G/SPS/GEN/2158  
 
25 October  2023 
(23-7182) Page: 1/6 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures   
 
 
UPDATE ON THE STANDARDS AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT FACILITY  
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.  The Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) promotes improved food safety, animal 
and plant health capacity in developing countries and helps imports and exports to meet SPS 
requirements for trade, based on international standards. It operates as a  funding mechanism and 
global p artnership for dialogue  and learning on SPS capacity developmen t. 
1.2.  The STDF identifies good practice in thematic areas that cut across food safety, animal and 
plant health, and trade , drawing on the input of STDF partners, don or organizations and 
beneficiaries . Outputs include practical and user-friendly knowledge products (briefing notes, 
publications, events, videos , etc.), available in English, French and Spanish . The STDF is housed and 
managed by the WTO.  
1.3.  STDF p artners , relevant organizations and beneficiaries from across agriculture, health, trade 
and development come together in t he STDF Working Group  to share information on ongoing and 
planned SPS initiatives and programmes, and review applications for new project and project 
preparation grants. The next meeting will be held on 21 -22 November 2023 and chaired by 
Dr Gillian  Mylrea  (WOAH) . In 2024, the STDF  meetings will be chaired by Sarah Brunel (IPPC).   
1.4.  This document provides a brief update on STDF's activities and projects. Delegates are 
encouraged to visit the STDF website  to view and become familiar with STDF 's work , download 
briefing notes and other publications, and subscribe to STDF's mailing list . 
2  GOOD REGULATORY PRACTICE   
2.1.  The STDF promotes  the use of Good Regulatory Practice s (GRPs), i.e., processes and tools to 
help improve the quality and effectiveness of SPS measures so that they achieve the expected policy 
outcome(s).  Using GRPs  improves compliance with the SPS Agreement, including greater alignment 
with international standards.  STDF's GRP Guide  provides a practical  handbook for SPS regulators 
from developing countries in using GRPs when designing, developing, and reviewing SPS  measures.  
2.2.  On 21 -22 September 2023 , the STDF , in collaboration with the African Union Commission, the 
Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the United States Department of 
Agricultu re (USDA) , organized a two -day learning event  in Accra, Ghana, to promote the use of  GRPs 
in Africa. The event enhanced participants' knowledge and skills on GRPs and facilitated a dialogue 
across the public and private sector on actions to improve the development and implementation of  
SPS measures . 
3  PRORITIZING SPS INVESTMENTS  
3.1.  To inform and improve SPS planning and decision making , the STDF developed  an evidence -
based framework that developing countries can use to prioritize SPS investments for market access  
(P-IMA). The approach is being appl ied in STDF and other SPS projects, resulting in additional SPS 
investments and market access for targeted agri -food products. The latest P-IMA Guide  provides an 
 
