Hong Kong has reduced the fees for applications for small volume exemption (SVE) from Nutrition Labelling, if they have been submitted through electronic means through the Food Import Control System (FICS).
The fees for new and renewal applications have been reduced from $345 to $335 and $265 to $250 respectively.
These applications are necessary under the country’s new Food and Drugs (Composition and Labelling) (Amendment) Regulation 2014.
Hong Kong introduced the Nutrition Labelling Scheme (NLS) for prepackaged food in 2008.
To minimize its impact on food choice, the government has also established an SVE scheme under the NLS.
Any prepackaged food with annual sales volume in Hong Kong not exceeding 30,000 units that does not carry nutrition claims on its label or in any advertisement will be exempted from the nutrition labelling requirements.
In addition to submission by mail, fax, email or in person, companies may submit SVE applications or renewal applications by electronic means through the FICS.
“Having regard to the experience gained in processing electronic applications, the CFS has streamlined the relevant work procedures and upgraded its computer system, effectively reducing the processing time and cost of applications,” says a CFS spokesman of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
“Upon review on a full-cost recovery basis, the fees concerned can be reduced accordingly.”
“The use of electronic applications will save paper and is in line with the government’s policy on environmental protection. The reduction of fees will encourage traders to submit their applications through the FICS.”
