Voluntary Report - Public distribution

**Date:** 8/18/2008

**GAIN Report Number:** CH8069

CH8066

**China, Peoples Republic of**

**FAIRS Subject Report**

**Corn Quality Standards**

**2008**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)William Westman

AgBeijing

**Prepared by:**

Mark Petry and Jiang Junyang

**Report Highlights:**

On July 3, 2008, China notified the WTO of National Standard GB
1353---2007 \"National Standard for Corn\" as TBT/N/CHN/403. The WTO
official comment period for this notification is open until September 3,
2008. This report contains an UNOFFICIAL translation of the draft
standard.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Annual Report

Beijing \[CH1\]

\[CH\]

**Executive Summary**

On July 3, 2008, China notified the WTO of the National Standard GB
1353---2007 \"National Standard for Corn\" (Replacing GB 1353-1999) as
TBT/N/CHN/403. This standard specifies the relevant terms and
definitions, classifications, quality requirements, test methods, and
requirements for labeling, packaging, transportation and storage of
corn. This standard also applies to testing, evaluation and
identification of the quality of corn. The date for submission of final
comments to the WTO is September 3, 2008. The proposed date of adoption
is 90 days after circulation by the WTO Secretariat (October 3, 2008)
and the proposed date of entry into force is 6 months after adoption
(January 3, 2009).

The trade impact of this draft standard remains unclear. However,
attention should be paid to the grade indicators and other quality
indicators.

Industry representatives are encouraged to comment on the draft standard
before September 3, 2008. This report contains an UNOFFICIAL translation
of the original document.

**BEGIN UNOFFICIAL TRANSLATION**

**National Standard of the People's Republic of China**

GB 1353---2007\
Replacing GB 1353-1999

Corn

(Submitted for Approval)

(Completed on April 23, 2007)

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  Issue date: 2007-××-××              Implementation date: 2007-××-××

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

Issued by General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and
Quarantine of the People\'s Republic of China

**Foreword**

**This standard is mandatory for the full text.**

This standard is a revision to *GB 1353-1999 Corn.*

The main technical differences between this standard and *GB 1353-1999*:

\-\-\-- Grade indicators have been adjusted with the number of grades
increased from three to five and an off-grade added;

\-\-\-- The indicators for unsound kernels have been adjusted and new
indicators are set corresponding to each grade;

\-\-\-- Inspection rules are increased；

\-\-\-- Rules for labeling are increased;

\-\-\-- The method for determination of test weight in Annex A is
revised;

\-\-\-- Annex B is added.

Annex A and Annex B to this standard are normative.

This standard will replace GB 1353-1999 from the implementation date of
this standard.

This standard was proposed by the State Administration of Grain.

> This standard is under the jurisdiction of National Grain and Edible
> Oil Standardization Technical Committee.

This standard was drafted mainly by the following organizations: The
Standard and Quality Center of State Administration of Grain, Jilin
Grain Administration, Liaoning Grain Administration, Heilongjiang Grain
Administration, Hebei Grain Administration, Henan Grain Administration,
Inner Mongolia Grain Administration, Shanxi Grain Administration,
Shaanxi Grain Administration, China Grain Reserves Corporation, China
Grain Reserves Corporation Jilin Branch, Corn Institute of Jilin Academy
of Agricultural Sciences, Henan University of Technology, Academy of
State Administration of Grain, COFCO Wuhan Scientific Research and
Design Institute.

The main drafters of this standard are: Du Zheng, Tang Ruiming, Long
Lingli, Zhu Zhiguang, Xie Huamin, Li Yue, Xie Yuzhen, Song Changquan,
Feng Xizhong, Zhang Yuqin, Yu Wei, Xu Xiangying, Xiao Lirong, Lu Huili,
Wang Xiaoguang, Wang Heng, Dang Xianmin, Gong Fusheng, Gu Xiangming, Cai
Zhuo, Wang Fengcheng, Lin Jiayong, Yang Haipeng.

All previous editions replaced by this standard are as follows: GB
1353-1986, GB 1353-1999.

**Corn**

**1 Scope**

> This standard specifies the relevant terms and definitions,
> classification, quality requirement, inspection method, inspection
> rule, requirements for labeling, packaging, storage and transport for
> corn.
>
> This standard is applicable to purchase, storage, transport,
> processing and sale of commercial corn.
>
> This standard is not applicable to the special corn varieties not
> mentioned herein.

2.  **Normative References Cited**

3.  