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.  G/SPS/GEN/2158  
 
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  introduction to the P -IMA framework , including practical examples, experiences and lessons from 
developing countries. A P-IMA Facilitators Handbook  is also available, providing detailed, step -by-
step guidance on how to apply P -IMA, including in virtual environments.  
3.2.  The STDF is currently carrying out an external evaluation  of the P-IMA framework to: (i) assess 
how and to what effect this STDF work has delivered results and impacts ; (ii) identify key findings, 
conclusions, and recommendations to inform and improve any ongoing/future work on P -IMA; and 
(iii) draw lessons to strengthe n future STDF knowledge work in other areas . The report will be 
presented at the next STDF Working Group meeting on 21 -22 November 2023.   
4  GENDER MAINSTREAMING  
4.1.  At a side event  on 13 July 2023 during the SPS Committee week , the STDF launched a Gender 
Action Plan  to ensure a more systematic and coherent approach to gender mainstreaming in STDF's 
work. The plan  aims to: (i) advance and support women's capacity to meet trad e related SPS 
requirements ; and (ii) p romote increased attention to gender mainstreaming in SPS capacity 
development work led by members of STDF's partnership and other organizations.  The plan  is 
accompanied by a set of guideli nes to provide practical support to mainstream gender in STDF 
project cycles for improved results and sustainability .  
4.2.  In partnership with UNCTAD 's Trade and Gender Development Unit, the STDF will organize  an 
event during UNCTAD 's eWeek 2023  on 6 December 2023 titled "Trade Regulations in the Digital 
Environment: Is there a gender component?" .2  
5  E-CERT IFICATION  
5.1.  Together with the Inter -American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the STDF 
organized  a regional event  from 25 -27 July 2023 in San José, Costa Rica. The event brought together 
experts from all 34 IICA Member States and provided a platform for participants to exchange lessons 
on electronic SPS certificates and discuss ways to pilot test a regional approach for the exc hange of 
electronic veterinary/sanitary certificates.  
5.2.  During WTO's Public Forum 2023  on 14 September 2023 , the STDF and the Global Alli ance for 
Trade Facilitation (GATF)  organized a learning  event  titled "Accelerating e -cert Adoption" . On 
5 December 2023 , the STDF will join a session  on "Enhancing Trade and Traceability in Agri -Food 
supply Chain through SPS Electronic Certification ", organized by the OECD, again during  UNCTAD 's 
eWeek 2023 . 
6  CLIMATE AND ENVIRONM ENT  
6.1.  In November 2023, t he STDF will issue a new b riefing note titled "Strengthening SPS systems 
to mitigate and adapt to climate chang e", which builds on the webinars organized during STDF's 
climate change  week in 2022. In addition, during COP28  in Dubai, t he STDF plans to  organize a n 
event in the Trade House Pavilion on 10 December 2023 (Food, Agriculture and Water day) titled 
"Climate change, sustainable agri -food system s and markets: Why we need more robust SPS 
systems ".3   
6.2.  The STDF will soon start an external evaluation to assess and learn how (and to what effect) 
the environment, biodiversity and climate change have been integrated across work carried out by 
the STDF , as well as SPS capacity development work led by STDF partners and other members . The 
report will draw key findings, conclusions , and recommendations to improve mainstreaming of the 
environment, biodiversity , and climate change into SPS capacity developmen t work in the future.  
7  PROMOTING REGIONAL TRADE IN AFRICA  
7.1.  On 17 October 2023, the Food Trade Coalition for Africa, housed at AGRA , and the STDF 
organized a joint webinar  on good practices needed to boost intra -regional trade and facilitate access 
 
2 More i nformation on th is STDF event  will soon be available o n STDF's website . 
3 More i nformation on this STDF event  will soon be available on STDF's website . G/SPS/GEN/2158  
 
