Saudi Arabia: FAIRS Annual Country Report

  |   Attaché Report (GAIN)   |   SA2023-0004

Over the past several years, Saudi Arabia published several new regulations and standards, some of which were notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Unfortunately, many of these standards (both mandatory and voluntary) were immediately implemented making it difficult for U.S. exporters to comment or adjust. This year, new regulations include the banning of titanium dioxide in food products and the voluntary implementation of Marketing Requirements for Food Directed to Children. On the other hand, a few draft regulations were withdrawn from the WTO notification system and implementations were postponed indefinitely, including the Front of Package Nutritional Labeling.

Related Reports

In March 2024, the Council of the European Union and European Parliament concluded negotiations on the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Regulation. The current text is going through a legal review but is now de-facto final and is expected to be formally adopted in the coming months. TEST EDIT
Attaché Report (GAIN)

Canada: Canada Implements a Federal Plastics Registry

On April 22, 2024, Canada announced the implementation of a Federal Plastic Registry to monitor the types and volumes of plastic products, including plastic packaging used in agriculture and food manufacturing, through their life cycle on the Canadian market.
Attaché Report (GAIN)

Thailand: Rice Price - Weekly

Rice export prices increased one percent as exporters are securing rice supplies to fulfill contracted shipment despite the weakening of the Thai baht.