> The following documents contain provisions which, through reference in
> this text, constitute provisions of this standard. For dated
> references, all their subsequent amendments (excluding corrections) or
> revisions do not apply to this standard. However, parties that have
> reached an agreement according to this standard are encouraged to
> explore the possibility of using the latest editions of these
> documents. For undated references, their latest editions apply to this
> standard.
>
> GB 2715 Hygienic Standard for Grain
>
> GB/T 5490 General Rules for Inspecting Grain, Oilseeds and Vegetable
> Oils
>
> GB 5491 Inspection of Grain and Oilseeds --- Methods for Sampling and
> Sample Reduction
>
> GB/T 5492 Inspection of Grain and Oilseeds --- Methods for
> Identification of Color, Odor and Taste
>
> GB/T 5493 Inspection of Grain and Oilseeds --- Methods for
> Determination of Varieties and Their Mixture
>
> GB/T 5494 Inspection of Grain and Oilseeds --- Methods for
> Determination of Foreign Matter and Unsound Kernels
>
> GB/T 5497 Inspection of Grain and Oilseeds --- Methods for
> Determination of Moisture Content
>
> GB/T 5498 Inspection of Grain and Oilseeds --- Methods for
> Determination of Test Weight
>
> GB 13078 Hygienic Standard for Feeds
>
> LS/T 3701 HGT-1000 Test Weight Apparatus for Grain

**3 Terms and Definitions**

> The following terms and definitions apply to this standard.

**3.1 Test weight**

> The mass of corn kernel in unit volume, in g/L

**3.2 Unsound Kernel**

> Corn kernels that are damaged but that still have use-value, including
> injured kernel, spotted kernel, broken kernel, sprouted kernel, moldy
> kernel and heat-damaged kernel

**3.2.1 Injured kernel**

> Moth-eaten corn kernels with bores or tunnels

**3.2.2 Spotted kernel**

> Corn kernels with disease speckles which have caused damage to embryo
> or endosperm

**3.2.3 Broken kernel**

> A corn kernel at least one-fifth of which is broken

**3.2.4 Sprouted kernel**

> A corn kernel whose sprout or radical has broken through the
> epidermis, or whose sprout or radical has not yet broken through the
> epidermis but whose epidermis at the embryo has already been ruptured
> or obviously uplifted by the sprout, showing signs of sprouting

**3.2.5 Moldy kernel**

> Corn kernels with mold on the surface

**3.2.6 Heat-damaged kernel**

> Corn kernels that have obviously changed in color or been damaged due
> to heating, including natural heating and artificial drying

**3.2.6.1 Nature heat-damaged kernel**

> A corn kernel whose embryo or endosperm has obviously changed in color
> due to excessive respiration during storage

**3.2.6.2 Drying heat-damaged kernel**

> A deformed or swollen corn kernel whose epidermis, embryo, or
> endosperm has obviously changed in color due to drying

**3.3 Mixture**

> Some other kind of corn is mixed into the present kind of corn.

**3.4 Foreign matter**

> Other matters than the corn kernel, including throughs, inorganic
> impurity and organic impurity

**3.4.1 Throughs**

> Matters that can pass through a Φ3.0mm circular screen

**3.4.2 Inorganic impurity**

> Soil, sand stone, small pieces of broken bricks/tiles and other
> inorganic matters

**3.4.3 Organic impurity**

> Corn kernels without use-value, other kinds of grain and other organic
> matters

**3.5 Color and odor**

> The natural color, luster and odor inherent to a batch of corn

**4 Classification**

> Corn can be classified into following three types according to the
> color of the seed coat.

**4.1 Yellow corn**

> Corn with yellow or yellow-reddish seed coat

**4.2 White corn**

> Corn with white, white-yellowish or white-pinkish seed coat

**4.3 Mixed corn**

> Corn that does not fall into the categories of 4.1 and 4.2

**5 Quality Requirement and Hygienic Standard**

**5.1 Quality Requirement**

> Refer to Table 1 for quality requirements for different kinds of
> corns. Among them test weight can be taken as the indicator for
> gradation. Grade 3 is the medium grade.

