G/SPS/N/AUS/534  
 
8 April 2022  
(22-2858) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member:  AUSTRALIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, 
where applicable):  Foods sold in Australia (both imported and domestically produced)  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:   
5. Title of the notified document:  Proposal M1019  - Assessment Summary for Review of 
Schedule 22 – Foods and classes of foods . Language(s):  English . Number of pages:  159 
(Call for Submissions report)  
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/code/changes/Pages/Documents -for-public -
comment.aspx  
6. Description of content:  This Proposal seeks to amend the Australia New Zealand Food 
Standards Code (the Code) to revise the regulatory measures for Schedule 22 – Food and 
classes of foods to align more closely with the classification system established by 
Codex  Alimentarius (Codex) and adopted by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary 
Medicines Authority (APVMA).  
− As Codex continues to review their food classificati on system, the focus for this 
Proposal is primarily crop commodities, however the commodity abalone (currently 
listed in Schedule 20 of the Code) is proposed to be added to the group Molluscs – and 
other marine invertebrates under the existing type, Fish, crustaceans and molluscs 
under the 'Primary Food Commodities of Animal Origin'.  
− The Proposed variation includes listing approximately 60 commodities in a relevant 
food group/sub -group or processed commodity group, which are currently listed in 
Schedule 20,  but whilst described, not expressly listed in Schedule 22.  
− Any existing Schedule 20 foods not captured by Codex or the APVMA Crop groups have 
also been included under a relevant food group or subgroup.  
− With changes to food names and some foods moving from  one classification to 
another, FSANZ has also proposed a number of consequential variations to ensure that 
all existing Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) will still apply. There are no changes to 
MRLs in Schedules 20 or 21.  
− A number of changes to correct spelling or provide synonyms to help remove 
ambiguity to food names have also been proposed.  
The proposed variations presented in this Proposal are intended to remove inconsistencies 
and promote harmoni zation of the commodity groups and individual food names used to 
describe commodities which are subject to MRLs.  
As Schedule 22 is also referenced by other sections of the Code, the proposed changes will 
assist trading partners requesting to align MRLs for agricultural and veterinary (agvet) 
chemicals  for food import purposes as well as provide a consistent application of the 
standards throughout the Code.  G/SPS/N/AUS/534  
 
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  7. Objective and rationale: [X]  food safety, [  ] animal health, [  ] plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [  ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.  This variation does not present any public health and safety 
concerns.  
8. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[X] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) :  
− Classification of Foods and Animal Feeds 1993  
− Updated Class A – Primary Food Commodities of Plant Origin  
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :  
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?  
[ ] Yes   [X] No  
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:  As Codex has only progressed and adopted the Primary Food 
Commodities of Plant Origin (identified as Class A by Codex), the proposed variations to 
Schedule 22 will not include anim al or processed food commodities at this stage.  
9. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  
Australia  New Zealand Food Standards Code  (available in English)  
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : FSANZ Board approval anticipated 
June 2022.  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : Notification to Government anticipated 
late June 2022 with gazettal and registration as a legislative instrument to follow, in 
September 2022, pending Government consideration.  
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [  ] Six months from date of p ublication , and/or  
(dd/mm/yy) : Date of Gazettal and registration as a legislative instrument pending 
Government consideration (see 10. above).  
[X] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [  ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 5 May 2022  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X]  National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if 
availab le) of other body:   
Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment  
GPO Box 858  
Tel: +(61 2) 6272 3933  
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au  
Website: http://www.awe.gov.au  
13. Text(s) available from: [X]  National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment  
GPO Box 858  
Tel: +(61 2) 6272 3933  
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au  
Website: http://www.awe.gov.au