G/SPS/GEN/1683  
 
28 February  2019 
(19-1163) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Sanitary and  Phytosanitary Measures    
 
UPDATE ON THE STANDA RDS AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT FA CILITY  
NOTE BY THE SECRETAR IAT1 
This document provides a brief update on the activities and projects of the Standards and Trade 
Development Facility (STDF) since the last update to the meeting of the SPS Committee in October  
2018 (G/SPS/GEN/1653 ). Delegates  who would like to know more about the STDF are encouraged 
to visit the STDF website to view the projects and download STDF briefing notes and publications.2 
Delegat es are also encouraged to subscribe to the STDF mailing list 
(http://www.standardsfacility.org ). 
1  STDF INFORMATION SES SION  – 20 MARCH 2019, WT O 
Animal diseases can have a major impact on trade and food securi ty. From 2012 to 2015, an 
STDF project, implemented by FAO, supported the Government of Cameroon in the development of 
strategies to combat and control four animal diseases which affect livestock production in the 
country . An information session entitled "Strengthening the control of transbounda ry animal 
diseases in Cameroon"3 has been organized to present the results and lessons learnt from this 
project on 20 March 2019. The session will be held in Room D at the WTO from 14.30  - 15.30 hrs. 
More information , including a programme is available on the STDF website.  
2  FACILITATING SAFE  TRADE  
The Secretariat continues to identify, analys e and foster dialogue on experiences, lessons and 
good practices to improve the implementation of SPS controls in a way that faci litates safe trade, 
while minimizing transaction costs. The Border Agency Cooperation (BAC) workshop held from 
14-16 November 2018 in Cape Town, South Africa, initiated by the STDF, was a joint initiative of 
Codex, FAO, IPPC, OIE, STDF, the UN Office of the High -Representative for Least Developed 
Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN -OHRLLS), 
WCO, WBG and WTO (Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility and SPS Units).  
Over 80 participants participated from National P lant Protection Organizations (NPPOs), 
Customs Authorities, National Food Safety Authorities, Ministries of Trade, National Trade Facilitation 
Committees, and Transit Authorities. The workshop helped to improve understanding of SPS and 
customs processes at  the national and regional levels and raised awareness on the linkages between 
the TFA and SPS Agreement. Through interactive sessions, and presentations,4 developing countries 
took the floor to disseminate best practices in coordinating border clearance p rocesses for trade 
facilitation, while ensuring human, animal and plant health. On average, 95% of participants felt 
that sessions met their learning expectations and would recommend this type of workshop to other 
colleagues.  
A workshop in Saint Lucia enti tled "The WTO TFA: Supporting Strategic and Effective 
Implementation in CARICOM5" was organised on 28 January to 1 February 2019. This workshop also 
                                                
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 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/ . 
3 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/PG -336. 
4 See: http://www.tfafacility.org/border -agency -cooperation -workshop -presentations . 
5 Caribbean Community . G/SPS/GEN/1683  
 
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  highlighted the linkages between the TFA and SPS Agreements and saw the participation of SPS 
authorities, a long with customs authorities.  
3  PRIORITIZING SPS INV ESTMENTS FOR MARKET ACCESS: P -IMA 
Work continues on STDF's P -IMA framework, which offers an evidence -based approach to 
inform and improve SPS planning and decision -making processes.6 The STDF published a n ew 
briefing note entitled "Driving better decision -making: Prioritizing SPS investments for market access 
(P-IMA) in January 2019.7 It provides a concise introduction to the P -IMA framework, highlighting 
different country and regional experiences. It also sets out the key benefits of applying the P -IMA 
framework, and outlines the steps to do so.  
A P-IMA focused PPG is on-going  in Madagascar (STDF /PPG/575) .8 An STDF project 
(STDF/PG/606)9 to assist  selected COMESA members states in  using  P-IMA to mainstream SPS 
investments into their agriculture, trade , and environment planning and financing frameworks , 
including the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Plan (CAADP ), is being implemented in 
partnership with the Enhanced Integrated Framework  (EIF). 
4  GOOD REGULATORY PRAC TICE  
The STDF  is developing a study to support developing countries in using  good regulatory 
practices (GRPs)  to improve the design, implementation and monitoring  of SPS measures. This study 
will include illustrative case storie s and good practices, as well as a practical check -list and links to 
available resources. Follow -up work will be undertaken to communicate and disseminate the key 
findings of this study to relevant audience s in developing count ries, including through the 
SPS Committee.10 
An STDF  briefing note on the use of GRPs to improve the development, implementation and/or 
periodic review of SPS mea sures and regulatory frameworks is also envisaged in due course.  
More information on this work is available on the STDF website.11 
5  PUBLIC -PRIVATE PARTN ERSHIPS  
The STDF is updating  work on the implementation of standards through public -private 
partnerships (PPPs). This work will involve: (i) an informal survey/consultation of WTO Members and 
Codex Contact Points on how they a re making use of voluntary third -party assurance programmes 
to improve food safety outcomes; (ii) an STDF event, as part of an STDF Working Grou p meeting or 
broader event; and  (iii) updating the joint 2012 STDF Inter -American Development Bank 
publication12 on PPPs with additional examples and case stories.  
The STDF also calls on SPS delegates  to identify and diss eminate new case stories of 
SPS-related PPPs and their role in supporting  the implementation of international standards and 
building SPS capacity. T he findings are expected to be shared with the STDF Working Group in 2020, 
as well as at a larger (global or regional event). In addition, a new briefing note is expected to be 
finalized and published around the first quarter of 2020.  
6  LIBRARY  
The STDF Library13 is an online information repository providing quick and easy online access 
to a variety of information resources focused on SPS technical cooperation and capacity building. 
Delegates  are encouraged to submit relevant documents to the Secretariat 
(STDFSecretariat@wto.org ) for inclusion in the Library , including: project documents and final  
reports, training materials, project evaluations/reviews, SPS capacity needs assessments, cost -
                                                
