G/SPS/N/PHL/303  
 
13 July 2015  
(15-3600)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION 
1. Notifying Member: PHILIPPINES 
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible: Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Agriculture and 
Fisheries Standards (BAFS) 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item  number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; IC S numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): HS Code: 070990 
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: Final Draft Philippine National Standard (PNS) on the 
Classification and Grading of Loofah  Language(s): English  Number of pages: 11 
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2015/SPS/PHL/15_2709_00_e.pdf  
6. Description of content: This standard contains the classification and grading 
guidelines applicable to varieties/cultivars of loofah, locally known as patola, that are to 
be supplied fresh to the consumer. The variet ies covered by this standard are smooth or 
sponge loofah ( Luffa cylindrica  M. Roem) and angled or ridged loofah ( Luffa acutangula  
Linn.) of the cucurbitceae family. 
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.   
8. Is there a relevant international st andard? If so, identify the standard:  
[X] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) CAC/RCP 53-2003 
[ ] 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?   
[X] Yes   [ ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   
9. Other relevant documents and language (s) in which these are available:     G/SPS/N/PHL/303 
 
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  10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : 21 September 2015 
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : 27 July 2015 
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [ ] Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) : 21 September 2015 
[X] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 14 September 2015 
Agency or authority designated to hand le comments: [X] National Notification 
Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address 
(if available) of other body:  
Policy Research Service 
Department of Agriculture 
3rd Floor, DA Building, Elliptical Road  Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines 
Tel: +(632) 926 7439 
Fax: +(632) 928 0590 
E-mail: spspilipinas@da.gov.ph 
or 
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards 
BPI Compound, Visayas Avenue Diliman, Quezon City Tel: +(632) 456 6552/455 2858 E-mail: bafpsda@yahoo.com 
13. Text(s) available from: [X] National Notifi cation Authority, [X] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:   
Policy Research Service  
Department of Agriculture 3rd Floor, DA Building, Elliptical Road  Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines 
Tel: +(632) 926 7439 
Fax: +(632) 928 0590 E-mail: spspilipinas@da.gov.ph 
or 
Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards 
BPI Compound, Visayas Avenue Diliman, Quezon City Tel: +(632) 456 6552/455 2858 
E-mail: bafpsda@yahoo.com