Agricultural Production and Certification Act is amended to promote product traceability and refine certification management of agricultural products
2021-09-24
The Agricultural Production and Certification Act (APCA) was promulgated by the President on January 29, 2007. From 2011 through 2014 there were a number of incidents in Taiwan related to things like food sanitation and safety and inaccurate labeling, drawing concern from across society. The Council of Agriculture (COA), in order to continue to enhance agricultural products safety and quality, complete construction of a traceability system and three-tiered quality control system, and comprehensively review and improve production management for agricultural products, drafted amendments to the APCA. On December 25 of 2019 an amended text of the APCA, with 38 articles, was promulgated by the President. Besides Article 18, governing registration of primary processing facilities for agricultural products, which took effect from the day of promulgation, the remaining articles are to take effect one year after promulgation. The new Act is aimed at protecting the health of citizens and the rights and interests of consumers.