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Foreword
In 2017, a comparative assessment was done between the ASEAN standards for
Onion (ASEAN Stan 23:2011) and Shallots (ASEAN 14:2009) and the Philippine
National Standard (PNS) for Common Onion and Shallot — Specifications
(PNS/BAFPS 14:2004). Based on the results of the assessment, the national
experts agreed to revise the PNS considering the recommended specifications
indicated in the ASEAN standards and have a separate PNS for onions and
shallots. Therefore, the revision of the PNS aimed to harmonize quality and trade
requirements for shallots with the existing ASEAN standard for Shallots (ASEAN
14:2009). Furthermore, the proposed revision aimed to harmonize the PNS with the
proposed draft Codex standard for Onions and Shallots which is expected to be
approved by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) by end of 2022.
The Technical Working Group (TWG), composed of representatives from the
relevant government agencies, academe/research institutions, and Civil Society
Organizations (CSO), was created to revise the PNS through the following Special
Orders (SO):
a) SO No. 1092, series of 2018 (Creation of Technical Committees and its
TWGs for the Development of PNS for Agriculture and Fisheries Products,
Machinery, Tools, and Equipment);
b) SO No. 322, series of 2019 (Addendum to Special Order No. 1092 for the
Creation of Technical Committees and its TWGs for the Development of PNS
for Agriculture and Fisheries Products, Machinery, Tools, and Equipment);
c) SO No. 442, series of 2020 (Creation of Technical Committees and its TWGs
for the Development of PNS for Agriculture and Fisheries Products,
Machinery, and Structures);
d) SO No. 81, series of 2021 (Creation of TWG for the Development of PNS for
Agriculture and Fishery Products and Machinery, Tools, and Equipment); and
e) SO No. 103, series of 2022 (Creation of TWG for the Development of PNS
for Agriculture and Fishery Products, Machineries, and Infrastructures).
The draft PNS underwent a series of TWG meetings and stakeholder consultations
from 2018 to 2022 conducted physically and via online platforms before its
endorsement to the DA Secretary for approval.
This Standard includes the following significant changes compared to its previous
version:
a) Inclusion of commercial varieties of shallots covered in the scope;
b) Deletion of terms that have not been used in the standard;
c) Adoption of minimum requirements from the ASEAN standard for Shallots
(ASEAN Stan 14:2009) and proposed draft Codex standard for Onions and
Shallots;
d) Inclusion of size classification of shallots; and
e) Adoption of provisions for grading, tolerances, presentation, marking and
labeling, food additives, contaminants, hygiene, and methods of analysis
from the proposed draft Codex standard for Onions and Shallots.
