WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/7/Rev.2
2 April 2002
(02-1650)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING
THE TRANSPARENCY OBLIGATIONS OF
THE SPS AGREEMENT (ARTICLE 7)
Revision
1. Transparency in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is used to signify one of
the fundamental principles of its agreements: the aim is to achieve a greater degree of clarity,
predictability and information about trade policies, rules and regulations of Members.  In
implementing this concept Members use notifications.  Under the SPS Agreement, notifications areused to inform other Members about new or changed regulations that may significantly affect their
trading partners
1.  Transparency under the SPS Agreement also includes answering reasonable
questions, and publishing regulations.
2. These procedures have been developed to assist Members fulfil their transparency obligations
under Article 7 and Annex B of the SPS Agreement regarding the notification of SPS regulations,answering information requests under the national enquiry point system and publishing regulations.
3. When a Member’s national notification authority or national enquiry point has been
established, or changed, the WTO Secretariat should be informed.  The Secretariat regularly circulates
a list of all Members' notification authorities and enquiry points.  These lists are updated three or four
times a year.  The national enquiry points are listed in the G/SPS/ENQ/ document series of the WTO,
and the notification authorities are listed in the G/SPS/NNA/ series.  To be included in these lists, it is
useful to provide the following information:
• Contact name
• Name of institution
• Postal address / physical address
• Phone
• Fax
• E-mail
• Website address
4. Members should also refer to the guidelines on transparency contained in the handbook How
to apply the transparency provisions of the SPS Agreement  (November 2000), when notifying
regulations and operating national enquiry points in accordance with Article 7 and Annex B of the
SPS Agreement.
                                                     
1 The SPS Agreement uses the terms 'measures' and 'regulations' somewhat interchangeably when
referring to any sanitary or phytosanitary measure such as laws, decrees, or ordinances applied to protect human,
animal or plant life or health as defined under paragraph 1 of Annex A to the SPS Agreement.G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 2
RECOMMENDED NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
5. Members should follow these procedures when notifying regulations as required in
paragraphs 5 or 6 of Annex B.  The form for routine  notifications (Section H below) should be used
for notifications in accordance with paragraph 5 of Annex B, whereas the form for emergencynotifications (Section I below) should be used for notifications as provided for in paragraph 6 of
Annex B.
A. A
PPLICATION OF ANNEX  B, PARAGRAPH 5 (PREAMBULAR PART ) OF THE SPS  AGREEMENT
6. For the purposes of Annex B, paragraphs 5 and 6 in the SPS Agreement, the concept of
"significant effect on trade of other Members" may refer to the effect on trade:
- of one sanitary or phytosanitary regulation only or of various sanitary or phytosanitary
regulations in combination;
- in a specific product, group of products  or products in general;  and
- between two or more Members.
7. When assessing whether the sanitary or phytosanitary regulation may have a significant effect
on trade, the Member concerned should take into consideration, using relevant information which is
available, such elements as the value or other importance of imports in respect of the importing and/or
exporting Members concerned, whether from other Members individually or collectively, the potential
development of such imports, and difficulties for producers in other Members, particularly indeveloping country Members, to comply with the pr oposed sanitary or phytosanitary regulations.  The
concept of a significant effect on trade of other Members should include both import-enhancing and
import-reducing effects on the trade of other Members, as long as such effects are significant.
B. T
IMING OF NOTIFICATIONS
8. When implementing the provisions of paragraph 5 of Annex B, a notification should be made
when a draft with the complete text of a proposed regulation is available and when amendments can
still be introduced and comments taken into account.  Members shall normally allow a period of at
least sixty days for comments.
9. A notification shall be made well before the entr y into force of the relevant measure, except
when urgent problems of health protection arise or threaten to arise for the Member concerned.  Any
regulation brought into force in urgent circumstances must be notified immediately and a rationale for
the urgent action provided.
10. The late notification of a measure already in force does not in and of itself constitute
sufficient reason for the  use of the emergency format.  When urgent problems of health protection are
not involved, late notifications should be made using the regular format and consideration should still
be given to all comments received.
C. REQUESTING DOCUMENTS RELATED TO A NOTIFICATION
11. Members requesting documents related to a notification should provide all the elements
permitting the identification of the documents, and in particular the WTO SPS notification number to
which the requests refer.G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 3
12. When requesting an electronic transmission of documents from another Member, Members
should indicate which electronic formats they are able to receive, including compatible versions.
