aromatized drinks
NN20/2007;

\-- regulations on quality standards of cattle carcasses on slaughtering
line NN40/2007;

\-- regulation on quality standards of pig carcasses on slaughtering
line NN40/2007;...

3\. some of the regulations issued under The Law on Health Standards,
Health Control Over Food Products and Objects of General Use
(Governmental Gazette NN 1/1997) are still valid until new regulations
under the Food Act get published.

\-- regulations on microbiological standards for food products
NN46/1994, NN20/2001, NN40/2001, NN125/2003, NN32/2004 -- out of effect
from 1^st^ of January 2009, article 13 part about fresh sea food is out
of effect from 28^th^ of June 2008;

4\. The Act on Cattle‑Breeding (NN 70/1997 NN 36/1998, NN76/1999,
NN151/2003, NN132/06) and their derived regulations and ordinances.
Regulations derived from the law on cattle breeding are valid until
regulations under The Food Act replace them, including:

\-- regulation on the quality of honey and other bee products NN
20/2000;

\-- regulation on feed NN 26/1998 (articles 33-53, 68, 75-78, 80, 81,
83-85 and attachment 1 are out of effect);

\--regulation on quality of fresh, raw milk NN 102/2000; NN111/2000;
NN74/2008;

\-- regulation on egg quality NN115/2006, NN69/2007, 76/2008;

\-- regulations on quality standards of cattle carcasses on slaughtering
line NN40/2007;

\-- regulation on quality standards of pig carcasses on slaughtering
line NN40/2007;

\--regulation on labeling feed and placing feed on the market
NN54/2007...

This law regulates other items including trade with animals, the quality
of animal feed and animal products (e.g. honey and honey products) and
quality standards and labeling.

5\. The Veterinary Act (NN 41/2007) and regulations

\-- regulation on shipments that can be imported without certificate
that establishes veterinary conditions for import of shipments NN94/2007

\-- ban of use of certain veterinarian medicines on animals whose meat
and products are used for food NN120/2007;

regulation on the procedure of conducting Trichinae test in meat
NN62/2008, NN74/2008;

\-- regulation on veterinary conditions that are used in trade and
import of bovine embryos NN74/2008 -- it will be in effect only after
Croatia becomes the EU member except from Chapter III that is in effect
from 26^th^ of June 2008;

\-- regulation on monitoring of specific substances and their residues
in live animals and products of animal origin NN79/2008 - few articles
of this regulation will be in effect only after Croatia becomes the EU
member;

\-- regulation on monitoring measures for specific substances and their
residues in live animals and products of animal origin NN79/2008;...

This law regulates the following: protection of animal health,
conducting public veterinary medicine, improving animal reproduction,
veterinary protection of environment, official inspections and
inspection oversight in veterinary medicine.

6\. The OLD Veterinary Law (NN 70/1997, NN105/2001, NN172/2003) is out
of effect but until replaced with new ones following regulations issued
under that old Veterinary Law are still in effect:

\-- regulation on monitoring measures for specific substances and their
residues in live animals and products of animal origin NN118/2004 -- out
of effect except Appendix VI and Appendix IV in the section that deals
with milk, eggs, rabbit meat, game meat from breeding, wild game meat
and honey

\-- regulation on conditions that need to be fulfilled when working with
feed NN84/06;

\-- regulation on feed additives NN9/2007; ...

7\. The Wine Act (Nn96/2003) and regulations

Some interesting regulations are as follows:

\-- the regulation on wine and fruit vinegar NN 121/2005;

\-- regulation on advertising of wine with GI and fruit wine NN105/2004;

\-- list of traditional expressions for wine NN96/2008; ...

This law regulates the following: production and trade with wines and
other products from grapes and wines, distillation process, labeling, GI
protection, production and trade with fruit wines and other wines made
from the base of fruit wines, etc...

Croatian laws and regulations can be found at
[www.nn.hr](http://www.nn.hr/). Unfortunately, all the laws and
regulations at that web page are in Croatia.

