Egypt has updated its shelf life determination standards for food products through a series of regulatory actions including draft notifications and partial amendments.
Egypt Updates Rules for Food Shelf Life
New standards require specific methods to determine product expiration dates.
What changed
New draft standard ES 2613-2 defines methods for shelf life determination.
Partial amendment issued updating procedures for shelf life determination.
Stricter labeling rules enforced for all food products to meet safety standards.
Who it affects
Importers of food products under HS code 190240 must follow the new shelf life determination methods.
Food manufacturers need to update processes to comply with ES 2613-2.
What to do
Review the draft standard ES 2613-2 for new shelf life determination methods.
Implement the updated procedures from the partial amendment.
Ensure product labels and quality control align with the new framework.
Compliance Analysis: Egypt’s Updated Shelf Life Determination Standards for Food Products
Direct Answer
Egypt is revising its Egyptian Standard ES 2613-2 "Shelf Life for Food Products – Part 2: Shelf Life" through a draft notification circulated on 25 June 2026. This draft supersedes the 2008 version (ES 2613-2/2008) and incorporates partial amendments. The standard applies to all food products (ICS 67.040) and introduces updated methodologies for shelf life determination based on national studies. The comment period for the draft closes on 28 August 2026, and adoption/enforcement dates remain undetermined1, 2.
Regulation Analysis
1. Legal Framework and Scope
- Standard Title: Egyptian Standard ES 2613-2 "Shelf Life for Food Products – Part 2: Shelf Life"1, 2.
- Scope: Applies to all food products (ICS 67.040)2.
- Supersession: Replaces ES 2613-2/2008 and integrates partial amendments from prior ministerial decrees1, 2.
- Basis: Formulated according to national studies and updates1, 2.
2. Key Requirements
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline/Threshold | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| ES 2613-2 (Draft 2026) | Mandates updated shelf life determination methodologies for food products1, 2. | Comment period: 28 Aug 2026 | Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality (EOS)2 |
| Ministerial Decrees | Prior decrees (e.g., No. 447/2024, No. 361/2024) enforced earlier versions1, 2. | Not specified | Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation1 |
3. Compliance Process
- Notification: Draft circulated on 25 June 2026 with a 60-day comment period ending 28 August 20261, 2.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Comments submitted to:
- Adoption: Dates for adoption/publication/entry into force not yet determined1, 2.
- Publication: Amendments disseminated via administrative orders in the Official Gazette1, 2.
4. Historical Context
- Prior Decrees: The draft consolidates amendments from:
- Purpose: Aligns shelf life standards with national research and international best practices1, 2.
Summary Answer
Egypt’s draft Egyptian Standard ES 2613-2 (2026) updates shelf life determination requirements for all food products, replacing the 2008 version and incorporating amendments from prior ministerial decrees (e.g., No. 447/2024). The draft was notified on 25 June 2026, with a 60-day comment period ending 28 August 20261, 2. Stakeholders must submit feedback to the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality (EOS) or the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation1, 2. Adoption and enforcement dates are pending, but compliance will be mandatory upon publication in the Official Gazette1. For historical context, the draft builds on eight prior decrees notified under SPS/TBT frameworks1, 2.
Sources
- ↩ The draft of the Egyptian Standard ES 2613-2 "shelf life for food products part: 2 – shelf life” https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NEGY92A12.docx
- ↩ Draft of The Egyptian Standard ES 2613-2 “shelf life for food products part: 2 – shelf life” https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN19/EGY212A11.docx