WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/PAN/25
9 November 1998
(98-4395)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  Spanish
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  PANAMA
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:   Ministry of Health
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):   Foods
and beverages for human consumption.
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:   Decree 259 of 14 October 1996
Establishing the Regulations Under Article 240 of Law 29 of 1 February 1996
5. Description of content:   Establishes standards for the registration of foods and beverages in
accordance with the provisions of Law 29 of 1 February 1996 which grants the authority to
accredit a list of countries whose high quality standards are internationally recognized so
that the certificate of free sale of the country of origin and other certificates can be accepted
and the result of a laboratory analysis is not required for sanitary registration purposes.(3 pages)
6. Objective and rationale:  Protection of human health
7. An international standard, guidelin e or recommendation does not exist [    ].
If an international standard, guideline or  recommendation exists, whenever possible,
identify deviations:   No deviations from international standards or guidelines.
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  Available in Spanish
from enquiry points notified by Panama.  Official Gazette 23,149 of 22 November 1996.
9. Proposed date of adoption:           
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  22 October 1996
11. Final date for comments:  Not applicable
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  Ministry of Health
12. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [  X ] or address, telefax number and
E-mail address (if available) of other body:  Texts available from enquiry points notified
by PanamaFood Control and Veterinary Surveillance Division
Directorate:  Edificio 265 Ancón, Panamá
Tel:  (507) 262-1902
Tel:  (507) 212-0397
Fax:  (507) 262-0277Fax:  (507) 262-6621
P.O. Box:  2048 Panamá, 1 Panamá
Pharmacy and Drugs Division
Directorate:  Edificio 265 Ancón, PanamáTel:  (507) 262-6025
Fax:  (507) 212-0562
P.O. Box:  2048 Panamá, 1 Panamá