# II. LABELING REQUIREMENTS

(Nutritional Labeling, Biotechnology Labeling, Health Claims, Organic
Labeling)

A. General requirements

1\. The Food Act (NN 46/2007) provides general rule on product labeling,
which demands that labeling should not mislead the consumer.
Furthermore, general labeling of packed and unpacked food is regulated
with The Regulation on Labeling, Marketing and Presenting of Food
(NN41/2008).

\-- the requirements of The Regulation on Labeling, Marketing and
Presenting of Food:

This regulation prescribes the general labelling requirements for packed
and unpacked food, as well as some rules for presenting and marketing of
food. Food that is placed on the market of the Republic of Croatia must
have a declaration (or label). The labelling includes; all written
indications, data, a market indication, trademark, brand name, and a
picture or symbol referring to the food; that is placed on the
packaging, label, pendant, or the documents and all notifications that
accompany or refer to that food. This information must be attached to
the packaging in a way that taking it off is made very hard.

According to this regulation, food must be labelled in a way that the
information on the label does not mislead the consumer and the retailer
of food. This regulation specifies the details for every line statement
on the label. It also demands that the label contain additional
information if specific regulations for specific food products demand
so. In cases of the list of ingredients and expiration date, if specific
regulations for specific food products permit, some information can be
omitted but only if the end consumer is fully aware of it. At minimum,
the label must contain information listed below.

The declaration for packed food must contain the following information:

-   name of the food under which it is sold;

-   list of ingredients;

-   quantity of specific ingredients or the category of the ingredients;

-   net quantity;

-   expiration date;

-   storage conditions and when necessary, whether the storage
    conditions can influence the food's duration;

-   name and address of the producer or the person who packages the food
    and/or places it on the market and is registered in The Republic
    Croatia;

-   details about the place of origin, if absence of this information
    could be misleading to the consumer about the true origins of the
    product;

-   instructions and usage where necessary for proper handling;

-   beverages containing more than 1.2% vol. of alcohol, the true
    strength of the alcohol by the volume must be stated.

Information about the name of the food, net quantity, the expiration
date and the true strength of the alcohol for beverages containing more
than 1.2% vol. of alcohol must be put on a packaging in a way that they
are all visible at the same time.

For food that is: ionized, packed with usage of gasses, containing one
or more artificial sweeteners; aromatized with kinin or caffeine; food
with phytosterols; esters of phytosterols, phytostanols and esters of
phytostanols; glicirizin-acid or ammonium salts of glicirizin acid and
aromas this regulation proscribes additional information that needs to
be added to the label.

The Declaration or Labelling for Foods Containing or Consisting from GMO
Substances

According to the Food Act (NN 46/2007), foods and feed containing or
consisting from GMO substances besides general label must be labelled
with additional, special data so that consumers are informed about all
characteristics that this kind of food or feed contains. Labelling of GM
food and/or GM feed will be proscribed in detail, in a special
regulation that will be issued by the Minister of Health and Social
Welfare with consent from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Rural
Development.

2\. Food placed on the Croatian market must have a label written in the
Croatian language in the Latin alphabet. Multi-language labelling is
allowed.

3\. Products are not allowed entry with only a standard U.S. label. A
Croatian label must also accompany the product. In some special cases,
products may be imported without a Croatian label, but the product
cannot be sold until a trade inspection ensures that a Croatian label is
attached to the product.

4\. Stick‑on labels, meeting local requirements, can be affixed in
addition to the standard

U.S. label.

5\. In some special cases products may be imported without a Croatian
label, but the product cannot be sold until a trade inspection ensures
that a Croatian label is attached to the product.

6\. Labels for the food service sector (that is for unpacked food) must
be in a visible place at the point of sale or on a special packaging if
food is kept at the point of sale. The retailer of the product is
responsible for labeling unpacked food. For most of the unpacked food
products the label must include minimum following information: the name
of the food under which it is sold, expiry date (only for food that is
microbiologically unstable) and the name of the producer or the name of
the company that places food on the market. Unpacked food must be
accompanied with a document that contains all the information that is
placed on the label of packed food (see IIA1). In the case that a
consumer asks for that document than that document must be presented to
the consumer.