D. PROVIDING DOCUMENTS RELATED TO A NOTIFICATION
Address of body supplying the documents
13. Members should indicate under point 12 of the WTO notification format the full address of
the body responsible for supplying the relevant documents if that body is not the notification authority
or the enquiry point.
Responding to requests
14. Documents requested should normally be provided within five working days.  If this is not
possible, the request for documentation or informatio n should be acknowledged within that period and
an estimate given of the time required to provide the requested documentation.
15. Documents supplied in response to a request should be identified with the WTO SPS
notification number to which the request refers.
16. Members should use fax and e-mail facilities to the extent possible in responding to requests
for documentation or information.  Members are encouraged to publish their sanitary or phytosanitarymeasures on the world wide web, to facilitate the supply of documents.
Acknowledging receipt of documents
17. The Member requesting documents relating to a notification should acknowledge receipt of
the documents provided.
Translation of documents
18. When a translation of a relevant document exists or is planned, this fact should be indicated
on the WTO notification form next to the title of the document.  If only a translated summary exists,
the fact that such a summary is available should be similarly indicated.
19. If a translation of a document or summary exists in the language of the requesting Member,
or, as the case may be, in the WTO working language used by the requesting Member, it should be
automatically sent with the original of the document requested.
20. Where documents are not available in a WTO working language, developed country Members
shall, upon request, supply a translation of the document, or in case of voluminous documents, a
translation of a summary of the documents, in a WTO working language.
21. When a Member seeks a copy of a document relating to a notification which does not exist in
that Member's WTO working language, the notifying Member should advise the requesting Member
of other Members that have requested, as of that date, a copy of the document.  The Member seeking
a copy of a document relating to a notification may contact other Members in order to determine
whether the latter are prepared to share any translation that they have or will be making.
22. Any Member possessing an unoffici al translation of a document relating to a notification should
inform the notifying Member of the existence of the unofficial translation and is encouraged to make it
available to other interested Members, through elect ronic facilities where appropriate.  In doing so, the
Member should clearly indicate  the unofficial and non-committal   nature of the translation.G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 4
E. HANDLING OF COMMENTS ON NOTIFICATIONS
23. Each Member should notify the WTO Secretariat of the authority or agency (e.g. its
notification authority) which it has designated to be in charge of handling comments received, and of
any change and/or modification of such authority or agency.
24. Members submitting comments on a notified draft regulation should provide them without
unnecessary delay to the authority designated to ha ndle the comments, or to the national notification
authority if no other designation is made.
25. A Member receiving comments through the desi gnated body should, without further request:
(i) acknowledge the receipt of such comments;
(ii) explain within a reasonable period of  time, and at the earliest possible date  before the
adoption of the measure,  to any Member from which it has received comments, how it
will  take these comments into account and, where appropriate, provide additional
relevant information on the proposed sanitary or phytosanitary regulations concerned;
(iii) provide to any Member from which it has received comments, a copy of the
corresponding sanitary or phytosanitary regulations as adopted or information that nocorresponding sanitary or phytosanitary regulations will be adopted for the time being;
(iv) where possible make available to othe r Members comments and questions it has
received and answers it has provided , preferably  through electronic facilities.
26. Members should grant requests for extension of the comment period wherever practicable, in
particular with regard to notifications relating to products of particular interest to developing country
Members, where there have been delays in receiving and translating the relevant documents or where
there is a need for further clarification of the measure notified.  A 30-day extension should normally
be provided.
F. A
DDENDA , CORRIGENDA AND REVISIONS
27. Members, in addition to their original notifications, can also provide supplementary
information in three different forms.
• An addendum is used to provide additional information or changes to an original
notification.  A Member may wish to indi cate on the addendum if the final regulation
has been substantially modified from the notified proposal.
• A corrigendum is used to correct an error in an original notification such as an incorrect
address detail.
• A revision is used to replace an existing notification.
Any addendum or corrigendum should be read in conjunction with the original notification.G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 5
Addenda
28. Members should notify changes in the status of a notified SPS regulation.  The issuance of an
addendum allows Members to track the status of an SPS regulation via its unique notification number.
Addenda to SPS notifications should be made in a number of circumstances, such as:
(a) when a proposed regulation is either adopted or comes into force.  A Member may
wish to indicate on the addendum if the final regulation has been substantially
modified from the notified proposal.
