Testing and approvals

Committee:
Food & Agriculture
status:
No progress
Published:
Many European products undergo frequent and expensive testing to be approved for either importing or for selling on the Japanese market. Examples of these are: cyanide testing, radioactivity testing, microbiological testing, such as coliforms and heavy metals, etc. The EBC believes that in many cases it should be possible to use approvals and testing carried out in Europe. This is currently not possible in many cases due to non-harmonised test methods and standards.

Recommendations

  • Japan and the EU should use the EPA to streamline test procedures by looking into what tests are necessary to eliminate double testing. The goal should be that products approved for consumption in one market should be allowed for consumption in the other market.
  • Japan should furthermore make use of ISO standards as tests methods, as to avoid specific testing for the Japanese market.
  • Japan should abolish testing that has to be carried out at every importation.