[]{.mark}

7\. We are not aware of any products sold with only U.S. standard
labeling.

[]{.mark}

8\. The country of origin is the country in which the food product is
produced (that is, the country in which the food underwent technological
processes that significantly changed its characteristics).

The Regulation on Labeling, Marketing and Presenting of Food specifies
the required language for stating expiry date, how the expiry date
should be marked, for which products expiry date is not required, and
defines the shelf life. According to the regulation, the shelf life is a
minimal period for food "life" duration. That is the date by which food
keeps its properties when properly stored.

9\. The Croatian authorities do not grant exceptions to their labeling
regulations.

B. Nutritional Labeling Requirements

\-- The Food Act (46/2007NN) and The Regulation on Labeling, Marketing
and Presenting of Food (NN41/2008) prescribe generalities regarding
nutritional labeling

\-- The Regulation on Citing Nutritional Value of Food (NN60/2008,
NN74/2008) prescribes nutritional value labeling for end consumer foods
and foods for institutions and the service sector.

[]{.mark}

\-- The Regulation on Food for Special Nutritional Purposes (NN81/2004)
and New Regulation on Food for Special Nutritional Purposes (NN 78/2008)
covers special additions to the label for food for special nutritional
purposes.

\-- The Regulation on Food for Babies, and Small Children and Processed
Food on a Grain Base for Babies and Small Children (NN74/2008)
prescribes nutritional labeling for these kind of food.

[]{.mark}

\-- The Regulation on Mineral Water and Natural Spring Waters
(NN72/2007) and The Regulation on Karst Waters and Table Waters
(NN56/2008) covers special additions to the label for water.

[]{.mark}

\-- Nutritional labeling is not mandatory except for food that has a
nutritional statement on the label or if the nutritional statement is
used when the food is marketed or for food with special nutritional
purposes.

[]{.mark}

\-- Implied claims such as "you would not believe that something so
light could taste so

good" are not forbidden by law but are not recommended.

Health claims on food that have the same characteristics as other
typical food are not permitted.

# III. PACKAGING AND CONTAINER REGULATIONS

A. Regulation on Metrological Requirements for Prepackages and Bottles
as Measuring Containers (articles 12,16 and 17 line 1 are out of effect,
NN90/2005, NN32/2006) prescribes package nominal fillings, marking of
the quantities, etc.

B. Packaging materials and packaging material waste is covered by The
Regulation on Packaging Materials and Packaging Material Waste
(NN97/2005, NN115/2005, NN81/2008).

C. Limitations for each type of packaging material are prescribed by The
Regulation on Health Standards of Objects That are in Contact With Food
(NN46/2004). This regulation prescribes in details what certain
packaging material can consist of. The main requirement is that
packaging material does not negatively impact the organoleptic, chemical
or physical characteristic of the food and can not consist or release
compounds that could be harmful to human health.

# IV. FOOD ADDITIVE REGULATIONS 

A. Additives are regulated by The Regulation on Food Additives (NN
81/2008). Use of aromas is covered by the Regulation on Aromas
(NN53/2008) and use of secondary substances is covered by The Regulation
on Secondary Substances in the Process of Production (NN38/2008). New
Regulation on Food Additives covers all the EU Directives (see E48078)
on that topic (sweeteners, artificial colors, etc...). List of food
additives is positive (what is allowed) and is in compliance with the
latest EU list (see E48078). Old Croatian food additive list was based
on CODEX but now Croatia is taking a turn and is shifting more to
compliance with the EU (see E48078). List of food additives is published
on the web page of The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare together
with the list on additive purity and the list of aromas
([www.mzss.hr](http://www.mzss.hr/),
http://www.mzss.hr/hr/zdravstvo_i_socijalna_skrb/zdravstvo/pravilnik_o_aromama).

B. New regulation on Enzymes will be prepared after EU publishes their
new Directive on Enzymes thus Croatian Enzyme Regulation is expected to
be published by the end of 2008.

