China’s updated soyabean standard is set to take effect from 1 December, according to a report by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and Standardization Administration published the final version of the National Standard for Soybeans (GB1352-2023) on 23 May to replace the current National Standard for Soybeans, GB 1352-2009 of 1 September 2009, the 26 September report said.
Previously notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in February 2021, the updated standard contains changes on quality requirements and adds an additional grade for soyabeans, according to the USDA’s People’s Republic of China - Updated Soybean Standard to Take Effect December 2023 report.
Unlike the current standard, in which only specific clauses (5.1, 7.1 and 8) are mandatory, all clauses in the proposed new standard are mandatory, according to the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) report.
The standard specifies the terms and definitions, classification, quality requirements, test methods, inspection rules, labelling, packaging, storage and transportation requirements for soyabeans. The standard is applicable to the purchase, storage, transportation, processing and sale of commercial soyabeans.
The FAS China comparison of the final version of the standard shows no changes from the draft version notified to the WTO in 2021, according to the report.
“Industry members and relevant stakeholders are encouraged to carry out their own due diligence to review how and whether the final standard could influence their business,” the USDA said.
