RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13/Rev.1 
12 April 2001 
 (01-1875) 
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.  
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Page 2 Checklist of TBT Issues in the 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. 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 Russian legislation in 
force and the requirements of draft laws currently under development. Legal and regulatory framework 
for the implementation of the above was provided un der the "Interministerial Programme of Measures 
to Ensure Compliance with the WTO TBT Agreement and the WTO S PS Agreement for 1999 – 2000" 
and will be completed in all material respects in the course of implementing a similar programme for 
2001 – 2002 (the programme is being drafted). 
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 fo r TBT/SPS Information (TBT/SPS Enquiry Point) was set up by 
Gosstandart of Russia on the basis of All-Russia Re search Institute for Classification, Terminology and 
Information on Standardisation and Quality (VNIIK I). The function of the TBT/SPS Enquiry Point is 
to provide, in conjunction with specialised informati on centres of different ministries and agencies, the 
necessary TBT and SPS related information to all inte rested 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 (w ww.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 plan. 
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:   
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 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 S ection 3 above, which has started publishing a 
specialised "Vestnik" (Bulletin), is curr ently ready to assume this function. 
 (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 make Gosstandart of Russia and other ministries and agencies concerned responsible 
for preparing notifications. The organisation responsible for submission of notifications to the WTO is 
the Russian TBT/SPS Enquiry Point.  
 (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 "On Technical Measures in Trade" (drafting is being finalized) requires that all 
federal executive authorities developing technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures 
release any new drafts by publication, and consider and take into account 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; All federal executive authorities must allow a sufficient period of time between the moment they adopt 
a technical regulation or conformity assessment proced ure and its entry into force, such period of time 
being sufficient to implement measures ensuring compliance with the newly introduced requirements, 
as provided under the draft Federal La w "On Technical Measures in Trade". 
 (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 
publishing a specialised "Vestnik" (Bulletin). Besides, standardisation work programmes are published 
in the Annual Catalogue of Standards and on the web-site of Gosstandart of Russia: WWW.GOST.RU.  
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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 (as far as the TBT Agreement is concerned) 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 procedures in respect of the international requirements. Notably, amendments were made to the Law of th e Russian Federation "On Certification of Products 
and Services" (1998), am endments are underway to the Law of the Russian Federation "On 
Standardisation". This commitment is more specifi cally provided for in the draft federal laws "On 
Technical Measures in Trade" and "On Confirmation of Conformity Assessment of Products and 
Services to Regulatory Requirements " (drafting is being finalized). 
 (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 their conformity to legal requirements is being 
implemented in 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, the requirement to use the above as a basis for national technical re gulations and conformity assessment procedures is 
provided under the draft Federal Law "On Technical Measures in Trade". 
 (e) Article 2.7, 3.1, 7.1  (e) the consideration of 
equivalent technical regulations 
of other Members; Technical regulations of WTO Members are routin ely considered in the development of national 
regulatory acts. Notably, as far as standards cont aining obligatory requiremen ts are concerned, this 
commitment is being implemented under the Law of the Russian Federation "On Standardisation" 
(Article 6).  
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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 No. 5151-1 of the Russian Federation "On Certification of Products and 
Services" dated 10 June 1993 as amended by Federal Law No. 154-FZ of 31 July 1998, the Russian 
side recognises the results of conf ormity assessment procedures effect ed by those international systems 
to which Russia has acceded. In other cases, recogn ition of the results of conformity assessment 
procedures is provided under multilateral and bilateral agreements. 
 (g) Article 5.2, 7.1, 
 10.4  (g) non-discriminatory and cost-
based fee structure. Gosstandart of Russia has adopted (after having agreed with the Ministry of Finance of the Russian 
Federation) and registered with th e Ministry of Justice of the Russi an Federation on 29 December 1999 
(reg. No. 2031) the "Rules of Certification. Fees  for Certification of Products and Services".  
The document provides a uniform f ee-payment structure for national and foreign applicants, and is 
based on the costs effectively incurred by certifica tion 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 c oncerning, 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 (as far as the TBT Agreement is concerned) 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 pr ocedures with the international requirements. 
The necessary measures were unde rtaken under the "Interministeria l Programme of Measures for 1999 
– 2000" and further measures are envisaged by the similar draft programme for 2001 – 2002. 
 (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 principal 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.")  
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Page 6 WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of 
accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time  Required to Undertake the Commitment 
 (d) Annex 3 (M), 
 Annex 3 (P), 
 Articles 8.1, 10.4  (d) non-discriminatory and cost-
based fee structure. Gosstandart of Russia adopted (after having agreed  with the Ministry of Finance of the Russian 
Federation) and registered with the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on 29 December  
1999 (reg. No. 2031) the "Rules of Certification. Fees for Certification of Products and Services".  
The document provides a uniform f ee-payment structure for national and foreign applicants, and is 
based on the costs effectively incurred by certifica tion authorities and testing laboratories in carrying 
out the conformity assessment procedures. 
The ISO approaches are applied for the purposes of payment of the cost of standards. 
 
