20 April 2010
Industry Advice Notice No. G2010/05
Information Printed on Bags Consistent with Trade Description
To advise industry of the requirement for translation of information printed on bags which must comply with established trade description provisions for the export of prescribed goods subject to phytosanitary certification.
Information printed on bagged prescribed goods must comply with the trade descriptions requirements within the Export Control Act 1982. Information printed on bags varies but generally involves some form of trade description that is applied to bags prior to loading or export.
Trade descriptions of prescribed goods must meet specific criteria; for example it must be adequate and accurate. An adequate trade description must contain sufficient information to enable the goods to be readily identified within the bag and must not be ambiguous or unclear. An accurate trade description must correctly describe the goods within the bag. The legislative requirement for adequate and accurate trade description is provided in Part 4, order 10 of the Export Control (Plants and Plant Products) Orders 2005.
Trade descriptions may be in English, a foreign language or a combination of both, however in all cases the trade description must be adequate and accurate. In circumstances where an exporter elects to print information in a foreign language the exporter will need to supply AQIS with an exact copy of the printed information on the bag and an English translation of the foreign language. The exporter must also provide evidence that the translation was provided by an official translation service (for example, accredited by National Accreditation Authority for Training), or provide a statutory declaration attesting to the accuracy of the translation. The translation must be provided to AQIS at the time of submission of the Notice of Intent to export, or at the time of inspection of the bagged goods but in any case prior to issue of the phytosanitary certificate.
If an acceptable translation is not provided the authorised officer may not be satisfied that the trade description is adequate and accurate. If the trade description of prescribed goods is not adequate and accurate export of those goods is prohibited.
These requirements will come into effect 30 days from the date of this notice.
Louise van Meurs
General Manager
Plant Quarantine and Export Operations
Biosecurity Service Group
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
P: (02) 62725429
Contact details: David Fouracre
Telephone: (02) 6272 4057
Facsimile: (02) 6272 5423