COSTA RICA: TECHNICAL REGULATION RTCR 317:1997. FERTILIZERS, TECHNICAL MATERIALS AND RELATED SUBSTANCES. LABELLING The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif.97.278. 1. Member to Agreement notifying: COSTA RICA. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2). 2. Agency responsible: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Directorate-General of Agricultural Protection. Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification can be indicated if different from above. 3. Notified under Article 2.9.2. 4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): 2503, 2503100000, 2509, 2509000010, 2509000090, 2510, 2510100000, 250200000, 2518, 2518100000, 2518200000, 2518300000, 2519, 2519100000, 2521, 2521000010, 2528, 2528100000, 2814, 2814100000, 2814200000, 2834, 28342, 2834210000, 31, 3101, 31010000, 3102, 3103, 3104, 3105, 3823906000. 5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Technical Regulation RTCR 317:1997. Fertilizers, Technical Materials and Related Substances. Labelling (11 pages). 6. Description of content: Establishes the minimum requirements that must be satisfied for registration purposes by the labels to be used in Costa Rica for formulated fertilizers, technical materials and related substances sold domestically for use in the agricultural sector. 7. Objective and rationale: To prevent the consumer being misled by a label which is false, ambiguous or deceptive or likely in some way to create an erroneous impression with respect to some aspect of its nature. 8. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist. If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, whenever possible, identify deviations: Not listed. 9. Relevant documents: Technical Regulation RTCR 317:1997. Fertilizers, Technical Materials and Related Substances. Labelling, in Spanish, to be published in the Official Journal "La Gaceta" on a date to be determined. The following document was taken into account in preparing this Technical Regulation: (8.1) Quality characteristics of soil acidity regulators, 1990. Sugar Cane Research and Extension Directorate (DIECA), Ing. Marco A. Chaves Solera M. Sc., San Jose

AC T='1'>, C.R. (Spanish). 10. Proposed date of adoption: To be determined; Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined. 11. Final date for comments: 60 days. Agency or authority designated to handle comments: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Directorate of Agricultural Protection, Department of Agricultural Inputs. 12. Texts available from: National enquiry point or Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Directorate of Agricultural Protection, Centre for Information on Plant and Animal Health for Trade, P.O. Box 10094-1000, San Jose

AC T='1'>, Costa Rica, Tel: (506) 260-6190, FAX: (506) 260-8291. E-mail: protagro@sol.racsa.co.cr. (0191)

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