(Unofficial Translation)

The Ministry of Commerce Notification

Subject: Rules and Methodologies of Commodities

and Thai Hom Mali Rice Standards Inspection

B.E. 2545 (2002)

            By the virtue of Section 4(5) and Section 17 of the Export Commodity Standards Act B.E. 2503 (1960) as amended by Export Commodity Standards Act (No.2) B.E.2522 (1979), the Act contains certain provisions pertaining to the limitations of rights and individual liberty; in this case, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand Sections 29, in conjunction with Sections 35, 48, and 50 allows for by the power of law, the Minister of Commerce, with the recommendation of the Committee of Commodity Standards, hereby announces as follows:

Article 1. Exporters of Thai Hom Mali Rice shall conduct the commodity standard inspection in accordance to the following rules and methodologies:

(1) The arrangement for inspections shall be carried out between 08:00 to 22:30 hours.  Any arrangements for inspections outside these hours may be carried out in receipt of an authorization letter issued by the Office of Commodity Standards or its branch offices.

   In case where there is an urgent need to deliver commodities promp tly and the authorization letter cannot be obtained from the Office of Commodity Standards or its branch offices as said in the above paragraph, the inspection arranger may arrange for an inspection outside the specified hours given.  However, the inspection arranger must send a  letter explaining the reasons and rationale to the Office of Commodity Standards within 5 days after the inspection date.

(2) The place of inspection must be within the locales or areas that the Office of Commodity Standard has authorized to be the permitted locales or areas for commodity standard inspection.

(3) The place of inspection must have sufficient lighting to carry out the commodity standard inspection.

(4) The inspection arranger must specify or mark clearly the commodities or silos containing commodities for inspection.  In addition, the inspection arranger must ensure that the commodities intended for exports that are to be inspected are labeled as such.  This is to be carried out in accordance with rules and methodologies set by the Minister.

Article 2. The commodity standard inspector shall conduct the Hom Mali Rice standard inspection procedures in two stages, that is, the pre-shipment (pre-loading) inspection, and the loading inspection to be carried out in accordance with the following rules and methodologies:

2.1 Pre-shipment inspection

2.1.1         The commodity standard inspector shall conduct a pre-shipment inspection by one of the following methods:

(1)     Where the commodity is packed in sacks and stacked, the inspector shall take samples of no less than 5 per cent of total sacks.

(2)     Where it is not possible to take samples as in (1) due to the fact that the material used for packing is made of synthetic fibers or plastic or other material which the buyer has agreed with the exporter, the inspector shall take samples of no less than 0.5 per cent of total sacks or packages by opening the sacks or the packages.

(3)     Where the commodities are stored in silos, the inspector shall take samples of no less than 2 per cent of total commodities stored in silos by bringing it out and taking samples for each metric ton.

(4)     Where the commodities are being transported for storage in warehouses, storage facility, or silos, the inspector shall take samples from every truck or every unit of quantity that is approximately equal to 1 truckload.

(5)     Where the commodities are being transported for packing into Jumbo Bags, the inspector shall periodically take samples of no less than 5 per cent of the total packages.

2.1.2         Where the inspection arranger requests for a pre-shipment inspection in the same manner as shipment inspection during supervised packing, the commodity standard inspector shall follow the following rules and methodologies:

(1)      Before conducting the shipment inspection during supervised packing, the inspector shall follow the procedures stated in 2.2.2

(2)      Take adequate amount of samples for issuing the commodity standard certificate and at the same time examining the  packages of the commodity.

(3)     While carrying out the shipment inspection during supervised packing, at every 200 metric ton the inspector shall check the humidity, purity degree of Thai Hom Mali Rice, kernel size, composition of rice and possible contamination.  In addition, a preliminary examination in accordance with the instruction recommended in Appendix D shall be carried out.

(4)     Check the total weight of the commodity as requested for a commodity standard certificate.  However, where the packing is carried out by automatic scales, the inspector shall weigh samples of no less than 1 per cent of sacks or packages that are to be issued a commodity standard certificate.

2.1.3         Mix the samples taken from 2.1.1 or 2.1.2 to make one sample.  Divide it into 6 portions with each portion weighing no less than 0.5 kg.  Pack each portion of sample in a bag or a container that preserves the samples.  Label the stacks or silos, which have been taken samples from, with date, month, year and the quantity.   The commodity standard inspector and representatives of the arranger shall sign on the seal of the sacks or packages. After a stamp is placed on the seal, the two parties concerned will sign again on the seal of the sacks or packages.   The samples shall then be delivered to the authority concerned as stated in the ministerial rules.  The outcome of the inspection will be used as reference when issuing the commodity standard certificate required by the customs officials.

