G/SPS/GEN/1713  
 
28 June 2019 
(19-4371) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures    
 
UPDATE ON THE STANDA RDS AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT FA CILITY  
NOTE BY THE SECRETAR IAT1 
This document provides a brief update on the activities and projects of the Standards and Trade 
Development Facility (STDF) since the last update to the meeting of the SPS Committee in February 
2019 (G/SPS/GEN/ 1683). Delegates  are encouraged to visit the STDF website to view  and learn 
from STDF projects and download STDF briefing notes and other publications.2 Delegates are also 
encourag ed to subscribe to STDF 's mailing list  and receive regular updates on activities of the STDF 
and its partners (http://www.standardsfacility.org ). 
1  STDF 2018 A NNUAL REPORT  
The STDF 2018 Annual Report3 was publ ished on 7 June, the first World Food Safety Day. 
The publication illustrates how the STDF  contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 
on zero hunger, good health and well -being, decent work and economic growth, responsible 
consumption and prod uction, and global partnerships.  The report  highlights  the main results 
achieved by the STDF in 2018 , including through its projects, and identifies a number of important 
lessons and opportunities  to be taken into account in moving the STDF forward . 
2  EXTERNAL EVALUATION OF THE STDF  
2.1  The external evaluation of the STDF, which started in September 2018, is almost completed. 
The evaluation's f indings and recommendations  were discussed  among members at a meeting of 
the STDF Policy Committee in June 2019 , in particular with a view to inform the development of a 
new strategy for the STDF f rom 2020 to 2024. The company evaluating the STDF, Nathan Associates, 
will submit the final report to the Secretariat in the coming weeks, after which it will be published 
on the STDF website.  
3  STDF SESSION, AID FOR TRADE  GLOBAL  REVIEW – 4 JULY 201 9 
The STDF Secretariat organi zes a thematic session during the Aid for Trade Global Review 2019  
on 4 July , entitled  "Investing in SPS capacity for safe trade and sustainable development".  
The session will look at the impact of SPS capacity building on inclusive growth, highlighting 
experiences from the public and private sectors in Guatemala, Sri Lanka and Uganda. It will also 
discuss opportunities for developing countries to address resource constraints in building and 
sustaining SPS capacity.  Delegates are encouraged and welcome to visit STDF's stand in the WTO 
Atrium from 3 to 5 July , where samples of Sri Lankan cinnamon tea, Guatemalan honey, and 
Ugandan flowers  will be off ered. Further information about the thematic session  is available  on the 
STDF website .4 
                                                
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  
2 See: https://www.standards facility.org . 
3 See: https://www.standardsfacility.org/stdf -annual -reports . 
4 See: https://www.standardsfac ility.org/stdf -aid-trade -global -review . G/SPS/GEN/1713  
 
