G/SPS/N/GBR/30  
11 April 2023  
(23-2551) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member:  UNITED KINGDOM  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, 
where applicable):  All products of plant and animal origin and derivatives products 
thereof  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:   
5. Title of the notified document:  United Kingdom border Target Operating Model . 
Language(s):  English and Welsh . Number of pages:  99 
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the -border -target -operating -model -draft-
for-feedback  
6. Description of content:  In the light of its departure from the European Union, 
the United  Kingdom is in the process of updating and streamlining its border control 
measures and mechanisms. In addition to the new UK Single Trade window and reduced 
regulatory burden for all imports, t he proposed Border Target Operating Model will put in 
place new and state -of-the art Sanitary and Phytosanitary controls at the UK's borders. 
The measures will apply in respect of those regions in the UK territory that are not subject 
to a special arrangem ent. In respect specifically of imports of live animals, germinal 
products, animal products, plants and plant products, the approach under the new model 
will have the following three key elements:  
• A new global risk -based approach: live animals, germinal pr oducts, products of 
animal origin, animal by -products, plants and plant products will be categorised as 
high, medium or low risk, with controls appropriately weighted against the risks posed 
both by the commodity and the country of origin;  
• Simplified and d igitised health certificates : phytosanitary certificates will be 
digitised in line with our trade partners' readiness, and will implement simplified and 
digitised export health certificates for animal products leading to more automated use 
of data;  
• Use tru st: pilot schemes with industry where authorised importers of plants, plant 
products and some animal products may be eligible for streamlined controls. To qualify 
they will need to provide the enhanced assurances and evidence that they are meeting 
the regu latory requirements and standards.  
The development of the UK Single Trade Window will underpin this new approach to 
controls. This will provide a single digital gateway for both importers and exporters to 
provide the data needed to trade and apply for lice nces and authorisations for trusted 
trader schemes.  G/SPS/N/GBR/30  
 
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  Timeline for implementation  
The United Kingdom will implement the new SPS regime in three major stages, with 
legislation introduced in accordance with the following timetable under 
the Target  Operating Mo del. The phased implementation is driven by three factors: the 
need for effective management of biosecurity, public health, and biosecurity concerns such 
as plant, animal, human health and safety; reasonable period for consultation, 
preparation, and adjust ment for stakeholders and trading partners; and the speed of 
progress, working with stakeholders [and trading partners] in building the systems and 
infrastructure required under the new model, including the roll -out of the UK Single Trade 
Window.  
Statutory  instruments implementing the model will be introduced in accordance with the 
following three major milestones:  
• 31 October 2023 - The introduction of health certification on imports of medium risk 
animal products, plants, plant products and high -risk food and feed of non -animal 
origin from the European Union ; 
• 31 January 2024 - The introduction of documentary and risk -based identity and 
physical checks on medium risk animal products, plants, plant products and high risk 
food and feed of non -animal origin fro m the European Union. Imports of Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary goods from the rest of the world will also benefit from the updated 
risk-based model. Existing inspections of high -risk plants/plant products from the 
European Union will move from destination to Border Control Posts (BCP ); 
• 31 October 2024 – Updated safety and security declarations will come into force from 
31 October 2024. To note, for exporters from almost all countries there will be no 
change to declarations required. Alongside this, we will int roduce a reduced dataset for 
imports and use of the UK Single Trade Window will remove duplication where possible 
across different pre -arrival datasets – such as Safety and Security, Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary, and pre -lodged customs declarations.  
Followin g the engagement period further information will be provided in a final version of 
the Target Operating Model and the publication of a detailed Border Operating Model to 
provide the necessary detail for system alignment requirements. We will work in 
partne rship with industry and trading partners as we define requirements for the UK Single 
Trade Window.  
7. Objective and rationale: [X]  food safety, [X]  animal health, [X]  plant protection, 
[X] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [X]  protect territory from 
other damage from pests.   
8. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[X] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) : CXG 82 -2013, CXG 47-2003, CHG 20 -1996 
[X] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) : Terrestrial Animal Health Code, 
Section  5 
[X] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) : ISPM 12, 
ISPM 45, ISPM 47  
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?  
[X] Yes   [  ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   
9. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:   G/SPS/N/GBR/30  
 
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  10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : 31 October 2023  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : 5 April 2023  
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [  ] Six months from date of publication , and/or  
(dd/mm/yy) : 31 October 2023  
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [  ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 12 May 2023  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X]  National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if 
available) of other body:   
UK SPS Contact Point, Defra, Nobel House, London SW1P 3JR  
E-mail: UKSPS@defra.gov.uk  
13. Text(s) available from: [X]  National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
UK SPS Contact Point, Defra, Nobe l House, London SW1P 3JR  
E-mail: UKSPS@defra.gov.uk