G/SPS/GEN/1851  
 
2 November  2020 
(20-7713) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
 
PROCEDURE TO MONITOR THE PROCESS OF INTERNATIONAL HARMONIZATION  
SUBMISSION  BY NEW ZEALAND  
The following document , received on 31 October  2020, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of New Zealand . 
 
 
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1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  A major objective of the WTO SPS Agreement is to promote international harmonisation based 
on standards and guidelines established by relevant International Standard Setting Bodies (ISSBs). 
Article s 3.5 and 12.4 of the SPS Ag reement envisaged the SPS Committee develop a procedure to 
monitor the process on international harmonization and coordinate efforts in this regard with the 
relevant international organizations.  
1.2.  Over the last 20 years there has been significant discussion on monitoring the process of 
international harmonization and the use of international standards, guidelines or recommendations, 
as provided for in Articles 3.5 and 12.4 of the SPS Agreement. It was first addressed at its October 
1997 meeting, the Committee  has since extended the provisional monitoring procedure in 1999, 
2001, and 2003, and the revised the procedure again in October 2004. In 2006, the Committee 
agreed to extend the provisional procedure indefinitely, and to review its operation as an integra l 
part of the periodic review of the operation and implementation of the Agreement under Article 12.7. 
This procedure was reviewed as part of the 3rd and 4th Review.  
1.3.  In recent years there has been renewed discussion by the international standards bodies on  
the use and impact of their standards.  
2  CURRENT MONITORING UNDERTAKING BY THE RELEVANT STANDARD -SETTING 
ORGANIZATIONS  
2.1.  The IPPC has reported on the activities of the Implementation Review and Support System 
(IRSS), including a general survey on the IPPC and use of its standards.  The IPPC secretariat and 
the IRSS program are assisting member countries to better fulfil related IPPC obligations.  
2.2.  The OIE has initiated an observatory project with the aim of assessing the implementation of 
standards as outlined in the Codes and Manuals in the international trade in animals and animal 
products, and what the impediments are to their implementation. The project is at an early stage 
and is considering metrics that can be used in the assessment. The scope of the work is viewed as 
very broad and ambitious.  
2.3.  Codex is exploring the issue in relation to its parent bodies (FAO/WHO), as significant funds 
are used to develop standards. The new Codex Strategic Plan for 2020 -2025 includes a specific goal 
that seeks to ' increase impact through the recognition and use of Codex Standards' and has identified 
a number of actions it could take to promote uptake and use of its standards and guidelines.  G/SPS/GEN/1851  
 
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  3  PROPOSED REVISION OF HARMONIZATION - THE USE AND IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL 
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES  
3.1.  Against this background New Zealand believes there is merit in promoting some discussion on 
what further role the SPS Committee could play in assisting the ISSBs in monitoring the use and 
implementation of international standards as l aid out in Article s 3.5 and 12.4 of the SPS  Agreement.  
3.2.  Initially New Zealand would like to suggest the Secretariat invite Members and the ISSBs, to 
propose ideas and suggestions for the best approach to explore the provisions of monitoring the use 
of inter national standards as referred to in Article s 3.5 and 12.4 of the SPS Agreement.  
 
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