G/SPS/GEN/1817  
16 July 2020 
(20-4851) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
MEASURES CONCERNING PHYTOSANITARY CERTIF ICATES AIMED  
AT THE FACILITATION OF TRADE IN VIEW OF ISSUES  
ARISING FROM THE COV ID-19 PANDEMIC  
COMMUNICATION FROM C OLOMBIA  
The following communication, received on 1 6 July 2020, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Colombia . 
 
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1.  Given that the health emergency arising from the COVID -19 pandemic makes it impossible to 
send paper versions of phytosanitary certificates due to the reduction in , and restrictions on , 
international flights ; 
2.  Considering that steps must be taken to facilitate the export process for plants, plant products, 
and other regulated items,  while ensur ing the timely submission of phytosanitary certificates to the 
plant health authorities of importing Members and mitigat ing the risk s arising from contact between 
inspectors and users ; and 
3.  Mindful  that various National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) a re providing alternative 
ways to submit plant and animal health certificates  in view of the COVID -19 pandemic, the 
Colombian Agricultural Institute  (ICA) wishes to notify  the following : 
i. A new procedure has been established for issuing phytosanitary certifi cates that includes 
an electronic signature  in documents through  a scanned image directly from the Colombian 
Health Information System for Agricultural and Livestock Imports and Exports (SISPAP) ; a 
QR code is included  to guarantee  the authenticity of the certificate issued . 
ii. The electronic signature has been used for certificates since 6 June 2020 in order to  ensur e 
compliance with the preventive lockdown measures recommended by the health authorities 
in light of the COVID -19 pandemic . 
iii. This new proce dure for issuing  phytosanitary certificates was notified , through Colombia's 
consulates and embassies, to NPPOs throughout the world , in accordance with International 
Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) guidelines . 
iv. The new phytosanitary certificates contain an electronic signature and a QR code that 
replaces the ICA's former physical stamp . It should be noted that the new phytosanitary 
certificate is an original document, not a copy, and no other version may subseque ntly be 
submitted  by the importer . 
v. Countries may validate the authenticity of certificates through t he following  URL: 
https://afrodita.ica.gov.co/consultas_cfe/AddCONSULTAS _CFEPage.aspx . 
4.  Furthermore , in order to be able to count on the valuable cooperation of WTO Members, we kindly 
request that copies of  phytosanitary certificates issued by the ICA be accepted and recognised . 
5.  We have attached instructions for verifying phytosanitary certificates ( in English and Spanish) 
through the URL and the QR code . Further information may be requested by email from 
asuntos.internacionales@ica.gov.co  or margarita.lubo@ica.gov.co . G/SPS/GEN/1817  
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  6.  We also attach, for information purposes, model s of the ICA phytosanitary certificates  that will 
be submitted  during the inspection proce ss. 
7.  Lastly, Colombia emphasize s that this communication is being made for the purposes of 
transparency, without prejudice to the country's rights and obligations under the SPS Agreement . 
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