G/SPS/N/AUS/558  
 
10 January 2023  
(23-0266) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member:  AUSTRALIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry  
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):  Imports of goods lodged under Schedule 3 of Australia's current tariff 
classification: horticultural fresh produce, cut flowers, seeds, p lants and other plant -based 
commodities.  
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:  Australia's importing country requirements for 
phytosanitary certificates from 1 May 2023 . Language(s):  English . Number of pages:  2 
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2023/SPS/AUS/23_0253_00_e.pdf  
6. Description of content:  This notification describes Australia's requirements for the 
acceptance of paper phytosanitary certificates for the importation of plant -based goods 
into Australia from 1 May 2023.  
Clarification is required due to the cessation of an interim policy during the peak impacts of 
COVID -19 and the pre sentation of hard (paper) copies of phytosanitary certificates that 
are not signed, dated and stamped in accordance with ISPM 12.  
From 1 May 2023, paper phytosanitary certificates must have all required information in 
accordance with ISPM12, including bein g signed, dated and stamped. This applies to all 
paper phytosanitary certificates dated on or after 1 May 2023.  
Australia will not accept paper phytosanitary certificates dated on or after 1 May 2023 
presented with QR codes only and without a signature, da te and stamp.  
Australia will not accept ePhytos or eCerts without prior agreement and arrangements for 
electronic exchange. Paper certification in accordance with ISPM 12 will continue to be 
required until ePhytos or eCerts are bilaterally negotiated betwe en Australia and the 
exporting NPPO.  
Details of the notification are provided in the following Industry Advice Notice:  
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biose curity -trade/import/industry -advice/2023/02 -2023. 
7. Objective and rationale: [  ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [X]  plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [  ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.   G/SPS/N/AUS/558  
 
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  8. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) :  
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :  
[X] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) : ISPM 12  
[ ] 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:  
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity -trade/import/industry -advice/2023/02 -2023 
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : 1 May 2023  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : 6 January 2023  
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [  ] Six months from date of publication , and/or  
(dd/mm/yy) : 1 May 2023  
[X] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [  ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : Not applicable  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X]  National Notification 
Authority, [  ] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if 
available) of other body:   
The Australian SPS Notification Authority  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au  
13. Text(s) available from: [X]  National Notification Authority, [  ] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (i f available) of other body:   
The Australian SPS Notification Authority  
GPO Box 858  
Canberra ACT 2601  
Australia  
E-mail: sps.contact@agriculture.gov.au