G/SPS/GEN/1949/Rev.1  
 
14 October  2021 
(21-7797) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
 
USE OF REMOTE  (VIRTUAL)  AUDIT  AND VERIFICATION IN REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS  
WTO SPS COMMITTEE – PROPOSED THEMATIC SESSION  
COMMUNICATION FROM AUSTRALIA  
Revision  
The following document, received on 13 October  2021, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of Australia . 
 
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As per the request from the Chair of the WTO Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 
at the Committee's meeting on 15 -16 July 2021, the Delegation of Aust ralia submitted for 
consideration an initial proposal for a thematic session on remote audit and verification in regulatory 
frameworks to be held in 2022 ( G/SPS/GEN/1949 ). This paper further elaborates on that proposal 
and outlines a potential agenda for the thematic session.  
1  INTRODU CTION  
1.1.  The COVID -19 pandemic has accelerated the development and utilisation of alternative 
assessment measures, such as remote audit, in regulatory practice relating to the food supply chain. 
These measures will become increasingly relevant to regulators and food businesses in the 
post-pandemic world.  
1.2.  Greater utilisation of these measures has increased Members' awareness of the benefits of 
utilising remote audit to either complement or substitute for more traditional assessment methods. 
It has a lso provided valuable lessons in what regulatory reforms are needed to enable effective 
application and the recognition of remote audit as a legitimate tool for this purpose.  
1.3.  There are numerous considerations associated with the use of these alternative as sessment 
measures, including:  
− The cost, effectiveness, reliability and accessibility of such innovative tools and approaches;  
− The effectiveness of the remote assessment process and outcomes compared to traditional 
audits and inspections;  
− The consistency of  application internationally to maintain robust outcomes and confidence 
in these assessment activities;  
− Ensuring auditors sufficiently understand the broader national food control system context 
within the exporting country;  
− The need for agreed scope for t he assessment activity or interpretation of relevant 
international standards, especially with respect to how a required outcome may be achieved 
using remote audit or inspection;  and 
− The potential need for agreement on principles or standards for the use of  alternative 
assessment measures to facilitate international trade in food.  
1.4.  Australia considers that the SPS Committee could convene a thematic session on the topic of 
'Use of remote audit and verification in regulatory frameworks' to build greater underst anding of G/SPS/GEN/1949/Rev.1  
 
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  how such tools can support robust regulatory practices and assist Members to meet their 
requirements under Annex C of the SPS Agreement.  
1.5.  Australia suggests that the objective of this session would be to provide Members with an 
enhanced understand ing of the state of international developments in this emerging area, including 
the role of remote audit and verification in supporting regulatory frameworks ; facilitate the sharing 
of Members' experiences in the application of remote audit ; provide an upd ate on the status of 
international guidance being developed ; and facilitate discussion of the overall benefits and the 
barriers to the uptake of remote audit.  
1.6.  The session would draw on the current work and perspectives of international standard -setting 
bodies (ISSBs), such as the Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and 
Certification Systems (CCFICS) work on remote audit and verification in regulatory frameworks, as 
well as international best practice and analysis in this emerging area.  
1.7.  With international guidance still evolving in this area, the thematic session would provide a 
valuable opportunity to take stock of these developments and to engage a wider range of Members 
and observers, including through understanding of the technology, its regulatory applications, and 
the need for development of international guidance.  
2  PROPOSAL  
2.1.  Australia would like to propose the following:  
a. that the SPS Committee convene a thematic session on the topic of 'Use of remote audit 
and verification in regulatory f rameworks' to build greater understanding of how such tools 
can support robust regulatory practices and assist Members to meet their requirements 
under Annex C of the SPS Agreement.  
b. that Members and the ISSBs propose ideas for the content of this thematic session, as 
well as provide their views on the proposed objectives of the session.  
2.2.  Australia would also welcome Members' comments on the proposed indicative agenda for the 
session (see below).  G/SPS/GEN/1949/Rev.1  
 
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  SPS COMMITTEE THEMATIC SESSION 2022  
USE OF REMOTE AUDIT AND VERIFICATION IN REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS  
AGENDA (INDICATIVE)  
1. What is remote audit and how is it important in supporting regulatory frameworks?  
o Forms of remote assessment, such as review of documentation and video inspection.  
o Importance of use during pandemic and continuing importance post -pandemic.  
2. The benefits of remote audit in facilitating international agri -food trade.  
o Providing assurances for importing countries and facilitating international trade in animals, 
plants and food.  
o The need for international guidance to ensure fair practice.  
o Reducing transaction costs in international trade.  
3. International best practice in remote audit.  
o Countries pe rspectives on remote audit: Import and export case studies.  
o Business perspectives on remote audit: Case studies.  
4. International standards development on remote audit.  
o Codex Alimentarius Commission CCFICS Working Group on Remote Audit and Verification . 
o Other  international standards organisations' perspectives.  
5. Panel discussion – The future for remote audit: Opportunities and challenges.  
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