G/TBT/N/BLZ/13  
24 March 2021  
(21-2423) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original:  English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6  
 
1. Notifying Member:  BELIZE   
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:   
Belize Bureau of Standards  
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:   
Power Lane  
P.O. Box 430  
City of Belmopan, Cayo District  
Belize, C.A.  
Telephone: +1 (501) 822 -0446;  
Fax: +1 (501) 822 -2571 
Email: tbtenquiry -belize@bbs.gov.bz  or bbs@btl.net   
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [   ], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [X], other :  
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Applies to 
bio-materials and si ngle use biodegradable or compostable products of the following 
categories: clamshells, food containers, soup containers, plates, cups and lids; plastic 
carrier bags commonly referred to as shopping bags and/or T -shirt bags; cutlery and 
eating utensils: fo rks, knives, and spoons; drinking straws.  
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Final Draft Belize 
Certification Scheme for Biodegradable Products (13 page(s), in English)  
6. Description of content:  As required by the amendm ent to the Environmental Protection 
(Pollution from Plastics) Regulation, 2019, all biodegradable products shall be registered 
through this certification scheme before application for permits. This certification scheme 
is based on third party certification  utilizing independent laboratories which forms the 
basis for suppliers, manufacturers, and importers of bio -based materials and 
biodegradable products for commercial sale to register products in Belize. The aim is to 
create consumer confidence, by proving  that an independent, neutral and competent body 
has carefully examined and assessed the product on the basis of the test criteria (limited 
to bio -based content for the interim). Third -party monitoring ensures that quality checks 
conducted on the product i s maintained which gives added value to the customer in 
making informed purchases.   
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable:  Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection; Protection of the 
environm ent G/TBT/N/BLZ/13  
 
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  8. Relevant documents:   
https://bbs.gov.bz/standards -for-comments/  
9. Proposed date of adoption:  31 March 2021  
Proposed date of entry into force:  30 April 2021  
10. Final date for comments:  - 
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available , of other body:   
Belize Bureau of Standards  
Power Lane  
P.O. Box 430  
City of Belmopan , Cayo District  
Belize, C.A.  
Telephone: +1 (501) 822 -0446;  
Fax: +1 (501) 822 -2571 
Email: tbtenquiry -belize@bbs.gov.bz  or bbs@btl.net   
 
https://bbs.gov.bz/standards -for-comments/