. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/SPS/N/QAT/22 
9 June 2011 
 (11-2842) 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
 
NOTIFICATION 
 
1. Notifying Member:  QATAR 
If applicable, name of local government involved:    
2. Agency responsible:  Ministry of Environment, Laboratories & Standardization Affairs 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item numbe r(s) as specified in national schedules 
deposited with the WTO;  ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where applicable):  Foodstuffs (ICS Code 67.04) 
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:  GCC Guide for Control on Imported Foods 
Language(s):  English (with some items in dua l language:  English/Arabic)  Number of 
pages:  36 
 http://members.wto.org/crnattach ments/2011/sps/QAT/11_1813_00_e.pdf  
6. Description of content:  The Guide describes the principles and regulatory requirements to 
be applied by exporters/importe rs to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in assuring 
the safety and suitability of food shipments.  Specific attestations for animal and plant 
health certification are also provided in the Guide. 
While regulatory requirements and procedur es for imported foods are not as yet fully 
harmonized between the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), this Guide will 
contribute to the harmonization process.  In particular, the countries of the Gulf 
Cooperation Council (GCC) will continue work towards a fully risk-based approach to 
assuring the safety of imported foods. 
7. Objective and rationale:  [X] food safety, [ ] animal health, [ ] plant protection, 
[X] protect humans from animal/plant pest or  disease, [ ] protect territory from other 
damage from pests.    
8. Is there a relevant international stan dard?  If so, identify the standard:  
[X] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex standard 
or related text) Codex Alimentarius 1995. Codex Standard 198-1995. Volume 7 
(53-60) 
[X] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number)    G/SPS/N/QAT/22 
Page 2  
 
  [X] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)    
[ ] None 
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?   
 [X] Yes   [ ] No 
 If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:  The proposed Guide is based on endorsing various Codex 
definitions and principles of risk analysis as well as the texts relevant to food imports and 
health certificates.  These include, but are not limited to: 
CAC/RCP 58-2005 CAC/GL 26-1997 CAC/GL 38-2001 
CAC/GL 67-2008 CAC/RCP 57-2004 CAC/GL 48-2004 
Additionally, referencing was noted in vari ous parts of the document, including health 
attestations, to the need for harmony with th e international parameters set by the Codex 
Alimentarius, OIE, and IPPC, particularly where no GCC requirements are available. 
The document was reviewed by a panel of in ternationally recognized experts to ensure 
consistency with intern ational requirements. 
9. Other relevant documents and language (s) in which these are available:      
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) :  To be determined. 
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) :  To be determined. 
11. Proposed date of entry into force:  [ ] Six months from date of publication , and/or  
(dd/mm/yy) :  To be determined. 
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments:  [X] Sixty days  from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) :  8 August 2011 
Agency or authority designated to handl e comments:  [ ] National Notification 
Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point.  Address, fax number and e-mail address (if 
available) of other body:    
13. Texts available from:  [ ] National Notification  Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point.  
Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:    
Ministry of Environment, Laboratories & Standardization Affairs  
Standards and Metrology Department  P.O Box 23277 State of Qatar 
Tel:  +(974) 4413 9554 
Fax:  +(974) 4413 9543 E-mail:  standard@qatar.net.qa