G/SPS/GEN/1627  
 
22 June 2018  
(18-3951) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures    
 
UPDATE ON THE OPERAT ION OF THE STANDARDS  AND 
TRADE DEVELOPMENT FA CILITY  
NOTE BY THE SECRETAR IAT1 
This document provides a brief update on activities and projects of the Standards and Trade 
Development Facility (STDF) since the last update to the meeting of the SPS Committee in 
March  2018 (G/SPS/GEN/1607, 9 February 2018). 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 Delegates are also encouraged to subscribe to the STDF mailing 
list (http://www.standardsfacility.org ). 
1  STDF 2017 ANNUAL REPORT  
1.1.  The STDF published its 2017 Annual Report in June 2018 .3 The report sets out how the STDF 
partners hip continued to build safe and inclusive tr ade opportunities in 2017, which was a high -
performing year for  the STDF, with record numbers of SPS stakeholders reached at events 
worldwide, and high levels of funding applications received. Highlights of the A nnual Report 
include:  
 STDF PPGs and projects approved in 2017 – totalling US$4,186,399 – generated an 
estimated US$1,067,696 in additional resources;  
 STDF shared the latest info rmation on e -certification  at a high -level event during  the 
Global Aid for Tra de Rev iew in July 2017 , and via a new Briefing Note4; 
 STDF’s role in catalysing publ ic-private sector collaboration  on maxim um residue levels 
in pesticides  was recognized in a high -level statement  at the WTO 's 11th Ministerial 
Conference  in December 2017 ; 
 Over 7,700 SPS stakeholders were reached at over 75 events in Africa, Asia -Pacific, 
Latin America and the Caribbean,  and STDF’s e -news went out to 4,413 subscribers, 
while visitors to the STDF w ebsite came from 200 countries;  
 The 2017 Working Group Survey rated STDF highly on coordination, dissemination and 
project development;  
 Least developed countries and other low income countries benefitted from 70% of 
resources for STDF pro jects and PPGs approved in 2017.  
2  STDF RESULTS BOOK  
2.1.  The STD F Results Book "Drivin g safe trade solutions worldwide " was launched  at the STDF 
Policy Committee meeting on 23 February 2018.5 The Book contains 25 results stories, showing 
how STDF projects are supporting small -scale farmers, processors, traders and governments to 
implement international standards and access global markets. It provides concrete examples of 
                                                
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.standardsf acility.org/ . 
3 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/STDF_Annual_Report_2017.pdf . 
4 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/briefings . 
5 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/stdf -publications . G/SPS/GEN/1627  
 
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  impact on local communities  in developing countries, showcasing the contribution that STDF work 
had made to the achievement of various Sustainable Development Goals  (SDGs) .  
3  BEYOND RESULTS: LEAR NING THE LESSONS FRO M STDF PROJECTS  
3.1.  In 2017, the STDF commissioned a n independent meta -evaluation of 22 externally evaluated  
STDF projects by an external consultant. This  evaluation  provided an independent assessment of 
STDF project performance  to date . The report was discussed in the STDF Working group in 
March  2018 and will be published shortly. Its findings, experiences, results an d lessons are useful 
to further strengthen STDF's future activities and improve the quality and performance of SPS 
projects more generally.  
4  IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TRADE FACILITATION A GREEMENT  
4.1.  An information session  on good practice in the implementation of the Trade Facilitation 
Agreement (TFA) was held during the Working Group meeting in March 2018. The session focused 
specifically on single windows and t he role of SPS agencies and featured speakers from the World 
Bank Group and the WTO's Trade Facilitation Agreement Facility .6 More information on the session, 
including the presentations, is available on the STDF website.7 
5  PRIORITIZING SPS INV ESTMENTS FOR MARKET ACCESS: P -IMA 
5.1.  Work continues on STDF's P -IMA framework , which offers an evidence -based approach to 
inform and improve SPS planning and decision -making processes. Two P -IMA focused PPGs are 
ongoing in Tajikistan (STDF/PPG/561)8 and Madagascar (STDF /PPG/575) .9 In addition, in 
October  2017 the STDF Working Group approved project STDF/PG/606 , benefiting selected 
COMESA countries . The project  will use the P -IMA framework to mainstream SPS investments into 
agriculture, trade and environment planning and financing frameworks , including the 
Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Plan (CAADP).  The project is set to begin in 
July 2018 and benefits from co -funding from the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) .     
6  GOOD REGULATORY PRAC TICES  
6.1.  The STDF continued work on Good Regulatory Practices (GRP) to analyse how GRP can 
improve the quality and effectiveness of SPS measures in developing countries, in order to ensure 
health protection and facilitate safe trade. This work stems from a survey carried out in 2017 to 
analyse whether and how SPS agencies in developing countries are applying GRPs to strengthen 
the development, implementation and review of SPS m easures. In March 2018, the STDF Working 
Group discussed and agreed to pursue further work in this area. This  may include the  development 
of a practical checklist  on the use of GRP s to improve the development and implementation of SPS 
measures, an STDF briefing note on the use of GRP s and/or an STDF seminar on this topic.10 
7  PUBLIC -PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS   
7.1.  Also in Mar ch 2018, the Working Group considered an  updated and revi sed STDF concept 
note on public -private partnerships11, and agreed to explore the following activities to further work 
on the subject:  (i) an informal survey/consultation with WTO  Members on the use o f voluntary 
assura nce schemes; (ii) an STDF event; and/or (iii) identification of additional examples/case 
stories and updating the 2012 STDF/IDB  publication on PPPs.  
8  VIRTUAL LIBRARY  
8.1.  The STDF Virtual Library12 is an online information repository providing quick and easy online 
access to a variety of information resources focused on SPS technical cooperation and capacity 
                                                
