G/SPS/GEN/2132  
 
16 June 2023 
(23-4130) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
INFORMATION ON SPS -RELATED ACTIVITIES OF  
THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTRE (ITC)  
(MARCH - JUNE  2023) 
COMMUNICATION FROM ITC 
The following communication, received on 13 June 2023, is being c irculated at the request of the  ITC. 
 
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The International Trade Centre is continuing its efforts to assist enterprises to meet technical market 
requirements. An update of selected SPS -related activities of interest to WTO Members is provided 
below.  
1  PROJECTS  
1.1  Iraq: Strengthening the Agriculture and Agri -food Value Chain and Improving trade 
policy (SAAVI) (September 2020  - April 2025 / Donor European Union ) 
1.1.  This project aims to support stabilization and governance through building the capacities of 
key Iraqi institutions to deliver public services, as well as sustainable job creation through the 
development of human capital and the enhancement of  the private sector 's competitiveness. The 
project focuses on the development and implementation of sector strategie s for high -potential 
products, as well as on defining more market -oriented policies to improve predictability and 
efficiency in the business environment. SAAVI also provides assistance to enhance Iraq 's trade policy 
and supports the country in its WTO acce ssion process. As part of this latter support , a workshop to 
help Iraq implement the transparency -related functions of its SPS National Enquiry Point and SPS 
National Notification Authority was held between 7 -18 May 2023. 21 participants attended the 
works hop which consisted of numerous sessions related to transparency -related obligations, 
notification formats, coordinating responses and comments to draft measures, the SPS Committee 's 
key related recommendations and decisions, as well as hands -on and live t raining on the use of the 
ePing platform including demonstration of how to submit SPS notifications.  
1.2.  An agri -food based farmer alliance that grows potatoes for domestic consumption is being 
supported to improve food safety -related standards. The objective is to comply with government 
regulations and meet standards of large domestic buyers. As a second phase, exports are also 
targeted at limited scale. The progress in the potato sector will be monitored and shall be replicated 
for the poultry and tomato sect or. 
1.3.  Meanwhile a Guide on Food Safety for Iraqi small and medium -sized enterprises is also being 
prepared in Arabic language. Iraq Quality for Trade Platform has been developed and is ready for 
scaling. Quality and food safety/SPS requirements for priority product market combinations 
identified under the project (preliminarily - tomato, poultry and dates) are going to be featured on 
the Platform. Dates have been identified as the first sector to be mapped on the platform.  
1.2  Malaysia Arise  Plus Project (Februar y 2021  - January 2024 / Donor European Union)  
1.4.  In partnership with the Ministry of Trade and Industry, the project aims to support inclusive 
and sustainable trade growth and poverty reduction in Malaysia, while contributing to economic 
integration in the AS EAN region.  G/SPS/GEN/2132  
 