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  4  NEW STDF BRIEFING NO TE "TRADE POLICY EFF ECTS: THE IMPACT ON DOMESTIC FOOD 
SAFETY"  
In April, t he STDF issued  a new briefing note entitled "Trade policy effects: the impa ct on 
domestic food safety "5 at the FAO/WHO/WTO International Forum on Food Safety and Trade . 
The briefing explains how trade-related projects can have positive spillover s on domestic food safety 
including on knowledge, good regulatory practices, instituti ons and infrastructure. It highlight s 
findings from a recent STDF PPG on how to maximize the benefits of trade -related food safety 
capacity building  and explain s that more needs to be done t o measure the impact of trade related 
projects on domestic food sa fety and public health  (STDF/PPG/535).6 Going forward, more analysis 
and guidance is needed across different country and industry contexts based on strong evidence . 
In October  this year , the STDF Working Group will consider further work on this topic.  
5  STDF  INFORMATION SESSION  – 20 MARCH 2019  
From 2012 to 2015, an STDF project, implemented by FAO, supported the Government of 
Cameroon in the development of strategies to  monitor and control four major animal diseases in the 
country which affect livestock produ ction and in the longer -term opportunities for export 
(STDF/PG/336) . The Secretariat organized a n information session on 20 March at the WTO to present 
key results and lessons from this project .7 Panellists  highlighted ongoing  challenges including lack 
of resources  and traceability in livestock value chains , limited capacity  of veterinary services as well 
as porous border s. The manuals and capacity developed through the STDF project were considered 
a good starting point to control and eventually eradicate t he four diseases. The Government of 
Cameroon is making efforts to  sustain the impact of the project through other national, regional and 
international mechanisms , including collaboration with FAO and the W orld Bank Group . 
6  TRADE FACILITATION  
The Secretariat  continues to identify, analys e and foster dialogue on experiences, lessons 
learned and good practices to improve the implementation of SPS controls in a way that facilitates 
safe trade, while minimizing transaction costs.8 An STDF project in  Azerbaijan which strengthened 
phytosanitary border controls and facilitated cooperation between customs and phytosanitary border 
agencies was completed  in 2018 (STDF/PG/316) .9 The results and l essons from this project will be 
shared in an upcoming UNCTAD Compendium o f Good Practice in Implementing Measures under the 
WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.  
7  PRIORITIZING SPS INV ESTMENTS FOR MARKET ACCESS: P -IMA 
Work continues on STDF's P -IMA framework, which offers an evidence -based approach to 
inform and improve SPS planning and decision -making processes.10 A P-IMA focused PPG is on-going  
in Madagascar (STDF /PPG/575)11 and a new PPG to apply  the P-IMA tool in Ecuador  
(STDF/PPG/709)12 is about to start . An STDF project (STDF/PG/606)13 to assist  selected COMESA 
members states in  using  P-IMA to mainstream SPS investments into their agriculture, trade , and 
environment planning and financing frameworks , including the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture 
Development Plan (CAADP ), is being implemented in partnership with the Enhanced Inte grated 
Framework (EIF) .  
8  PUBLIC -PRIVATE PARTN ERSHIPS  
The STDF is updating  its work on the implementation of standards through public -private 
partnerships (PPPs). Delegates who have case stories to share in this regard are encouraged to 
contact the Secretar iat. The Secretariat aims to prepare and issue a  new STDF publication and 
                                                
5 See: https://www.standardsfacility.org/briefings . 
6 See: https://www.standardsfacility.org/PPG -535. 
7 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/information -session -cameroon . 
8 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/facilitating -safe-trade. 
9 See: https://www.standardsfacility.org/PG -316. 
10 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/prioritizing -sps-investments -market -access -p-ima. 
11 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/PPG -575. 
12 See: https://www.standardsfacility.org/PPG -709. 
13 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/PG -606. G/SPS/GEN/1713  
 
