RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3 
18 October 2002 
 (02-5680) 
Working Party on the Accession  
of the Russian Federation Original:   English 
 
 
  
ACCESSION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 
 
Checklists of Technical Barriers to Trade and Sanitary and Phytosanitary
 
Issues in the Accession of the Russian Federation to the WTO  
 
Revision  
  
 The Permanent Mission of the Russian Fede ration has submitted the following revised 
checklists of TBT and SPS issues relating to the accession of the Russian Federation to the WTO, with the request that it be circulated to members of the Working Party.  
_______________ 
   
 WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3 
Page 2 Checklist of TBT Issues in the Accession of the Ru ssian Federation to the WTO as of October 2002  
 
WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of 
accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time  Required to Undertake the Commitment 
1. 2. 3. 
1. Generally agreed 
principle in WTO 
accession negotiations 1. Standstill: the introduction of 
new standards, technical 
regulations and conformity assessment procedures should 
be fully compatible with the 
TBT Agreement The Russian party does not intend to complicate acce ss to its markets by introducing a less favourable 
treatment for the purposes of the TBT Agreement. The basic parameters were defined in the Russia’s 
draft commitments in respect of access to goods and services markets. Measur es for market protection 
will be undertaken in full compliance with Russia’s international obligations, the existing and pending 
Russian legislation. Legal and regulatory framework for the implementation of the above was provided 
under the "Interministerial Programme of Measures to Ensure Compliance with the WTO TBT 
Agreement and the WTO SPS Agreement for 1999 – 2000" and will be completed in all material 
respects in the course of implementing a similar programme for 2002 – 2005 (the programme is scheduled for approval in November 2002). 
2. Article 15.2 and TBT 
Committee Decision 
(G/TBT/1) 2. Submission of Statement on 
Implementation Pursuant to the TBT Agreement this commitment w ill be fully implemented after the accession of the 
Russian Federation to the WTO (see also Section 3 herein). 
3. Article 10 3. Establishment and operation of 
a single Contact Point for Information ("enquiry point") The Russian Single Contact Point for TBT/SPS ("TBT/SPS Enquiry Point”) was set up by Gosstandart 
of Russia at and using and resources of All-Russia Research Institute for Classification, Terminology 
and Information on Standardisation and Quality ( VNIIKI). The function of the TBT/SPS Enquiry Point 
is to provide, in conjunction with specialised inform ation centres of different ministries and agencies, 
the necessary TBT and SPS related information to all interested parties, including foreign participants 
of international trade. 
Address: Russian Single Contact Point for TB T/SPS Information (TBT/SPS Enquiry Point), 4 
Granatny per., Moscow 103001 Russian Federation. tel./fax 230 25 98 
E-mail: 
ENPOINT@VNIIKI.RU  
Gosstandart of Russia also has a web site ( www.GOSTR.RU ) which can be used for access to 
information stored on the Macronet interministeri al network (regarding TBT and SPS), including the 
annual standardisation plans. 
4. Articles 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 
15.2, Annex 3 and 
G/TBT/1 4. Identification of authority 
responsible for notifications, 
publications and other internal procedures to ensure 
transparency obligations are met 
on an ongoing basis: Gosstandart of Russia is intended to undertake this role. 
 
