Pakistan: Pakistan Halal Labeling Requirements Implemented July 2019

On July 1, 2019, Pakistan implemented onerous new requirements (see SRO 659 below) for all consumer food and beverage products, the third such “special regulatory order” on the issue. The government argues the new standards will improve food safety and consumer education, but the new regulation is reportedly intended to curtail imports, address Pakistan’s balance of payments issue and stimulate domestic processing. Pakistan did not notify the WTO’s TBT Committee of the proposed regulations. In-bound food consignments have slowed, affecting approximately $200 million in U.S. trade. In response, the USG raised the issue at a bilateral meeting in May, USDA and Department of Commerce wrote letters to Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce, FAS leadership raised it with Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S., then USDA met with Pakistani officials at the WTO TBT Committee in Geneva (June 21, 2019). Neither the U.S. nor other trading partner efforts succeeded in changing Pakistan’s course and imported food volumes will decline for the near future.

Pakistan: Pakistan Halal Labeling Requirements Implemented July 2019