(b) if a proposed regulation is withdrawn;
(c) if a regulation is revoked;
(d) if the comment period has been extended;
(e) if the period of application of the existing notification is extended;
(f) if the scope of application of the existing notification is reduced, either  in terms of
Members affected or  products covered.   Such a change may warrant the extension of
the comment period .
29. An addendum should:
• briefly recap what was notified, when and what it was about - this is a practical
requirement, and reduces the need for Memb ers to have to go back to the original
notification to check what it was about;
• specify what change has been made and why - briefly state why the information,
dates, etc have been changed;  and
• restate the comments deadline, even if it has not been changed - as a reminder to
Members that if they wish to comment it must be done by this date.
30. A form for making an addendum is available in section H for routine notifications and
section I for notifications of emergency measures.
Corrigenda
31. Members should inform the Secretariat of any er ror(s) contained in their original notification.
The Secretariat will issue a corrigendum accordingly.
32. A form for making a corrigendum is available in section H for routine notifications and
section I for notifications of emergency measures.
Revisions33. Revisions replace an existing notification.  Revisions should be submitted, for example, when
the scope of application of a notified regulation is extended, either in terms of Members affected or
products covered, or if a notification contained a large number of errors which necessitated issuing a
revision.  A Member should provide a further period for comments on the revised notification,
normally 60 days.
34. A form for making a revision is available in section H for routine notifications and section I
for notifications of emergency measures.G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 6
G. REGULATIONS THAT CONTAIN BOTH SPS AND TBT MEASURES
35. When a regulation contains both SPS and TBT measures, it should be notified according to
both the SPS and TBT Agreements, preferably with an indication of which parts of the regulation fall
under SPS Agreement (e.g. a food safety measure) and which parts fall under the TBT Agreement
(e.g., quality or compositional requirements).G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 7
H. COMPLETION OF FORMATS - ROUTINE  NOTIFICATIONS (ANNEX B , PARAGRAPH  5)
36. Information contained in the notifications should be as complete as possible and no section
should be left blank.  Where necessary, "not known" or "not stated" should be indicated.
Item Description
1. Member notifying Government, including the competent authorities of the European
Communities, which is making the notification.
2. Agency responsible Body elaborating a pr oposal for or promulgating a sanitary or
phytosanitary regulation.
3. Products covered Tariff item number(s) (normally HS, chapter or heading and number)
as contained in national schedules deposited with the WTO.  ICSnumbers should be provided in add ition, where applicable.   A clear
description is important for an understanding of the notification by
delegations and translators.  A bbreviations should be avoided.
4. Regions or countries
likely to be affectedThe geographical regions or countries likely to be affected by the
notified regulation should be identified to the extent relevant or
practicable .
5. Title, language and
number of pages of the
notified documentTitle of the proposed or adopted (in the case of late submissions)
sanitary or phytosanitary regulation.  Number of pages in the notified
document.  Languages in which the notified document is available.
If a translation exists of the whole document, or a translated summary
of the document exists, indicate this here.
6. Description of content A summary  of the proposed or adopted (in the case of late
submissions) sanitary or phytosanitary regulation clearly indicating its
content and health protection objective.  The summary should be as
complete and accurate as possible to allow the full understanding of
the proposed regulation.  To the extent possible, likely effects ontrade should be described.  Abbreviations should be avoided.  Where
practicable it should also include an outline of the specific sanitary
measures the regulation will apply.
When a regulation contains both SPS and TBT measures, it should
be notified according to both the SPS and TBT Agreements,preferably with an indication of which parts of the regulation fall
under the SPS Agreement and which parts fall under the TBT
Agreement.
7. Objective and rationale State whether objective is:  protection of human health from food-
borne risks;  or protection of human health from plant- or animal-
carried diseases;  or protection of animal health from pests or
diseases;  or protection of animal health from contaminated feed;  orprotection of plant health from pests or diseases; or prevention of
other damage from entry, establishment or spread of pests.G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 8
Item Description
8. Existence of
international standard,
guideline or
recommendationIf a relevant international standard, guideline or recommendation
exists, put a cross in the box provided for the appropriate standard-
setting organisation and give the appropriate reference of the existingstandard, guideline or recommendation and briefly describe how the
proposed regulation deviates from the international standard,guideline or recommendation.  
