Required Report - public distribution

**Date:** 4/7/2004

**GAIN Report Number:** SI4005

SI4005

**Slovenia**

**Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards**

**Country Report**

**2004**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)Sarah Hanson

U.S. Embassy

**Prepared by:**

Andreja Misir

**Report Highlights:**

On May 1, 2004, Slovenia will become a member of the European Union
(EU), and all EU food rules, regulations, and laws will apply. This
report provides information on the laws and regulations for food, food
import rules, and contact information in Slovenia.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Vienna \[AU1\]

\[SI\]

Disclaimer: This report has been prepared by the Office of Agricultural
Affairs of the USDA/FAS (in Vienna, Austria) for U.S. exporters of
domestic food and agricultural products. While every possible care has
been 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.

**NOTE:** **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 DEALING WITH IMPORTS

Slovenian food legislation consists of the following types of laws:

-   Act Regulating the Sanitary Suitability of Foodstuff, Products and
    Materials Coming into Contact with Foodstuffs (Official Gazette RS
    42/2000, 52/2000)

-   Wine Law (Official Gazette RS 70/1997, 16/2001)

-   Act on Marine Fishing (Official Gazette RS 58/2002)

-   Veterinary Practice Act (Official Gazette RS 33/2001)

-   Act on Agriculture (Official Gazette RS 54/2000)

These laws are valid both for domestic and imported products.

A. Scope of laws and regulations:

1.  Act Regulating the Sanitary Suitability of Foodstuff, Products and
    Materials Coming into Contact with Foodstuffs and derived
    regulation.

This Act defines conditions that foodstuff, foodstuff additives,
products and materials coming into contact with foodstuffs must fulfill
to meet health standards. This law regulates oversight over production
and trade with foodstuff, foodstuff additives, products and materials
coming into contact with foodstuffs with intention to protect human
health, consumer interest, and uninterrupted trade on Slovenian market
as well as uninterrupted foreign trade. It also regulates monitoring of
adequate food safety of foodstuff, foodstuff additives, products and
materials coming into contact with foodstuffs, as well as
interdisciplinary and international co-operation in fields of food
safety issues and food policy.

Derived regulations are:

\-- Regulation on Infant Formula (Official Gazette RS 46/2002, 117/2002,
42/2003)

\-- Regulation on Foodstuff for Special Health Use (Official Gazette RS
46/2002)

\-- Regulation on Foodstuff for Special Diets (Official Gazette RS
46/2002, 117/2002, 42/2003)

\-- Regulation on Conditions that Foodstuff Without Gluten Must Fulfill
(Official Gazette RS 46/2002)

\-- Regulation on Cereal Grits and Foodstuff for Infants and Small
Children (Official Gazette RS 48/2002, 117/2002, 42/2003)

\-- Regulation on Foodstuff Hygiene (Official Gazette RS 60/2002)

\-- Regulation on Nutritional Labeling (Official Gazette RS 60/2002,
117/2002, 42/2003)

\-- Regulation on Frozen Foodstuff Safety (Official Gazette RS 63/2002,
117/2002)

\-- Regulation on Official Oversight of Frozen Foodstuff Temperatures
(Official Gazette RS 63/2002, 117/2002)

\-- Novelty Food Regulation (Official Gazette RS 105/2002)

\-- Regulation on Labeling of Foodstuff that are Produced from
Genetically Modified Soybeans and Corn (Official Gazette RS 105/2002)

\-- Regulation on Foodstuff Contaminants (Official Gazette RS 69/2003,
20/2004)

\-- Regulation on Pesticide Residues on Foodstuff (Official Gazette RS
73/2003)

\--Regulation on Official Health Oversight on Foodstuff (Official
Gazette RS 73/2003)

\-- Regulation on Foodstuff, Products and Materials Coming into Contact
with Foodstuffs (Official Gazette RS 98/2002)

\-- Regulation on Labeling Foodstuff and Composition of Foodstuff that
Contains Additives, Aromas or are Genetically Modified or Made from
Genetically Modified Organisms (Official Gazette RS 105/2002)

\-- Regulation on Measurements of Purity for Additives (Official Gazette
RS 68/2002)

\-- Regulation on Aromas (Official Gazette RS 77/2001)

\-- ...

2.  Wine Law and derived regulation.

This Law regulates geographic origin protection specifics of grapes,
wine and other products derived from grape and wine; production of wine
grapes; production of must and wine; production of other products from
wine and secondary products of grapes and wine; and placing grapes,
must, wine and other products from grapes and wine on the market.