C. If a certain additive is not on the Croatian list of food additives
and if it is legally used by an exporting country, then the opinion
about permitting usage of that additive in Croatia is given by the
Commission for Food Additives (under the Ministry of Health and Social
Welfare) on the basis of the scientific opinion from the Croatian Food
Agency. After the Commission on Food Additives gives its opinion then on
the basis of that opinion the Minister of Health and Social Welfare
permits or denies usage of the new additive (that permission is given
for a period of two years and only for certain food products). For
potential usage of aromas that are not on the Croatian list, the
Commission for Aromas is the competent authority. And for potential
usage of secondary substances in the process of food production not on
the Croatian list, the Commission for Food Additives is the competent
authority.

# V. PESTICIDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS

A. The maximum content of certain pesticide or pesticide residues in
foodstuffs is governed by The Regulation on Maximum Level of Pesticide
Residue in Food and Feed (NN119/2007). Other contaminants in food are
regulated by The Regulation on Toxins, Metals, Metalloids and Other
Harmful Substances that can be Found in Food (NN16/2005) and The
Regulation on Highest Permitted Quantities of Veterinary Drug Residues
in Food of Animal Origin (NN75/2008).

At the moment, pesticides are listed alphabetically with corresponding
maximum content for certain foods. This regulation is enforced by
municipal and customs sanitary and veterinary inspection officials.

B. The pesticide residue list is positive, i.e., stating what is
permitted, versus, what is not permitted. If active compounds of certain
pesticides are not listed on the residue list than the maximum residue
for that active compound must not be above the level permitted in EU
regulations (see E48078) and if EU regulations are not covered, it must
not then be above level of determination. If for a certain food or feed
there is no listed maximum level of residue of active compound of
certain pesticide, then the maximum level of residue must not be above
levels permitted in the EU regulations (see E48078) and if EU
regulations are not covered, it must then not be above the level of
determination.

C. According to The Law on Plant Protection Chemicals (NN70/2005) and
Regulation on Registration Procedure for Plant Protection Chemicals
(NN57/2007), all pesticides must be registered. The registration
application should be sent to:

Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Rural Development

Directorate for Agriculture and Food Industry

Phytosanitary Sector

Vukovarska 78

10 000 Zagreb

Tel: +385 1 6109 566

D. U.S. exporters can obtain a list of approved pesticides at the USDA
office in Zagreb (for contact information see appendix II).

# VI. OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 

A. Food products do not have to be registered for import into Croatia,
but they have to

comply with food‑quality standards prescribed by the Croatian laws and
regulations.

New Regulation on Food for Special Nutritional Purposes (NN 78/2008) and
parts of the old Regulation on Food for Special Nutritional Purposes
(NN81/2004) that are still in effect ask from food for special
nutritional purposes to have an approval from the Ministry of Health and
Social Welfare to be placed on the market. For the details on the
procedure contact country FAS office (for contact information see
appendix II)

B. All shipments that contain food will go to quality inspection and
sanitary inspection, that is, they will be randomly tested for quality,
health standards, and GMO content.

C. Product samples shipped via express mail and food for fairs are
treated like any other

imports, so they will be tested for quality, health standards and GMO
content.

# D. Imported food that will be placed on the Croatian market has to comply with Croatian food legislation. It is viewed positively by inspectors if exporter / importer can provide additional certificates from the competent authorities of the exporting country. For example, producers' specifications, certificate of origin, certificate of compliance with certain regulations, etc. In the latest FAIRS Export Certificate that will be posted in October 2008 can be found specific import documents needed for Croatian market.

# VII. OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS

A. Consumers packaging or municipal waste disposal, see Section III,
Item B.

B. Only metric weights and measures are accepted.

C. Fortification of foods with vitamins and minerals is permitted. In
this case, labeling

must be carried out according to The Regulation on Food for Special
Nutritional Purposes (NN78/2008), and the product must receive approval
from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to be placed on the
market.

D. Food produced from substances originating from GMOs is regulated by
The Food Act (NN78/2008) and The Ordinance on Levels of GMOs in Products
Under Which Products that are Placed on the Market do not Have to be
Labeled as Containing GMO (with a list of GMOs that can be in a product
as trace amounts) NN 34/2004 (for details, see GAINS report HR 8005).

