Updates to Certificates and the Dairy Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR) (2014-12)

​​​​​Date of Issue: 06 August 2014

Date of Effect: Immediate

Attention: Dairy Australia, Australian Dairy Products Federation, Australian State Regulatory Authorities

Affected Markets: China, Hong Kong, India, New Caledonia, Republic of Korea, Kazakhstan and Russian Federation.

Further Information: 

Leone Basher
Email Leone Basher
Phone: 02 6272 5458 

The purpose of this market access advice is to advise of the following changes to the dairy certificates for New Caledonia and amendments to the Department of Agriculture Dairy Manual of Importing Country Requirements (MICoR).

1. China – Information about China’s Food Safety Law has been added to Section 1.4 of the China MICoR entry.
2. Hong Kong – From 1 August 2014, a new Pesticides in Food Regulation applies to dairy products sold in Hong Kong. Section 2.3 of the Hong Kong MICoR entry now has been updated with links to the further information and the regulation. While this regulation includes different Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) to Australian MRLs, Australia’s regulatory requirements over registration and on-farm use of pesticides mean that milk and milk products manufactured in Australia will meet Hong Kong limits.

Sections 1.4, 2.3, 3.1 and 5.1 of the Hong Kong MICoR entry have also had recent updates to add summaries of requirements for milk, dairy products, and frozen confection (including ice cream) and links to Hong Kong’s guides for importers and the Hong Kong regulations that apply to dairy products, such as the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations, Milk Regulations, Dried Milk Regulations and Frozen Confections Regulation.

1. India –The Department of Agriculture has been notified by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that Indian requirements do not permit galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) and fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) to be ingredients in infant formula sold in India. Section 1.3 of the India MICoR entry has been updated to reflect this new requirement.

The department has also been notifed that food labels must include the FSSAI logo and license number along with the name and address of the importer from 1 January 2015. These may be either pre-printed on the label or affixed through a sticker before customs clearance. Section 5.1 of the India MICoR entry now includes a summary of the new requirements and links to the Indian Notification No. 4/15015/30/2011 relating to the FSSAI license number and logo.

1. New Caledonia – From 24 August 2014, a Decree Concerning the Conditions of Importation into New Caledonia of Products Deemed to Represent a Heath Hazard applies to dairy products exported from Australia. Sections 3.1 and 7.2 of the New Caledonia MICoR entry have been updated to include the wording of the new attestations. The Department of Agriculture is currently updating the attestations on the ZDNC01 and EX214B certificate templates so that certificates signed after 24 August 2014 will reflect the certificates in this decree.
2. Republic of Korea – From 30 June 2014, amendments concerning limits of Staphylococcus aureus in the Korea’s Processing standards and specifications of livestock products apply to cheese sold in the Republic of Korea. The previous requirement of n=5, c = 0, m=0/25g, are replaced by n=5, c=2, m=10, M=100. Sections 2.3 and 3.1 have been updated to include these amendments. Sections 2.3, 3.1 and 5.1 of the Korea MICoR entry have also been updated so they now includes summaries of requirements, recent notifications of draft requirements, and copies of relevant sections of Korea’s Food Code.
3. Russia and Kazakhstan – From 1 May 2014, the Custom Union (CU) Milk Regulation applies to dairy products sold in the Russian Federation (and other CU member states, such as Kazakhstan). This regulation replaces Russia’s Law 88 and a transitional period may be in place for some of these requirements. Most sections of the MICoR Russian Federation entry has been updated to reflect the CU Milk Regulation (Decision 67) and new sections have been added to clarify requirements involving state registration, declarations of conformity, having CU unified marks on labels, terms that can be used to describe dairy products and specific requirements for products intended for consumption by infants or children.

The Kazakhstan MICoR entry continues to just refer to the Russian entry but will be amended to reflect the same content in a future update. Although CU requirements apply for dairy products sold in Russia and Kazakhstan, Australian dairy products must be exported on the Russian certificate EX325A and have been manufactured by establishments listed on the Rosselkhoznadzor website.

Notes:

1. Where possible, MICoR includes most recent versions of importing country requirements that are available in English. English versions on MICoR or on official websites are often updated by versions in the official language of importing countries. Exporters and manufacturers are reminded to clarify information about specific product definitions, compositional requirements and labelling requirements through commercial channels.
2. Dairy MICoR is password protected. Australian export companies can gain access by applying for access.

The information provided above is current at the time of writing and is intended for use as guidance only and should not be taken as definitive or exhaustive. The Commonwealth endeavours to keep information current and accurate, however, it may be subject to change without notice. Exporters are encouraged to verify these details with their importers prior to undertaking production/exports. The Commonwealth will not accept liability for any loss resulting from reliance on information contained in this notice.