COSTA RICA: TECHNICAL REGULATION RTCR 317:1997. REGISTRATION AND EXAMINATION OF EQUIPMENT FOR APPLYING CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SUBSTANCES FOR AGRICULTURAL USE. REGULATION. The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif.97.279. 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): 8424, 842481, 8424811000, 84248190, 8424819010, 84249000, 8424900010, 8432, 8432400000. 5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: Technical Regulation RTCR 321:1997 Registration and Examination of Equipment for Applying Chemical and Biological Substances for Agricultural Use. Regulation. (20 pages) 6. Description of content: Intended to establish the Official Regulations on the Registration and Examination of Equipment for Applying Chemical and Biological Substances for Agricultural Use. Will be mandatory for importers, exporters, manufacturers, assemblers, vendors and distributors of equipment for applying agricultural chemical and biological substances, for both commercial and private use, the aim being to improve agricultural practice in connection with the use of pesticides and fertilizers, in order to raise productivity and reduce residues and the impact on the environment. 7. Objective and rationale: To ensure safety and the protection of human and animal health and to prevent environmental pollution. 8. Relevant documents: Technical Regulation, RTCR 321:1997. Registration and examination of equipment for applying chemical and biological substances for agricultural use. The Regulation, in Spanish, will be published in the Official Journal "La Gaceta", on a date to be determined. 9. Proposed date of adoption: To be determined; Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined. 10. 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. 11. 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

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