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The Government gazetted today (January 17) the Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) (Amendment) Regulation 2014, proposing to introduce reduced fees for applications and renewal applications for small volume exemption (SVE) from Nutrition Labelling submitted by electronic means through the Food Import Control System (FICS).
The fees for small volume exemption applications and renewal applications will be reduced from $345 and $335 at present to $265 and $250 respectively, representing a decrease of 23 per cent and 25 per cent.
The Government introduced the Nutrition Labelling Scheme for prepackaged food in 2008. To minimise its impact on food choice, the Government has also established an SVE scheme. Under the current Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) Regulations (Cap. 132W), the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene may grant exemption in respect of any prepackaged food with annual sales volume in Hong Kong not exceeding 30 000 units which does not carry nutrition claims on its label or in any advertisement from the nutrition labelling requirements.
As at December 31, 2013, there were 16 491 SVE products with valid exemption for sale in the market.
In addition to submission by mail, fax, email or in person, the food trade may submit SVE applications or renewal applications by electronic means through the FICS. Having regard to the experience gained in processing electronic applications, the Centre for Food Safety has streamlined the relevant work procedures and upgraded its computer system, effectively reducing the processing time and cost of applications. Upon review on a full-cost recovery basis, the fees concerned can be reduced accordingly.
"We believe that the reduction of fees will encourage traders to submit their applications through the FICS. In addition, the use of electronic applications will save paper and is in line with the Administration's policy on environmental protection," a spokesman for the Food and Health Bureau said.
The Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) (Amendment) Regulation 2014 will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on January 22, 2014. Subject to negative vetting, the new fees will commence on March 24, 2014.
Ends/Friday, January 17, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:43
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