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  to safe food in Africa . The webinar disseminated the conclusions, findings and recommen dations of 
a joint Policy Brief , developed by the Food Trade Coalition for Africa  and the STDF.    
8  EXTERNAL EVALUATION  
8.1.  The STDF programme is evaluated every five years by an independent evaluator. The latest 
evaluation started in September 2023 and will be completed in the first quarter of 2024.  The purpose 
of the evaluation is to objectively assess the results and impact achieved by the STDF, based on the 
OECD DAC criteria, and capture key lessons learned. The Secretariat will continue to update the 
Committee  on this evaluation . All previous evaluations of the STDF programme are available here. 
9  STDF FUNDING  
9.1.  The STDF provides funding for the development and implementation of collaborative and 
innovative SPS projects. Since its inception, the STDF has devoted 64% of its project resources to 
Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Of all STDF projects, 49% ha ve benefited Africa, 25% the Asia-
Pacific region and 17 % the Latin America -Caribbean  region, while 9% are classified as global, 
benefiting all developing countries. An  overview of a ll on-going project and project preparation 
grants  (PPGs)  is provided in Annex 1 . 
9.1  Project development  
9.2.  PPGs, normally up to US$50,000, are available to help beneficiaries articulate their SPS needs 
and develop technically sound and sustainable project proposals. PPGs can be requested to: (i) apply 
SPS capacity evaluation and prioritization tools; (ii)  prepare feasibility studies before project 
development  to assess the potential impact and economic viability of proposals in terms of costs and 
benefits; and (iii) develop project proposals for funding by STDF or other donors.  
9.2  Project implementation  
9.3.  The STDF funds projects  that promote compliance with international  standards and 
requirements. Preference is given to projects that: (i)  identify, develop and disseminate good 
practice in SPS  technical cooperation, includi ng innovative and replicable approaches; (ii) apply 
regional and cross -cutting approaches to address SPS constraints; and (iii) implement collaborative 
approaches across food safety, animal and plant health, and trade. Beneficiaries must contribute to 
STDF  projects from their own resources, either in the form of financial or in -kind contributions (such 
as staff time, use of premises, vehicles or other existing assets ). 
9.3  How to apply for funding?  
9.4.  Applications for STDF funding can be made at any point in the y ear but should be received at 
least 60 working days in advance of each Working Group meeting to be considered at that meeting. 
The next deadline for the submission of applications is 1 March 2024  (for consideration in 
June 2024). Further information is available on the STDF  website . 
RECOMMENDED STEPS TO APPLY FOR FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE STDF  
1. Browse the funding webpage  for information (aims, eligibility criteria, etc.) on PPGs 
and PGs.  
2. View examples of previous projects:  
• PPGs: http://www.standardsfacility.org/projectpreparationgrants  
• PGs: http://www.standardsfac ility.org/projectgrants  
3. Consult relevant stakeholders in the country/region  
4. Send a brief concept note of your potential project for comments to: 
STDFSecretariat@wto.org  
5. Fill out an application form and submit it electronically before the deadline to: 
stdf.funding@wto.org  G/SPS/GEN/2158  
 
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  ANNEX  1 
ONGOING STDF PROJECT AND PROJECT PREPARATION GRANTS (PPGS)  
1  COUNTRY PROJECTS  AND PPGS  
Country  STDF reference  
and hyperlink  Project / PPG name  
Bangladesh  STDF/PPG/831  Prioritizing SPS Investment in Bangladesh  
Bhutan  STDF/PPG/734  Strengthening Bhutan's border inspection and control 
capacities  
Burkina Faso  STDF/PPG/859  strengthening Burkina Faso's sesame and ca shew export 
capacity  
Cabo Verde  STDF/PPG/869  Strengthening food safety control capacities in Cabo Verde  
Ecuador  STDF/PPG/709  prioritizing SPS investments in Ecuador using the P -IMA tool  
Egypt  STDF/PPG/720  Establishing an avian influenza -free c ompartment in Egypt  
The Gambia  STDF/PPG/921  Scaling up the P -IMA tool in The Gambia  
Ghana  STDF/PPG/909  Improving food safety and market access in Ghana's spice 
value chain  
Grenada  STDF/PG/880  enhancing SPS capacity and market access for Grenadian 
soursop exports  
Guinea  STDF/PG/ 498 strengthening Guinea's phytosanitary system  
India STDF/PG/517  Strengthening the spice value chain in India to improve 
market access  
Indonesia  STDF/PPG/860  Reducing histamines in pole and line caught tuna in 
Indonesia  
Jamaica  STDF /PG/759  Enhancing food safety capacity of the pepper value chain in 
Jamaica to increase market access  
Kyrgyz Republic  STDF/PG/569  Enhancing food safety of fruits and vegetables in Kyrgyzstan  
Nigeria  STDF/PG/845  Improving SPS compliance to boost Nigeria's export capacity  
Mali STDF/PG/611  Improving the safety of smoked fish in Mali  
Nigeria  STDF/PPG/817  Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) to improve the 
plant healt h system in Nigeria  
Papua New Guinea  STDF/PG/553  Enhancing trade for cocoa farmers in Papua New Guinea  
Senegal  STDF/PG/672  Improving shellfish safety in Senegal to boost market access  
Uganda  STDF/PPG/847  Sustainably managing aflatoxins in maize  using systems 
approach in Uganda  
Uganda  STDF/PPG/846  Comparing post -harvest technologies for Uganda's fresh 
fruits and vegetables to reduce pests  
 
