The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) released the notice “Dissemination of information regarding the operation of Manufacturer Identification Codes”, and called for manufacturers or related business operators to submit a notification in the case of need of Manufacturer Identification Codes based on the new system no later than Friday, 27th of December, 2019 (Because of inundated requests for notifications the examination of the late ones might be completed after the transition period ) In addition to the content of this notice, I would like to summarize again the amendments to the management of Manufacturer Identification Codes.
What is Manufacturer Identification Codes?
It refers to symbols including Arabic numerals, Roman capitals and katakana that represent the manufacture place (factory) of processed food and food additives.
Content of the notice
The content of this notice is as follows.
Foods that will be produced after the end of the transition period (March 31, 2020) need to be labeled based on the new system.
As existing Manufacturer Identification Codes will not be able to be used, submission of a notification for the new “Manufacturer Identification Codes” has to be completed.
Food-related business operators who are planning to use Manufacturer Identification Codes but haven't submitted a notification yet need to do it promptly.
Regarding the Food Labeling Standards (Cabinet Office Ordinance No.10 in 2015. Hereinafter referred to as “the new system”.) based on the Food Labeling Act (Act No.70 of 2013) enforced on April 1, 2015, the transition period will end on March 31, 2020, and foods which will be produced after the transition period, must be labeled based on the new system.
Now we are aware that food-related business operators are working on switching their packaging according to the new labeling system, but since the existing (submitted before March 31, 2016) Manufacturer Identification Codes (hereinafter referred to as "Identification Codes") won't be usable, if they continue to use them, they will need to submit a notification for Manufacturer Identification Codes based on the new system.
Therefore, food-related business operators who are using the existing Identification Codes and planning to use new Identification Codes after the transition period but have not notified yet need to do it promptly.
As the end of the transition period is approaching, the notifications for Manufacturer Identification Codes are rapidly increasing, which requires time to process them. Therefore, food-related business operators who are concerned by this matter must proceed with notification to secure enough time.
I must add that considering the current number of notifications and the processing status, notifications submitted by December 27, 2019 will be examined by the end of the fiscal year of 2019, however, the ones submitted after that may be examined in the next fiscal year.
Quote: "Dissemination of information regarding the operation of Manufacturer Identification Codes"
In the new system, which started on April 1, 2016, the conditions under which the Manufacturer Identification Codes can be used were amended. Let’s review those amendment points here.
About Manufacturer Identification Codes based on the new system
In the new system, Manufacturer Identification Codes will be accepted only when there is a merit of sharing the packaging materials, so in principle, they can only be used in the case the same product is manufactured in two or more factories (except food for business use).
The “same product” means a product which uses the same packaging material under the same standard.
"In the case, the same product is manufactured in 2 or more factories", the two following conditions need to be met when reporting Manufacturer Identification Codes.
In two or more factories there are places where food hygiene will ultimately change.
Sharing the packaging material by using Manufacturer Identification Codes.
Quote: “Regarding Food Labeling Standards” (processed food) 1 mandatory labeling item (6) 5
If Manufacturer Identification Codes used before the transition period doesn’t meet the above requirements, then it cannot be used in the new system and it will be necessary to display the manufacturer’s names and locations on the label.
This news is contributed by ChemLinked content partner Label Bank
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