The final appointment will be made after the enactme nt of the Federal Law "F ramework Provisions on 
Technical Regulation in the Russian Federation”.  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3
 Page 3WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of 
accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time  Required to Undertake the Commitment 
 (a) Articles 2.9.1, 
3.1, 5.6.1, 7.1, 
10.1.5  (a) identification of 
publication where notices 
of proposed technical regulations and conformity 
assessment procedures will 
appear; The Russian TBT/SPS Enquiry Point specified in Section 3 above, which started publishing a 
specialised "Vestnik"(Bulletin) in 2000, is currently ready to assume this function. The procedure for 
preparation and submission of notification is provided in GOST R 1.13-2001  (in effect since January 1, 2002). 
 (b) Article 2.9.2, 
2.10.1, 3.2, 3.3, 5.6.2, 5.7.1, 7.2, 
7.3, 10.7, 10.10  (b) identification of authority 
responsible for making notifications to the WTO; It is intended to appoint Gosstandart of Russia an d other affected ministries and agencies responsible 
for preparing notifications. The Russian TBT/SPS Enqui ry Point is the organisation responsible for the 
actual submission of notifications to the WTO.  
 (c) Articles 2.9.4, 
2.10.3, 3.1, 3.3, 5.6.4, 5.7.3, 7.1, 
7.3  (c) guidance/law to ensure 
regulatory authorities afford non-discriminatory 
consideration of comments 
in the preparation of a final regulation; The draft Federal Law "Framework Provisions on Technical Regulation in the Russian Federation" 
(pending for the second reading by the State Duma in October 2002) provides that all developers of technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures must publish any new drafts, and consider 
and incorporate all comments  in respect thereof from all interested parties. 
 (d) Articles 2.11, 
2.12, 3.1, 5.8, 5.9, 
7.1  (d) guidance/law to ensure 
regulatory authorities 
allow a reasonable period of time between the final 
publication of a technical 
regulation and conformity assessment procedure and 
its entry into force so that 
suppliers can adapt; The draft Federal Law "Framework Provisions on Technical Regulation in the Russian Federation" 
provides for a reasonable period  of time (at least six months) between the adoption of a technical 
regulation or conformity assessment procedure and their enactment, allowing all measures ensuring 
compliance with the newly introduced requirements to be fulfilled. 
 (e) Article 4, Annex 
3 (J, K, L, N, O);  
Article 8.1  (e) publication and 
notification of work 
programme for standards 
and non-governmental conformity assessment 
procedures, including 
publication of notices of draft standards and an 
opportunity for public 
comment. These functions will be performed by the Russi an TBT/SPS Enquiry Point which has started a 
specialised "Vestnik" (Bulletin). Besides, standa rdisation work programmes are published in the 
Annual Catalogue of Standards and posted on the web-site of Gosstandart of Russia: 
WWW.GOST.RU.  
 WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3 
Page 4 WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of 
accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time  Required to Undertake the Commitment 
5. Articles 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 5. Development and Application 
of Technical Regulations and 
Conformity Assessment Procedures: Existence of legal 
and/or administrative 
underpinnings (or "reasonable measures" as appropriate) to 
ensure ongoing compliance with 
provisions of the agreement concerning, in particular:  
 (a) Articles 2.1, 3.1, 
5.1, 5.2, 7.1  (a) non-discrimination with 
respect to the treatment of 
products; There is no discrimination of imported goods (for the purposes of the TBT Agreement) in the Russian 
Federation. 
 (b) Articles 2.2, 3.1, 
5.1, 5.2, 7.1  (b) the prohibition of 
unnecessary obstacles to international trade and the 
consideration of less trade-
restrictive alternatives to fulfilling legitimate 
objectives; Unnecessary obstacles to international trade are be ing lifted in the course of harmonisation of the 
current legislation and conformity assessment procedur es with the internationa l requirements. The draft 
Federal Law "Framework Provisions on Technical Regulation in the Russian Federation" fully 
implements this principle.  
 (c) Article 2.3, 3.1, 
7.1  (c) the ongoing review of 
technical regulations to ensure they are appropriate 
to achieve the desired 
legitimate objective; Ongoing review of technical regulations to ensure th eir conformity to legal requirements is a current 
practice.   
 (d) Article 2.4, 3.1, 
5.4, 7.1  (d) the consideration of 
appropriate international 
standards, guides and 
recommendations as a basis for technical 
regulations and conformity 
assessment procedures; Current practice makes ample use of international standards, guides and recommendations in the 
development of technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures. Besides, a commitment to 
