G/TBT/N/BHR/375
10 November 2014 
(14-6577)  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: KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN 
If applicable, name of local government involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):    
2. Agency responsible: Bahrain Standards & Metrology Directorate (BSDM) 
Name and address (including telephon e 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 : 
Ministry of Industry and Commerce  
Kingdom of Bahrain 
P.O. Box 5479 Tel.:  +973 17574871 Fax:  +973 17530730 
E-mail:  bsmd@moic.gov.bh  
Web site:  http://www.moic.gov.bh   
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 applic able, otherwise national tariff heading. 
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Tea and herbs bags 
(ICS 67.140.10) 
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Tea and herbs 
bags (8 pages, in English; 11 pages, in Arabic) 
6. Description of content: This draft technical regulation specifies the requirements stated 
in the Gulf Standard GSO 2138 "Tea and Herbs Bags" under Clauses 7.1 & 8 (Packaging and Labeling) as mandatory requirements.  
It describes the packaging requirements as follows: 
• Tea or herbs bags shall be packed in containers made of food grade firm paper and 
is safe with food contact. 
• The bags used in the packaging should be clean and protects the product from 
contamination. 
• The bags used should avoid the product from earning off odor or flavors. 
• Tea or herbs bags may be packed in single paper bags, well closed with pressing, 
thermo pressing or with metallic staples. 
It also describes the labeling  requirements as follows: 
The product should be without prejudice to what is stated in the Gulf standards mentioned 
in GSO 9 "Labeling of Prepackaged Foodstuffs" and GSO 150-2 "Expiration Dates for Food 
Products - Part 2: Voluntary Expiration Dates"  and the following should be included in the 
label: 
• Number of tea or herbs bags in each container 
• Net weight for each bag 
• Product name and its trade mark G/TBT/N/BHR/375 
 
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  7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: 
To maintain consumer protection and food safety 
8. Relevant documents:   
• GSO 2138 "Tea and Herbs Bags" 
• Code of Federal Regulation FDA 176.170 "C omponent of Paper and Paperboard in 
Contact with Aqueous and Fatty Foods" 
• European Council E.C NO. 1935.2004 "Materials and Articles Intended to Contact 
with Food" 
9. Proposed date of adoption:   To be determined 
Proposed date of entry into force:   To be determined   
10. Final date for comments: 60 days from date of notification  
11. Texts available from: Nati onal enquiry point [X] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresses, if available, of other body:  
Ministry of Industry and Commerce  
Kingdom of Bahrain 
P.O. Box 5479  
Tel.:  +973 17574871 Fax:  +973 17530730 
E-mail:  bsmd@moic.gov.bh   
Web site:  http://www.moic.gov.bh