I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLs)

The NHC is not tracking MRLs for this market.  Please work with importers to verify appropriate requirements.

II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION

A. Chemical residue standards:

As a member of the European Union (EU), Austria applies Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) as established by the EU as well as setting its own standards for chemicals not registered by the EU.

B. Monitoring chemical residues:

Austria actively monitors chemical residues on imported fruit.

C. Restrictions on use of waxes:

The European Union (EU) permits the use of white beeswax, yellow beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax and shellac on apples and pears (EC Directive 95/2/EC).

Morpholine is not allowed to be present as an additive to waxes or other food coatings.  There is active enforcement of this prohibition.

III. ORGANIC FRUIT REGULATIONS

All producers and importers must comply with European Commission regulations regarding the production, labeling, certification, and control of organic foods.

In Austria, importers must apply for an import license to import organic food products.  The importer must also present the certificate of the U.S. monitoring organization that certifies that the product is “organic.”

Labeling must be in German and the following statements are permitted.

“From Organic Agriculture”
“From Organic – Biological Agriculture”
“From Biological – Dynamic Agriculture”
“From Ecological Agriculture”

Please refer to the Organic Fruit Regulations section of the European Union page of this manual for more information.

IV. TARIFFS

As a member of the European Union (EU), Austria applies the EU’s tariff schedule and entry price system on apple, pear and cherry imports. Please refer to the EU chapter for additional information.

V. NON-TARIFF BARRIERS

A. Labeling requirements:

European Union (EU) labeling requirements apply. Please refer to labeling requirements in EU chapter.

B. Licenses and quotas:

EU licensing/quota regulations, if any, apply.  Please refer to EU chapter for additional information.

C. Currency Issues:

None

D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:

Please refer to EU chapter for specific restrictions which apply to all EU member countries.

E. Other trade restrictions:

Please refer to the EU chapter for information on solid wood packing material regulations.

VI. OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:

Governmental:

• The World Factbook (Central Intelligence Agency)
• Austria (U.S. Commercial Service/Department of Commerce)
• U.S. Embassy
  • Foreign Agricultural Service/Vienna

VII. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Special thanks to
FAS Field Office – Austria