Sub-Directorate Agricultural Product Quality Assurance

The mission of the Sub-directorate Agricultural Product Quality Assurance is to standardise quality norms for agricultural and related products by establishing the criteria for such norms and distributing the information to all interested parties. These criteria may include the quality, packaging, marking and labelling as well as the chemical composition and microbiological contaminants of the products. These norms are validated by publication in the Government Gazette under the Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990). The norms are based on the specific needs of the South African market and are usually harmonised with international standards.

Standardisation

Standardisation is an objective approach towards establishing effective and practical quality norms. The advantages of standardisation are that product classification and/or grading encourages consumer confidence and brings about greater market transparency. The trade is able to purchase specified quality products over time and distance, which eliminates the need for the inspection of each lot or consignment. Similarly, the consumer can expect a product of consistent quality when purchasing a specific grade or class. In this way, a situation is created on local markets where South African products can compete on an equal footing with overseas products and can also be marketed more competitively. It is important to note that imported products must conform to the same standards as those set for locally produced products.

Aim of the Regulations

The aim of the regulations administered by this Sub-directorate is thus to, through correctly applied quality standards, provide the consumer with products of consistent quality. The criteria used depend on the type of product. The colour of an apple, the purity of a fruit juice, the composition of cheese, the ingredients of a canned product and the fat content of a carcass are just a few examples of the quality factors. Classification and grading may be based on a number of measurable factors which are considered together. The DALRRD governs for example the regulations for grading of different kinds of grain- which we will deal with later in this manual.

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development regulates: Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990).

Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990)

The Agricultural Product Standards Act governs and provide control over the sale and export of certain agricultural products and other related products; and for matters connected therewith.

According to the Act no agricultural product may be sold for consumption nor exported if it does not meet the Regulatory Standards for the specific commodity as is published by the DALRRD.

Agricultural Product Standards Act: Standards: Food hygiene and food safety of regulated agricultural food products of plant origin intended for export, Notice 107 of 2005, in relation to the Act 119 of 1990.

The promulgation of food standards for export. Standards for food hygiene and food safety as stipulated in 3(3)(a)(ii) of the Agricultural Product Standards Act no 119 of 1990.