G/SPS/N/PHL/278  
 
1 April 2015  
(15-1812)  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 Codes: 0809.29, 0810.10, 0810.20, 0810.30, 
0810.40 
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 Standards (PNS) on the 
Code of Hygienic Practice for Berries  Language(s): English  Number of pages: 18 
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2015/SPS/PHL/15_1422_00_e.pdf  
6. Description of content: This code covers specific guidance on how to minimize 
microbiological hazards during primary production, packing, distribution, and 
consumption of fresh berries. It encompasses Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Hygienic Practices (GHP), and Good Manufac turing Practices (GMP). It adopts the 
general hygienic recommendations for the primary production of fresh fruits based on 
Codex Code of Hygienic Practice for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables  (CAC/RCP 53-2003). 
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:   G/SPS/N/PHL/278 
 
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  9. Other relevant documents and language (s) in which these are available:  
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : 5 June 2015 
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : 30 April 2015 
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [ ] Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) : 5 June 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) : 29 May 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:  
Office of the Director  
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:   
Office of the Director  
Policy Research Service Department of Agriculture 
3
rd 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