The Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore said that the Singapore market is a country with a high system of management documents and standards. In the coming time, this country will continue to adjust a number of new policies.
The first is about the regulatory framework for the consumption of insects for food in Singapore.
The Singapore Food Authority (SFA) has developed a framework for the import and use of insects and insect products for food with specific guidelines for this subject. Accordingly, from 8 July 2024, SFA will allow the import of insects and insect products of species that have been assessed as having a low level of concern. These insects and insect products can be used for human food or animal feed.
The framework has two Annexes, including: List of approved insect species safe for human consumption and Summary of specific import guidelines, depending on the form of imported insects and insect products and their intended use. Imports of approved insects and insect products must be through a licensed Singapore importer, and foreign suppliers and processors of these items must also be registered with the competent authority by the importer.
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| Singapore completes public consultation on the Framework for Regulating the Use of Genetically Modified Crops for Food and Feed. Illustrative photo |
Second, Singapore completed the public consultation on the Framework for Regulating the Use of Genetically Modified Crops for Food and Feed.
From 20 December 2023 to 19 February 2024, SFA initiated a public consultation on the Framework for Regulating the Use of Genetically Modified Plants for Food and Feed. The consultation focused on two pathways for assessing genetically modified plants with or without foreign DNA and guidelines for assessing, approving and searching for information on genetically modified plants approved by SFA.
Following the conclusion of the scheduled consultation, the SFA received 11 comments and also provided its response to the consultation document. Comments focused primarily on the appropriateness of the classification of existing, developed and future GM crops (paragraphs 9–11 of the document); and the appropriateness of the Information Checklist (paragraph 12 and Annex I) for determining whether a GM crop is equivalent to a conventionally bred crop.
It is expected that this Framework for the Management of the Use of Genetically Modified Plants for Food and Feed will be completed, revised and expected to come into effect in the third quarter of 2024.
Currently, in many countries, including Singapore, there is no comprehensive legal framework regulating the use of genetically modified crops for human consumption and/or animal feed. Therefore, it can be said that this is a fairly new and sensitive issue that requires the attention of many agencies, organizations and businesses.
Third, Singapore is seeking public consultation on the review of technical standards for insulated cables.
On 2 August 2024, Enterprise Singapore (ESG) initiated a public consultation on the review of the technical standard for Polyvinyl Chloride insulated cables with rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V (specified in Singapore Standard SS358, effective from 2019). This consultation will close on 3 September 2024.
There are 2 contents of SS358 put forward for comments including:
Part 3: Unsheathed cables for fixed wiring (SS 358-3:2019) (Amendment to IEC 60227-3:1993+A1:1997).
This standard details the specific specifications for single core Polyvinyl Chloride insulated unsheathed cables for fixed wiring systems with rated voltages up to and including 450/750 V. (Refer to the current standard at the link: Singapore Standards (singaporestandardseshop.sg)).
Part 5: Flexible cables (cords) (SS 358-5:2019) (Same as IEC 60227-5:2011).
This standard details the specific specifications for polyvinyl chloride insulated flexible cables (cords) of rated voltages up to and including 300/500 V (Refer to the current standard at the link: Singapore Standards (singaporestandardseshop.sg)).
These standards apply to testing and inspection companies, suppliers and manufacturers of electric cables, construction contractors and service providers, and other relevant organizations and individuals.
Under Singapore's National Standardization Programme, public consultation is an important step in the development of the country's standards system. The public is invited to provide feedback on draft Singapore Standards for publication and to propose work items for the development and review of Singapore Standards and Technical Reference Materials. The development of Singapore Standards is carried out in accordance with the World Trade Organization's requirements for the development of national standards.
State management agencies, Vietnamese electric cable manufacturing companies and traders should pay attention to updating the process and content of changes in these regulations to meet local requirements when exporting goods to the Singapore market.
The Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore recommends that Singapore is a country with a high and strict system of management documents and standards for domestically consumed goods. Vietnamese enterprises need to grasp current policies and standards; closely monitor and promptly update new and adjusted regulations and standards of Singapore to ensure avoiding risks and difficulties in exporting goods to Singapore.
Source: https://congthuong.vn/chinh-sach-moi-cua-singapore-trong-quan-ly-cay-trong-bien-doi-gen-lam-thuc-pham-341458.html
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