G/SPS/GEN/2015/Rev.1  
 
15 June 2022 
(22-4666) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures    
 
 
WORKSHOP ON TRANSPARENCY  
MONDAY, 20 JUNE 2022 
WTO , CENTRE WILLIAM RAPPARD, GENEVA  
PROGRAMME  
Note by the Secretariat1 
Revision  
1.  At its  November 2021  meeting , the SPS Committee agreed  that the SPS thematic workshop  to 
be held in June 2022  would focus on transparenc y. As explained  at the March  2022 SPS Committee 
meetings , the workshop will offer an opportunity to provide further training on the new 
ePing  SPS&TBT Platform  that went live on 28 March 2022.  Members were also invited to share their 
experiences on the use of the outreach/communication  function alities . 
2.  By way of background, the new Platform integrates al l SPS and TBT transparency tools , as well 
as the ePing alert system , into a single platform. It includes various functions related to notifications,  
specific trade concerns ( STCs), and information exchange , and is available for use by both Members 
and the broader public , including the private sector . In particular, users can register to receive email 
alerts on notifications of products and/or markets of interest and reach out to notification authorities 
and enquiry point officials. The Platform allows  officials with additional rights to submit SPS 
(and TBT) notifications to the WTO.  
3.  The draft programme was circulated on 8 April 2022. Members were invited to submit comments 
on th at programm e and suggest  speake rs. The Secretariat is circulating this final version of the 
programme in advance of the workshop.  
4.  The workshop  will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday , 20 June 2022, beginning  at 10:00  
(CET). The workshop  can be attended in person or virtually (via Zoom, please register through the 
link). 
5.  In addition, a  "notifications clinic"  will be held virtually at 15:00  (CET) (via Zoom, please register 
through the link), and will afford SPS notification authorities and enquiry points the possibility to 
address any concerns on the use of the notification submission functionalities of the new ePing 
SPS&TBT Platform , in direct consultation with the Secretariat.  
6.  Interpretation will be provided in English, French, and Spanish  for both the workshop and the 
"notifications clinic".  
 
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/2015/Rev.1  
 
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  WORKSHOP  ON TRANSPARENCY  – PROGRAMME  
MONDA Y, 20 JUNE 2022 (10:00 –13:00) 
Opening remarks  by Mr Juteau Déadjufo Toussé , Chairperson of the SPS Committee  
Overview of t he workshop and its objectives  
Session 1: Introduction  
▪ Overview of the transparency provisions of the SPS Agreement and of relevant 
Committee/Ministerial Decisions  
Speaker:  Mr Rolando Alcal á, WTO Secretariat  
Session 2:  Transparency work in the TBT Committee  
▪ Ongoing transparency -related work in the TBT  Committee  
Speaker:  Ms Serra Ayral , WTO Secretariat  
Session 3: WTO tools and sources of SPS information  
▪ Documents Online ; ePing SPS&TBT Platform ; eAgenda ; Trade Concerns Database  
Speaker:  Ms Nazia Mohammed, WTO Secretariat  
Session 4: Overview of t he new ePing SPS&TBT Platform  
▪ Introduction  to the  new ePing SPS&TBT Platform ; overview of the  notification submission 
and the outreach/communication functions, among others.  
Speakers:  Mr Rolando Alcal á and Ms Carmina B áez, WTO Secretariat  
Session 5: Sharing of experiences related to the use of  the new ePing SPS&TBT Platform  
▪ Experiences and other initiatives related to the use of the new ePing SPS&TBT Platform, in 
particular , the use of the  outreach and communication  functions  in national and 
international fora (e.g.  sharing of information on notifications , i.e. comments, unofficial 
translations, etc.). 
Speaker:  Mr Vianney Lesaf fre, International T rade Centre (ITC)  
Closing remarks by Mr Juteau Déadjufo Toussé , Chairperson of the SPS Committee  
 
NOTIFICATIONS CLINIC  
MONDA Y, 20 JUNE 2022 (15:00-16:30) 
 
"Notifications clinic" dedicated to the  notification submission functions of the new 
ePing SPS&TBT Platform  
This session targets SPS notification authorities and enquiry points  or other officials involved in 
completing and submitting notifications . It will afford them the possibility to address any concerns 
on the use of the notification submission functionalities of the new ePing SPS&TBT Platform . 
 
 
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