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  1.5.  Activities include biosecurity of fisheries and aquaculture, plant health, animal health and 
sustainable agriculture practices including GAP, Organic, Green Livestock and agricultural waste 
management.  
1.6.  Following a study visit to EU member State s, Germany and Netherlands , carried out during 
20-24 February 2023 by the Department of Agriculture (DoA) Plant Biosecurity staff to update 
knowledge and observe on -site practical aspects of best practices in fertilizer production, and learn 
about administ ration and enforcement of EU regulations, a meeting session was also organized 
where Malaysia 's DoA team in charge of Malaysia 's Fertilizer Act development exchanged with Thai 
and Vietnamese authorities to learn how fertilizers are regulated/administered/c ontrolled in Thailand 
and Viet Nam.  
1.7.  A second round of training and onsite advisory assistance to the Department of Fisheries (DOF) 
(after those in September 2022) is being organized through a mission in mid -July to early August 
with two international exper ts, including site visits related to fish disease surveillance, and practical 
aspects of implementing EU requirements. Working sessions on EU audits and specific constraints 
related to exporting to the European Union will also be addressed.  
1.8.  Assistance rela ted to traceability of eggs and dairy products and veterinary epidemiology 
modelling has been organized through training workshops and site visits envisaged during August 
and November of this year respectively. A study visit for three  to four Department of  Veterinary 
Service (DVS) officers to see practical implementation of eggs and milk traceability system in 
the European  Union is also being organized. A training attachment for the Department of 
Agriculture 's Plant Biosecurity staff to improve plant protection and pest risk management knowhow 
and skills with specific reference to EU exports and import protocols used for fresh pr oduce (fresh 
fruits and vegetables, and horticultural products) is also being organized at a National Plant 
Protection Office (NPPO) in an EU member State.  
1.9.  A training on invasiveness screening , related to aquatic alien species , is being organized during 
the second half of August 2023.  
1.10.   A series of training session s to promote the use of climate -smart practices to improve various 
dimensions of livestock systems , including sustainable sourcing of feeds, carbon sequestration in 
agricultural landscapes, energy -efficient technologies and renewable energy sources, animal health 
and welfare, and better manure management among farmers and processors, enhance d greenhouse 
gases emission monitoring and reporting capacities , will take place in June and September on Green  
sustainability, waste management and circular economy in livestock, and agricultural project 
management and environmental sustainability . 
1.11.   The project is also supporting the Plant Biosecurity Division of DOA on  the identification and 
pest management of EU -quarantined pests for vegetables, flowers, tropical plants and aquatic 
plants. A  series of four training courses will take place between June and September, to train officers 
from Plant Biosecurity Divisions, state agricultural officers  of DOA. The compila tion of information 
for ten important species of pest and diseases of : a) rice, leafy and fruity vegetables grown in the 
glasshouse and fields , and their natural enemies ; and b) quarantine importan ce in EU countries , and 
natural enemies will be prepared in  advance and used during the training sessions.  The courses will 
take place on:  
• 19-21 June - Training on the General Concept and Basic Principles of Integrated Ecological 
Pest Management (IEPM)  
• 10-14 July - Training on IEPM and Biological Control in Rice  
• 7-11 August - Training on IEPM and Biological Control in Vegetables and Flowers  
• 18-22 September - Training on IEPM with a focus on Biological Control in Vegetables and 
Flower s under Glasshouse Condition s (EU experiences)  
1.3  Philippines Arise  Plus Project (March 2021 – February 2025 / Donor European Union)  
1.12.   The project aims to foster inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction in the Philippines 
through improved trade performance and competitiveness , and specifically by putting in place a 
Nationa l Quality Infrastructure (NQI) that promotes export competitiveness, and a quality G/SPS/GEN/2132  
 
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  management and control systems for exported food products better aligned with international best 
practices.  
1.13.   During the reporting period, training of the Competent Authority,  i.e., FDA 's Common Services 
Laboratory (CSL) personnel was completed through the 3rd and final workshop on chemical testing 
of processed foods. Consisting of theoretical and practical sessions , these covered test method 
implementation and validation; anal ysis of pesticides, veterinary drugs residue, mycotoxin, and food 
additives using LC/MS/MS and GC/MS/MS  techniques . Moreover, training on risk -based sampling 
and analysis, microbiological testing and commercial sterility are being planned.  
1.14.   Following the de velopment of guides consisting of risk -based inspection checklists, guidelines, 
procedural manuals, and SOPs in fresh fruits and vegetables, processed coconut and fisheries 
sectors , a first training on implementing the protocols developed in the fisheries sector is being held 
for officers of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) in June 2023. 
BFAR's regional laboratories are also being support ed for accreditation against ISO 17025: 2017 to 
test for veterinary drug residue analysis aiming at expanding BFAR 's capacity to the many regions 
in the Philippines.  
1.15.   Quality and food safety/SPS requirements for priority product market combinations identified 
under the project (Virgin Coconut Oil, Coconut Water, Coconut Flour) are scheduled to b e made 
available in 2023 on the Philippines Quality for Trade Platform. Mappings of coffee and cocoa to the 
European  Union have already been made available.  
1.16.   A launch event for the Philippines Quality for Trade Platform was held in Manila on 18 May 
2023, at tended by key beneficiaries, SMEs, experts, quality institutions and partners. Profiles of 
Quality Champions (QCs) were shown , in addition to the quality requirements mappings of coffee 
and cocoa. These QCs will help SMEs in the Philippines in quality impr ovement projects, some of 
which are based around food safety.  
1.4  Myanmar Trade -Related Assistance (Arise Plus – Myanmar) (July 2019 - May 2024 / 
Donor European Union)  
1.17.   The ARISE Plus project aims at building inclusive and sustainable trade growth in Myanmar 
through support to MSMEs in selected value chains enhancing food safety and SPS compliance 
(targeting tea, coffee, honey, horticulture products) and trade policy formulation and 
implementation.  
1.18.   Work is advancing on the Myanmar Platform on Quality and Food Safety. The site already 
contains information on SPS and quality requirements for selected product -market combinations 
(avocado, coffee, honey, and tea targeting EU markets) and will soon feature similar requirements 
for dried mango and dried pineapple. The site also features 25 expert (Trainer -cum-Counsellor and 
Quality Champion) profiles and ten service provider institutions in Myanmar.  
1.19.   The project has supported the submission of the National Residue Monitoring Plan (N RMP). 
Following the most recent submission of the NRMP  in 2023, a training programme customized to 
non-compliant cases of  honey samples is being designed and will be implemented during the final 
year of the project. Several brochures and guides on hygiene and food safety in honey production 
were developed and translated to Myanmar language.  Companies in the honey, tea, coffee and 
fruit/veg etable  sector are being supported for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) 
implementation.  
1.20.   Two private food testing labs are being supported for compliance with ISO/IEC 17025. 
The laboratories were assisted in demonstrating their capability through  proficiency testing. 
Several  lots of equipment to further strengthen the laboratories are being procured. A training 
course on EU  RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) and ASEAN RASFF will be conducted in 
July. G/SPS/GEN/2132  
 