E. Dietetic or special use foods fall under The Regulation on Food for
Special Nutritional Purposes (NN81/2004) and New Regulation on Food for
Special Nutritional Purposes (NN 78/2008)

F. Food sanitation: This subject is covered by The Food Act (NN74/2007)
-- Regulation on Food Hygiene (NN99/2007, NN27/2008), The Regulation on
Microbiological Criterions for Food (NN74/2008) -- mostly in effect from
1^st^ of January 2009 until then the old Regulation on Microbiological
Standards for Food Products (NN46/1994, NN20/2001, NN40/2001,
NN125/2003, NN32/2004) is in effect, The Regulation on Hygiene of Food
Originated from Animals (NN99/2007) ; The Regulation on Health Standards
of Objects that are in Contact With Food (NN46/2004) and The Veterinary
Law (NN41/2007).

Allowed chemical preservatives are listed in The Regulation on Food
Additives (NN81/2008). Certain food can be preserved with ionizing
radiation according to The Regulation on Food that was Treated with
Ionization Radiation (NN 38/2008). Ionization of food needs to be stated
on the food label.

G. Animal quarantine: To import live animals, animals must pass through
quarantine.

H. Wine is regulated by The Wine Act (NN96/2003) and The Wine Act
through The Regulation on Wine and Fruit Vinegar (NN 121/2005) regulates
wine and fruit vinegars. Beer is regulated by The Regulation on Beer and
Beer with Supplements (NN42/2005, NN57/2005; NN69/2008), and strong
alcohol is regulated by The Regulation on Strong Alcohols and Alcoholic
Drinks (NN172/2004; NN73/2007).

I. Organic products: According to the Regulation on Labeling of Organic
Products (NN10/2007) imported, unprocessed product can be labeled as
organic if its production was comparable to Croatian legislation on
organic production; imported, processed product can be declared as
organic if 95% of substances in the product was produced from organic
inputs (according to Croatian legislation on organic production) and if
inputs comply with Croatian legislation of processed organic products.
Croatian organic legislation does not recognize product as organic if
product has traces of GMO or if product is genetically modified.

Product can also be labeled as containing organic components and for
that minimum of 70% of the product has to be produced in organic
production (according to Croatian legislation on organic production).

J. Product samples and mail order shipments are treated like any other
import.

# VIII. COPYRIGHT AND/OR TRADE MARK LAWS

A. Trademarks and brand names are legally protected in Croatia with laws
that are in

compliance with EU legislative (see E48078). A trademark is valid for a
period of 10 years, and after ten years validity has to be renewed. The
number of renewals is indefinite.

B. Companies interested in registering trademarks or brand names must
apply at the State Intellectual Property Office (Information center is
open for clients from: 8:00 to 16:00 hours except on Thursdays when they
work from 10:00 to 18:00 hours) where all information and application
forms are available. Some information and application forms can also be
obtained at the State Intellectual Property Office web page:

http://www.dziv.hr/en/webcontent/file_library/inf_sources/obrasci_desni_menu_EN.htm

Contact information for State Intellectual Property Office:

**STATE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA**

Ulica grada Vukovara 78

HR - 10000 Zagreb

CROATIA

**Director General\'s office**

Tel: +385 1 61 06 100

Fax: +385 1 61 12 017

**INCENTIV - Information centre for intellectual property (information
and customer services)**

Tel: +385 1 61 09 825

Fax: +385 1 61 12 017

E-mail: [info@dziv.hr](mailto:ipo.croatia@dziv.hr)

**Receiving office**

Tel: +385 1 61 06 417; +385 1 61 06 418

Fax: +385 1 61 12 017

# IX. IMPORT PROCEDURES

A. Incoming goods must go through custom storage at transport terminals
or airports. After the goods arrive at the custom storage, the importer
or freight forwarder should start procedures for checking and clearing
goods, which includes special documents that should be sent to the
Inspection Departments and the Customs Office. The procedure starts at
the Sanitary Inspection Department of the Ministry of Health and Social
Welfare, which checks all products (except meat, which is checked by
Veterinary Inspection Department from the Ministry of Agriculture
Fishery and Rural Development). Samples are taken for food safety
checking every time an import arrives. Products are also inspected for
quality. The importer must pay for product examinations. If products are
of suspicious quality and/or health standards their sales will be banned
until analyses is conducted and proven otherwise. Custom clearance and
removal from storage is carried out under the supervision of a custom
officer who compares the documents with the commodities after they were
checked for quality and a sanitary or veterinary inspector checks for
quality, ingredients and health standards.