use the above as a basis for development of national technical regulations and conformity assessment 
procedures is provided under the draft Federal Law "Framework Provisions on Technical Regulationin the Russian Federation" 
 (e) Article 2.7, 3.1, 
7.1  (e) the consideration of 
equivalent technical 
regulations of other 
Members; Development of national regulatory acts already involves a review of technical regulations of WTO 
Members. Notably, for standards containing mandatory requirements, this underlying guidance is 
provided in Law 5154-1 of the Russian Federation "On Standardisation" (Article 6) of 10 June 1993 
(as amended and supplemented on 27 December 1995) currently in effect.  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3
 Page 5WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of 
accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time  Required to Undertake the Commitment 
 (f) Article 6, 7.1  (f) the acceptance of the 
results of conformity 
assessment procedures conducted by bodies in an 
exporting Member 
country; Under Article 4 of Law 5151-1 of the Russian Federa tion "On Certification of Products and Services" 
dated 10 June 1993 as amended by Federal Law 154-FZ of 31 July 1998, Russia recognises the results 
of conformity assessment procedur es by all international system s Russia has acceded to (Geneva 1955 
Treaty on Mechanical Vehicles, Brussels Conventi on for Mutual Recognition of Tests of Brands of 
Handguns and Cartridges, The International Electrotechnical Commission's Quality Assessment 
System for Electronic Components (IECQ), the IEC International System for Confirmation of Test 
Results and Certification of Electric Equipment, th e IEC Scheme for Certification to Standards for 
Explosive Atmospheres (IECEx). In other cases, recognition of the results of conformity assessment 
procedures is provided under mul tilateral or bilateral agreements. 
 (g) Article 5.2, 7.1, 
10.4  (g) non-discriminatory and 
cost-based fee structure. Gosstandart of Russia had adopted (upon agreement with the Minist ry of Finance of the Russian 
Federation) "Rules of Certification. Fees for Certification of Products and Services" which were 
subsequently registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on 29 December 1999 
(reg. No. 2031). The document provides a uniform fee-payment structure for national and foreign applicants, and is based on the costs effectivel y incurred by certification authorities and testing 
laboratories in carrying out the conformity assessment procedures. 
6. Article 4 and Annex 3, 
Article 8 6. Development and Application 
of Standards and Conformity 
Assessment Procedures: Existence of legal and/or 
administrative underpinnings 
(or " reasonable measures" as 
appropriate) to ensure ongoing 
compliance with provisions of the agreement concerning, in 
particular:  
 (a) Annex 3 (D), 
Article 8.1  (a) non-discrimination with 
respect to the treatment of 
products; There is no discrimination of imported goods (for the purposes of the TBT Agreement) in the Russian 
Federation. 
 (b) Annex 3 (E), 
Article 8.1  (b) the prohibition of 
unnecessary obstacles to 
international trade; Unnecessary obstacles to interna tional trade are being lifted in th e course of harmonisation of the 
current legislation and conformity assessment procedur es with their international counterparts. Certain 
required measures were undertaken under the "I nterministerial Programme of Measures for 1999 – 
2000" and further measures are envisaged by a similar programme for 2002 – 2005.  
 WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3 
Page 6 WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of 
accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time  Required to Undertake the Commitment 
 (c) Annex 3 (F), 
Article 8.1  (c) the consideration of 
appropriate international 
standards, guides and recommendations as a 
basis for standards; This requirement is implemented in the framework standards of the State Standardisation System 
(GOST R 1.0-92 "The State Standardisation System of the Russian Federation. The Main Principles"; 
GOST R 1.2-92 "The State Standardisation System of the Russian Federation. The Procedure for Development of State Standards.") 
 (d) Annex 3 (M), 
Annex 3 (P), 
Articles 8.1, 10.4  (d) non-discriminatory and 
cost-based fee structure. Gosstandart of Russia had adopted (upon agreement with the Minist ry of Finance of the Russian 
Federation) "Rules of Certification. Fees for Certification of Products and Services" which were 
subsequently registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on 29 December 1999 (reg. No. 2031). The document provides a uniform fee-paying structure for national and foreign 
applicants, and is based on the costs effectivel y incurred by certification authorities and testing 
laboratories in carrying out the conformity assessm ent procedures. The ISO approaches are applied for 
the purposes of payment of the cost of standards. 
 