Derived regulations are:

\-- Regulation on Organization of Trade with Wine Grapes, Must and Wine

\-- Regulation on Geographic Origin Register for Wine and Other Products
from Grapes and

Wine (Official Gazette RS 68/2002)

\-- Regulation on Labeling and Packing of Wine, Must and Other Grape and
Wine Products (Official Gazette RS 40/2001)

\-- \...

3.  Act on Marine Fishing and derived regulations

This Law defines the aims and directives for marine fishing and
regulates management with fish sources, access to fish sources, public
service and financing in marine fishing. It also regulates management of
fish and fish products trade and organizations in fishing in general,
which are all applicable for international fish and fish products caught
in foreign waters.

Derived regulations are;

\-- Regulation on Quality of Fish and Fish Products in Trade (Official
Gazette RS 94/2002, 42/2003)

\-- ...

4.  Veterinary Practice Act and derived regulations

This Act defines contagious animal diseases, veterinary prophylaxis, the
minimum of animal health, charges and expenditures in the field of
animal health, the veterinary activities and implementation thereof,
public authorizations of the Veterinary Chamber, licensing, professional
training in veterinary medicine, registers, databases and information
technology system, the competence of governmental departments, the
inspection and control, and the rights and obligations of companies and
their employees under this act.

Derived Regulation:

\-- Regulation on Labeling of Suitable Health Conditions of Foodstuff
Originating from Industry (Official Gazette RS 18/2004)

\-- \...

5.  Act on Agriculture and derived regulations

This Act defines the aims of agricultural policy, layout of agricultural
and rural development, measures in agricultural policy, quality and
labeling of agricultural products respectively foodstuff, trade with
agricultural products (respectively foodstuffs), public services, data
bases and information on agriculture, proceedings and government bodies
in charge of law implementation, researches, education and development
projects, as well as inspection oversight.

Derived regulations are:

\-- Regulation on Quality of Poultry Meat (Official Gazette RS 56/2001,
117/2002)

\-- Regulation on Terms for Usage of Traditional Agricultural or
Foodstuff Products (Official Gazette RS 56/2001)

\-- Regulation on Tea Quality (Official Gazette RS 48/2003)

\-- Regulation on Quality of Baking Soda, Pudding Powder, and Vanilla
Sugar (Official Gazette RS 12/2003

\-- Regulation on Quality of Baking Products (Official Gazette RS
26/2003)

\-- Regulation on Quality of Marmalades and Jams (Official Gazette RS
9/2001)

\-- Regulation on Juice Quality (Official Gazette RS 9/2001)

\-- Regulation on Quality of Grain Products (Official Gazette RS
26/2003)

\-- Regulation on Spices (Official Gazette RS 63/2002)

\-- Regulation on Egg Quality (Official Gazette RS 82/2003)

\-- Regulation on Quality of Vinegar (Official Gazette RS 2/2004)

\-- Regulation on Salt Quality (Official Gazette RS 70/2003)

\-- Regulation on Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water, Table Water
(Official Gazette RS 62/2003)

\-- Regulation on Aromas (Official Gazette RS 77/2001)

\-- Regulation on Organization of Trade with Wine Grapes, Must and Wine

\-- Regulation on Eco. Harvest and Production of Eco. Agricultural
Products and Foodstuff (Official Gazette RS 52/2003)

B. Overview of legislation on specific product and issues:

1\. Honey

\--quality standards of honey in production and trade, as well as
procedures and methods for control of these standards (Official Gazette
RS 30/1999)

2\. Dietetic foods

\-- Act Regulating the Sanitary Suitability of Foodstuff, Products and
Materials Coming into Contact with Foodstuffs (Official Gazette RS
42/2000, 52/2000)

\-- Regulation on Infant Formula (Official Gazette RS 46/2002, 117/2002,
42/2003)

\-- Regulation on Foodstuff for Special Health Use (Official Gazette RS
46/2002)

\-- Regulation on Foodstuff for Special Diets (Official Gazette RS
46/2002, 117/2002, 42/2003)

\-- Regulation on Conditions that Foodstuff Without Gluten Must Fulfill
(Official Gazette RS 46/2002)

\-- Regulation on Cereal Grits and Foodstuff for Infants and Small
Children (Official Gazette RS 48/2002, 117/2002, 42/2003)

3\. Wine legislation

\--Wine Law (Official Gazette RS 70/1997, 16/2001)

\-- Regulation on Organization of Trade with Wine Grapes, Must and Wine

\-- Regulation on Geographic Origin Register for Wine and Other Products
from Grapes and

Wine (Official Gazette RS 68/2002)

\-- Regulation on Labeling and Packing of Wine, Must and Other Grape and
Wine Products (Official Gazette RS 40/2001)

\-- \...

