./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/Notif.99/582
26 November 1999
(99-5128)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade
NOTIFICATION
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6.
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   NEW ZEALAND
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):           
2. Agency responsible:   Australia New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA)
Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be
indicated if different from above:           
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ X], 2.10.1 [    ], 5.6.2 [    ], 5.7.1 [    ], other:           
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):   Food producing using
gene technology
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:   Information Paper -
Proposed Labelling Provisions for GMF under Food Standard A18 - October 1999(English, 6 pages).
6. Description of content:  Division Two of this draft amended standard sets out labelling and
other information requirements for foods, food additives and processing aids produced
using gene technology.
New Zealand previously made a notifi cation under the TBT Agreement on 19 May 1999
(G/TBT/Notif.99.244), informing other Members of a proposal to extend existing labelling
requirements for foods produced using gene technology.  The current notification is tofurther inform Members that a draft amended standard to implement that proposal is now
available for public comment.
Standard A18 of the Australian Food Standards Code is recognised in New Zealand as a
mandatory standard.
7. Objective and rationale, including the na ture of urgent problems where applicable:
The extension of existing labelling requirements for foods produced using gene technology
has the principal objective of providing consumer information.  In addition, the draftamended standard contains health and safety requirements.  The draft amended standard has
therefore also been notified to Members separately under the SPS Agreement.
8. Relevant documents:   Information paper as detailed at 5) above, and ANZFA GMF
UPDATE Document #8 (November 1999) which provides background information in
addition to the current Standard A18.
9. Proposed date of adoption:
Proposed date of entry into force: }Recommendation to Government anticipatedearly 2000.  If approved, full implementation
required by 12 months after gazettal.G/TBT/Notif.99/582
Page 2
10. Final date for comments:   Domestic comments close 15 December 1999.  Comments from
WTO Members will be accepted until 21 January 2000.  However, advice of submission of
comments would be appreciated prior to the domestic closing date.
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [     ] or address, e-mail and telefax
number of the other body:           
Australia New Zealand Food Authority, quoting Proposed New GM Food standard.
Australia New Zealand Food Authority
PO B OX 7186
Canberra Mailcentre ACT 2610
Australia
Fax +61 2 6271 2278
e-mail: slo@anzfa.gov.au
This draft amended standard is identical to that notified by Australia.  It has also been
notified under the SPS Agreement.