Ministry of labour, Health and Social Affairs of GeorgiaDepartment of Public Health

Legislative Basis for supporting efforts in

IDD elimination and Universal Salt Iodization

25-28 June 2004

Dr. Ramaz Urushadze – Head, Public Health Department

July 1996 – Presidential Decree (# 480), on

provision of Georgian population with the quality

iodized Salt. The main request of this Decree

was to consume only iodized salt by human and

by animal too.

October 1996 - Presidential Decree October 1996 - Presidential Decree

(# 685) on establishment of (# 685) on establishment of

Coordination board on IDD eliminationCoordination board on IDD elimination

1996 (July, 15) - Order (# 328) of the Minister of Labour, 1996 (July, 15) - Order (# 328) of the Minister of Labour,

Health and Social affairsHealth and Social affairs - - establishing local establishing local

(district's) committees combating IDD.(district's) committees combating IDD.

1997 - amendment to tax legislation for 1997 - amendment to tax legislation for

excemption of tax on iodized salt.excemption of tax on iodized salt.

March 1998 - Presidential Decree (# 109) March 1998 - Presidential Decree (# 109)

on prevention and treatment of iodine on prevention and treatment of iodine

and other Micronutrients deficiency and other Micronutrients deficiency

disorders through provision of adequate disorders through provision of adequate

control on import, storage and control on import, storage and

realization of iodized Saltrealization of iodized Salt

• April 1998 - Order (# 188) by the Minister of Labour,

Health and Social affairs, on the prevention and

treatment of iodine and other Micronutrients

deficiency disorders.

• July 1998 order (# 295) of the Minister of Labour,

Health and Social affairs, on the prevention and

elimination of IDD.

• 1998 - State Department of standardization, Metrology and

Certification elaborating the State standard of Iodized salt

• 1998 - Customs Department and State Department of

Standardization, Metrology and Certification introducing

special code for import of iodized salt 250100911

May 2002 – Presidential decree (#242) on additional

Measures of IDD prevention to:

- Develop 2004-08 Inter-sectoral IDD Prevention Program

- Draft Law on IDD prevention/USI;

- Enforce local IDD committees;

- Ensure production of safe and fortified products with

vitamins and micronutrients.

Draft Law Draft Law

n Prepared by Ministry of Labour, Health & Social Affairs and submitted to the Parliament Prepared by Ministry of Labour, Health & Social Affairs and submitted to the Parliament in 2003in 2003

n Banning import and Sale of Non-Iodized Salt into the country except for Medical, Banning import and Sale of Non-Iodized Salt into the country except for Medical, Technical and Re-iodization PurposesTechnical and Re-iodization Purposes

n All salt for human consumption and livestock should be iodizedAll salt for human consumption and livestock should be iodized

n Prior permission to be requested for import of non-iodized salt by MOH & MoAgriculturePrior permission to be requested for import of non-iodized salt by MOH & MoAgriculture

n Expired salt subject to re-iodized or Expired salt subject to re-iodized or utilized in technical industryutilized in technical industry

The key tools of law should be: The key tools of law should be:

1.1. Strengthening the control, supervision and quality Strengthening the control, supervision and quality

assurance systems for iodized salt at all levelsassurance systems for iodized salt at all levels

2.2. Setting out roles & responsibilities of state authorities in Setting out roles & responsibilities of state authorities in

certification, QC & monitoringcertification, QC & monitoring

2.2. Introducing the stricter penalties for salt importers, Introducing the stricter penalties for salt importers,

producers, wholesalers and retailers who don't comply producers, wholesalers and retailers who don't comply

with the iodized salt law.with the iodized salt law.

National Requirements for Iodized National Requirements for Iodized Salt Met through > 100 % ImportSalt Met through > 100 % Import

Coverage of iodised salt requirement GEORGIA

13%

39%

0% 0%0%

50%

100%

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2006

No separation of Import data for

Human/Livestock

Salt requirement for animal consumption - Salt requirement for animal consumption - 20-22 thousand tons annually.20-22 thousand tons annually.

Standards & regulations for Iodized Salt for

Livestock to be elaborated further

World Experience proves that

IDD reduction

Increases productivity of the

livestock

Lessons LearnedLessons Learnedn Despite all efforts to built strong legislation Despite all efforts to built strong legislation

environment - endorsement still inadequateenvironment - endorsement still inadequate

n No sanction mechanisms in place or No sanction mechanisms in place or implemented up to date implemented up to date

n Poor Quality Control at the Customs Level Poor Quality Control at the Customs Level

n No regular QC at Wholesale and retails LevelNo regular QC at Wholesale and retails Level

n Lack of clarity on mandates & roles of Lack of clarity on mandates & roles of individual state authorities individual state authorities