. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/GTM/12
28 August 2003
(03-4501)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  Spanish
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   GUATEMALA
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:  Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):
Inter alia , Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 12 of the Harmonized System.
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  Trading
partners of Guatemala
5. Title and number of pages of the notified document:  Ministerial Decision No. 476-98 of
2 September 1998.  Requirements for the Importation, Transport, Handling in Guatemala and
Field Trials of Agricultural Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)  (7 pages, in Spanish).
6. Description of content:  This Decision establishes requirements for the importation,
transport, handling in Guatemala and field trials of agricultural genetically modifiedorganisms (GMOs).
These requirements are mandatory throughout the Republic of Guatemala for natural
and/or legal persons interested in conducting experimental trials on genetically modified
organisms.
The Decision covers aspects related to the approval of research tests and trials, the
liability of natural and/or legal persons who conduct research trials on GMOs, the liability of
business corporations which develop or supply such products, authorization for
experimentation with GMOs, inspection, penalties and disputes.
7. Objective and rationale: [  X ] food safety,  [  X ] animal health,  [  X ] plant protection,
[ X ] 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, [ X ] None
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  Ministerial Decision
No. 393-98 of 28 August 1998 (available in Spanish);  Amendment to Ministerial Decision
No. 393-38 of 28 August 1998 by means of  Ministerial Decision No. 476-98 of
2 September 1998 (available in Spanish).G/SPS/N/GTM/12
Page 2
10. Proposed date of adoption:   Guatemala,  28 August 1998 (15 October 1998 for the
amendment)
11. Proposed date of entry into force:  Guatemala, 28 August 1998 (15 October 1998 for the
amendment)
12. Final date for comments:  Not applicable
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, [  X ] National enquiry point
or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food
Standards and Regulations Unit
Office of Standards and Procedures
7ª Avenida 12-90, Zona 13, Anexo Edificio Monja Blanca
Tel./Fax: (502) 475-3058, (502) 475-3068, (502) 475-3074E-mail: correo@unr.com.gt