G/SPS/GEN/2091  
 
10 February  2023 
(23-0980) Page: 1/1 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
UPDATE ON OECD ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST TO THE SPS COMMITTEE  
COMMUNICATION FROM THE OECD  
The followi ng communication, received on 8 February  2023, is being circulated at the request of the 
OECD . 
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1  SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY APPROVAL PROCEDURES: KEY ISSUES, THEIR 
IMPACT ON TRADE, AND WAYS TO ADDRESS THEM  
1.1.  Approval procedures are critical to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) systems as they uphold 
countries' commitments to facilitate safe trade. However, they can cr eate significant costs and act 
as non -tariff barriers if not properly administered. This report examines the costs and opportunities 
that are associated with seven of the most pressing issues related to the administration of approval 
procedures. The analys is reveals that countries have increasingly raised specific trade concerns 
(STCs) to the WTO about issues related to approval procedures. Furthermore, gravity analysis 
demonstrates that trading partners dealing with STCs related to approval procedures trad e 26% less 
on average than those not dealing with any STC. An OECD survey specifically designed to evaluate 
how issues related to approval procedures can be addressed indicates that multiple solutions exist 
to enhance efficiencies in agro -food trade, such as digitalizing SPS systems, relying on international 
standards or simplifying SPS measures.  
− This report will be published as an OECD Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Paper in February -
March 2023 ; 
− This report will be presented during a Side Event to the SPS Committee Meeting on 22 March 
2023, from 14:00 -15:00.  
2  ELECTRONIC SANITARY CERTIFICATES FOR TRADE IN ANIMAL PRODUCTS: 
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES  
2.1.  Electronic exchange of sanitary and phytosanitary certificates can facilitate trade in animal and 
plant pr oducts. The electronic exchange of certificates can benefit both exporting and importing 
countries through enhanced efficiency gains, improved transparency, and traceability, as well as 
improved risk management along the food chain. However, the policy lev ers associated with 
e-sanitary certification systems are complex and include trade policies, as well as regulatory policies, 
investment policies, and public health and animal health policies. Countries face substantial 
challenges in the adoption of electro nic sanitary certification systems including the costs associated 
with building the infrastructure, providing training, and updating existing regulatory systems. 
This paper reviews the uptake of e -sanitary certification systems and discusses the potential benefits 
and costs of adoption of these systems. Effective co -operation and collaboration between the public 
and private sectors are critical to the adoption and maintenance of sustainable e -sanitary 
certification systems.  
− Ryan, M., E. Avery and S. Kahn (2 023), "Electronic sanitary certificates for trade in animal 
products: Opportunities and Challenges", OECD Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Papers, 
No. 190, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/5 417ff4f -en. 
Contact:  
Annelies Deuss (E-mail: annelies.deuss@oecd.org ) 
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