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  2  REGIONAL PROJECTS  AND PPGS  
Region/countries  STDF reference  
and hyperlink  Project / PPG name  
Africa  
Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, 
Tanzania, Uganda  STDF/PG/807  Managing scale insects in fresh fruits in East Africa  
Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, 
South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, 
Zimbabwe  STDF/PG/694  Harmonizing regulations and mitigating pesticide 
residues in the SADC region  
Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, 
Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, 
Rwanda, South Sudan, 
Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, 
Zimbabwe  STDF/PG/809  Managing invasive potato pests in Eastern and 
Southern Africa  
Benin, Burkina  Faso, 
Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, 
Guinea  Bissau, Ni ger, Mali, 
Senegal, Togo  STDF/PPG/770  Using digital tools to facilitate safe food trade in 
West Africa  
Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, 
South  Africa  STDF/PPG/765  Mobilizing food safety laboratories in Southern Africa  
Mozambique, South Africa  STDF/PG/567  Establishing fruit fly -free areas in Southern Africa  
Rwanda, Uganda  STDF/PG/842  Piloting a vTPA programme in East Africa to improve 
food s afety in horticulture and fisheries  
Cameroon, Central African 
Republic, Democratic Republic 
of the Congo , Gabon, Equatorial 
Guinea, Chad  STDF/PG/768  Harmonizing the phytosanitary legislative framework 
in Central Africa  
Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea -
Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, 
Togo, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire  STDF /PG/770  Digitalizing accreditation and conformity assessment 
systems in West Africa  
Asia and Pacific  
Bangladesh, India, Iran, Lao 
People's Democratic Republic , 
Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, 
Samoa, Thailand  STDF/PPG/858  Piloting One Health to manage aflatoxin in Asia  
Bangladesh, Cambodia, 
Indonesia, Lao People's 
Democratic Republic, Nepal, 
Sri Lanka  STDF/PG/634  Mitigating pesticide residue through promotion of 
biopesticides in Asia  
Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao 
People's Democratic Republic , 
Nepal, Philippines, Thailan d, 
Viet Nam  STDF/PG/755  Strengthening phytosanitary compliance to boost 
seed trade in the Asia Pacific  
Cambodia, Lao People's 
Democratic Republic, Viet  Nam STDF/PG/619  Safer spices: boosting food safety and market 
access for the peppercorn value chain  
Cambodia, Lao People's 
Democratic Republic , 
Philippines, Viet  Nam STDF/PG/7 98 Improving biosecurity and control of African Swine 
Fever in four ASEAN countries  
Niue, Cook Islands, Samoa, Fiji, 
Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, 
Papua New Guinea and Tonga  STDF/PPG/935  Advancing apiculture for economic development in 
the Pacific Islands  
Latin America and Caribbean  
Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, 
Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, 
Ecuador, El Salvador, 
Guatemala, Honduras, 
Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru  STDF/PG/753  Mitigating chemical residues in Latin America 
through the promotion of biopesticides  
Argentina, Colombia, Costa 
Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, 
Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru  STDF/PG/716  Improving food safety risk analysis capacity in Latin 
America  
Belize, Honduras  STDF/PG/682  Piloting the use of vTPA in Central America  
Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, 
Peru STDF/PG/838  Strengthening regional pest surveillance on banana 
farms in the ANDEAN community  G/SPS/GEN/2158  
 
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  Region/countries  STDF reference  
and hyperlink  Project / PPG name  
CARICOM countries  STDF/PPG/733  Prioritizing SPS investments in the Caribbean using 
the P-IMA tool  
Colombia, Ecuador, Peru (and 
Trinidad and Tobago)  STDF/PG/577  Coordinating management of cadmium levels in 
cocoa in Latin America and the Caribbean  
Colombia, Ecuador  STDF/PG/681  Mitigating high levels of cadmium in cacao in 
Colombia and Ecuador  
Dominican Republic, Haiti  STDF/PG/751  Strengthening the phytos anitary and food safety 
system in key value chains  
Global  
All developing countries  STDF/PPG/782  Applying remote food safety inspection practices for 
improved trade  
 
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