G/SPS/GEN/1877  
 
25 February  2021 
(21-1642) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
 
PROCEDURE TO MONITOR THE PROCESS OF INTERNATIONAL HARMONIZATION  
SUBMISSION  BY NEW ZEALAND  
The following document , received on 22 February  2021, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of New Zealand . 
 
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1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  We note  the New Zealand paper G/SPS/GEN/1851 , submitted to the SPS Committee meeting 
in November 2020, which highlighted the renewed interest of the international standards bodies in 
the implementation of Article s 3.5 and 12.4 of the SPS Agreement. These Articles envisage that the 
SPS Committee "shall develop a procedure to monitor the process on international harmonization 
and coordinate efforts with the relevant international organizations ". The discussions curre ntly 
occurring in the ISSBs are specifically around the use, implementation and impact of their standards 
on trade and how best to monitor this process.  
2  PROPOSAL  
2.1.  New Zealand believe there are various avenues to assist the International Standard Setting 
Bodies (ISSBs ) in more effectively monitoring the use of the implementation of international 
standards as laid out in Articles 3.5 and 12.4 of the SPS Agreement.  
2.2.  Initially New Zealand suggested the WTO Secretariat invite Members and the ISSBs to propose 
ideas and suggestions for the best approach to explore these provisions.  
2.3.  In addition , New Zealand would like the SPS Committee to consider the following ideas:  
• A Thematic Session on Article s 3.5 and 12.4 of the SPS Agreement and initiatives of ISSB s 
in relation to international harmoni zation; 
• Reviewing (in consultation with the ISSBs) the notification template to gather more specific 
information  on international harmoni zation and ensure that useful data can be extracted 
from the WTO/SPS National Not ification System. In addition, discuss with the ISSBs what 
previous analysis may have been done to date ; 
• A review/analysis of Specific Trade Concerns (STC s) highlighting the themes and evidence 
of harmonization to ISSB standards ; 
• SPS Committee receive annu al report from the ISSBs on their efforts to support 
implementation among their members, of adopted standards, and any common challenges 
that may be faced ; 
• Annual discussion platform for Members to make voluntary statements to the 
SPS Committee highlightin g how they are contributing to harmonizing with international 
standards with examples or case studies of how they have based their sanitary or 
phytosanitary measures on international standards, guidelines or recommendations. 
Statements provided would provi de a snapshot of national approaches to harmonization with 
international standards. A statement template could be developed to provide Members G/SPS/GEN/1877  
 
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  guidance on content, and ensure the information provided can be reported on in a consistent 
and useful format ; 
• Relating specifically to Article 12.4, which reads "The Committee shall develop a procedure 
to monitor the process of international harmonization and the use of international standards, 
guidelines or recommendations. For this purpose, the Committee should, i n conjunction with 
the relevant international organizations, establish a list of international standards, guidelines 
or recommendations relating to sanitary or phytosanitary measures which the Committee 
determines to have a major trade impact …."; review th e list of international standards , 
guidelines and recommendations  relating to sanitary or phytosanitary measures which the 
Committee determines to have a major trade impact. Once the analysis has been 
undertaken, use the data to inform future proposals to monitor the use of the international 
standards.  
 
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