If no international standards, guideline
or recommendation exists, put a cross in the box ‘none’.
9. Relevant documents and
language(s) in which
these are availableDocuments referenced here are different from those listed in box 5.
Documents which should be referenced include:
(a) Publication where notice of the proposed regulation  appears,
including date and reference numbers;
(b) Proposal and basic document to which proposal refers (with
specific reference number or other identification), and the language(s)in which the notified documents and any summary of these are
available;
(c) Publication in which proposal will appear when adopted.
If it is necessary to charge for documents supplied, the amount of the
charge should be indicated.
10. Proposed date of
adoptionThe date when the sanitary or phytosanitary regulation is expected to
be adopted.
11. Proposed date of entry
into forceThe date from which the requirements in the regulation are proposed
or decided to enter into force.  Where appropriate, Members should
accord longer time-frames for compliance on products of interest to
developing country Members.
12. Final date for comments
and agency or authority
handling commentsThe date by which Members may submit comments in accordance
with Annex B, Paragraph 5(b) of the SPS Agreement.  A specific date
should be indicated.  A Member sh all normally allow a period of at
least sixty days for comment. Any Member which is able to provide a
time limit beyond sixty days is encouraged to do so.
The agency or authority which has been designated to handle the
comments should be indicated.  If this is the national notification
authority or the national enquiry  point, put a cross in the box
provided.  If another agency or au thority has been designated, provide
its name, address, fax and (if available) E-mail address.
For proposed measures which facilitate trade, Members may reduce
or eliminate the period for receiving comments.
13. Texts available from If available from the national notification authority or the enquiry
point, put a cross in the respective box.  If available from another
body, give its address, fax number and (if available) E-mail address.Such indications do not in any wa y discharge the relevant enquiry
point of its responsibilities under the provisions of Annex B,
Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the SPS Agreement.  World wide web address
of document notified, if available.G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 9
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/COUNTRY/
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules deposited with
the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where applicable):
4. Regions or countries likely to be affect ed, to the extent rel evant or practicable:
5. Title, language and number of pages of the notified document:
6. Description of content:
7. Objective and rationale:  [   ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [  ] plant protection,
[  ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease,
[  ]  protect territory from other damage from pests
8. International standard, guideline or recommendation:
[  ] Codex Alimentarius Commission, [  ] Office International des Epizooties,
[  ] International Plant Protection Convention, [  ] None
If an international standard, guideline or recomm endation exists, give the appropriate reference
and briefly identify deviations:
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:
10. Proposed date of adoption:
11. Proposed date of entry into force:
12. Final date for comments:
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [  ] National notification authority, [  ]
National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
13. Texts available from:  [  ] National notification authority,  [  ]  National enquiry point,  or
address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 10
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/COUNTRY/#/Rev.#
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION
Revision
1. Member to Agreement notifying:
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules deposited with
the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where applicable):
4. Regions or countries likely to be affect ed, to the extent rel evant or practicable:
5. Title, language and number of pages of the notified document:
6. Description of content:
7. Objective and rationale:  [   ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [  ] plant protection,
[  ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease,
[  ]  protect territory from other damage from pests
8. International standard, guideline or recommendation:
[  ] Codex Alimentarius Commission, [  ] Office International des Epizooties,
[  ] International Plant Protection Convention, [  ] None
If an international standard, guideline or recomm endation exists, give the appropriate reference
and briefly identify deviations:
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:
10. Proposed date of adoption:
11. Proposed date of entry into force:
12. Final date for comments:
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [  ] National notification authority, [  ]
National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
13. Texts available from:  [  ] National notification authority,  [  ]  National enquiry point,  or
address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 11
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/COUNTRY/#/Add.#
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION
Addendum
The following communication, dated # Month Year has been received from [Member].
_______________
Title outlining what the SPS measure or product is
[Text]
[Where the notified document can be obtained from – include contact name, agency, full
address, telephone, facsimile, and email as appropriate].
__________G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 12
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/COUNTRY/#/Corr.#
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION
Corrigendum
The following communication, dated # Month Year has been received from [Member].
_______________
Title outlining what the SPS measure or product is
[Text]
[Where the notified document can be obtained from – include contact name, agency, full
address, telephone, facsimile, and email as appropriate].
__________G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 13
I. COMPLETION OF FORMATS - EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS (ANNEX B , PARAGRAPH 6)
37. Information contained in the notification form should be as complete as possible and no
section should be left blank.  Where necessary, "n ot known" or "not stated" should be indicated.