  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3
 Page 7Checklist of SPS Issues in Accession of the Russian Federation to the WTO  
 
WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
1. Generally agreed 
principle in WTO accession 
negotiations. 1. Standstill: introduction of new standards, 
animal health regulations and food safety regulations shall conform to SPS Agreement 
principles. The Russian party does not intend to complicat e access to its markets by introducing a less 
favourable treatment for the purposes of the SPS Agreement. Such stand-still principle is 
provided for in the Russian legislation. The basic SPS conformity parameters are defined in 
Russia’s draft commitments in re spect of access to goods and services markets. Measures 
for market protection will be undertaken in full compliance with Russia’s international obligations, the Russian legislation in force a nd the requirements of draft laws currently 
being written by reference to TBT and SPS Agreements. 
 All sanitary, epidemiological, veterinary and phytosanitary measures maintained by the 
Russian Federation are maintained to such exte nt as required to protect human, animal and 
plant health only. Development and introduction of new standards, norms, requirements and oversight procedures will proceed in st rict conformity to SPS Agreement.  
 
As Russia is preparing to accede to the WTO,  the standstill principle has been implemented 
through the Interministerial Programme of Measures to Ensure Compliance with the WTO 
TBT Agreement and the WTO SPS Agreement fo r 1999 – 2001 and will be maintained 
under a similar further programme for 2002 – 2005.  
 WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3 
Page 8 WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
2. Article 7 and Annex 
B.3. 2. Establishment and operation of a single 
Contact Point for Information ("enquiry 
point"). A functioning Russian Single Contact Point for TBT/SPS ("TBT/SPS Enquiry Point") was 
set up by Gosstandart of Russia on the basis of All-Russia Research Institute for 
Classification, Terminology and Information in  Standardisation and Quality (VNIIKI) in 
1999. The function of the TBT/SPS Enquiry Poin t is to provide the necessary SPS-related 
information to all interested parties, including foreign participants of international trade. 
 This Enquiry Point is the centre of a comprehensive information network encompassing 
federal and regional reference points, including specialised information centres of the 
Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (sanitary and epidemiological issues) and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation (veterinary and phytosanitary issues). 
 
Address of the Russian TBT/SPS Enquiry Point address: 4 Granatny per., Moscow 103001 
Russian Federation; tel./fax 230 25 98; 
e-mail: enpoint@vniiki.ru
 
Address of the Ministry’s of Health of the Russian Federation Centre for Regulation and Certification is: 18/20 Vadkovsky per., Moscow 101479 Russian Federation; tel. 978 2496, 
fax 973 1976; e-mail: snodeadmin20@gost.ru
 
Address of the Principal Computing Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation: 15 Krzhizhanovskogo street, Moscow, Russian Federation; tel. 124 7796; fax: 
124 7374 (www.aris.ru
). 
3. Articles 7 and Annex 
B, also G/SPS/7. 3. Transparency: notification and access to 
documentation:  
 (a) Annex B.5(b) 
and Annex B.10.  (a) identification of authority responsible 
for making notifications to the WTO 
and ensuring transp arency obligations 
are met on an ongoing basis; (a) The Russian TBT/SPS Enquiry Point is  the agency responsible for submitting 
notifications to the WTO, distribution of information and providing access to SPS 
documentation (in compliance with the tran sparency commitments), and it will start 
performing such functions in full immediatel y upon accession. Preparation of the necessary 
materials and documents pertains to the authority of the Ministry of Health of the Russian 
Federation (sanitary and epidemiological issues) and the Ministry of Agriculture (animal 
and plant health control and quarantine).  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3
 Page 9WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
 (b) Annex B.5(a).  (b) establish guidance or law requiring 
publication of proposed measures at an 
early stage for comment; (b) A press organ for official publication of notifications will be appointed by the 
Government of the Russian Federation as re quired under the SPS Agreement. The Russian 
TBT/SPS Enquiry Point, which has started publis hing a specialised "Vestnik" (Bulletin), is 
currently ready to assume this function. Th is requirement will be implemented after the 
accession. It is proposed inter alia to  publish sanitary rules and norms.  
 At present, listings of newly developed sanitary legislation are published in specialised 
journals. The development programme for state sanitary and epidemiological regulation in 
2002 – 2005 may be viewed on the Ministry’s of Health Regulation and Certification Centre webpage ("Documents" cat egory) at www.crc.ru
. Since September 2000, the "Bulletin of 
Regulations and Guidelines of State Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision Authority of 
the Ministry of Health" comes out quarterly. The ninth issue of the Bulletin is currently ready for publication. 
 
