G/TBT/N/PHL/363

31 March 2026

(26-2553)

Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade

Original: English

1.

Notifying Member: PHILIPPINES

If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):

2.

Agency responsible:

Atty. Paolo S. Teston

Director General

Food and Drug Administration

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], 3.2 [ ], 7.2 [ ], Other:

4.

Products covered (HS codes or national tariff lines. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Food products in general (ICS code(s): 67.040)

5.

Details of notified document(s) (title, number of pages and languages, means of access): Adoption of Codex General Standard for Fruit Juices and Nectars (CXS 247-2005) as Technical Regulation; (5 page(s), in English)

Link to notified document(s) and/or contact details for agency or authority which can provide copies upon request:

https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/PHL/26_01783_00_e.pdf

https://www.fda.gov.ph/draft-for-comments-adoption-of-codex-general-standard-for-fruit-juices-and-nectars-cxs-247-2005-as-technical-regulation/

6.

Description of content: This Order aims to establish updated, science-based regulatory standards for fruit beverages that ensure product quality, safety, and consumer protection, in harmonization with international Codex standards and existing national food safety regulations.

Specifically, it aims to:

A. Revise and update the guidelines on the naming of fruit beverages by repealing Administrative Order No. 90-A, s. 1980, entitled "Naming of Fruit Beverages."

B. Establish standards, guidelines, and limits for composition and quality factors, food additives, processing aids, contaminants, hygiene, labeling, and methods of analysis and sampling, consistent with the revised Codex General Standard for Fruit Juices and Nectar.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Protection of human health or safety

8.

Relevant documents:

Codex General Standard for Fruit Juices and Nectars (CXS 247-2005)

9.

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined

10.

Provision of comments

Final date for comments: 30 May 2026

[X] 60 days from notification

Contact details of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification:

Mr. Neil P. Catajay

Director

Bureau of Philippine Standards

Department of Trade and Industry

3F Trade and Industry Building

361 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue

Makati City

Philippines

1200

Tel: (632) 751 4700; (632) 7913128

Email: bps@dti.gov.ph

Website: http://www.bps.dti.gov.ph