COSTA RICA: TECHNICAL REGULATION RTCR 316:1997. FERTILIZERS, TECHNICAL MATERIALS AND RELATED SUBSTANCES. REGISTRATION The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif.97.277. 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 316:1997. Fertilizers, Technical Materials and Related Substances. Registration. (24 pages). 6. Description of content: Establishes the Official Register of Formulated Fertilizers, Technical Materials and Related Substances for Use in Agriculture. Describes the official procedure for sampling, labelling, manufacturing, formulating, repacking, storing, transporting and marketing organic and inorganic fertilizers, soil acidity regulators and biological products used as fertilizers. Also provides information concerning the regulations governing the advertising of these products, as well as confiscation and precautions in handling and use. Also includes the procedures for investigating fertilizers and related substances in the experimental phase. 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 316:1997. Fertilizers, Technical Materials and Related Substances. Registration (in Spanish), to be published in the Official Journal "La Gaceta". 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). 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

AC T='1'>, Costa Rica, Tel: (506) 260-6190, FAX: (506) 260-8291, E-mail: protagro@sol.racsa.co.cr. (0195)

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