Regulatory and legal documents on veterinary and phytosanitary measures are published in the Information Bulletin of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, 
"Veterinary Practice" magazine, newspapers  "Veterinary Consultant" and "Veterinary 
Gazette".  
 (c) Annex B.5.(c).  (c) implement through legislation or 
administrative procedures a 
requirement to provide copies of 
proposed measures to WTO Members; and (c) The draft Federal Law "Framework Provisio ns on Technical Regulation in the Russian 
Federation" (has passed the first reading by the State Duma) requires all developers of 
technical regulations to publish new drafts and incorporate the comments of interested 
parties and provide Members with lists of proposed measures.  
After the draft is passed into law this requir ement will be additionally implemented in state 
sanitary, veterinary and epidemiological regulations. Currently the plans for development 
and review of regulatory documents and guidelines are included in the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Regulation Development Program for 2002 – 2005 approved by the 
Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation on 29 December 2001 (see section 3 B). A 
schedule of development of main technical regulations is provided in the Interministerial Program of Measures (see section 1).   
 WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3 
Page 10 WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
 (d) Annex B.5(d).  (d) implement through legislation or 
administrative procedures a reasonable 
period of time for comment from Members and the public, and establish 
a process for incorporating comments 
without discrimination. (d) The draft Federal Law "Framework Provisions on Technical Regulation in the Russian 
Federation" provides a sufficient period of time for comments from Members and interested 
persons regarding newly developed Russian laws, standards and other documents, and sets forth the requirement to consid er and incorporate any releva nt comments and proposals. 
 
Comments and proposals are considered and incorporated without discrimination unless capable of adversely affecting protection of human health, human environment, animal and 
plant health. Prior to final approval of a draft, a discrepancy protocol is produced 
substantiating the reasons for incorporating or failure to incorp orate comments and 
proposals and is presented for discussion by the interested parties in conference. 
4. Article 2.2. 4. Necessity: me asures are applied only to the 
extent necessary to protect human, animal 
or plant health. Pursuant to Federal Law No. 52-FZ "On Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-Being of the 
Population" dated 30 March 1999, the purpose of sanitary and epidemiological requirements 
is to eliminate environmental factors dangerous for man, ensure product safety, protection of human life and health, as well as prevention of occurrence and dissemination of diseases. 
Such sanitary and epidemiological requirements are passed in the form of sanitary rules and 
hygienic regulations, that are subject to subsequent state registration with the Ministry of Justice of Russia and official pu blication, and are enacted, as a general rule, no sooner than 
3 months after their adoption. Extraordinary measures require a resolution by the Chief 
State Sanitary Physician of the Russian Federation and remain in effect until the danger is liquidated.  
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Federal Law No. 4979-1 of the Russian Federation "On Veterinary Service" dated 14 May 1993 and the Code of the International Office of 
Epizootics, relevant measures are applied only to the extent necessary to protect human and 
animal health. Extraordinary m easures require a resolution by the Chief State veterinary 
Inspector of the Russian Federation and remain in effect until the source of a transmittable 
animal disease is liquidated. 
 The exporting countries are notif ied of all measures through their Embassies in the Russian 
Federation. In the case of clear and present da nger to human and animal life and health due 
to an epizootic in the exporting countries:  
 
