**Executive Summary**
This circular, issued by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) on March 2, 2023, addresses the type approval of "Emergency Food Ration" under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan. It clarifies the approval process, specifying the role of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and highlighting the importance of FSSAI and ISO standards. IRS is required to forward inspection reports to DG Shipping.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Approval Requirements for Emergency Food Ration:**
* The Directorate has noted instances of authorities issuing type approval certificates without the required Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) certificate, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and recommendation of Directorate General of Shipping.
* The Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) has been granted approval to conduct inspection and approval of "Emergency Food Ration" on behalf of the Maritime administration.
* **Conditions for Inspection and Approval:**
* The procedure for inspection and approval of emergency food rations for life-saving must be included in the quality manual.
* Applicable International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards must be followed for food items with a shelf life of 2.5 years or more.
* Testing laboratories must have NABL approval certificates in accordance with required ISO standards.
* International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) standards are to be used for approval and complied with by the IRS.
* Organizations, including joint ventures, must have FSSAI approval certificates. Joint venture approvals will be granted to the Joint Venture Company.
* Packaging material must meet FSSAI requirements.
* **Reporting Requirements:**
* IRS is required to forward inspection reports along with a copy of the approved certificate to DG Shipping for record-keeping and uploading to the e-governance system.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Companies Manufacturing Emergency Food Ration**
* **Impact**: Need to adhere to the new type approval requirements, ensure compliance with FSSAI and ISO standards, and potentially adjust manufacturing and packaging processes.
* **Action Required**: Review existing certifications, ensure FSSAI compliance for both organization and packaging, and prepare for inspections by IRS according to the specified conditions.
**Stakeholder: Indian Register of Shipping (IRS)**
* **Impact**: Granted approval to conduct inspection and approval of "Emergency Food Ration." Must adhere to specified conditions and standards during the inspection process.
* **Action Required**: Incorporate the emergency food ration inspection procedure into their quality manual, comply with IACS standards, conduct inspections, and forward inspection reports and approved certificates to DG Shipping.
**Stakeholder: Life Raft Service Stations**
* **Impact**: Must use “Emergency Food Rations” that meet the guidelines.
* **Action Required**: Ensure products from manufacturers meet the standards outlined in the document.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Shipping: The primary regulator responsible for issuing the circular and overseeing shipping-related activities.
Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI): The food safety authority whose certificate is a prerequisite for approval of 'Emergency Food Ration'.
Indian Register of Shipping (IRS): An organization granted approval to carry out inspection and approval of 'Emergency Food Ration'.
Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan: Government of India initiative under which companies are manufacturing the emergency food ration.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO): Organization setting standards for the approval of food items having a shelf life of 2.5 years or more.
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DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI
File No: 25-27012lr8/2022-NT - DGS Date: 02.03.2023
NT Wine Circular No. 09 of 2023
Sub,: Advisorv to all Companies to manufacture under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan
for Type Apnroval of "Emersencv Food Ration"- ree.
For the attention of all Life Raft Service Station, Indian Register of Shipping.
l.
The Directorate has observed that without approval of Food Safety and Standard Authority of
Indih (FSSAI) certificate, Intemational Organization for Standardization (ISO) and recommendation
of Directorate General of Shipping, some authority are issuing the type approval certificate for
emergency food ration for lifeboat.
2.
Therefore, IWs. Indian Register of Shipping (lRS) has been granted approval to carry out
inspection and approval of "Emergency Food Ration" on behalfofthe Maritime administration on the
following condition but not limited to;
i.
Procedure for inspection and approval of emergency food ration to be used for Life Saving
shall be part ofquality manual.
ii.
Intemational Organization for Standardization (ISO) as applicable shall be followed for the
approval offood item having shelflife of 2.5 years or more.
iii.
The testing laboratory where it required to be tested shall have NABL approval certificate in
accordance with required ISO standard.
iv. Intemational Association of Classification Societies (IACS) standard to be use for approval
and the same to be complied by the Indian Register ofShipping (IRS).
v. Applied organization or in case ofjoint venture one organization shall have Food Safety and
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) approval certificate for "Emergency Food ration,,.
However, in case ofjoint venture approval shall be given to Joint Venture Company.
vi. Packaging material which will be used for packing shall be in accordance with the FSSAI
requirement.
2.
IRS is required to forward the inspection report along with the copy ofthe approved certificate
ofthe organization to DG Shipping for our record and upJoading on the e-govemance system.
3. This is issued with the approval of Director General of Shipping & Additional Secretary to the
Gort. oflndia.
Y faithfully,
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Nautical Surveyor-cum-DDG (Tech)
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fr{/Tel No.: +91-22-2575 2o4onru3 *ftt/Fax.: +91,22-2575 202945 {*dvEmail: dgship{gs@nic.in Aq{f{zMebsito: wwudgshipping.gov.in