CAC/GL 25-1997 Guidelines for the Exchange of Information between Countries on Rejections of Imported Foods
SECTION 1 – PREAMBLE
1. The following guidelines provide the basis for structured information exchange on import rejections. The most important information elements to be considered in such guidelines are shown in the Annex and each category is discussed in more detail below. The guidelines are intended to cover all types of food.
2. These guidelines deal only with import rejections caused by failure to comply with importing country requirements. Information exchange in food control emergency situations is dealt with in the Guidelines for the Exchange of Information in Food Control Emergency Situations (CAC/GL 19-1995).
3. The use of these Guidelines for the Exchange of Information on Rejections of Imported Food is intended to assist countries to conform with the Principles for Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification (CAC/GL 20-1995), in particular the transparency provisions contained in paragraph 14 of the Principles.
SECTION 2 – GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
4. When the food control authorities in an importing country reject a consignment of food presented for importation they should always provide information to the importer of the consignment giving the reasons for the rejection. Appropriate information should also be provided to the exporter if the control authorities receive such a request.