-an immediate decision to suspend import will be taken based on the official information of the International Office for Epizootics (IOE) or information provided by the veterinary 
service of the exporting country. In such a case  Embassies of the exporting countries in the 
Russian Federation will be promptly notified.  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3
 Page 11WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
Measures restricting imports of animal products reflect proposals from the veterinary 
services of the importing countries provided that such proposals are timely and science-
based.   
Under Resolution No. 268 of the Government of the Russian Federation "On the State Plant 
Quarantine Service of the Russian Federation" dated 23 April 1992, phytosanitary quarantine applies only to the extent necessary  to suspend import until acclimation of items 
subject to quarantine in the Russian Federation. 
 Federal Law No. 99-FZ "On Quarantine of Plants" of 15 July 2000 provides framework 
principles for implementing plant quarantine in the Russian Federation. 
 Russia refers to the SPS Agreem ent and reserves the right, as all other countries, to 
introduce phytosanitary measures in respect of harmful organisms which have not been 
completely studied in phytosanitary terms and can be potentially dangerous for Russia, with subsequent analysis of the phytosanitary risk  involved in accordance with the international 
guidelines (standards).   
 WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3 
Page 12 WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
5. Articles 2.2, 3.3 and 
5.2. 5. Science-based regulations: regulations 
governing animal and plant health 
protection and food safety control shall be based on scientific evidence. Pursuant to Federal Law No. 52-FZ "On Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-Being of the 
Population" dated 30 March 1999, regulations governing human health protection and food 
safety shall be based on comprehensive scientific evidence and relevant international experience (Article 38). 
 
Pursuant to Law No. 4979-1 of the Russian Federation "On Veterinary Service" dated 14 May 1993, any existing and newly developed veterinary regulatory documents have to 
be based on scientific evidence or international requirements. 
 The Federal Law "On Quarantine of Plants" and Resolution No. 268 of the Government of 
the Russian Federation "On the State Plant Qu arantine Service of the Russian Federation" 
dated 23 April 1992, require, among other provisions, that phytosanitary risks and their management (i.e. phytosanitary measures) must be evidenced and supported by scientific 
evidence, and prohibit application of phytosan itary measures for purposes other than plant 
quarantine regulation, etc.  
According to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the 
recommendations of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO), science-based phytosanitary measures must be evidenced by research projects 
based on international guidelines (standards).     
  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3
 Page 13WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
6. Articles 3.1, 3.3 
and 3.4. 6. Harmonization: to the maximum 
possible extent, members shall follow 
international standards, guidelines, and recommendations in establishing SPS 
measures. Federal Law No. 52-FZ "On Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-Being of the Population" 
dated 30 March 1999 (Article 38) and the Stat ute on the State Sanitary and Epidemiological 
Regulations approved by Resolution No. 554 of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 24 July 2000 (Section 5 and 6), require that international requirements and 
recommendations must be analysed and used in national sanitary regulations and legislation. 
The harmonisation proceeds by reference to the documents of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimetarius, WHO recommendations, EC documents and documents of other international 
organisations. 
 Implementing provisions are included in Federal Law No. 4979-1 "On Veterinary Service" 
dated 14 May 1993 and Resolution No. 268 of the Government of the Russian Federation 
"On the State Plant Quarantine Service of the Russian Federation" dated 23 April 1992. 
Notably, for the purposes of substantiation of a phytosanitary measure, the above 
instruments refer, wherever applicable, to  recommendations of IPPC and EPPO and 
international standards.  
For the purposes of WTO accession, Russia is re viewing its legislative and regulatory acts, 
guidelines and procedural documents related to valuation and control of products and goods to ensure their compliance to international standards and requirements. Such works will 
continue though the effectiveness and expedition are conditional on the availability of 
budgetary financing and foreign technical assistance.*  
 WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3 
Page 14 WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
7. Article 4. 7. Equivalen ce: Members shall recognize 
measures maintained by other Members 
provided that the same level of protection is achieved. Russia is complying with the equivalence prin ciple for the purposes of the SPS Agreement 
as long as sanitary and phytosanitary measures maintained by other countries achieve the 
necessary level of protection of public, animal and plant health.  
The procedure for sanitary and epidemiological  examination of products and issuance of 
sanitary and epidemiological opinions establishing conformity (or non-conformity) of products to sanitary and epidemiological requirements are provided by Russian law, 
resolutions of the Government of the Russian Federation and Order 325 of the Ministry of 
Health of the Russian Federation "On Sanitary and Epidemiological Assessment of Products" dated 15 August 2001 (as amended and supplemented by Order No. 84 of the 
Ministry of Health 18 March 2002) (Order of the Ministry of Health of the Russian 
Federation of 20 July 1998, No. 217 is inoperative.)   
The procedure for veterinary and sanitary examination of animal products and primary 
products and issuance of a veterinary opinion establishing conformity (or non-conformity) of products to veterinary and sanitary requirements are provided by Russian law, resolutions 
of the Government of the Russian Federation, the "Instruction on the Procedure for Issuance 
of Veterinary Accompanying Documents for Cargoes Regulated by the State Veterinary Surveillance Authority" approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Products of the 
Russian Federation on 12 April 1997, No. 13-7-2/871 and registered with the Ministry of 
Justice of the Russian Federation on 22 May 1997, No. 1310. 
 
