Non-Tariff Barriers

Non-Tariff Measure

NTM classification

A14: Authorization requirement for sanitary and phytosanitary reasons for importing certain products 

Date when the measure came into force

17 July 1998 

Publication where the measure is specified

Statutory Instrument 46 of 1998 

Regulation where the measure is specified

Public Health (Breast-milk Substitutes and Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 1998 

Country/Region applying the measure

Zimbabwe 

The rationale of the measure

Not specified in the regulations 

Coded list of objectives

X: For purposes n.e.s. 

Description of the measure

11 (1) Any person who wishes the Committee to approve any advertisement, informational or educational material on baby and young child nutrition may apply in writing for such approval to the Committee at the offices of the Nutrition Unit of the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare and shall submit with his application the material concerned or, where appropriate, a sample or copy in the form in which it shall be presented to the end user/customer.
(2) Within thirty days after receiving an application in terms of subsection (1), the Committee shall examine the material concerned and may- '
(a) approve it, either absolutely or subject to conditions; or (b) refuse to approve it; and shall notify the applicant in writing of its decision and, where it has refused to approve the material, of its reasons,
(3) The Committee shall not approve any advertisement, informational or educational material on baby and young child nutrition in terms of subsection (2) unless it is satisfied-
(a) that it includes clear and accurate information on the following matters
(i) the importance, benefits and superiority of breast-feeding; and
(ii) maternal nutrition; and
(iii) the preparation for and maintenance of breast-feeding; and
(iv) the adverse effects on breast-feeding of introducing bottle-feeding; and
(v) the difficulty of reversing the decision not to breast-feed even for a short period; and
(vi) the proper use of designated products; and
(vii) the adverse effects of the use of pacifiers on breast-feeding; and
(b) that it does not use any pictures of infants; and
(c) that it does not use any other pictures or text which may idealize the use of a designated product and discourage breast-feeding; and
(d) if the material referred to in subsection (1) deals with the use of infant formula or any other food or drink which requires a feeding bottle, that it· includes clear and accurate information on-
(i) the instructions for the proper preparation and use of the product including the cleaning and sterilisation of feeding utensils; and
(ii) the approximate total current financial cost of feeding a baby on the designated product for a period of at least six months; and
(iii) the health and other hazards of bottle-feeding; and (iv) the health and other hazards of improper preparation of the product; and
(v) how to feed infants from a cup; and
(e) if the material referred to in subsection (1) includes the topic of feeding babies and young children with complementary foods, that it includes clear and accurate information on-
(i) the instructions for the proper preparation and use of the product including the cleaning and sterilisation of feeding utensils; and
(ii) the approximate total current financial cost of feeding an infant on the designated product for a period of at least six months; and
(iii) the health and other hazards of bottle-feeding; and (iv) the health and other hazards of improper preparation of the product;
(v) how to feed infants from a cup; and
(vi) the health and other hazards of introducing complementary foods too early or too late; and
(vii) the fact that complementary foods can easily be prepared at home using foods normally consumed by the family; and
(f) where the material is intended to be published for use by health workers, that it is restricted to scientific and factual information; and
(g) the material referred to in subsection (1) shall not make any reference to a proprietary product in such materials.
(4) Where the Committee has refused to approve any advertisement informational or educational material on infant nutrition in terms of subsection (2), the applicant may at any time resubmit the material to the Committee, having made such alterations to the material as he considers necessary to secure the Committee's approval. 

Reference of the measure

Article 11 

Measure also domestic

Yes 

Products affected by the measure.

Description

(i) infant formula; (starter or stage 1 or from 0-6 months or from birth) or
(ii) follow-up formula (stage 2 or 6 – 12 months or 6 months onwards ), beverage, milk and other food for consumption by babies and young children whether industrially formulated or otherwise; or
(iii) any other product marketed or otherwise represented as being suitable .for feeding babies and young children; or
(iv) feeding article; or
(v) articles generally known as pacifiers; or
(vi) other product which the Minister may, from time to time, declare to be a designated product. 

Countries/Regions affected by the measure.

Description

All countries