Documents needed for meat import can be found at:

USDA office in Croatia see appendix II

Custom rates and documents for imports can be found at:

http://www.carina.hr (This web site is only in Croatian. For
clarification, contact your Croatian partner or one of freight
forwarding companies to determine the proper rates.)

B. Custom import documents should be in Croatian, but documents in
English language are accepted most of the time.

C. Average length of custom clearance for food products, if all
documents are in order,

is one day.

# APPENDIX I. GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS

Control over the products that are regulated by the laws on food,
cattle‑breeding

and veterinary law and regulations, wine act and regulations, and
coordination of inspections:

Government of Republic of Croatia

Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Rural Development

Grada Vukovara 78

10000 Zagreb

Tel. 00385 (0)1 6106111

Fax. 00385 (0)1 6109201

E‑mail: office@mps.hr

web page: [www.mps.hr](http://www.mps.hr/)

Government of Republic of Croatia

Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Rural development

Miramarska 24

*10000 Zagreb*

Veterinary Department

Tel. 00385 (0)1 6106207

Fax. 00385 (0)1 6109207

E‑mail: office@mps.hr

web page: [www.mps.hr](http://www.mps.hr/)

Control over products that are regulated by the food law and regulations
and control over sanitary inspection:

Government of Republic of Croatia

Ministry of Health and Social Welfare

Ksaver 200a

10 000 Zagreb

Telefon: 00385 (0)1 4677102

Telefaks: 00385 (0)1 4607631

E-mail: Nenad.Lamer@mzss.hr

web page: [www.mzss.hr](http://www.mzss.hr/)

Control over regulation on metrological requirements for prepackages and
bottles as measuring containers (see section III, A):

State Office For Metrology

Ulica grada Vukovara 284

10 000 Zagreb

Tel. 00385 (0)1 563 000

Fax. 00385(0)1 563 001

web page: www.dzm.hr

General trade legislation:

Government of Republic of Croatia

Ministry of Economy, Labor and Entrepreneurship

Grada Vukovara 78

10000 Zagreb

Tel. 00385 (0)1 6106111

E‑mail: info@mingorp.hr

web page: [www.mingo.hr](http://www.mingo.hr/)

Control over laws dealing with waste disposal:

Government of Republic of Croatia

Ministry of Environment

Ulica Republike Austrije 20

10 000 Zagreb

Tel: 00385 (0)1 3782 404

Faks: 00385 (0)1 3717 118

web page: [www.mzopu.hr](http://www.mzopu.hr/)

# APPENDIX II. OTHER IMPORT SPECIFIC CONTACTS

Useful contact for all general advice on food trade in Croatia:

Croatian Chamber of Economy (Commerce)

Agriculture, Food Industry and Forestry Department

Rooseveltov trg 2

P.O. Box 630

10000 Zagreb

Tel. 00385 (0)1 4826066

00385 (0)1 4826068

Fax. 00385 (0)1 4561545

E‑mail: poljoprivreda@hgk.hr

web page: www.hgk.hr

Information source for reports on Croatia and other countries is found
at:
[http://www.fas.usda.gov](http://www.fas.usda.gov/)/scriptsw/attacherep/default.asp

EMBASSY (FAS/USDA) POINT OF CONTACT

For questions regarding other issues not covered in this report, please
contact:

Ms. Andreja Misir

American Embassy

Agricultural Section

Thomas Jefferson St. #2

10000 Zagreb

Tel. 00385 (0)1 665 8951

Mob. 00385 (0)91 4552365

e‑mail: andreja.misir@usda.gov