QuestionsQuestions (DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 23, S. 2013)
The AO is anchored on the State duty under the Consumer Act (RA 7394), particularly the Department of Agriculture’s mandate to establish and enforce consumer product quality and safety standards, including precautions in storage, transporting and packaging. It also relies on related DA functions and existing rules on accreditation and hygiene/sanitation standards for agricultural and fishery products.
It covers guidelines on mandatory accreditation of Cold Storage Warehouse (CSW) nationwide for agricultural and fishery products. “CSW” includes cold storage warehouses for meat/meat products, fish/aquatic products, fruits/vegetables/plant products, milk derivatives/eggs, animal feeds, and also stationary refrigerated container vans.
The objectives include: (1) supporting DA’s food safety risk analysis program; (2) establishing a functioning traceability system; and (3) increasing confidence among regulators, industry, and consumers that cold storage measures for local market and export effectively control food safety hazards.
The CAs are: BFAR for fish and aquatic products; NMIS for meat and meat products; BPI for fruits, vegetables and plant products; and BAI for eggs, milk and other milk products, and animal feeds.
CCSWA is composed of authorized inspectors from NMIS, BFAR, BPI, and BAI. It conducts audit and assessment of CSWs, endorses documents and audit results to the CSWCT Chairman, and may further study issues if there are objections from involved CAs.
CSWCT includes a Chairman (at least Assistant Secretary rank) and members from NMIS, BAI, BFAR, BPI, and Legal Division with two representatives each, plus CCSWA. It reviews submissions, issues the certificate of accreditation or letter of disapproval, investigates and recommends actions/penalties for violations, provides a forum for issues, and maintains lists of accredited and non-compliant/non-accredited CSWs.
They include: Business Permit (City/Municipal Government); Environment Compliance Certificate/Certificate of Non-Coverage (DENR); Permit to Operate/Exemption Certificate (DENR); photocopy of Business Registration (DTI/SEC); Sanitary Permit; and Certificate of Potability.
The AO requires a reliable recording system, rated capacity, floor plan/layout showing storage rooms and facilities for specific products, and recent photographs of the inner and outer portions of the CSW. It also requires list of clientele (with specific products) for the last two years where applicable, and proof of payment of accreditation fee.
The CSW submits the application form in triplicate to the CA responsible for the bulk of goods stored. If documentary requirements are complete, the CA forwards the application to the CSWCT. The CSWCT endorses it to CCSWA, which conducts the audit and assessment. CCSWA submits audit results to the CSWCT Chairman, copy furnished to all CAs.
No. The accreditation is not transferable and shall not be used in any place other than the one stated in the Certificate of Accreditation, whether provisional or for the full two-year period.
Failure to renew on the specified date results in automatic revocation of accreditation. Also, applications submitted after expiry or with incomplete requirements are considered filed out of time.
CSWs must not allow unloading of imported products for storage in the absence of a representative from the concerned CA. They also must not release commodities for which a Hold Order was issued by the concerned CA.
Operators must fully cooperate with the CA, support traceability, allow authorized officers/inspectors to enter and inspect during reasonable hours/conditions, allow verification of relevant records or documents, provide assistance for efficient inspections/testing, and communicate immediately with the CA for technical problems.
All persons, firms, or corporations found guilty of directly or indirectly violating any provision of the AO shall be penalized under all existing relevant laws, which apply suppletorily to the AO.
It takes effect fifteen (15) days after publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation, the Official Gazette, and filing of a copy at the UP Law Center.