Item Description
1. Member notifying Government, including th e competent authorities of the European
Communities, which is making the notification.
2. Agency responsible Body elaborating a pr oposal for or promulgating a sanitary or
phytosanitary regulation.
3. Products covered Tariff item number(s) (normally HS, chapter or  heading and
number) as contained in national schedules deposited with the
WTO.  ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where
applicable.  A clear description is  important for an understanding of
the notification by delegations and translators.  Abbreviations
should be avoided.
4. Regions or countries likely
to be affectedThe geographical regions or countries likely to be affected by the
notified regulation should be identified to the extent relevant orpracticable.
5. Title, language and number
of  pages of the notified
documentTitle of the proposed or adopted sanitary or phytosanitary
regulation.  Number of pages in the notified document.  Languages
in which the notified document is available.
If a translation exists of the whole document, or a translated
summary of the document exists, indicate this here.
6. Description of content A summary of the pr oposed or adopted sanitary or phytosanitary
regulation clearly indicating its content and health protection
objective.  The summary should be as complete and accurate aspossible to allow the full understanding of the proposed regulation.
To the extent possible, likely effects on trade should be described.
Abbreviations should be avoided.  Where practicable it should also
include an outline of the specific sanitary measures the regulation
will apply.
When a regulation contains both SPS or TBT measures, it should
be notified according to both the SPS and TBT Agreements,
preferably with an indication of which parts of the regulation fall
under the SPS Agreement and which parts fall under the TBT
Agreement.G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 14
Item Description
7. Objective and rationale State whether objective is:  protection of human health from food-
borne risks;  or protection of human health from plant- or animal-
carried diseases;  or protection of animal health from pests or
diseases;  or protection of animal health from contaminated feed;
or protection of plant health from pests or diseases; or preventionof other damage from entry, establishment or spread of pests.
8. Nature of urgent
problem(s) and reason for
urgent actionIndication of the underlying reasons for resorting to emergency
action.
9. Existence of international
standard, guideline or
recommendationIf a relevant international standard, guideline or recommendation
exists, put a cross in the box provided for the appropriate standard-
setting organisation and give the appropriate reference of theexisting standard, guideline or recommendation and briefly
describe how the proposed regulation deviates from theinternational standard, guideline or recommendation.  
If no
international standards, guideline or recommendation exists, put a
cross in the box ‘none’.
10.Relevant documents and
language(s) in which these
are availableDocuments referenced here are different to those listed in box 5.
Documents which should be referenced include:
(a) Measure(s) taken and basic regulation which was modified
(with specific reference number or other identification), and thelanguage(s) in which the notified documents and any summary ofthese are available;
(b) Publication in which regulation will appear;If it is necessary to charge for documents supplied, the amount of
the charge should be indicated.
11.Date of entry into force
and period of applicationThe date from which the requirements entered into force, and, if
applicable, the period of time during which they will apply.  (For
example: immediate entry into force [date], duration of two
months.)
12.Agency or authority
handling commentsThe agency or authority which has been designated to handle the
comments should be indicated.  If this is the national notification
authority or the national enquiry  point, put a cross in the box
provided.  If another agency or authority has been designated,provide its name, address, fax and (if available) E-mail address.
