1. Ministry of labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia Department 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

2.  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.

3.  October 1996 - Presidential Decree (# 685) on establishment of (# 685) on establishment of Coordination board on IDD elimination Coordination board on IDD elimination 1996 (July, 15) - Order (# 328) of the Minister of Labour, Health and Social affairs - establishing local (district's) committees combating IDD.

4. 1997 - amendment to tax legislation for excemption of tax on iodized salt. 1997 - amendment to tax legislation for excemption of tax on iodized salt. March 1998 - Presidential Decree (# 109) on prevention and treatment of iodine and other Micronutrients deficiency disorders through provision of adequate control on import, storage and realization of iodized Salt March 1998 - Presidential Decree (# 109) on prevention and treatment of iodine and other Micronutrients deficiency disorders through provision of adequate control on import, storage and realization of iodized Salt

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

8. Draft Law n Prepared by Ministry of Labour, Health & Social Affairs and submitted to the Parliament in 2003 n Banning import and Sale of Non-Iodized Salt into the country except for Medical, Technical and Re-iodization Purposes n All salt for human consumption and livestock should be iodized n Prior permission to be requested for import of non-iodized salt by MOH & MoAgriculture n Expired salt subject to re-iodized or utilized in technical industry utilized in technical industry

9. The key tools of law should be: 1. Strengthening the control, supervision and quality assurance systems for iodized salt at all levels 2. Setting out roles & responsibilities of state authorities in certification, QC & monitoring 2.Introducing the stricter penalties for salt importers, producers, wholesalers and retailers who don't comply with the iodized salt law.

10. National Requirements for Iodized Salt Met through > 100 % Import No separation of Import data for Human/Livestock

11. Salt requirement for animal consumption - 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

12. Lessons Learned n Despite all efforts to built strong legislation environment - endorsement still inadequate n No sanction mechanisms in place or implemented up to date n Poor Quality Control at the Customs Level n No regular QC at Wholesale and retails Level n Lack of clarity on mandates & roles of individual state authorities