Where the Office of Commodity Standards is the inspector, only 4 portions of samples are required.  One portion is to be given to the exporter and the remaining is to be kept at the Office of Commodity Standard.

2.1.4         Stamp, seal or attach labels, stickers or tags showing the day, month, year and the quantity of the sampled piles of commodities or silos.  For verification purposes, mark the sampled piles of commodities or silos in the way that they cannot be added, exchanged or changed.

2.2         Loading Inspection

2.2.1         To qualify for a shipment inspection, the commodities must have a positive result from the pre-shipment inspection to ensure that they meet the standards set by the Ministry.  However, where the purchase was made on the basis of samples or conditions of sales  the standard of inspected commodities must not be poorer than that of the specimen or the condition which the buyer has agreed upon.

2.2.2         Before carrying out the shipment inspection, the inspector shall take adequate amount of commodity samples from sacks or packages or silos to check the humidity, purity degree of Thai Hom Mali Rice, kernel size, composition of rice and contamination, milling degree as well as live insects. In addition, he/she must carry out a preliminary examination in accordance with the instruction recommended in Appendix D.

Where some or all parts of the quality do not meet the standards or that of the specimen or condition which the buyer has agreed upon, the commodity standard inspector shall notify the inspection arranger to improve the commodity quality. The inspector shall proceed the shipment inspection only when the standard has been met.

2.2.3         The inspector shall take commodity samples for physical quality examination by one of the following ways:

(1)     Where the commodities are packed in sacks, the inspector shall draw samples from every sack.

(2)     Where it is not possible to take samples as in (1) due to the fact that the material used for packing is made of synthetic fibers or plastic or other material of which the buyer has agreed with the exporter, the inspector shall periodically take samples from entire sacks or packages at no less than 0.5 per cent of total number of sacks or packages, for each request form.  The commodity standard inspection shall be conducted by opening the sacks or the packages.

(3)     Where the commodities, stored in silos or Jumbo bags, are being transported for packing into sacks or packages, the inspector shall periodically take samples while being transported, at no less than 5 per cent of total number of sacks or packages.  However, where the commodities has not yet been packed, the inspector shall take samples of no less than 0.5 kg from every truck or interval while being transported in the quantity approximated to 1 truck.

2.2.4         While carrying out the shipment inspection, at every 200 metric ton the inspector shall check the humidity, purity degree of Thai Hom Mali Rice, kernel size, composition of rice and contamination. In addition, he/she must carried out a preliminary examination in accordance with the instruction recommended in Appendix D.

2.2.5         Where the inspected commodities are to be exported in sacks or packages, the commodity standard inspector shall examine the sacks or packages to ensure that they are as inquired in the commodity standard certificate request form.

2.2.6         For supervised packing as provided for in Article 2.1.2, there is no need to inspect and draw specimen again. However, if the commodity in that lot had been left for more than 15 days from the day of the initial stamp being applied, the inspection steps provided in 2.2 shall be performed.

2.2.7         The inspector shall preserve the specimen as drawn during the 2.2.3 stage in the manner that can prevent addition, substitution, or transformation of that specimen.

2.2.8         Weight Inspection

In the case where the commodity is packed in sacks or other

packages, if each is weighted, then at least one per cent of the total number of sacks or packages applying for a certificate shall be weighted. If weighted together on the bed of the delivery truck, then the entire amount of commodity applying for a certificate shall be weighted.

            In the case where the commodity is not packed in sacks, the entire amount of commodity applying for a certificate shall be weighted.

            2.2.9 Once the inspection is carried out for each of the request, a sample is made from the specimen as per 2.2.3 and in accordance with the rules and methodologies before deliveries to the person as per 2.1.3.

            In case the exporter of the commodity requests for certification of the inspection result or analysis separated into each steps of the inspection for those commodity as requested without having to wait for the entire inspection process to be completed, then one sample per each commodity whose inspection had been carried out shall be provided.  The issuance of certificates testifying to the standard inspection or sample analysis shall be based on the average result of all analyses made in reference to that request.

            2.2.10 In the case where the commodity has to be moved for loading at a port locating far from the assigned place of inspection, a seal shall be applied on the commodity transported in the vehicle in a manner that can prevent addition, substitution, or transformation of the commodity until the time of loading.

            2.2.11Where the inspection hours has ended for the day and the inspection arrangements have not been completed, or where the inspection has been completed but there are some remaining commodity specimen from the pre-shipment inspection stage and the inspection arranger has requested for another shipment inspection hereafter, the inspector shall stamp the remaining piles of commodity or remaining silos as to prevent addition, substitution, or transformation of the commodity.

