The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) administers the Sale of Food Act and the Singapore Food Regulations to ensure that food for sale in Singapore are safe for consumption. The SFA takes reference from the international food standards setting body, the Codex Alimentarius Commission. More information can be found at the website of the Singapore Food Agency
The Singapore’s Ministry of Health has published the Nutri-Grade system that will rate pre-packaged, non-alcoholic beverages as “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” based on levels of sugar and saturated fat. The labels are mandatory for beverages in categories “C” and “D”, and advertising will be prohibited for category “D” beverages. This grading system was introduced in December 2022.
There are two levels of labeling requirements for medicinal products. Administrative labeling requirements are not statutory requirements and are specified in the Health Sciences Authority’s Guidance Documents for Therapeutic Products in Singapore. Compliance is checked during the product registration process, prior to granting of marketing approval. For legal labeling requirements, these are stipulated in the legislation related to therapeutic products regulation in Singapore and are subject to the Health Sciences Authority’s surveillance program. The labeling requirements include the name of the active ingredient, quantitative, product license number and name and address of the dealer. More information may be found in Chapter 176 Section 44 of the Medicines Act.
Health supplements are currently not subject to approvals or licensing by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) for their importation, manufacture, and sale. HSA prohibits the addition of medicinal ingredients such as steroids and also sets strict limits on toxic heavy metals in health supplements. All importers are obligated to ensure that their products are safe and must comply with the health supplements labelling guidelines.
As the national safety authority for 33 categories of Controlled Goods as well as the Weights and Measures Authority, Enterprise Singapore administers two marks, namely, the SAFETY Mark and the ACCURACY Label.
The “SAFETY Mark” is intended for selected electrical and electronic products as well as gas appliances which are sold to consumers for use in Singapore households. The “SAFETY Mark” helps consumers to identify registered Controlled Goods. All registered Controlled Goods must be tested to specific international and national safety standards and certified safe by designated product certification bodies. The products are individually marked with the “SAFETY Mark” either on the product or the packaging. The “SAFETY Mark” is unique and traceable to the registrant and the registered models. More information on the registration for the SAFETY Mark can be obtained from Enterprise Singapore.
The Consumer Protection (Consumer Goods Safety Requirements) Regulations (CGSR) aim is to enhance the safety of general consumer goods in the household. Such consumer goods include toys, children’s products, apparel, and furniture. These regulations bring the safety of Singapore’s consumer goods in line with internationally accepted standards. There is no approval needed from the Safety Authority. The authority carries out regular market surveillance to protect consumers against unsafe consumer goods.
The “ACCURACY Label” covers weighing and measuring instruments intended for trade use. In Singapore, all weighing and measuring instruments used for trade purposes (like price computing scales in supermarkets, baggage weighing machines at airports and seaports as well as fuel dispensers at petrol stations) are regulated under the Singapore Weights and Measures Act and Regulations. Before an ACCURACY Label can be affixed on the instrument, it will first need to be pattern registered with Enterprise Singapore. Thereafter, every individual weighing or measuring instrument will need to be verified fit for trade use and affixed with a tamper-proof seal and the ACCURACY Label by Enterprise Singapore-appointed Authorized Verifiers (AVs).
Competent private sector bodies such as manufacturers, installers, suppliers and repairers of weighing and measuring instruments may apply to be designated by Enterprise Singapore to handle the verification of weighing and measuring instruments for trade use. More information on the ACCURACY Label can be obtained from Enterprise Singapore.
Telecommunication equipment imported for use in Singapore is subject to “Type Approval” by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore.
For the construction industry, the Building and Construction Authority uses the Construction Quality Assessment System (CONQUAS) to objectively rate building works.