. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/Notif.99.244
19 May 1999
(99-1973)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade
NOTIFICATION
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6.
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  NEW ZEALAND
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):           
2. Agency responsible:  Ministry of Health (Regulation Development Group)
Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be
indicated if different from above:
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 applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Foods derived from Gene
Technology
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Labelling Food Produced
Using Gene Technology (Foods Commonly Referred to as Genetically Modified Foods) An
invitation to comment or make a submission on proposals to extend the labellingrequirements of Standard A18.  (28 pages).
6. Description of content:  The document proposes an amendment to Standard A18 of the
Australian Food Standards Code (AFSC).  Standa rd A18 is recognized in New Zealand as a
mandatory standard, although most of the AFSC is recognised as alternative food standards
to those in the New Zealand Food Regulations 1984.
The current standard (Standard A18) requires foods that are substantially different  from the
traditional form of that food to be labelling accordingly.  The question under considerationis whether to extend the labelling requirements to genetically modified foods which are
essentially the same as traditional foods, that is foods that are substantially equivalent.
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable:
Consumer information
8. Relevant documents:  Standard A18 of the Australian Food Standards Code (AFSC),
(English)
9. Proposed date of adoption:
Proposed date of entry into force: }The date of entry is yet to be determined and isbeing considered as part of the consultation
10. Final date for comments:  The closing date for comments is 4 June 1999, however,
comments from Members will be accepted until 12 July 1999, if notice of intention to
comment is received by 4 June 1999G/TBT/Notif.99.244
Page 2
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [    ] or address, e-mail and telefax number of
the other body:
New Zealand WTO TBT Enquiry Point
Standards New ZealandPrivate Bag 2439
Wellington, New Zealand
Fax:  (+64) 4-498-5994
Or by accessing the following internet website:  www.moh.govt.nz/gmflabelling