Article 3. In the case where the arranger cannot provide for the pre-shipment inspection, the arranger may arrange for the shipment inspection only and the provisions in 2.2.1 can be exempted.  In this case, the analysis result produced as per 2.2.9 shall be the basis of issuance of certificate that must be provided to the customs officer.

Article 4. Amylose measurement test, determination of humidity, testing methodology to establish the amount of other non-glutinous rice other than Mixed Thai Hom Mali Rice, and the basic method of inspection are to be the rules and methodologies as stated in Appendices A, B, C, and D as attached to this Notification.

Article 5.  This Notification shall take effect fifteen days after the date of its publication in the Government Gazette.

  Notified on 15 February B.E. 2545 (2002)

(sign)

(Mr. Adisai Bodharamik)

Minister of Commerce

Certified Copy

(sign)

(Mr. Supawat Roongsakorn)

Commodity Standard Officer 6

(Published in the Government Gazette, “General Notification”  Volume 119, Special Section 21 D, dated 7 March B.E.2545 (2002))

Notes: This notification takes effect from 22 March B.E. 2545 (2002) onwards.

certified correct translation

Unofficial translation by the Office of Commodity Standards in closely          

Co-operation with the English Working Group of DFT.

 _________________________

Appendix A

Amylose Measurement Test

1.   Apparatus

1.1 Spectrophotometer

1.2 Scales, calibrated to 0.0001 gram

1.3 Magnetic stirrer

1.4 Rice Pulverizer, calibrated to 80-100 mesh

1.5 Volumetric flask, with the capacity of 100 ml

1.6 Volumetric pipette, with the capacity of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 ml

1.7 Measuring pipette, with the capacity of 1-10 ml

2.  Reagents

2.1 Ethyl alcohol: C₂H₅OH 95%

2.2 Sodium hydroxide: NaOH

2.3 Glacial acetic acid: CH₃COOH

2.4 Iodine: I₂

2.5 Potassium iodide: KI

2.6 Potato amylose with 95% purity

3. Preparation method of the solutions

3.1 Sodium hydroxide concentration 2 N solution: dissolve 80.0 g of sodium hydroxide (as in 2.2) in approximately 800 ml of distilled water in a 1000 ml volumetric flask.  Leave to cool then add more distilled water to 1000 ml.

3.2 Glacial acetic acid concentration 1 N solution: dissolve 60 ml of glacial acetic acid (as in 2.3) in approximately 800 ml of distilled water in a 1000 ml volumetric flask, then add more distilled water to 1000 ml.

3.3 Iodine solution: Add 0.2000 g of iodine to 2.000 of potassium iodide then dissolve in approximately 80 ml of distilled water using a 100 ml tinted volumetric flask.  Leave the solution overnight or wait until the iodine is completely dissolved.  Add more distilled water to 100 ml.

4.  Analytical method

4.1  Prepare 0.1000 g of rice powder from the sample of rice kernels, using the pulverizer (as in 1.4).  Place the powder in a 100ml volumetric flask (as in 1.5) that is completely dry.

4.2  Add 1 ml of the 95% ethyl alcohol.  Shake gently.

4.3  Add 9 ml of the sodium hydroxide solution.

4.4  Stir the solution for 10 minutes using the magnetic stirrer until the solution become starchy liquid.  Add more distilled water to 100 ml.

4.5  Using a new 100 ml volumetric flask, add approximately 70 ml of distilled water, 2 ml of glacial acetic acid solution, and 2 ml of the iodine solution together.

4.6  Put 5 ml of the starchy liquid (as in 4.4) into the prepared flask (as in 4.5).  Add more distilled water to 100 ml and leave for 10 minutes

4.7  Measure the color intensity of the solution in 4.6 using the spectrophotometer by setting it to blank first to make it reads the absorbance rate of zero, then set the absorbance at the wavelength of 620 nanometer.

4.8  Make it blank by adding 2 ml of glacial acetic acid and 2 ml of iodine.  Add more distilled water to 100 ml.

4.9  Find the amylose percentage by comparing the obtained absorbance figure with the standardized graph in 5.

4.10 Adjust the amylose percentage of the tested rice starch to the humidity rate of 14 per cent by using the following equation:

Amylose percentage of the rice starch at 14% humidity  =    A x 86

 100 – M

given that A  = amylose percentage of the rice starch

  M = humidity percentage of the rice starch

5.  Standardized graph

5.1 Weigh 0.0400 g of amylose and put into a 100 ml volumetric flask (as in 1.5) that is completely dry, then follow step 4.2-4.4 to make the standardized solution.

