{"id":2575,"date":"2026-10-13T16:41:30","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T16:41:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hscodematch.com\/news\/egypt-gives-salted-fish-producers-and-importers-six-months-to-meet\/"},"modified":"2026-10-13T16:41:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T16:41:31","slug":"egypt-gives-salted-fish-producers-and-importers-six-months-to-meet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hscodematch.com\/news\/egypt-gives-salted-fish-producers-and-importers-six-months-to-meet\/","title":{"rendered":"Egypt Gives Salted Fish Producers and Importers Six Months to Meet Standard"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Egypt has implemented comprehensive regulations to ensure food safety, quality, and hygiene for salted fish<\/strong> products through standardized production, labeling, and handling practices<\/p>\n

Egypt has adopted a decree giving salted fish producers and importers six months to meet a revised national standard, ES 1725.<\/p>\n

The measure is Ministerial Decree No. 209\/2026, adopted on 21 Sept. 20261<\/a><\/sup>. Egypt told the World Trade Organization (WTO) about it in notice G\/SPS\/N\/EGY\/76\/Add.2, dated 7 Oct. 20261<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n

In short, salted fish sold in Egypt must meet a new version of the Egyptian standard. Local makers and foreign suppliers have a six-month window to adjust their products before the new rules apply in full.<\/p>\n

What does Decree 209\/2026 change for salted fish?<\/h2>\n

The decree makes a revised version of Egyptian Standard ES 1725, titled "Salted fish", compulsory1<\/a><\/sup>. An Egyptian standard sets the quality and safety rules that a product must meet to be sold in the country. Once the decree makes it compulsory, it is no longer voluntary.<\/p>\n

The decree also gives a six-month transition period<\/strong> to producers and importers1<\/a><\/sup>. During this time, they can bring their products and production methods into line with the revised standard. After the period ends, salted fish that does not meet ES 1725 can no longer be sold under the old rules.<\/p>\n

The WTO notice is filed under the WTO rules on food safety, animal health and plant-health measures1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Which goods does the salted fish standard cover?<\/h2>\n

The notice lists the products as fish and fishery products<\/strong>1<\/a><\/sup>. The standard itself is titled "Salted fish"1<\/a><\/sup>. It therefore covers fish that is preserved with salt and sold for people to eat.<\/p>\n

The decree applies to both producers and importers1<\/a><\/sup>. Imported salted fish must therefore meet the same standard as fish made in Egypt.<\/p>\n

The notice summary does not list tariff codes or the fish species covered. The full text of the standard decides whether a product falls inside it.<\/p>\n

Why does Egypt say the standard is sound?<\/h2>\n

Egypt states that the revised standard follows Codex standard CXS 2441<\/a><\/sup>. Codex is the international food code that sets shared food standards. CXS 244 is the Codex standard for salted Atlantic herring and salted sprat<\/strong>1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n

That Codex standard was first adopted in 20041<\/a><\/sup>. It was later amended in 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018 and 20241<\/a><\/sup>. By basing its rules on Codex, Egypt aligns its salted fish rules with a text that many trading partners already use.<\/p>\n

For exporters, this matters in a practical way. A maker that already meets the Codex rules for salted herring and sprat should find the Egyptian rules familiar.<\/p>\n

How did the rules for salted fish develop?<\/h2>\n

Egypt has made a salted fish standard compulsory since 2005. The history runs through several decrees and versions of ES 1725:<\/p>\n