13. Texts available fromIf available from the national notification authority or enquiry
point, put a cross in the respective box.  If available from anotherbody, give its address, fax number and (if available) E-mail
address.  Such indications do not in any way discharge the relevant
enquiry point of its responsibilities under the provisions of
Annex B, Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the SPS Agreement.  World wide
web address of document notified, if available.G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 15
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/COUNTRY/
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
1. Member to Agreement notifying:
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules deposited with
the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where applicable):
4. Regions or countries likely to be affect ed, to the extent rel evant or practicable:
5. Title, language  and number of pages of the notified document:
6. Description of content:
7. Objective and rationale:  [   ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [  ] plant protection,
[  ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease,
[  ]  protect territory from other damage from pests
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action:
9. International standard, guideline or recommendation:
[  ] Codex Alimentarius Commission, [  ] Office International des Epizooties,
[  ] International Plant Protection Convention, [  ] None
If an international standard, guideline or recomm endation exists, give the appropriate reference
and briefly identify deviations:
10. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:
11. Date of entry into force/period of application (as applicable):
12. Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [  ] National notification authority, [  ]
National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
13. Texts available from:  [  ] National notification authority,  [  ]  National enquiry point,  or
address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 16
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/COUNTRY/#/Rev.#
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
Revision
1. Member to Agreement notifying:
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules deposited with
the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where applicable):
4. Regions or countries likely to be affect ed, to the extent rel evant or practicable:
5. Title, language  and number of pages of the notified document:
6. Description of content:
7. Objective and rationale:  [   ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [  ] plant protection,
[  ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease,
[  ]  protect territory from other damage from pests
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action:
9. International standard, guideline or recommendation:
[  ] Codex Alimentarius Commission, [  ] Office International des Epizooties,
[  ] International Plant Protection Convention, [  ] None
If an international standard, guideline or recomm endation exists, give the appropriate reference
and briefly identify deviations:
10. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:
11. Date of entry into force/period of application (as applicable):
12. Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [  ] National notification authority, [  ]
National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
13. Texts available from:  [  ] National notification authority,  [  ]  National enquiry point,  or
address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 17
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/COUNTRY/#/Add.#
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
Addendum
The following communication, dated # Month Year has been received from [Member].
_______________
Title outlining what the SPS measure or product is
[Text]
[Where the notified document can be obtained from – include contact name, agency, full
address, telephone, facsimile, and email as appropriate].
__________G/SPS/7/Rev.2
Page 18
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/COUNTRY/#/Corr.#
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
Corrigendum
The following communication, dated # Month Year has been received from [Member].
_______________
Title outlining what the SPS measure or product is
[Text]
[Where the notified document can be obtained from – include contact name, agency, full
address, telephone, facsimile, and email as appropriate].
__________G/SPS/7/Rev.2
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J. NOTIFICATION OF EQUIVALENCE AGREEMENTS
38. The WTO Secretariat has proposed a format for the notification of equivalence agreements
and this has been distributed to Members in G/SPS/W/114.
K. COMPLETED NOTIFICATIONS
39. Notifications should be sent by fax, e-mail or air mail from the national notification authority
to the central registry of notifications (CRN) at the WTO.  The address is:
Central Registry of Notifications
World Trade Organization
Rue de Lausanne 154
1211 Geneva 21
Switzerland
Fax: (+41 22) 739 5638e-mail: crn@wto.org
Members are not required to send the legal texts of the proposed regulation that is being notified.
GUIDELINES FOR NATIONAL ENQUIRY POINT REQUESTS
40. The national enquiry point system established under the SPS Agreement is an effective
avenue for obtaining information regarding SPS systems and measures from other Members.
41. The national enquiry point handles on a routine basis:
• document and information requests;
• general enquiries; and
• delivery and charging of documents.
42. National Enquiry Points should also provide, upon request, information on participation in
any bilateral or multilateral equivalence agreements and arrangements.
L. DELIVERY AND CHARGING
43. While the mode of delivery is at the discretion of the Member concerned, it is recommended
that delivery of documents should be by the fastest means possible.  In the first instance, if theMember has such facilities, the documents should be sent by e-mail, or by fax.  Alternatively, a
Member can send the documents by post or via a requesting Member’s diplomatic mission in their
territory.
44. A Member may only charge the same cost for the documents as it would for its own nationals
plus the cost of delivering the documents.
PUBLICATION OF REGULATIONS
45. The publication of regulations is a fundamental component of transparency under the SPS
Agreement.  This is a general obligation on Members, and does not relate specifically to the work of
either the national notification authority or national enquiry point.G/SPS/7/Rev.2
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46. Members are obliged to:
(a) ensure that all SPS regulations which have been adopted are published promptly in
such a manner as to enable interested countries to become acquainted with them.
Regulations to be published include laws, decrees or ordinances which are applicable
generally.
(b) except in urgent circumstances, allow a reasonable interval between the publication
of a sanitary or phytosanitary regulation and its entry into force in order to allow time
for producers in exporting Members and particularly in developing country Members,
to adapt their products and methods of production to the requirements of the
importing country.
M. INTERNET
47. Members are encouraged to publish SPS regulations on the Internet where possible.
Publication on the internet has a number of advantages and benefits to Members over more traditional
methods.  It:
(a) allows for greater transparency;
(b) makes it easier for Members to obtain documents;  and
(c) reduces the amount of work involved in processing and fulfilling document requests.
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