G/SPS/N/FRA/17  
21 June 2021 
(21-5059) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original:  French  
 
  
NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member : FRANCE  
If applicable, name of local government involved:  
2. Agency responsible : Direction générale de l'alimentation (Directorate -General for Food) 
- Ministère de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation  (Ministry of Agriculture and Food)  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO ; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, 
where applicable) : Plants and plant products  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  
[X] All trading partners  
[ ] Specific regions or countries:  
5. Title of the notified document : Mise en œuvre  d'un nouveau format avec utilisation du 
papier A4 normal pour l'émission de certificats phytosanitaires pour l'exportation ou la 
réexportation  (Implementation of a new format through the use of normal A4 paper for 
the issuance of phytosanitary certificate s for export and re -export) Language(s) : French 
Number of pages : One for each of the two documents  
Sample phytosanitary certificate for export:  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2021/SPS/FRA/21_4256_00_f.pdf  
Sample phytosanitary certificate for re -export:  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2021/SPS/FRA/21_4256_01_f.pdf  
6. Description of content : As from 1 June 2 021, the French National Plant Protection 
Organization (Directorate -General for Food) will progressively cease the use of the 
original secure paper version of the phytosanitary certificates for export and re -export . 
The phytosanitary certificates will be printed exclusively on normal A4 paper as from 1 
January 2 022. 
These provisions are wit hout prejudice to the development of electronic phytosanitary 
certification.  
The following information will be included on phytosanitary certificates printed on normal 
A4 paper:  
1. Box 2 on the top right of the certificate will contain a local reference numbe r (N°) 
followed below by a certificate number (Integrated Management System for Official 
Controls, IMSOC reference).  
2. To the right of the two aforementioned numbers in Box 2 of the certificate, there will 
be a QR code, which will serve as as a security and authentication tool.  
3. The certificate number or "IMSOC reference" must be used for all communication 
concerning the phytosanitary certificate issued.  
4. The certificate number or "IMSOC reference" must have the following format : 
"PHYTO.FR.AAAA.XXXXXXX".  G/SPS/N/FRA/17  
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  7. Objective and rationale : [ ] food safety, [ ] animal health, [X]  plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [ ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.  
8. Is there a relevant international standard ? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g. title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) : 
[ ] World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. T errestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) : 
[X] International Pla nt Protection Convention (e.g. I SPM number) : ISPM No. 
12 
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?  
[X] Ye s [ ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how  and why it deviates from the 
international standard:  
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available : English 
version:  
− Sample phytosanitary certificate for export:  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2021/SPS/FRA/21_4256_00_e.pdf  
− Sample phytosanitary certificate for re -export:  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2021/SPS/FRA/21_4256_01_e.pdf  
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : 1 June 2 021 
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : Not appl icable.  
11. Proposed date of entry into force : [ ] Six months from date of publication, and/or 
(dd/mm/yy) : 1 June 2 021 
[X] Trade facilitating measure  
12. Final date for comments : [ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : Not applicable.  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments : [ ] National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National Enquiry Point . Address, fax number and email address 
(if available) of other body:  
European Commission  
Directorate -General for Health and Food Safety  
Unit D2 - Multilateral international relations  
Rue Froissart 101, B -1049 Bruxelles  
Belgium  
Tel.: (+32 2) 295 4263  
Fax: (+32 2) 299 8090  
Email : sps@ec.europa.eu   G/SPS/N/FRA/17  
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  13. Text(s) available from : [ ] National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point . Address, fax number and email address (if available) of other body:  
European Commission  
Directorate -General for Health and Food Safety  
Unit D2 - Multilateral international relations  
Rue Froissart 101, B -1049 Bruxelles  
Belgium  
Tel.: (+32 2) 295 4263  
Fax: (+32 2) 299 8090  
Email : sps@ec.europa.eu