General Standards
The National Standards Commission (COGUANOR) was created in Guatemala in 1962 under the direction of the Ministry of Economy. The National Standards Commission is responsible for developing standards to encourage the development of agricultural, commercial and industrial activities. COGUANOR was also established to create a favorable environment for fair competition and equitable relations between producers and consumers.
COGUANOR is the main organization, which establishes the trade regulations which have to be respected by every importer or exporter. The organization has the following responsibilities:
- production of Guatemala standards;
- certification of compliance with standards and normative references;
- publication and dissemination of standards and related products and information;
- training on standards and implementation techniques,
- representation of Guatemala in international and regional standardization organizations.
COGUANOR is empowered to direct and coordinate national policy regarding the setting of standards. Through the Ministry of Economy, it proposes the modification of current standards and the adoption of new standards to the government’s executive branch, and oversees the application of adopted standards. Its technical committees are responsible for reviewing standards when necessary.
The Commission oversees two forms of national standards:
1. NGR – Recommended Guatemalan Standards
2. NGO – Required Guatemalan Standards
REQUIRED CERTIFICATES
Any commercially-sold food products imported into Guatemala must present a phyto-sanitary and/or zoo-sanitary certificate, certificate of origin, commercial invoice, free sale certificate and bill of lading to receive an import license. Effective July 2006, in accordance with Article 3.10.2 of CAFTA-DR, the Guatemalan authorities at the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture no longer require that commercial invoices, bills of lading, certificates of free sale, sanitary and microbiological certificates and product- specific laboratory testing for pathogens of products exported to Guatemala be authenticated at the Guatemalan Embassy.
All documents can be written in English. In addition, all packaged food products require product registration from the Division of Registration and Control of Medicines and Foods and must obtain a sanitary import certificate from the Ministry of Health.
Guatemalan norms regarding food additives are based on the Codex Alimentarius’ food additives list. Any additives for placement on this list must be approved by COGUANOR’s executive advisory committee. The approval process can take six months or longer.
ACCREDITATION
The Guatemalan Accreditation Body (OGA) was established in May 2002 by Government Decree 145-2002 as a technical unit of the Quality Systems Directorate within the Ministry of Economy. OGA oversees accreditation throughout the nation and grants formal approval to Guatemala’s various other conformity assessment bodies, including:
- Testing and Calibration Laboratories (ISO/IEC 17025 Standard);
- Quality Management Systems (ISO/IEC Guide 61);
- Environmental Management Systems (ISO/IEC Guide 66);
- Products (ISO/IEC Guide 65);
- Inspection Bodies (ISO/IEC 17020 Standard).
TARIFFS
As a member of the Central American Common Market, Guatemala applies a harmonized external tariff on most items at a maximum of 15 percent with some exceptions.
Under the CAFTA-DR, however, 100 percent of international industrial trade will enter Guatemala duty free by 2017. Nearly all textile and apparel goods that meet the Agreement's rules of origin now enter Guatemala duty free and quota free, promoting new opportunities for international and regional fiber, yarn, fabric, and apparel manufacturing companies.
Under the CAFTA-DR, more than half of the international agricultural exports now enter Guatemala duty free. Guatemala will eliminate its remaining tariffs on nearly all agricultural products by 2020 (2023 for rice and chicken leg quarters and 2025 for dairy products). For certain products, tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) permit some duty-free access for specified quantities during the tariff phase out period, with the duty-free amount expanding during that period. Guatemala will liberalize trade in white corn through expansion of a TRQ, rather than by tariff reductions.
PROPERTY RIGHTS PROTECTION
Guatemala protects the country's market and keeps it away from fifferent fake products. In such a way, the country established a law which is focussed on the rights' protection. Every importer/exporter has to prepare a document which demonstrate that the products are legally imported/exported as a unique brand. This certificate is going to protect the seller/buyer from fraud.
LABELING STANDARDS
Guatemalan law requires that food products sold in the domestic market be tested, registered and labeled in Spanish. While labeling standards for domestic food products are very strict, importers negotiated with COGUANOR and reached an agreement for the use of stick-on labels. Products sold in bulk are exempt from the labeling requirements unless they are to be sold at the retail level. Enforcement of product registration and labeling requirements has been inconsistent but is improving www.mspas.gob
The label on the product has to contain the following information:
- Product definition/description;
- Name of the product (This should be the official name as noted on the U.S. Certificate of free sale);
- Physical characteristics, including ingredients (This has to be a qualitative composition, which is indicated on the back of the registration form. If this information is in English, it must be fully and correctly translated) ;
- Net weight/volume;
- List of ingredients (including allergens) and additives and the percentage of total for each;
- Name, address and telephone number of Guatemalan distributor;
- Food Control registration number (D.G.S.S.-D.R.C.A.-Sanitary license obtained at a Center of Sanitation). The original license has to be presented. Approximate cost for each product: Q1,650 (USD206).
CONTACTS
COGUANOR – Standards Commission
Licenciado, Hector Herrera, Secretario Ejecutivo
DIACO – Consumer Assistance Center
Licenciada, Silvia Escobar Santos, Directora