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  1.5  SYMST: Systematic Mechanism for Safer  Trade (Lao People's Democratic Republic and 
Viet Nam) (December 2018 – October 202 3 / Donor European Union)  
1.21.   The overall objective of the project is to improve food safety through better governance in 
Lao People's Democratic Republic and Viet Nam . The proj ect aims to strengthen the regulatory 
framework for control of plant health and pesticides in the fruits and vegetable sector , and other 
plant products through the application of norms and standards to improve market access.  
1.22.   The Viet Nam Quality for Trade Platform was made available, where users can discover quality 
and food safety/SPS requirements for priority product market combinations identified under the 
project (such as pomelo, dragon fruit, black pepper to the European Union), as well as coffee to 
the European  Union, the Republic of Korea  and Thailand).  
1.23.   The Plant Protection Lab under DOA, Lao People's Democratic Republic is being supported for 
compliance with ISO/IEC  17025 2017. Training will take place in August on understanding the 
requirements of I SO/IEC 17025:2017 and identification of documentation required for 
implementation of ISO/IEC  17025:2017 requirements.  
1.24.   In Viet  Nam, training was provided to the National Plant Protection Department on 5 June on  
the regulatory needs of an import tolerance do ssier, and coordination with 
manufacture rs/producers/associations/consultancies. Training also included work done by countries 
on Codex MRLs.  
1.6  Lao ARISE Plus Project (2018 -2023 / Donor European Union)  
1.25.   Quality and food safety/SPS requirements for priority pr oduct market combinations identified 
under the project (coffee to the European Union, the Republic of Korea, Thailand  and Viet Nam ) are 
available on the Lao People's Democratic Republic Quality for Trade Platform. In addition, through 
synergies with the SY MST project, requirements for basil, rice, and chillies to the E uropean Union, 
and watermelon to China are also mapped.  
1.26.   Posters developed by Codex, WHO and others to sensiti ze on COVID -19 and hygiene  have 
been translated, printed  and distributed to the district offices of the Food and Drug Department for 
placement in public spaces.  
1.27.   A launch event for a guide on the new ePing system was held with key stakeholders, including 
the SPS and TBT National Enquiry Points and the National N otification Authority.  
1.28.   The National Centre for Food and Drug Analysis (NCFDA) of the Ministry of Health has obtained 
accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 for a limited scope within its food microbiology lab, and the project 
is providing support for extending the  scope of accreditation covering heavy metals in water. 
In collaboration with the Bureau of Quality and Safety of Food (BQSF), the Department of Medical 
Sciences (DMSc), and the Ministry of Public Health  in Thailand, a five-day onsite training took place 
during 8--12 May in the NCFDA lab on method verification on determination of metals in water by 
atomic absorption spectroscopy technique. This training will be followed by a knowledge -sharing 
mission for NCFDA hosted by the BQSF in Thailand from  14-16 June.  
1.29.   Support is also being provided to exporters in Lao People's Democratic Republic exporting 
fresh and agricultural products to Thailand to understand and implement the requirements of 
Thailand 's regulation Notification of the Ministry of Public Health No. 4 20 of B.E. 2563 (2020) 
(General requirement) and No. 386 of B.E.  2560 (2017). A series of three 3 -day training workshops 
on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) will be conducted for a 
total of 66 exporters in three different  provinces (Champasak, Savannakhet, and Xayaboury) 
between 13 and 29 June.  
1.30.   The training will also support Food and Drug Department (FDD) food inspectors to improve 
inspections carried out at the establishment in order to ensure compliance with GMP GHP 
requirements and issue audit certificates. A train the trainer workshop will take place on 3-7 July in 
Vientiane Capital for FDD food inspections, this workshop will focus on the enforcement of the Thai 
regulations by food inspectors including the principles o f auditing and man aging an audit 
programme.  G/SPS/GEN/2132  
 
