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Regulations
Presented here are a number of health, phytosanitary, quality, and regulatory requirements important to the global agribusiness trade. Many are government-mandated regulations, others are standards and specifications established by the industry. All are pertinent to agribusiness suppliers including growers, packers, processors, shippers, and others along the farm-to-market value chain, with special significance to those marketing produce internationally.
Grades and Standards
	Producers and exporters need to indicate the specific terms of quality for the produce they are supplying, including size, appearance, and other factors. See the grades and standards used in the North American and European fresh and processed industries, as well international standards from the EU and CODEX Alimentarius.
USDA Grades and Standards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables USDA Grades and Standards for Frozen Fruits and Vegetables USDA Grades and Standards for Canned Fruits and Vegetables USDA Grades and Standards for Dried Fruits Canadian Grades and Standards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (external page) EU Common Quality Standards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Codex Alimentarius Standards for Fruits and Vegetables

Phytosanitary Requirements
	Want to know if a certain product is admissible for entry to the US from a particular country of origin? Or, maybe you aren't sure if your products requires fumigation or hot water treatment. The following manuals regulate the importation of fruits, vegetables, cutflowers and other plantings into the US.
USDA/APHIS Fruits and Vegetables Manual (PDF) USDA/APHIS Cutflower and Greenery Manual (PDF)

Pesticide Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs)
	You methodically track the level of pesticides applied to your crops in the field, but just how little residue is actually allowed on the shipped product? One of the most important issues facing growers today, this section includes MRLs for currently approved pesticides, as established by US and European agencies.
EPA's Pesticide Tolerances Database Health Canada's Pesticide Residue Restrictions (PDF) UK Temporary Maximum Residue Levels and Import Tolerances

Tariffs and Customs Fees
	Not sure if shipping your product will invite tariffs or customs fees? Perhaps your product enters the market duty-free under a preferntial trading agreement. Search for tariff rates here by country and Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States Customs Tariff Schedule of Canada Common Customs Tariff Schedule of the European Union Harmonized Tariff Schedule of Japan (external page)

Food Industry Requirements
	The Euro-Retailer Produce Working Group (EUREP) was founded in 1997 with the aim of creating a common standard for promoting good agricultural practices (GAPs) among suppliers to the European retail food sector. The protocol and related documents can be downloaded here.
EUREPGAP Protocol for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (PDF) EUREPGAP Checklist (PDF) EUREPGAP General Regulations (PDF) EUREPGAP Control and Compliance Criteria (PDF)

Organic Food Guidelines
	Curious about organic production requirements? Want to learn more about certification requirements and procedures? Check out the links below to some of the major organic certification standards.
USDA National Organic Program Standards EEC Consolidated Council Regulation No 2092/91 on Organic Production with Annexes (PDF) and Ammendments (PDF) UK Register of Organic Food Standards (UKROFS) (PDF) The Codex Alimentarius and FAO/WHO Organic Food Standards Programme (PDF) Related Links
	FDA Proposes New Bioterrorism Regulations.

European Fresh Produce Regulations
With a larger European Union of 25 Members, a plenitude of new challenges for both public authorities and traders will arise as sector-specific European law is implemented in the reshaped Europe. The Fresh Quality Guide will facilitate the harmonised interpretation of these requirements, whilst easing the transitional period and providing a compendium of information for future reference.
Fresh Quality Guide