3.42.  Brunei's national notification authority for SPS measures is the Department for Trade Development in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.[116] Three institutions, under MIPR, deal with SPS measures: the Department of Agriculture and Agrifood (DOAA) for plants and plant products, live animals, and eggs and other fresh animal (non-halal) products; the Department of Fisheries for fish and fisheries products; and the Department of Forestry for forestry products. In addition, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is responsible for halal products

3.43.  Since 2008, Brunei has made only one SPS notification of emergency measures, regarding the temporarily ban of imports of fresh agricultural and fish products (and processed foods) from certain regions of Japan due to possible radioactive contaminants.[117] Brunei also prohibits the importation of live animals from countries with FMD (Table 3.6)

3.44.  Restricted/licensed live animals, animal products, fruits, vegetables, plants and plant products are listed in Tables 3.6 and 3.7, respectively

3.45.  Brunei is member of the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).[118] Brunei is not yet a member of the International Plant Convention (IPPC) but, according to the authorities, it complies with the IPPC

3.46.  Phytosanitary regulations are implemented by the DOAA Plant Quarantine Unit, under the Agricultural Pests and Noxious Plants Act, revised in 1984. Under the Act, imports of all plants and plant materials require import permits, issued by the DOAA, and phytosanitary certificates, issued by the legal issuing authority in the country of origin, certifying the phytosanitary status of the plants.[119] Imports of a number of plants and materials from specific regions or countries may be prohibited to prevent entry of dangerous pests and diseases. All plant imports are subject to inspection by the DOAA on arrival in Brunei. Imports of soil (including attached to plant roots), are prohibited. Phytosanitary certificates for exports of agricultural materials may be obtained from the DOAA

3.47.  The Quarantine and Prevention of Disease (Animals) Regulations allow for the prohibition of import, detention of animals for treatment and examination, and for the investigation of imported products. Imports and exports of animals or their products must be declared at the port of entry or exit for quarantine inspection; and must be accompanied by an import permit, issued by the DOAA, and a veterinary health certificate, issued by a veterinarian authorized in the country concerned within seven days before departure. Exports of live animals and poultry must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate. When a certificate is required for exports of products derived from animals, an Animal Health Certificate may be obtained from the relevant veterinary office.[120]

3.48.  Imports of beef and poultry are subject to import restrictions under the Second Schedule of the Customs (Prohibition and Restriction on Imports and Exports) Order, unless they have been slaughtered in a foreign abattoir approved in writing by the Minister of Religious Affairs. The Government maintains a list of approved abattoirs from which meat or poultry may be imported by holders of halal import permits issued under the Halal Meat Act (Chapter 183) and the Halal Certificate and Halal Label Order 2005. Under the Halal Meat Act, the Board for Issuing Halal Import Permits grants the permit if the slaughterhouse is already on a list approved by the Brunei Islamic Religious Council (Majlis Ugama Islam)[121]; for slaughterhouses not on the list, an inspection committee, including representatives from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Majlis, and the DOAA is required to inspect and approve the abattoir. The Board forwards the application to the Majlis who makes the final decision on issuing the import permit.[122] Authorized officers from the DOAA examine all imports of halal meat and certify it fit for human consumption. Currently, halal meat and poultry may be imported only from Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Brunei imports live cattle from Australia and Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) for slaughter at local abattoirs

3.49.  Other sanitary and health restrictions are maintained under the Poisons Act and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations, which are enforced by the Pharmaceutical Enforcement Services, in the Ministry of Health. This includes regulation of all imports and exports of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, agri‑chemicals, pesticides, etc. in collaboration with Customs. Regular inspections are also conducted on pharmaceutical wholesalers, clinics, and retailers in Brunei. Imported veterinary pharmaceuticals, animal vaccines, and agri-chemicals are controlled and approved by the DOAA, through the Ministry of Health under the Poisons Act. The Drug Quality Control Service also inspects all drugs, both locally produced and imported, to ensure quality

3.50.  The Department of Health Services under the Ministry of Health ensures food imported and distributed in Brunei is safe. Food importers are required to comply with the Public Health Order (Food) 1998, Public Health (Food) (Amendment) Order 2002 and its Regulations 2000, which protect consumers from dangerous adulterated or poor quality foods. Food importers are required to submit the customs declaration form together with relevant documents (including health certificates) to the Food safety and Quality Control Division, Department of Health Services, for endorsement

3.35.  In 2010, the National Standards Council (NSC), under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR), was established as the body responsible to monitor and strengthen standards and conformance activities in Brunei.[112] It also provides policy direction with the aim of creating industries that are able to stimulate sustainable economic growth, and promotes awareness on consumer safety issues. Up to September 2014, the following five Standards Committees had been formed: Construction, Halal, Food, Management Systems, and Electrical. Other three Standards Committees are envisaged for Energy, Pharmacy and Medicines, and Tourism and Handicraft. As of 1 January 2014, the National Standards Centre, also under the MIPR, is in charge of developing quality infrastructure in Brunei. Previously, this was the responsibility of the Authority for Building Control and Construction Industry (ABCi) Division in the Ministry of Development

