G/SPS/GEN/2016  
 
6 May 2022 
(22-3568) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures   
 
SPS COMMITTEE  THEMATIC SESSION ON THE USE OF REMOTE (VIRTUAL) AUDIT  
AND VERIFICATION IN REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS  
TUESDAY, 21 JUNE 2022  
WTO, CENTRE WILLIAM RAPPARD, GENEVA  
PROGRAMME1 
The SPS Committee agreed, at its November 2021 meeting, to hold a thematic session on the Use  of 
Remote (Virtual) Audit and Verification in Regulatory Frameworks in the margins of its June 2022 
Committee meeting , based on  proposals submitted by Australia.2 
The COVID -19 pandemic has accelerated th e use and development of methods to conduct remote 
assessments, such as audits and inspections, in agricultural and food supply chains. Drawing on the 
experiences of Members and industry, this thematic session will explore the benefits and implications 
associated with the use of remote assessments, including the effectiveness, reliability, and 
accessibility of such approaches. With international guidance emerging in this area, 
the thematic  session will provide insight on the consistency of application of re mote assessment 
tools across countries and the ongoing work of international organizations and standard -setting 
bodies such as the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and 
Certification  Systems (CCFICS). Overall, the thematic session will p rovide an opportunity to share 
experiences on remote assessment methods, discuss how such approaches may assist Members 
with meeting obligations under Annex  C of the SPS Agreement, and take a closer look at the 
relevance and scope for future use.  
The thema tic session will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday, 21 June 2022 , beginning at 
10:00  (CET), and continuing in the afternoon at 15:00  (CET) , as necessary.  The thematic session 
can be attended in person or virtually  through the Interprefy  platform . Interpretation will be provided 
in English, French , and Spanish.  
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1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice to 
the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  
2 G/SPS/GEN/1949  and G/SPS/GE N/1949/Rev.1 . G/SPS/GEN/2016  
 
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  Chairperson: Mr Juteau Déadjufo Toussé  
1  RELEVANT PROVISIONS OF THE SPS AGREEMENT  
Speaker:  
▪ WTO Secretariat  [Speaker TBC]  
Followed by Q&A session and discussion . 
2  FORMS OF REMOTE ASSESSMENT  
This session will provide insights into  various forms of remote assessments  such as the review of 
documentation and video inspection, including those used during the COVID -19 pandemic, and 
the link with regulatory frameworks.  
Speakers:  
▪ Mr Jean Felipe Celestino Gouhie , Head of International Audits Division , Ministry of 
Agriculture , Livestock and Food Supply , Brazil . 
▪ Singapore Food Agency , Singapore  [TBC] 
▪ Dr John McEvoy , Head of Unit F4, European Commission Directorate General Health and 
Food Safety , European Union . 
▪ Mr Gabor Molnar , Standards  and Trade Development Facility (STDF) /United Nations 
Industrial Development Organi zation (UNIDO)  Project Preparation Grant  on 
"Remote  Inspection Practices in Food Safety for Improved Trade" . 
Followed by Q&A session and discussion . 
3  RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS AND OTHER INITIATIVES  
This session will provide an update on  relevant international standards, guidelines and/or 
recommendations and other ongoing work relating to remote audit and other forms of remote 
assessment.  
Speakers : 
▪ Codex Secretariat  [TBC]  
▪ Ms Nicola Hinder , Chair of CCFICS  and First Assistant Secretary, Exports and Veterinary 
Services Division, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the 
Environment (DAWE) , Australia . 
▪ Ms Anne Gerardi , Senior Manager, Global Food Safety Initiative  (GFSI) [TBC] 
Followed by Q&A session and discussion . 
4  ROUNDTABLE - PERSPECTIVES AND EXPERIENCES ON THE USE OF REMOTE AUDIT  
In this roundtable discussion, Members and industry representatives of the agri -food s ector will 
exchange experiences and discuss the benefits of using remote assessment methods such as remote 
(virtual) audit to facilitate international trade. The challenges associated with remote audit will also 
be discussed, including those related to pri vacy and security issues.  
Moderator : Ms Nicola Hinder , Chair of CCFICS  and First Assistant Secretary, Exports and 
Veterinary Services Division, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the 
Environment (DAWE) , Australia . G/SPS/GEN/2016  
 
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  Speakers:  
▪ Dr Bill Jolly , Chief Assurance  Strategy Officer, New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries , 
New Zealand . 
▪ Canada  [TBC] 
▪ Dr Juan F. Rodríguez , Director , International Audit Staff, Office of Investigation, 
Enforcement and Audit, USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, United States . 
Followed by Q&A session and discussion . 
5  CASE STUDY EXAMPLES  ON THE USE OF REMOTE AUDIT  
Members and industry representatives of the agri -food sector  will present case studies on the use 
of remote audit. Those case studies will be the occasion to shed light on the benefits and challenges 
of remote audit in practice . 
Speakers:  
▪ Ms Marcela Lara , Deputy Director  of Aquaculture , National Fisheries and Aquaculture 
Service ; Mr Hector Escobar , Deputy Director  of Food Safety and Certification , National 
Fisheries and Aquaculture Service ; Mr Álvaro Díaz Gallmetzer , Food Safety and Certification 
Department , Livestock Protection Division , Agriculture and Livestock Service ; and 
Mr Claudio  Moore , Department of Phytosanitary Regulation a nd Certification , Agricultural, 
Forestry and Seed Protection Division , Agriculture and Livestock Service , Chile . 
▪ Mr Jim Moseley , CEO of Red Tractor ; and Official [TBC], United Kingdom . 
Followed by Q&A session and discussion . 
6  PANEL DISCUSSION  - THE FUTURE FOR REMOTE AUDIT: OPPORTUNITIES AND 
CHALLENGES  
Panellists will discuss the opportunities and challenges regarding the future use of remote audit. 
Questions from the floor would be welcome during the discussion.  
Moderator:  Ms Nicola Hinder , Chair of CCFICS and First Assistant Secretary, Exports and 
Veterinary Services Division, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the 
Environment (DAWE), Australia . 
Panellists : [TBC]  (speakers from previous sessions will be included in th e panel)  
7  CLOSING REMARKS  
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