In terms of phytosanitary control, the procedures and the authority to conduct laboratory analysis and laboratory examination of regulated products are provided by Federal Law 99-
FZ "On Quarantine of Plants" on 15 July 2000 and the Regulations of the State Service of 
Quarantine of Plants in the Russian Federation approved by Resolution 268 of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 23 April 1992 (as amended and supplemented 
on 1 October 1998).  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3
 Page 15WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
8. Article 5.1, 5.2 
and 5.3. 8. Risk Assessment: obtaining scientific 
evidence and conducting risk 
assessments to ensure that measures are science-based and applied only to the 
extent necessary to protect human, 
animal and plant health. Under current legislation of the Russian Federation (Federal Law No. 52-FZ "On Sanitary 
and Epidemiological Well-Being of the Population" dated 30 March 1999, Federal Law 
No. 99-FZ "On Quarantine of Plants" dated 15 July 2000, Federal Law No. 4979-1 "On Veterinary Service" dated 14 May 1993, and Resolution No. 268 of the Government of the 
Russian Federation "On the State Plant Quarantin e Service of the Russian Federation" dated 
23 April 1992) all measures undertaken are ba sed on scientific evidence and risk assessment 
(examination of the degree of potential threat latent in a harmful factor or commodity) to the 
extent that is necessary for protection of human, environmental, animal and plant health. 
The current state regulation system is organise d to the extent allowed by the technical and 
economic capabilities of the country. 
 