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  1.7  Uzbekistan: Facilitating the Process of Accession to the WTO (February 2020 – 
October 2024 / Donor European Union)  
1.31.   Under this project , a series of trainings to reinforce pest risk analysis and integrated pest ris k 
management capacities of Uzbekistan 's Agency for Plant Protection and Quarantine are being 
organized through June to August 2023. First among these , on registration and import requirements 
as per EU Plant Protection Products Regulation, Good practices an d challenges in the regulation 
implementation, is being held between 19 and 23 June 2023. Moreover, a workshop on "SPS National 
Enquiry Point (NEP) procedures, organization and functioning " is being held on the same dates, 
aimed at relevant policy makers a nd representatives of SPS -related agencies. In  response to a 
request by Uzbekistan 's San -Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Committee, relevant 
chapters of the World Organisation for Animal Health 's  latest revised version of the Aquatic and 
Terrest rial Codes are being translated into the Uzbek language towards improved implementation of 
standards for animal health and welfare. Forthcoming work will inter -alia cover animal traceability 
and preparation of a national residue monitoring plan.  
1.8  Pakistan: Growth for rural advancement and sustainable progress (GRASP) 
(June  2019 to December 2024 / Donor European Union ) 
1.32.   In the Sindh province, a fully equipped Mobile Laboratory Van was handed over to the 
Sindh  Food Authority (SFA). The handing over ceremony was held at the Ministry of Food Offices. 
The ceremony was attended by the EU Ambassador,  the Minister for Food, the Secretary for Food, 
the DG for Food, and other relevant stakeholders . The SFA team is regul arly visiting the field and 
ensuring food safety compliance. Moreover, SFA has developed a monitoring framework for the 
Mobile Lab Van visits and to capture its success and impact.  
1.33.   In Balochistan, GRASP provided capacity building support to various governm ent 
departments, including livestock, agriculture and food. More specifically, during the reporting year, 
major capacity building support was provided to Balochistan Food Authority (BFA) by providing the 
latter with  a state-of-the-art, well -equipped mobile  lab van, equipping BFA 's main laboratory, and 
training as many as 33 laboratory and field staff on the use of the lab equipment and mobile lab 
van. Moreover, SPS compliance capacity building trainings were provided to the officers of the 
Directorate of Pl ant Protection and the Directorate of Soil Fertility, which function under the 
supervision of the Directorate General of the Agriculture Extension, Government of Balochistan. 
Support related to livestock was provided to the Directorate General Animal Healt h, by training 15  of 
its officers in the Animal Health Information System.  
1.34.   Additionally, a fresh needs assessment has been carried out with the provincial food safety, 
plant protection and animal health authorities to identify activities that will be imple mented during 
the rest of the project which include further capacity building, accreditation of laboratories, 
equipment and advisory services to develop policies and strategies.  
For more information, please contact:  
Khemraj Ramful , Senior Adviser, Export Q uality Management, ITC  
Tel: +41 22 730 04 87  
Fax: +41 22 730 05 76  
E-mail: ramful@intracen.org  
 
Hema Menon , Trade Training Officer, Export Quality Management, ITC  
Tel: +41 22 730 0 5 84 
Fax: +41 22 730 05 76  
E-mail: menon@intracen.org  
 
ITC EXPORT QUALITY MANAGEMENT  
Website : http://www.intracen.org/  
 
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