5.2 Prepare five 100 ml volumetric flasks by filling each one with 70 ml of distilled water.  Add 0.4 ml of glacial acetic acid solution into the first flask, 0.8 ml into the second, 1.2 ml into the third, 1.6 ml into the fourth and 2.0 ml into the fifth.  Add 2 ml of iodine solution into each flask.

5.3 Put 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 ml of the standardized solution (as in 5.1), which are the equivalents of 8, 16, 24, 32 and 40 per cent of amylose respectively, into the prepared flasks (as in 5.2).  Add more distilled water to 100 ml and measure the absorbance rate at 620 nanometer after adjusting the spectrophotometer to blank first (as in 4.7) in order to make it reads the absorbance rate of zero

5.4 Draw the standardized graph using the data obtained from the absorbance rates and the amylose percentages of the standardized solution.

5.5 Use the standardized graph from 5.4 to convert the absorbance rate into amylose percentage.

________________________________

Appendix B

Determination of Humidity

1.      Apparatus

1.1  oven

1.2  analytic balance, accurate to 0.0001 gr.

1.3  desiccator

1.4  80-100 mesh grinder

1.5  aluminum cup with lid

2.      Procedure

2.1  Pulverize White rice grain using grinder (1.4)

2.2  Place the lid under the aluminum cup and place in the oven (1.1) preheated to 130 degree Celcius.  Heat for 1 hour and transfer it into desiccater.  Cool to room temperature.  Record as A sample, the initial sample weight.  Each sample must be run in duplicate, at minimum.

2.3  Weight out approximately 1.000 gr. Of pulverized sample and transfer to aluminum cup.  Record as B sample, the initial sample weight.  Each sample must be run in duplicate, at minimum.

2.4  Place aluminum cup with pulverized sample (2.3), leaving the lid open, in the oven (1.1) preheated to 130 degree Celsius. Heating for 1 hour then transfer it into desiccator.  Cool to room temperature.  Record as C sample the initial sample weight.  Each sample must be run in duplicate, at minimum.

2.5  Calculate the amount of humidity

% humidity = (B-C/B-A) 100               ;

A= weight of aluminum cup with lid

B= weight of aluminum cup with lid and pulverized sample before placing in the oven

C=weight of aluminum cup with lid and pulverized sample after placing in the oven

_____________________________

Appendix C

Testing methodology to establish the amount of other non-glutinous rice

other than mixed Thai Hom Mali Rice

To find the disintegration level of rice kernels in alkaline solution:

1. Apparatus

1.1 Scales, calibrated to 0.0001 g

1.2 oven

1.3 Volumetric flask with the capacity of 1000 ml

1.4 Petri dish with the diameter of 14.5 cm

1.5 Glass beaker with the size of 1-2 liter

1.6 Desiccator

2. Reagents

2.1 Potassium Hydroxide: KOH 87%

2.2 Potassium hydrogen phthalate: C₈H₅KO₄

2.3 Phenolphtalein: C₂₀H₁₄O₄

3.  Preparation method of potassium hydroxide solution at 1.7% ± 0.05% concentration

3.1 Potassium hydroxide solution can be prepared in two ways:

3.1.1 To prepare working solution directly:   weigh 19.54 g of potassium hydroxide and dissolve in distilled water that has been boiled and left to cool in lid container.  Add distilled water to measure 1000 ml.

3.1.2 To prepare working solution from stock solution:

a) Weigh 588.2 g of potassium hydroxide and dissolve in distilled water that has been boiled and left to cool in lid container.  Add distilled water to measure 1000 ml.  Reserve the stock solution for dilution.

b) Dilute 33 ml of the stock solution in a) with 1000 ml of distilled water to make the working solution.

3.2 To determine concentration of working solution

3.2.1 Place potassium hydrogen phthalate in the oven preheated at 130 °c.  Heat for 1 hour and then keep it in the desiccator.  Leave the solution to cool to room temperature.

3.2.2 Weigh approximately 0.5000 g. of potassium hydrogen phthalate (3.2.1).  Record the real weight.

3.2.3 Dissolve potassium hydrogen phthalate (3.2.2) in 50 ml of distilled water.  Add a few drops of 1% phenolphtalein indicator.  Titrate with working solution until the color of the solution change from clear to pink.  Record the volume of  the spent working solution in ml.

3.2.4 Prepare blank:  Blank is prepared in the same manner as 3.2.3 without using potassium hydrogen phthalate.

3.2.5 Calculate the concentration of working solution:

                        % potassium hydroxide     =       P    x  56.109   x   100