AFBA calls for immediate harmonization of standards

CEBU, Philippines - The ASEAN Food and Beverage Alliance (AFBA) is calling on ASEAN member countries to accelerate the harmonization of standards within the region under the World Trade Organization (WTO).

AFBA is a group of national and regional associations, federations, and organizations involved in the manufacture, distribution and sale of food and non-alcoholic beverage products in the ASEAN region.

The group seeks the ASEAN bloc's attention on the food harmonization standard issue particularly on nutritional labeling, which is deemed as key to industry growth.

Sunny Koh, AFBA chair for Singapore, said that the region's food industry, which employs more than four million people through 300,000 companies, of which 95 percent are SMES, plays a crucial role in the region's advancement.

Koh said that the success of ASEAN's efforts to stimulate the free flow of food products across the region, and more widely across the globe, is extremely important for the overall economic development of the region.

Standard harmonization therefore, through mutual recognition of country standards and greater use of international standards recognized by the World Trade Organization, including the Food Codex, ISO standards, and International Organization of Legal Metrology standards are paramount to the industry's growth.

With common food standards, cross-border integration and the region's full potential will be more quickly realized.

At present, food regulations are currently not aligned, and this rise of technical barriers to trade (TBT) adversely impact manufacturers, regulators, and consumers, Koh said in a statement.

The group also urged the promotion of "a risk-oriented, science-based approach" to standards development and approval processes.

It further cited the need for improved multi- stakeholder dialogue on regulatory developments that might impact business.

Launched in 2013, the AFBA aims to facilitate trade in and beyond ASEAN by supporting and accelerating ASEAN harmonization for the benefit of SMEs as well as regional consumers.

The Philippine Chamber of Food Manufacturers is a member of AFBA. (FREEMAN)