Product certification, labelling and packaging
Labelling
All the directives of the European Council must be met as well as local and national regulations. An example is the labelling of products in the interest of consumers.
Outer containers should bear the consignee's mark and port mark and be numbered (to accord with packing list) unless their contents can be otherwise readily identified.
Hay, straw and peat moss litter used as packing materials require a licence issued by the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.
Raw tobacco may be imported by a licensed manufacturer of tobacco products with the prior permission of the Revenue Commissioners.
Prepacked goods must be in quantities specified by regulations.
Spirits (except perfumed or medicated cordials) must be packed in containers of not less than 40 litres or in bottles packed in cases.
Goods having forged trademarks or false or misleading trade descriptions, or any trademark or mark so nearly resembling a trademark as to be deceiving are prohibited.
The EU deadline for accepting metric only labels was extended to 1999. This deadline has been reviewed and a decision for a further extension to 2009 is expected.
Hallmarking of gold and silver articles is required before they can be offered for sale. The hallmarking is done by the Goldsmiths of Dublin, Assay House, Dublin Castle, Dublin 2. Industrial policy and internal market directives for all products can alter in the EU marketplace.
CE marking
The European Community is steadily replacing national rules and regulations with European wide directives. The CE mark can only be used on products which meet all the appropriate directives. If an exporter can show a product meets the appropriate European directive then the products can be sold freely throughout Europe. CE markings are applied by the manufacturer, who is responsible for ensuring that the product concerned meets the requirements of the relevant directive(s). Proof of conformity should be made mavailable in the form of technical documentation. The requirements impose procedures on the manufacturer and certain responsibilities are transferred to the importer.
Packaging
Goods should be securely packed, having due regard to the nature of the goods, means of transport and likely climatic conditions during transit and delivery.
Special certificates
Animals and animal products require sanitary certificates issued by the appropriate authorities in the country of origin.
Plant and plant products require phytosanitary certificates. Details may be obtained from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia.
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