 
 
 
 
Checklist 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: the 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. The basic parameters were defined in the Russia’s draft commitments in  respect 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 and the requirements of 
draft laws currently under development. 
Measures with regard to sanitary-epidemiological and veterinary issues are aimed at human 
and animal health protectio n and are fully consistent with the SPS Agreement. 
Development and application of new standards, norms for animal health protection and food 
safety regulations proceed by  reference to the requireme nts of the SPS Agreement. 
The legal and regulatory framework for plant quarantine (phytosanitary) protection is 
consistent with the SPS Agreement.  
As Russia is preparing to accede to the SPS  Agreement, the standstill principle is 
implemented through the Interministerial Pr ogramme of Measures to Ensure Compliance 
with the WTO TBT Agreement and the WTO SPS Agreement.  
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2. Article 7 and Annex 
B.3. 2. Establishment and operation of a single 
Contact Point for Information ("enquiry 
point"). Russian Single Contact Point for TBT/SPS Information (TBT /SPS Enquiry Point) was set 
up by the Gosstandart of Russia on the basis of All-Russia Research Institute for 
Classification, Terminology and Information on Standardisation and Quality (VNIIKI). The 
function of this TBT/SPS Enquiry Point is to provide, in conjunc tion with specialised 
information centres of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of 
Agriculture of the Russian Federation, th e necessary SPS-related information to all 
interested parties including foreign participants of international trade. 
Address of the Russian TBT/S PS Enquiry Point address:  
 4 Granatny per., Moscow 103001 Russian Federation;   tel./fax 230 25 98; 
  e-mail: enpoint@vniiki.ru.
 