3.36.  Brunei is still to notify its WTO enquiry point. So far, it has made three notifications to the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade, one during the review period (Table 2.1)

3.37.  In Brunei all standards are voluntary. National standards, which are prepared by technical committees, are submitted for approval to the Standards Committees, which are chaired by the relevant Minister. Technical committees currently exist for the construction sector and for food-related standards. Technical Committees adopt international standards where relevant, and the alignment of national standards with existing relevant international standards is reviewed in line with the ISO/IEC Guide 25. Following examination by the Standards Committees, a standard is sent to the Standards Secretariat at the National Standards Centre for public comment (usually for six weeks); any comments are forwarded to the Technical Committees. For transparency, the Ministry of Development publishes a directory of certified products, companies, and accredited laboratories.[113]

3.38.  Currently, there are no mandatory standards (technical regulations) in Brunei. It has 83 national standards, mainly on construction and electrical-related products; 53 have been directly adopted from international standards. They cover use of the metric system in construction, quality management, steel reinforcement, cement, concrete, timber, and roads. Standards for electrical and electronic goods, gas appliances, and fire equipment are voluntary and based on ISO or IEC standards (for electrical/electronic products), where international equivalents exist. Both under ASEAN and APEC, Brunei participates on the harmonization of standards with international standards in areas such as: electrical and electronic, rubber-based products, medical devices, wood products, automotive, and cosmetics

3.39.  Since April 2010, the Accreditation Division, under the National Standards Centre, has been the national accreditation service provider. Currently, there are eight conformity assessment bodies registered under NSC. The Accreditation Division offers three accreditation schemes: Management System Accreditation Scheme, Laboratory Accreditation Scheme, and Inspection Bodies Accreditation Scheme

3.40.  Since 1 July 2012, the Measurement Standards Division, under the National Standards Centre, has been the custodian of measurement standards in Brunei on the basis of the International System of Units (SI). Measurement and metrology facilities in Singapore (PSB) and Malaysia (SIRIM) are used frequently by Brunei's laboratories in calibration activities. Currently, laboratory accreditation for the construction sector is covered by the Ministry of Development Laboratory Accreditation Scheme; all other sectors are covered by the Brunei‑Singapore SAC MoU on accreditation

3.41.  Brunei is a member of several international and regional standard-setting fora, including the ISO, Pacific Area Standards Congress, Codex Alimentarius, ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality[114], Pacific Accreditation Cooperation, APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance, and Asia‑Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation scheme. Brunei participates in the IEC Affiliate Member programme, participates in the APEC E/E MRA, and signed the TEL MRA with Singapore in telecommunications; the scope of these MRAs concerns acceptance of test and certification. To reduce business compliance costs, Brunei unilaterally accepts certificates of conformity from such recognized bodies, and therefore does not require re-certification or testing. Under ASEAN, MRAs for recognition and acceptance of conformity assessment results have been developed and implemented for electrical, electronic equipment, and medicinal products/pharmaceuticals.[115]

3.51.  Brunei's legislation on food labelling requirements is contained in the Public Health (Food) Order, 1998. Labels for food products must contain the following information either in Malay or English: name of food, list of ingredients, net/drained content, name and address of manufacturer, packer, wholesaler, importer and distributor, the country of origin, lot identification, date and storage instructions, and instructions and date for use. Where a suitable common name for the food product is not available, a description to indicate the nature of the food is required. All imports of meat and products containing meat must conform to labelling requirements approved by the Board for Issuing Halal Import Permits.[123] For food with animal or alcohol content, the origin of the animal or alcohol product must also be indicated. In addition, the contents of all meat products should be clearly mentioned on the label

3.52.  Since 1 January 2002, 25 categories of food and beverage products require date marking and must be registered with the Food Safety and Quality Control Division before importation into Brunei. The products include cream, milk and milk products, pasteurised fruit and vegetable juice, soya bean curd, chilled food, sauces, peanut butter, flour and flour products, egg products, raisins and sultanas, chocolate, edible fats and oils, food additives, margarine, meat products, and nutrient supplements

3.53.  Labelling requirements on imported tobacco are set out in the Tobacco (Labelling) Regulations, 2007 and the Tobacco Order, 2005 (S/49/05). Labels must include a printed health warning in English on one surface and in Malay on the other surface, and conform to the specifications set out in the specific schedules in the Tobacco (Labelling) Regulations, 2007

3.54.  No genetically-modified labelling requirements are currently in force in Brunei