6 See: http://www.standardsf acility.org/prioritizing -sps-investments -market -access -p-ima. 
7 See: http://standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/PIMA_Briefing_2019.pdf . 
8 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/PPG -575. 
9 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/PG -606. 
10 See: www.standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/Revised_STDF_concept_note_GRP_Mar18.pdf . 
11 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/good -regulatory -practice . 
12 See: http://standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/STDF_PublicPrivat ePartnerships_EN_1.pdf . 
13 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/library . G/SPS/GEN/1683  
 
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  benefit analyses, case studies, relevant research papers , and other articles on SPS capacity building. 
The Library complements and includes links to other infor mation systems and databases developed 
and maintained by STDF partners, donors and other organizations.  
7  PROJECT DEVELOPMENT  
The STDF provides advice and support to applicants on issues related to SPS project 
development and finances project preparation gra nts (PPGs). PPGs, normally up to US$50,000, are 
available to help applicants articulate their SPS needs and develop technically sound and sustainable 
project proposals. PPGs can be requested to: (i) apply SPS capacity eval uation 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 donors and/or the STDF.  
A total of 93 PPGs  have been approved and funded by the STDF since its inception. Information 
on on -going and completed PPGs is available on the STDF website.14 The STDF Working Group 
approved 4  PPGs in October 2018.  
These newly approved PPGs included: (i) developing projects on third party assurance 
programmes, linked to Codex in Africa15 and Latin America;16 (ii) developing a collaborative, regional 
framework on biopesticides in Asia ;17 and (iii) supporting the establishment of a bee sanctuary in 
Niue.18 
8  PROJECT IMPLEMENTATI ON 
Project grant (PG) financing for projects is also available from the STDF. Favourable 
consideration is given to projects that: (i) ide ntify, develop and disseminate  good practice in SPS -
related technical cooperation, including the development and application of  innov ative an d replicable 
approaches;  (ii) apply regional approa ches to address SPS constraints ; and/or (iii)  implement 
collaborative approaches across food safety, animal and plant health and trade.  
Beneficiaries must contribute to the project 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.  
A total of 91 projects  have been approved for STDF funding since its inception. Information 
on on -going and com pleted projects is available on the STDF website.19 The STDF Working Group 
approved 4  PGs in October 2018.  
These newly approved  projects included: (i) addressing aflatoxin challenges in maize for export 
and domestic markets in Burkina Faso; (ii) upgrading f ood safety management in selected spice 
value chains  in India ;20 (iii) helping the public and private sector address food safety for regional 
markets in the Kyrgyz Republic ; and (iv) improving SPS compliance of fruit and vegetable exports 
in Uganda .21 
Since its inception, the STDF has devoted 71 % of its project and PPG resources to LDCs and 
other low-income  countries (OL ICs). The STDF continues to meet its target to devote at least 40% 
of its project and PPG resources to LDCs and OLICs. In particular, the  allocation of PPG resources to 
LDCs and OLICs remains high (i.e . 73% of the overall budget for PPGs).  
                                                
14 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/projectpreparationgrants . 
15 See: http://standardsfacility.org/PPG -665. 
16 See: http://standardsfacility.org/PPG -682. 
17 See: http://standardsfacility.org/PPG -634. 
18 See: http://standardsfacility.org/PPG -616. 
19 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/projectgrants . 
20 See: http://standardsfacility.org/PG -517. 
21 See: http://standardsfacility.org/PG -543. G/SPS/GEN/1683  
 
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Forty-nine per cent of the number of STDF projects and PPGs has gone to Africa, 25% to Asia -
Pacific, 15% to Latin America and the Caribbean, and 2% to ot her regions (the Middle East and 
Europe). In addition, 10% of the STDF projects and PPGs are classified as global.  
Applications for STDF funding can be made at any point in the year 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 19 July 2019 . Further information on 
eligibility criteria, application forms, etc. is available on the STDF website.  
RECOMMENDED STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN S EEKING PG OR PPG FUNDING 
OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE STDF:  
1. Browse the webpages for information (aims, eligibility criteria, etc.) on: 
• PPGs: http://www.standardsfacility.org/project -preparation -grants  
• PGs: http://www.standardsfacility.org/project -grants  
2. View examples of  previous  projects : 
• PPGs: http://www.standardsfacility.org/projectpreparationgrants  
• PGs: http://www.standardsfacility.org/projectgrants  
3. Carefull y read the guidance note for applicants:  
http://standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/STDFGuidanceNote_English_FINAL_2015.pdf  
4. Consult relevant stak eholders in the country/region.  
5. Send a brief concept note of your potential project for feedback on eligibility and 
likelihood of funding  (STDFSecretariat@wto.org ). 
6. Fill out an application form and submit it e lectronically before the deadline:  
• PPGs: 
http://standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/PPGApplicationForm_English_FINAL_2015.doc  
• PGs: 
http://standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/PGApplicationForm_English_FINAL_2015.doc  
 
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