G/SPS/GEN/1853   
5 November 2020  
(20-7882) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: Spanish  
 
  
NEW SECURITY MEASURES  IN PAPER  PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATES  
COMMUNICA TION FROM  ARGENTINA  
The following communication , received on 5 November  2020, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of Argentina . 
 
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1.  Argentina wishes to notify the implementation, from 4 November  2020, of new security measures 
in phytosanitary certificates, phytosanitary certificates for re-export and their respective 
supplementary certificates for export s of plants, plant products and other regulated articles , in 
accordance  with the specifications  set forth in International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) ISPM 
No. 12 "Phytosanitary Cer tificates" . These measures apply to phytosanitary certificates issued on 
paper . 
2.  The new format for phytosanitary certificates for export and re -export may be downloaded from 
the IPPC website at : 
https://www.ippc.int/en/countries/argentina/countrynews/2020/11/argentina -new-security -
measures -for-phytosanitary -certificate -in-paper/ . 
3.  The following new security m easures have been implemented : 
1- Security measures specific to the paper:  
1.1. Controlled issuance security paper  weighing 90 g/m²,  with no fluorescence upon 
exposure to UV light  (365 nm). 
1.2. Duotone watermark v isible against light . 
1.3. Presenc e of invisible fibres with green and blue fluorescence, visible  under UV light  (365 
nm). 
1.4. Irreversible colour reactions upon contact with chemical substances (protection against 
falsification ). 
1.5. Paper dimensions:  A4 (21 cm x 29 .7 cm). 
2- Visible secur ity measures  
2.1. Box formed of microtext located in the upper  left corner . The text reads "SERVICIO 
NACIONAL DE SANIDAD Y CALIDAD AGROALIMENTARIA"  (National Agriculture and Food 
Quality and Health Service (SENASA))  and is visible with  a 10x magnifying gla ss. 
2.2. Next to the box is a  guilloche rosette, consisting of continuous  and unbroken  lines.  
2.3. A coin and soft metal reactive SENASA i sotype is located in  the upper right  corner  and 
may be verified by scratching the area with a coin . 
2.4. Central background image :  
2.4a. Letters of the abbreviation "senasa" are written in microtext of a varying 
thickness . 
2.4b. Background design surrounded by an aura effect . 
2.5. Anti-photocopy background . The message "ES COPIA"  (COPY ) appears when a dry to ner 
copy of the certificate is made  (whether this message is successfully activated depends 
on the  technology used ). 
2.6. "Documento Oficial Senasa"  (Official SENASA document)  is written in white text  on 
background lines . 
2.7. Printing  in the side margins is composed of grey, blue and light  blue lines .  G/SPS/GEN/1853  
 
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  3- Invisible security measures  
3.1. Security background visible  only under UV light (365 nm). 
3.2. Microtext  of a varying size . 
3.3. Invisible lines added to side margin printing . 
3.4. SENASA isologotype located in the centre of the upper margin . 
3.5. SENASA isotype  (coin reactive ink ) with yellow fluorescence under UV light (365 nm).  
4- Reverse side security measures  
4.1. Barcode for control and numbering  purposes  (information to be used exclusively by  
SENASA ). 
4.  The documents  are issued via an IT system and are accompanied by a  Single Electronic Validation 
Code (CUVE), which enables the user to consult the content of the document and verify its validity 
by entering this code on the SENASA w ebsite . In addition, a QR code has been  added as an 
alternative way to consult the content and validity of the document . 
5.  Prior to the definitive implementation of  the new format , certificate s with the current security 
measures will continue to be  valid and  will be used in parallel with the new version for an estimated 
period of four months . 
6.  For more information, please email dnpv@senasa.gov.ar . 
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