Russia envisages further improvement of regulation of risk assessment through harmonisation with international risk assessment methods, a profound analysis and 
development or theoretical solutions, perfecting me thods of analysis and control of safety of 
products for human, animal and plants health. The success of this effort-consuming undertaking will largely depend on the finances available, foreign, technical, expert 
assistance and consultations, access to modern technologies and control and analytical 
equipment for research institutions and product control laboratories.*  
9. Article 6 and 
Annexes A.6 and 
A.7. 9. Regional characteristics: measures 
reflect the regional characteristics both 
of the areas from which products 
originate and the areas for which they are destined. All measures maintained under sanitary legisl ation apply without discrimination to both the 
area of origin of the goods and the target area.  Regional characteristics are relevant only for 
the purposes of risk assessment of different factors, including the public nutrition structure, 
and subject to the permitted daily dose (PDD) recommended by international organisations. Pursuant to the Statute on the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Regulations approved by 
Resolution No. 554 of the Government of the Russian Federation dated July 24, 2000, the 
relevant regulation in the Russian Federation is provided by federal sanitary rules and hygienic regulations only. Where necessary  to accommodate certain  special hygienic, 
epidemiological and ecological factors and the stat e of public health in any particular region 
of the Russian Federation, special sanitary rules will be adopted for and will regulate such territory.  
Veterinary measures reflect the regional ch aracteristics pursuant to Federal Law No. 4979-1 
"On Veterinary Service" dated 14 May 1993, and the requirements of the International 
Office of Epizootics. 
Regional characteristics are a f actor for the purposes of devising phytosanitary measures for 
use in a particular region.   
 WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3 
Page 16 WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
10. Article 2.3, and 
Annex C.1(a) and 
(d). 10. Non-discrimination: unwarranted 
discrimination of Members and 
differentiated treatment of national and foreign suppliers are prohibited. Non-discriminatory treatment is provided by the current legislation of the Russian 
Federation. Sanitary-epidemiological, veterinary and phytosanitary requirements are applied 
without discrimination to both domestic and foreign producers and domestic and foreign suppliers. 
11. Article 8 and   Annex C. 11. Control, inspection and approval 
procedures: ensure that procedures, 
including systems for approval of the use 
of additives or for establishing tolerances for contaminants in foods, beverages or 
foodstuffs comply w ith the Agreement. The Russian Federation continues to improve its procedures for sanitary and phytosanitary 
control, inspection and approval, to such extent  as the available technologies and finances 
allow. Notably, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation approved new 
"Regulations on Sanitary and Epidemiological Examination of Products by Order 325 of 15 August 2001 (replacing Order 217 of the Ministry of Health) (as amended and 
supplemented on 18 March 2002, No. 84). This Order specifies and details products that are 
subject to sanitary and epidemiological examination the list of which has been reduced as 
compared to the previous version, provides a revised validity term for a sanitary and 
epidemiological approval (5 year s or 1 year for pilot batch). An  approval issued by a centre 
of the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance Authority is valid everywhere in the 
Russian Federation. 
 Procedures for sanitary and phytosanitary cont rol, inspection and approval will be gradually 
adjusted to the SPS Agreement requirements through developm ent of new legislation and 
regulations, improvement of logistics of sanitary, veterinary and quarantine institutions under the Interministerial Programme of Measures to Ensure Complete Compliance with the 
TBT/SPS Agreements of the WTO for 2002 – 2005. 
 
* Given the current economic situation in th e country successful implementation of the above measures largely depends on the ex tent to which the following 
arrangements and tasks may be implemented: 
 
- identify, obtain, translate into Russian, analyse in scientific and legal terms the relevant new international, regional and na tional documents related to 
protection of human, environmental, animal health and quarantine of plants; 
- compare them with the existing Russian regulatory and legal docu ments and guidelines in terms of the realities of world trade a nd current regulation of 
products and goods maintained by the exporting countries. 
- conduct further scientific studies and resear ch for the purpose of improving the methodology of risk assessment and preparation  of modern national risk 
assessment guidelines; 
- develop new criteria of safety of products and services; 
- develop and implement modern control methods for safety criteri a and retooling of academic and research institutions and contro lling institutions directly 
involved in SPS area.    
  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.3
 Page 17This review may be successfully carried out granted timely fi nancial support enabling access to information and acquisition of equipment, and granted also expert 
assistance and consulting, additional specialised seminars, expe rt training, including language courses, experience sharing and  its use for improvement of the existing 
Russian SPS regulation to provide better guarantees for protection of human, animal and plant health. We also need to educate R ussian producers and suppliers of 
import products about the changes taking place in the structure and practices of state surveillance and safety control of produ cts entering the consumer market. 
 
To organise and coordinate these activities, it is required to create supplementary specialised divisions within the Ministry o f Health of the Russian Federation and 
the Ministry of Agriculture equipped with professional  staff qualified to deal with the WTO-related issues. 
 
__________