G/SPS/N/SAU/79  
 
11 October 2013  
(13-5528)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION 
1. Notifying Member:  KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible: Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) 
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): Prepackaged whole dates (ICS Code: 67.080) 
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: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia/The Cooperation Council 
for the Arab States of the Gulf Draft Technical Regulation for: "Prepackaged Whole Dates"  Language(s): Arabic and English   Number of pages: 17 and 11 
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2013/sps/SAU/13_4016_00_x.pdf  
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2013/sps/SAU/13_4016_00_e.pdf  
6. Description of content: This draft technical regulation applies to commercially 
prepared whole dates in pitted or unpitted styles packed ready for direct consumption. It 
does not apply to other forms such as pieces or mashed dates or dates intended for industrial purposes. 
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) Codex Standard for Date No 143-1985 
[ ] 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:  
 UNECE Standard DDP-08 (Dates) 2010   G/SPS/N/SAU/79 
 
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  10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : To be determined. 
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : To be determined. 
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [X] Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) :   
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [X] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 10 December 2013 
Agency or authority designated to hand le comments: [ ] National Notification 
Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address 
(if available) of other body:  
SPS Enquiry point, Saudi food & Drug Authority 
SFDA - 3292 North Ring road Al Nafel Area Unt (1) - Riyadh 13312 - 6288 
Tel: +(966 11) 275 9222, Ext. 3331 Fax: +(966 11) 210 9825 
E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa  
13. Texts available from: [ ] National Notifi cation Authority, [X] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:   
SPS Enquiry point, Saudi food & Drug Authority  
SFDA - 3292 North Ring road Al Nafel Area Unt (1) - Riyadh 13312 - 6288 
Tel: +(966 11) 275 9222, Ext. 3331 Fax: +(966 11) 210 9825 E-mail: SPSEP.Food@sfda.gov.sa  
Website: http://www.sfda.gov.sa