4\. Hygiene Regulations

\-- Act Regulating the Sanitary Suitability of Foodstuff, Products and
Materials Coming into Contact with Foodstuffs (Official Gazette RS
42/2000, 52/2000)

\-- Regulation on Foodstuff Hygiene (Official Gazette RS 60/2002)

\-- Regulation on Frozen Foodstuff Safety (Official Gazette RS 63/2002,
117/2002)

\-- Regulation on Official Oversight of Frozen Foodstuff Temperatures
(Official Gazette RS 63/2002, 117/2002)

\--Regulation on Official Health Oversight on Foodstuff (Official
Gazette RS 73/2003)

5\. Pesticides, Heavy Metals and Mycotoxines

\-- Regulation on Foodstuff Contaminants (Official Gazette RS 69/2003) -
heavy metals and mycotoxines and other

\-- Regulation on Pesticide Residues on Foodstuff (Official Gazette RS
73/2003) \...

6\. Packaging Regulations

\-- The Law on Measures (Official Gazette RS 22/2000) -- among other
things deals with oversight of quantities and labeling of packaged
products, oversight of measures etc...

\-- Regulation on Packaged Products (Official Gazette RS 1/1995 -- under
the old Law on Measures but still valid until the new one gets
published)

\-- Regulation on Handling of Packing and Packing to be Disposed
(Official Gazette RS 104/2000) -- handling in production, trade and
usage; handling in package waste collection, disposal and recycling...

7\. Custom matters

\-- Customs Act (Official Gazette RS 1/1995, 28/1995, 32/1999, 40/1999,
13/2001, 62/2001, 59/2002)

\-- Ordinance on Implementation of Customs Act (Official Gazette RS
107/2002)

II\. LABELING REQUIREMENTS

A.  General requirements

\-- Regulation on General Labeling of Packaged Foodstuff (Official
Gazette RS 71/2000, 3/2003)

\-- Regulation on Labeling Foodstuff and Composition of Foodstuff that
Contains Additives, Aromas, or are Genetically modified or made from
Genetically Modified Organisms (Official Gazette RS 105/2002)

1\. According to the Regulation on General Labeling the minimum data on
the label is as follows:

-   name under which foodstuff is sold (according to special regulations
    for individual foodstuff, or if not possible that common name in
    Slovenia or name used in the EU -- for details see Regulation
    71/2000, 3/2003)

-   list of compounds and for some quantity of compounds, net weight

-   expiry date

-   foodstuff lot

-   storing conditions (if they are important for foodstuff quality and
    safety)

-   name, title and address from producer, packing company or selling
    company

-   foodstuff origin, if omission of that information could mislead
    consumer on real origin of the foodstuff

-   instructions on how to use foodstuff, if the foodstuff could not be
    properly used without them

-   content of alcohol in alcoholic beverages that contain more than
    1.2% vol.

If the foodstuff was treated with ionized beams it has to be labeled
with "treated with ionized beams", if foodstuff was packed with gases it
has to be labeled "packed in controlled atmosphere".

Labeling should not be ambiguous or misleading for the consumer. For
details on specific data requested on a label see Regulation 71/2000,
3/2003.

2\. All labels must be in Slovenian language

3\. We are not aware of products sold with U.S. standard labeling.

4\. Stick-on labels, meeting local requirements, can be affixed in
addition to the U.S. standard label.

5\. There are special shelf - life and country of origin requirements
(see paragraph 1, minimum data on labels).

