WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/AUS/88
18 March 1999
(99-1089)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  AUSTRALIA
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. Agency responsible:   Australia New Zealand Food Authority
3. Products covered (tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules deposited
with the WTO.  ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):
Contaminants in foods – Metals
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:   Explanatory notes:  Proposal
No. P157 (11 pages)
5. Description of content:   A review of the standard for metal contaminants in food, as part of
the overall review of the Food Standards Code and development of joint Australia food
standards.
6. Objective and rationale:  Food safety
7. An international standard, guidelin e or recommendation does not exist [    ].
If an international standard, guideline or  recommendation exists, whenever possible,
identify deviations:   Deviations with relevant Codex standards are proposed and detailed in
the notified document.
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  Australian Food
Standards Code ;  New Zealand Food Regulations 1984  (both in English)
9. Proposed date of adoption:  Recommendation to government anticipated late 1999;
adoption to follow, pending government approval.
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  Not known, date of entry after government approval
(see 9 above)
11. Final date for comments:  The domestic closing date for comments is 14 April 1999
however comments from Members will be accepted until 3 May 1999 if notice of intention
to comment is received by the domestic closing date.
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  Australia New Zealand Food
Authority, PO Box 7186, Canberra Mail Centre, ACT 2610, Australia;  Fax:  (+61) 2 6271
2278;  E-mail:  slo@anzfa.gov.au
12. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [  X ] or address, telefax number and
E-mail address (if available) of other body:  Australia New Zealand Food Authority
quoting Proposal No. P157.  This notification is identical to that notified by New Zealand.