Table 1 Quality Indicators of Corn

  ----------- ---------------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------------- --------------- --------
  Grade       Test             Unsound                   Foreign        Moisture/（%）   Mixture/（%）   Color
              Weight/（g/L）   Kernel/（%）              matter/（%）                                    and odor

                               Total weight   Wherein:                                                   
                                              Moldy                                                      
                                              kernel                                                     

  1           ≥720             ≤4.0           ≤2.0       ≤1.0           ≤14.0            ≤5.0            Normal

  2           ≥685             ≤6.0                                                                      

  3           ≥650             ≤8.0                                                                      

  4           ≥620             ≤10.0                                                                     

  5           ≥590             ≤15.0                                                                     

  Off-grade   ＜590            ---                                                                       

  Note: The                                                                                              
  symbol                                                                                                 
  "---"                                                                                                  
  signifies                                                                                              
  things not                                                                                             
  required.                                                                                              
  ----------- ---------------- -------------- ---------- -------------- ---------------- --------------- --------

**5.2 Hygienic standard**

**5.2.1** For corn used for food, GB 2715 and related national
regulations shall be followed.

**5.2.2** For corn used for feedstuff, GB 13078 and related national
regulations shall be followed.

**5.2.3** For corn used for other purposes, related national standards
and regulations shall be followed.

**5.2.4** For plant quarantine, related national standards and
regulations shall be followed.

**6 Inspection Method**

**6.1** For sampling and sample reduction, GB 5491 shall be followed.

**6.2** For color and odor inspection, GB/T 5492 shall be followed.

**6.3** For classification and mixture inspection, GB/T 5493 shall be
followed.

**6.4** For foreign matter and unsound kernel inspection, GB/T 5494
shall be followed.

**6.5** For moisture inspection, GB/T 5497 shall be followed.

**6.6** Annex A shall be followed for test weight inspection. The test
weight of corn with a moisture content of no more than 18% shall be
measured directly. Corn with a moisture content of more than 18% shall
undergo a drying process as specified in Annex B before having its test
weight measured.

**7 Inspection Rule**

**7.1** Refer to GB/T 5490 for the general rule for inspection.

**7.2** The inspection lot of corn shall be of the same type, the same
place of origin, the same year of harvest, the same transportation unit
and the same storage unit.

**7.3** Determination rule: the test weight shall meet the requirements
of corresponding grade in Table 1 and other indicators shall meet
related national regulations.

**8 Labeling**

**8.1** The name, type, grade, place of origin, and month and year of
harvest of the products shall be indicated on the package or in the
attached documents.

**8.2** Labeling of GM corn shall meet related national regulations.

**9 Packaging, Storage and Transport**

**9.1** Packaging

> The package shall be clean, fast, durable unbroken with tight seams so
> that the products would not leak. Packaging shall not cause
> contamination or produce strange odor to the product inside.

**9.2** Storage

> The product shall be stored in a clean and dry warehouse that is
> rainproof, damp-proof, insect-resistant and rat-resistant without
> strange odor. It may not be co-stored together with poisonous matters,
> harmful matters or matters with high moisture content.

**9.3 Transport**

> The product shall be transported with vehicles and containers that
> meet the hygienic standard. During the course of transportation, the
> product shall be protected from rain and contamination.

**Annex A**

**(Normative Annex)**

**Measurement Method of Corn Test Weight**

**A.1 Instruments and Appliances**

**A.1.1** GHCS-1000 grain test weight apparatus or HGT-1000 grain test
weight apparatus (the outlet diameter of the hopper is 40mm). Basic
parameters and major technical requirements shall meet the requirements
of LS/T 3701.

**A.1.2** Grain sieve: the sieve mesh of the upper layer is 12.0mm in
diameter, and the lower, 3.0mm. The sieve has a bottom and cover.

**A.2 Preparation of Samples**

> Separate two samples as test samples from primary samples according to
> inspection methods, each of which weighs about 1000g. Each test sample
> shall be set onto the sieve layer as specified in A.1.2, and shall be
> screened twice. Then Take away the screened sample from the lower
> layer and mix it evenly, which is then used as the sample for test
> weight's measurement.

**A.3 Operational procedure**

**A.3.1 GHCS-1000 grain test weight apparatus**

**A.3.1.1** Open the case and take out all parts and choose the hopper
with an outlet diameter of 40mm. Install and adjust the parts according
to the instruction, then weigh the capacity cylinder with a vent tower
on an electronic scale and zero-clear it.

**A.3.1.2** Take the capacity cylinder down and remove the vent tower
from it, then install the capacity cylinder on the pedestal of the iron
plate securely. Insert the sheet and put the vent tower onto the
capacity cylinder. Finally, place the intermediate cylinder.