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  briefing note i n 2020.  In the meantime, t wo STDF PPGs in Africa and Latin America, related to the 
use of third -party assurance schemes are underway (STDF/PPG/66514 and STDF/PPG/68215). 
9  LIBRARY  
The STDF Library16 is an online information repository providing quick and easy online access 
to a variety of information resources focused on SPS technical cooperation and capacity building. 
Delegates  are encouraged to submit relevant documents to the Secretariat 
(STDFSecretariat@wto.org ) for inclusion in the Library , including: project documents and final 
reports, training materials, project evaluations/r eviews, SPS capacity needs assessments, cost -
benefit analyses, case studies, relevant research papers , and other articles on SPS capacity building. 
The Library complements and includes links to other information systems and databases developed 
and maintain ed by STDF partners, donors and other organizations.  
10  PROJECT DEVELOPMENT  
The STDF provides advice and support to applicants on issues related to SPS project 
development and finances project preparation grants (PPGs). PPGs, normally up to US$50,000, are 
available to help applicants articulate their SPS needs and develop technically sound and sustainable 
project proposals. PPGs can be requested to: (i) apply SPS capacity eval uation and prioritization 
tools;  (ii) prepare feasibility studies before project deve lopment to assess the potential impact and 
economic viability of proposals in terms of costs and benefits;  and (iii)  develop project proposals for 
funding by donors and/or the STDF.  
A total of 96 PPGs  have been approved and funded by the STDF since its inc eption. 
Information on on -going and completed PPGs is available on the STDF website.  The STDF Working 
Group approved 3 PPGs in March  2019. The newly approved PPGs included: (i) Strengthening SPS 
capacity in the shellfish sector in Senegal (STDF/PPG/67217); (ii) Overcoming barriers to trade 
through regulatory harmonization and related research with biopesticides for the SADC region  
(STDF/PPG/69418); and (iii) Applying the P -IMA tool in Ecuador  (STDF/PPG/70919). 
11  PROJECT IMPLEMENTATI ON 
Project g rant (PG) financin g for projects is also available from the STDF. Favourable 
consideration is given to projects that: (i) ide ntify, develop and disseminate  good practice in SPS -
related technical cooperation, including the development and application of innov ative an d replic able 
approaches;  (ii) apply regional approa ches to address SPS constraints ; and/or (iii)  implement 
collaborative approaches across food safety, animal and plant health and trade.  
Beneficiaries must contribute to the project from their own resources, either  in the form of 
financial or in -kind contributions such as staff time, use of premises, vehicles or other existing 
assets.  
A total of 93 projects  have been approved for STDF funding since its inception. Information 
on on -going and completed projects is available on the STDF website.  The STDF Working Group 
approved 2 PGs in March  2019. These newly approved  projects included: (i) Building  Guinea's 
capacity to facilitate trade (STDF/PG/49820); and (i i) Improving SPS capacity in the Penja pepper 
value chain  in Cameroon (STDF/PG/59321). 
Since its in ception, the STDF has devoted 65% of its project and PPG resources to LDCs and 
other low-income  countries (OL ICs). The STDF continues to meet its target to devote at least 40% 
                                                
14 See: https://www.standardsfacility.org/PPG -665. 
15 See: https://www.standardsfacility.org/PPG -682. 
16 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/library . 
17 See: https://www.standardsfacility.org/PPG -672. 
18 See: https://www.standardsfacility.org/PPG -694. 
19 See: https://www.standardsfacility.org/PPG -709. 
20 See: https://www.standardsfacility.org/PG -498. 
21 See: https://www.stand ardsfacility.org/PG -593. G/SPS/GEN/1713  
 
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  of its project and PPG resources to LDCs and OLICs. In particular, the allocation of PPG resources to 
LDCs and OLICs remains high (i.e . 72% of the overall budget for PPGs).  
49% of the number of STDF projects and PPGs has gone to Africa, 24% to Asia -Pacific, 15% 
to Latin America and the Caribbean, and 2% to other regions (Middle East and Europe). In addition, 
10% of the STDF projects and PPGs are classified as global.  
Application s for STDF funding can be made at any point in the year but should be received at 
least 60 working days in advance of each Working Group meeting to be considered at that meeting. 
The next deadline for the submission of applications is 19 July 2019 . Further  information on 
eligibility criteria, application forms, etc. is available on the STDF website.  
RECOMMENDED STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN SEEKING PG OR PPG FUNDING 
OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE STDF:  
1. Browse the webpages for information (aims, eligibility criteria, etc.) on: 
• PPGs: http://www.standardsfacility.org/project -preparation -grants  
• PGs: http://www.standardsfacility.org/project -grants  
2. View examples of  previous  projects : 
• PPGs: http://www.standardsfacility.org/projectpreparationgrants  
• PGs: http://www.standardsfacility.org/projectgrants  
3. Carefully read the guidance note for applicants:  
http://standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/STDFGuidanceNote_English_FINAL_2015.pdf  
4. Consult relevant stakeholders in the country/region.  
5. Send a brief concept note of your potential project for feedback on eligibility and 
likelihood of funding  (STDFSecretariat@wto.org ). 
6. Fill out an application form and submit it electronically before the deadline:  
• PPGs: 
http://standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/PPGApplicationForm_English_FINAL_2015.doc  
• PGs: 
http://standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/PGApplicationForm_English_FINAL_2015.doc  
 
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