G/SPS/W/36 2 
 
22 April 2024  
(24-3310) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
SIXTH REVIEW OF THE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT   
ON THE APPLICATION OF SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES  
SPS COMMITTEE THEMATIC SESSION ON MONITORING THE USE OF INTERNATIONAL  
STANDARDS: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CCFICS GUIDELINE ON THE USE OF VOLUNTARY  
THIRD -PARTY ASSURANCE PROGRAMMES (CXG 93 -2021)  
SUBMISSION  FROM BELIZE  
The following submission , received on  19 April 2024, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Belize . 
 
_______________  
 
 
1.1.  In the context of Sixth Review of the Operation and Implementation of the Agreement on the 
Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), B elize submitted a proposal 
for a thematic session on Monitoring the Use of International Standards: Implementation of the 
CCFICS Guideline on the Use of Voluntary Third -Party Assurance Programmes (CXG 93 -2021).  
1.2.  The objectives of the thematic session are to : 
(a) explore different approaches to implement the Codex Guidelines and share experiences and 
lessons (including from three regional STDF vTPA pilot projects);  
(b) learn about tools (e.g. UNIDO/STDF vTPA programme assessment tool, GFSI  data sharing 
platform) that support the assessment and/or use of third -party assurance programmes by 
regulators;  
(c) identify capacity building opportunities to assist developing countries to use the Codex vTPA 
Guidelines, including to enhance their risk -based inspection and auditing frameworks.  
1.3.  The proposed draft agenda below is being circulated for consideration by Mem bers. G/SPS/W/362  
 
- 2 - 
 
  DRAFT AGENDA FOR THEMATIC SESSION, XX NOVEMBER 2024, WTO, GENEVA  
MORNING SESSION  
1.  Relevant international standards (0.75 Hr)  
Overview of the Codex Principles and Guidelines for the Assessment and Use of the Voluntary 
Third-Party Assurance, developed by the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection 
and Certification Systems (CCFICS), and views from selected international organizations on how 
the vTPA programme approach can contribute to improved food safety outcomes.  
Speakers : 
▪ Nicola Hinder , Chair, Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and 
Certification Systems (CCFICS) (TBC)  
▪ Ryan Newkirk , World Health Organization (on expected contribution of vTPA programme 
approach to WHO Food Safety Strategy (TBC)  
Followed by Q&A session and discussion  
2.  MEMBERS ' EXPERIENCE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CODEX GUIDELINE ON 
VOLUNTARY THIRD -PARTY ASSURANCE PROGRAMMES (CXG 93 -2021) (1.25 hours)  
Presentation from Members on their experiences implementing the approach set down in the Codex 
Guideline (CXG 93 – 2021).  
Speakers : TBD 
▪ Speaker from Africa  
▪ Speaker from the Americas  
▪ Speaker from Asia  
▪ Speakers  from Europe  
Followed by Q&A session and discussion  
3.  Roundtable - Experiences and lessons learnt on piloting the use of the Codex 
guideline (CXG 93 -2021) (1 hour)  
In this roundtable discussion, members (involved in the STDF pilot projects) will share experiences 
and lessons learnt in improving their national food control system through the implementation of 
the respective regional vTPA pilot projects1 supported by the Standards and Trade Development 
Facility (STDF). This session will also explore some of the lessons/learnings that could be applied 
to the implementation of other international standards as well as provide valuable feedback for 
future projects funded b y the STDF.  
Moderator:  Marlynne Hopper, Deputy Head, Standards and Trade Development Facility (TBC)  
Speakers:  TBD 
▪ Regulator involved in Central America project  
▪ Regulator involved in East Africa project  
▪ Regulator involved in West Africa project  
▪ Private sect or representative (vTPA programme owner; FBOs)  
Followed by Q&A session and discussion  
 
1 These include a project in Central America (Honduras and Belize) led by IICA, a project in West Africa 
(Senegal and Mali) led by UNIDO, and a project in East Africa (Rwanda and Uganda) led by Land O'Lakes 
Venture 37.  G/SPS/W/362  
 
- 3 - 
 
  AFTERNOON SESSION  
4.  Capacity building initiatives (1.5 hours)  
This session will share available tools to support the use of vTPA programmes, and explore capacity 
building opportunities in support of risk -based approaches in national food control systems. It will 
include a presentation on the United Nations Industrial  Development Organization (UNIDO)/STDF 
vTPA capacity assessment tool and UNIDO vTPA readiness checklist, followed by a panel discussion.  
Speakers:  TBD 
UNIDO : vTPA capacity assessment tool (presentation)  
Panel discussion : 
▪ Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) - Experiences and Lessons 
Learnt as Implementing Partner to STDF/PG/682 “Piloting the use of TPA Programme in 
Central America (Belize and Honduras) to improve food safety” Project.  
▪ Common Mark et for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) (TBC)  
▪ Canadian -funded SafeGrow Project Viet Nam (TBC)  
▪ Other speakers (TBD)  
Followed by Q&A session and discussion  moderated by UNIDO.  
5.  Next s teps: scaling public -private partnersh ips by addressing gaps identified 
through vTPA pilots (1.5 hours)  
The vTPA pilot initiatives had different levels of success in terms of piloting the approach itself. 
However, they have led to several lessons learned and the identification of potential gaps , creating 
challenges for developing countries in participating in food trade under equal terms. Some 
challenges can be addressed through technological innovation , but others would require more 
strategic public -private engagement to overcome shortcomings r elated to the costs of international 
vTPA programmes or the lack of auditors. The vTPA approach has shown promising results in terms 
of optimizing public resources but there are still shortcomings in terms of data standards to ensure 
structured data sharin g among actors.  
Speakers:  TBC 
▪ Codex Alimentarius Commission  
▪ National regulator  
▪ UNIDO  
▪ Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environment (SSAFE)  
▪ Red tractor scheme  
Followed by Q&A session and discussion  
 
 
__________