**A.3.1.3** Fill up the grain cylinder with the prepared sample (ensure
the switch of the hopper is closed) and flatten the top. Then cover the
grain cylinder onto the intermediate cylinder and open the switch of
hopper. Close the switch after the sample has dropped into the
intermediate cylinder completely. Hold the joint between the
intermediate cylinder and capacity cylinder, pull out the inserted sheet
with even force to allow the sample and vent tower to drop into the
capacity cylinder, and then insert the sheet back steadily.

**A.3.1.4** Take the grain cylinder down and take up the intermediate
cylinder and the capacity cylinder, then remove the remaining sample
from the sheet and pull out the sheet. Finally, weight the capacity
cylinder containing the sample on the electronic scale.

**A.3.2 HGT-1000 grain test weight apparatus**

> Choose a hopper whose outlet diameter is 40mm. The installation and
> operation of test weight apparatus should be performed according to
> the test weight measurement methods of GB/T 5498.

**A.4 Result**

> The results should be integers, and the admissible error between the
> two test samples shall be no bigger than 3g/L. Their arithmetic
> average shall be taken as the final result.

**Annex B**

**(Normative Annex)**

**Technical Requirements and Operational Methods of Grain Fast-Drying
Equipment**

**B.1 Technical Requirements**

**B.1.1** Reduce the high moisture content of the corn to below 18.0% in
a short period of time through infrared heating or hot air drying,
supplemented by mechanical ventilation.

**B.1.2** The equipment should have such features as electronic
temperature control, timing control, and over-temperature and
over-pressure protection.

**B.1.3** Good heat insulation, electrical insulation and ventilation
are needed and it also should be safe, durable, easy to clean, and easy
to operate.

**B.1.4** It should be capable of drying at least two samples each time
with each sample being no less than 2000g.

**B.1.5** The bottom of the drying disc is meshed and good ventilation
should be ensured. The sample on the disc should be within a thickness
of 2 cm.

**B.1.6** The temperature within the drying chamber should be stable and
the sample should be heated evenly. The moisture content of dried corn
seeds should be even, and drying-heat-damaged kernels are not allowed.

**B.1.7** The exterior of the equipment should be flat and smooth; burr,
paint missing, paint sagging, cracks, serious damages, corrosion and
deformation are not allowed.

**B.1.8** Equipment name, manufacturer, trade mark, specifications,
drying capacity and identifications required by the state are
indispensable.

**B.2 Major Parameters**

**B.2.1** The rated power should be no less than 2.0kW; the controllable
temperature should be 40℃～160℃; drying temperature should be 50℃～130℃
with an error of no more than 5℃.

**B.2.2** The longest time it takes to dry the moisture content to 18.0%
should be no more than 30 minutes. Refer to Table B.1 for various
parameters.

**Table B.1 Parameters for Drying the Moisture Content of Corn to
18.0%**

  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
  Original Moisture       Drying Time/ (min)      Drying Temperature/ (℃)
  Content/ (%)                                    

  ≤23.0                   ≤10                     (120～130)±5

  ≤28.0                   ≤15                     

  ≤33.0                   ≤20                     

  ＞33.0                  ≤30                     

  Note: Drying time can                           
  also be controlled                              
  through different                               
  settings.                                       
  ----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------

**B.3 Equipment Testing Methods**

**B.3.1** Install and adjust the equipment according to specification;
raise the temperature of the adjusted equipment to about 140℃.

**B.3.2** Preparation of samples: take out about 2000g from the original
sample as testing sample. Set the sieve according to Annex A.1.2 and
then begin sieving. Take away the materials on the lower sieve and mix
up (remove the combustible organic impurities). Test the moisture
content using a fast moisture testing apparatus, which will be taken as
the original moisture content.

**B.3.3** Drying: spread the prepared sample on the drying disc evenly
and put it in the drying chamber immediately. Set the drying time and
drying temperature according to the parameters in Table B.1. If the
moisture content of the sample is too high, take out the drying disc
halfway during drying, turn the sample over, evenly re-spread it and
continue to dry it.

**B.3.4** After drying, take out the sample and cool it down to room
temperature under laboratory conditions.

**B.4 Result Determination**

> Test the moisture content of the cooled sample using a fast moisture
> testing apparatus. An apparatus that can reduce the corn moisture
> content to below 18.0% from its original moisture content within
> specified time is a qualified one.

**B.5 Sample Drying**

> Dry the corn of high moisture content according to the steps of B.3
> with the qualified apparatus.

**END TRANSLATION**