6 See: http://www.tfafacility.org/ . 
7 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/working -group -documents . 
8 See: http://www.standardsfacil ity.org/PPG -561. 
9 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/PPG -575. 
10 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/good -regulatory -practice . 
11 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/public -private -partnerships . 
12 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/library . G/SPS/GEN/1627  
 
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  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 -
benefit analyses, case studies, relevant research papers , and other articles on SPS capacity 
building. The Library complements and includes links to other informa tion systems and databases 
developed and maintained by STDF partners, donors and other organizations.  
9  PROJECT DEVELOPMENT  
9.1.  The STDF provides advice and support to applicants on issues related to SPS project 
development and finances project preparation grant s (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.  
9.2.  A total of 90 PPGs  have b een approved and funded by the STDF since its inception. 
Information on on -going and completed PPGs is available on the STDF website.13  
9.3.  In March 2018, the Working Group approved two new PPGs.  
a. Support to the control of SPS risks in cashew and shea value ch ains in Mali 
(STDF/PPG/611) ; 
b. Strengthening the fish processing sector in Kiribati  (STDF/PPG/657) . 
10  PROJECT IMPLEMENTATI ON 
10.1.   Project g rant (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 and 
replicable approaches,  (ii) apply regional approa ches to address SPS constraints,  and/or 
(iii) implement collabora tive approaches across food safety, animal and plant health and trade.  
10.2.   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 ex isting 
assets.  
10.3.   A total of 87 projects  have been approved for STDF funding since its inception. Information 
on on -going and completed projects is available on the STDF website.14  
10.4.   The STDF Working Group approved  two new projects in March 2018:  
a. Upgrading the Sudanese sesame seed value chain  (STDF/PG/435) ; 
b. A strategy to strengthen Togo's SPS system, with a focus on fruit and vegetable exports  
(STDF/PG/375) . 
10.5.   Since its inception, the STDF has devoted 66% of  its project and PPG resources to LDCs and 
other low inco me 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 . 75% of the overall budget for  PPGs).  
10.6.   Forty-nine per cent of the number of STDF projects and PPGs has gone to Africa, 24% to 
Asia-Pacific, 15% to Latin America and the Caribbean, and 2% to other regions (the Middle East 
and Europe). In addition, 10% of the STDF projects and PPGs are classified  as global.  
                                                
13 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/projectpreparationgrants . 
14 See: http://www.standardsfacility.org/projectgrants . G/SPS/GEN/1627  
 
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  10.7.   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 in order to be considered at 
that meeting. The next deadline for the submission of appli cations is 10 August 2018 . Further 
information on eligibility criteria, application forms, etc. is available on the STDF website.   
RECOMMENDED STEPS TO FOLLOW WHEN SEEKING 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. Carefully read the guidance note for applicants:  
http://standardsfaci lity.org/sites/default/files/STDFGuidanceNote_English_FINAL_2015.pdf  
4. Consult relevant stakeholders 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 electronically before the deadline:  
 PPGs: 
http://standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/PPGApplicationForm_English_FINAL_2015.doc  
 PGs: 
http://standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/PGApp licationForm_English_FINAL_2015.doc  
 
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