B. Nutritional Labeling Requirements

\-- Act Regulating the Sanitary Suitability of Foodstuff, Products and
Materials Coming into Contact with Foodstuffs (Official Gazette RS
42/2000, 52/2000)

**\--** Regulation on Nutritional Labeling (Official Gazette RS 60/2002,
117/2002, 42/2003)

\-- Regulation on Foodstuff for Special Health Use (Official Gazette RS
46/2002)

\-- Regulation on Foodstuff for Special Diets (Official Gazette RS
46/2002, 117/2002, 42/2003)

\-- Regulation on Infant Formula (Official Gazette RS 46/2002, 117/2002,
42/2003)

\-- Regulation on Cereal Grits and Foodstuff for Infants and Small
Children (Official Gazette RS 48/2002, 117/2002, 42/2003)

\-- Regulation on Conditions that Foodstuff Without Gluten Must Fulfill
(Official Gazette RS 46/2002)

-   According to the Regulation on Nutritional Labeling, nutritional
    labeling is mandatory only if the producer is represented or markets
    his/her foodstuffs as having special nutritional characteristics.

-   If a foodstuff has nutritional label data, the information should be
    in this order:

Group 1

(a) energy value

(b) amounts of: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats

Group 2

(a) energy value

(b) amounts of: proteins, carbohydrates, sugars, fats, saturated fat
    acids, fibers and natrium

Permitted nutrient content claims are the ones that deal with energy
value of foodstuff and substances in foodstuff.

> Conditions for labeling nutritional content in foodstuff are listed in
> appendix of Regulation on Nutritional Labeling. This list also
> determines when to use relative descriptions (and what they mean for
> nutritional content) like "low", "without", "very low"\...

-   Act Regulating the Sanitary Suitability of Foodstuff, Products and
    Materials Coming into Contact with Foodstuffs forbids health claims
    on food products. Only Minister for Health can allow for some
    foodstuff to have health claims and specify how they should be
    marked.

(See appendix 1 and 2 for contact information regarding the above).

III\. PACKAGING AND CONTAINER REGULATIONS

\-- The Law on Measures (Official Gazette RS 22/2000)

\-- Regulation on Packaged Products (Official Gazette RS 1/1995 -- under
the old Law on Measures but still valid until the new one gets
published)

\-- Regulation on Handling of Packing and Packing to be Disposed
(Official Gazette RS 104/2000) -- This Regulation deals with handling in
production, trade and usage; handling in package waste collection,
disposal and recycling. This Regulation summarizes contents of EU
directive on packaging (94/62/EC) and various provisions on labeling and
identification system for packaging and standards that prescribe
conditions for quality of packaging

-   Producers, importers and packagers must provide for the regular
    disposal of packaging they put on the market at their own cost (that
    which is communal waste and that which is not communal waste).

-   Regulation on Handling of Packing and Packing to be Disposed in
    appendix 1 deals with conditions for production and used materials,
    as well as packaging adequacy for second usage and recycling.

IV\. FOOD ADDITIVE REGULATIONS

\-- Act Regulating the Sanitary Suitability of Foodstuff, Products and
Materials Coming into Contact with Foodstuffs (Official Gazette RS
42/2000, 52/2000)

**\--** Regulation on Additives for Foodstuff (Official Gazette RS
2/2000)

\-- Regulation on Measurements of Purity for Additives (Official Gazette
RS 68/2002)

-   Regulatory authorities developed an additive list that can be
    retrieved at [www.uradni-list.si](http://www.uradni-list.si/).
    English version is still not available.

V. PESTICIDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS

\-- Regulation on Pesticide Residue on Foodstuff and agricultural
Products (Official Gazette RS 73/2003), etc

\-- Regulation on Foodstuff Contaminants (Official Gazette RS 69/2003,
20/2004)

\--Act on Phyto - pharmaceuticals (Official Gazette RS 11/2001)

[]{.mark}

-   Pesticides must be registrated at the office for phytosanitary
    control [http://www.furs.si](http://www.furs.si/)

-   See above

VI\. OTHER REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

-   .Food products do not have to be registrated for import in Slovenia,
    but they have to

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

-   All shipments that contain food will go through sanitary inspection,
    that is, they will be

randomly tested for quality and health standards.

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

import, so they will be tested for quality and health standards.

-   At the retail and wholesale level, food storage and foods are
    inspected on a basis of plan

for that year or if an event requires it.

-   Standard import documents are not prescribed, but the sanitary
    inspector has the right to ask for additional information from
    producer for certificates from competent institutions of country of
    export, for example, producers specification, certificate of origin,
    certificate of

compliance with certain regulation, etc.

VII\. OTHER SPECIFIC STANDARDS

[]{.mark}

-   Only metric weights and measures are accepted?.

