Northwest Horticultural Council
Export Manual
SWEDEN
Capital: StockholmPopulation: 10,041,000
Currency: Swedish krona
Official Language(s): Swedish
I. CHEMICAL MAXIMUM RESIDUE LEVELS (MRLs)
Please click on the above link for a list of chemical MRLs.
II. CHEMICALS AND ADDITIVE INFORMATION
A. Chemical residue standards:
As a member of the European Union (EU), Sweden applies MRL’s as established by the EU as well as setting its own standards for chemicals not registered by the EU.
Concern about the use of antibiotics on pears and apples has moved Sweden to initiate discussions with the EU regarding standards for such applications. The NHC will alert the industry when it obtains information on specific changes, if any, in regulatory policy.
B. Monitoring chemical residues:
Sweden has a very sophisticated food safety program and rigorously monitors chemical residues.
C. Restrictions on use of waxes:
The EU permits the use of white beeswax, yellow beeswax, candelilla wax, carnauba wax and shellac wax 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 Sweden, only two private organizations are recognized by the National Food Administration to inspect and certify food as organic. Of the two, KRAV is by far the predominant. Marketing organics in Sweden without the KRAV label is difficult. KRAV approves foreign companies that produce or package according to its rules and standards.
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), Sweden imposes the EU’s tariff schedule and entry prices system and 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 the EU chapter.
B. Licenses and quotas:
European Union (EU) import license requirement applies. Please refer to the EU chapter for additional information.
C. Currency Issues:
None
D. Pest and plant disease restrictions:
Please refer to the 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. MARKETING REPRESENTATIVES FOR PACIFIC NORTHWEST TREE FRUIT INDUSTRY:
Pear Bureau Northwest:
Andrew Brown
Guildford
Surrey, ENGLAND
Voice: 011-44-1-483-416136
Fax: 011-44-1-483-426662
E-mail: andrew@andrewbrownassociates.com
VII. OTHER RESOURCE LINKS:
Governmental:
- The World Factbook (Central Intelligence Agency)
- Sweden (U.S. Commercial Service/Department of Commerce)
- U.S. Embassy
VIII. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Duty-free imports from fellow EU member countries, the EU’s trade barriers against third countries (i.e. entry price system) and short shipping distances from EU countries to Sweden are expected to adversely affect U.S. imports.