A specialised SPS information centre was esta blished by the Ministry  of Health of the 
Russian Federation (sanitary and epidemiological issues) on the basis of the Centre for Regulation and Certification. 
Address of the specialised SPS In formation Center of the Ministry of Health of the Russian 
Federation:   18/20 Vadkovsky per., Moscow 101479 Russian Federation;  
 tel. 978 2496,  
 fax 973 1976;   e-mail: snodeadmin20@gost.ru
. 
A specialised SPS information center was establis hed by the Ministry of  Agriculture of the 
Russian Federation (veterinary and phytosanitary issues) on the basis of the Principal Computing Centre (by Order No. 500 of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation dated August 10, 1998). 
Address of the Specialised SPS Information 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:   
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Page 8 WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time  Required to Undertake the Commitment 
 (a) Annex B.5.(b) and 
 Annex B.10.  (a) identification of authority responsible for 
making notifications to the WTO and 
ensuring transparency obligations are met on an ongoing basis; The Russian TBT/SPS Enquiry Poin t is the agency responsible for submitting notifications 
to the WTO, distribution of information and ensuring access to SPS documentation (in 
compliance with the tran sparency requirement), and it will start performing such functions 
in full capacity immediately up on 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 of the Russian 
Federation (animal health and quarantine control). 
 (b) Annex B.5(a).  (b) establish guidance or law requiring 
publication of proposed measures at an early 
stage for comment; The organ of the press for official publication of notifications required under the SPS 
Agreement will be determined by the Government of the Russian Federation. 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 envisaged inter alia  to publish sanitary rules and norms in "Vestnik"  
At present listings of newly developed sanita ry legislation are published in specialised 
journals. Since September 2000 "Bulletin of Regulatory and Policy Documents Regarding 
State Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision"  of the Ministry of Health of the Russian 
Federation comes out quarterly. The third is sue 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.  
 (c) Annex B.5.(c).  (c) provision in law or administrative 
procedure to provide copies of proposed 
measures to WTO Members; and Various draft legal and regulatory acts, no tably the Draft Federal Law "On Technical 
Measures in Trade", require submission to WTO Members of lists of proposed measures. 
After the Law is adopted this requirement will be added to the state sanitary and 
epidemiological regulations. 
This SPS Agreement requirement concerning vete rinary and phytosanitary measures will be 
implemented gradually by adopting appropriate legal and regulatory acts. 
 (d) Annex B.5(d).  (d) require in law or administrative 
procedure, a reasonable period of time for 
comment from Members and the public, and establishment of a process to take comments 
into account without discrimination. The Draft Federal Law "On Technical Measures in  Trade" provides a proper period of time 
for comments from the WTO Members and interested persons regarding the newly 
developed Russian laws, standards and other documents, and sets forth the requirement to 
consider and take into account any comments and proposals. Non-discriminatory treatment 
in international trade is provided under the current legislation of the Russian Federation. 
Comments and proposals are considered and taken into account without discrimination 
unless capable of adversely affecting the protection of human health, human environment, animal and plant health.   
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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. 
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, measures are applied only to the extent necessary to protect human and animal 
health. 
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 prevent import and acclimatisation of 
items subject to quarantine in the Russian Federation. 
Further improvement of Russian legislation is contemplated in Federal Law No. 99-FZ "On 
Quarantine of Plants" of 15 July 2000. Draft resolution of the Government of the Russian 
Federation "On Quarantine of Plants " is currently being prepared. 
Russia reserves the right to introduce phyt osanitary 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 norms.   
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Page 10 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. Regulations Based on Science: regulations 
governing animal and plant health and food 
safety 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. 
Pursuant to Federal Law No. 4979-1 of the Russian Federation "On Veterinary Service" 
dated 14 May 1993, the existing and newly developed veterinary regulatory documents have to be based on scientific evidence or subject to 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. 
The scientific substantiation requirement in resp ect of quarantine regulations is based on the 
recommendations of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the European 
and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO), EU directives and the findings of 
research projects based on national methods.    
6. Articles 3.1, 3.3 and 
3.4. 6. Harmonization: to the extent possible, 
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 and the Statute on the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Regulations approved by Resolution No. 554 of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 24 July 2000, require analysis and use in national sanita ry regulations of international requirements 
and recommendations. 
Similar requirements are implemented 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, to substantiate the introduction of a phytosanitary measure,  the above instruments 
refer, wherever applicable, to recommenda tions of IPPC and EPPO and international 
standards. 
Further adjustment of procedures for full analysis and harmonisation of sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures to incorporate international standards, rules and recommendations will take no less than three years*. 
7. Article 4. 7. Equivalence: members shall recognize 
different measures that achieve the same 
level of protection. Russia complies with the equivalence princi ple for the purposes of the SPS Agreement 
provided that sanitary and phytosanitary measures maintained by other countries achieve the necessary level of protection of public, animal and plant health.  
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8. Article 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3. 8. Risk Assessment: developing scientific 
evidence and conducting risk assessments to 
ensure that measures are based on science and applied only to the extent necessary to 
protect health. Under the current legislation of the Russi an Federation (Federal Law No. 52-FZ "On 
Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-Being of th e Population" dated 30 March 1999, Federal 
Law No. 4979-1 "On Veterinary Service" dated 14 May 1993, Federal Law No. 99-FZ "On 
Quarantine of Plants" dated July 15, 2000, 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) all measures undertaken are based on scientific evidence and risk 
assessment (examination of the potential threat latent in a harmful factor or commodity) to the extent that is necessary for protection of human, environmental, animal and plant health. 
To comply with the commitments with regard to sanitary and hygienic, epidemiological, 
veterinary and phytosanitary measures, and to conduct an analysis of the above and 
substantiate the need for their harmonisation with the international risk assessment methods 
in the first place, will require a transition peri od of no less than three years upon accession 
to the WTO depending on the challenges of required scientific solutions in terms of state of 
the art and funds availability*.  
9. Article 6 and Annexes 
A.6 and A.7. 9. Regional conditions: measures take into 
account the regional ch aracteristics 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 nutrition structure, and 
subject to the permitted daily dose (PDD) recommended by international organisations. 
Veterinary measures take into account the regional characteristics 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 in quarantine regulation for the purposes of devising 
phytosanitary measures tailored for use in a particular region.  
10. Article 2.3, and Annex 
C.1(a) and (d). 10. Non-discrimination:  measures do not 
arbitrarily or unjustifiably discriminate 
between different members or between 
domestic and foreign suppliers. 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.  
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Page 12 WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time  Required to Undertake the Commitment 
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 with 
the Agreement. The Russian Federation continues to improve its procedures for sanitary and phytosanitary 
control, inspection and approval. Notably, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation 
approved new "Regulations on Hygienic Assessment of Products, Commodities and 
Manufactures" (Order No. 217 of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation of 20 July 1998; English translation was submitted to the WTO Secretariat in October 1999). 
Procedures for sanitary and phytosanitary cont rol, inspection and approval will be gradually 
adjusted to the SPS Agreement requirements ov er no less than a three year period, as new 
legislation and regulatory documents are bei ng developed, and sanitary, veterinary and 
quarantine institutions build up adequate material and technical resources, based on the available funds, under the Programme of Meas ures to Ensure Complete Compliance with 
the TBT/SPS Agreements of the WTO. 
 
* The length of the transition period (no less than three years) is due to the need for a scientifically grounded revision of n ational sanitary, veterinary and phytosanitary 
rules to comply with the international norms, including those la id down by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).  This will involve, among other activities, collection, 
translation into Russian and analysis of th e relevant international documents, their comparison with the Russian legislation an d regulatory acts in effect, analysis of international 
practice of new sanitary, veterinary and phytosanitary regulation of imports and exports operations, update the material and te chnical resources of sanitary, veterinary and 
phytosanitary institutions, and, wh ere necessary and given sufficient scientific confirmation, to amend and supplement the lega l and regulatory documents in effect taking into 
account diversity of regional characteristics within the Russian Federation. 
 
 
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