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

-   Genetically modified organisms (GMO) and food produced from them is
    regulated by: Law on GMOs, Novelty Food Regulation (Official Gazette
    RS 105/2002), Regulation on Labeling of Foodstuff that are Produced
    from Genetically Modified Soybeans and Corn (Official Gazette RS
    105/2002), Regulation on Labeling Foodstuff and Composition of
    Foodstuff that Contains Additives, Aromas or are Genetically
    Modified or Made from Genetically Modified Organisms (Official
    Gazette RS 105/2002)

```{=html}
<!-- -->
```
-   Wine is regulated by: Wine Law (Official Gazette RS 70/1997,
    16/2001), Regulation on Organization of Trade with Wine Grapes, Must
    and Wine, Regulation on Geographic Origin Register for Wine and
    Other Products from Grapes and Wine (Official Gazette RS 68/2002),
    Regulation on Labeling and Packing of Wine, Must and Other Grape and
    Wine Products (Official Gazette RS 40/2001)...

VIII\. COPYRIGHT AND/OR TRADE MARK LAWS

-   Basic acts regulating this field follow the [Industrial Property
    Act](http://www.uil-sipo.si/Laws/Zil_1e.pdf), [Copyright and Related
    Rights Act](http://www.uil-sipo.si/Laws/ZASP_EN.pdf), [Act on
    Protection of Topographies of Integrated
    Circuits](http://www.uil-sipo.si/Laws/Si_top0_.htm) and several
    international treaties to which Slovenia is bound.

> Companies interested in the registration of trademarks or brand names
> have to apply at:

[Address:]{.underline} [Slovenian Intellectual Property
Office](http://www.uil-sipo.si/kje.jpg)\
Kotnikova 6\
SI-1000 Ljubljana\
Slovenia

[Phone]{.underline}: +386 1 478 31 54

[Fax]{.underline}: +386 1 478 31 10

[E-mail]{.underline}: <info@uil-sipo.si>

[Webmaster:]{.underline} <j.kukec@uil-sipo.si>

[Opening hours for public]{.underline}: Monday to Friday from 9.00 to
14.00

IX\. IMPORT PROCEDURES

All required information can be obtained at:

**Address:** The Customs Administration of the Republic of Slovenia\
Šmartinska 55, 1523 Ljubljana, Slovenia

**Tel.:** +386 1 478 38 00

**Fax:** +386 1 478 39 00

**E-mail:** <carina@gov.si>

**WWW:**
[http://carina.gov.si/index.htm](http://carina.gov.si/mf/angl/curs/index.htm)

APPENDIX I. GOVERNMENT REGULATORY AGENCY CONTACTS

The responsible authority for laws and regulations on sanitary
suitability of foodstuff, products and materials coming into contact
with foodstuffs; wine; marine fishing; veterinary practice; agriculture
in general is:

Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry and Food

Dunajska 56, 58

1000 Ljubljana

tel. 00386 1 478 9000

fax. 00386 1 478 9021

[www.sigov.si/mkgp/slo/](http://www.sigov.si/mkgp/slo/)index.php

The responsible authority for laws and regulations on some agricultural
issues and sanitary suitability of foodstuff, products and materials
coming into contact with foodstuffs is:

Ministry of Health

Stefanova ulica 5

1000 Ljubljana

tel. 00386 1 478 6019

fax. 00386 1 478 6058

[www.gov.si/mz](http://www.gov.si/mz)

The responsible authority over trade issues and waste disposal is:

Ministry of Economy

Kotnikova 5

1000 Ljubljana

tel. 00386 1 478 3311

fax 00386 1 433 1031

[www.mg-rs.si](http://www.mg-rs.si/)

The responsible authority over biotechnology issues and waste disposal
is:

Ministry for Environment Spatial Planning and Energy

Dunajska c. 48

PO. BOX 653

1000 Ljubljana

tel. 00386 1 478 7400

www. sigov.si/mop/en

The responsible authority over measurements and standards is:

Metrology Institute of the Republic of Slovenia

Kotnikova ulica 38

SI-1000 Ljubljana

tel. 00386 1 478 4373

fax. 00386 1 478 4341

www. usm.mzt.si/English/index.htm

APPENDIX II. OTHER IMPORT SPECIALIST CONTACTS

Information source for reports on Slovenian and other countries is found
at:

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:

Andreja Misir

Agricultural Specialist

American Embassy, Zagreb

USDA/FAS

Tel. 00385 1 661 2467

Fax. 00385 1 665 8950

Mob. 00385 91 455 2365