WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  RESTRICTED 
WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/36/Rev.1 
11 July 2011  
 
(11-3420) 
Working Party on the Accession 
of the Russian Federation Original:   English 
 
 
 
ACCESSION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 
 
Checklist of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Issues 
 
Revision 
 
  The following submission, dated 8 July 2011, is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of the Russian Federation. 
 
 
_______________ 
 
   
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Page 2 Checklist of SPS Issues in the Accession of the Russian Federation to the WTO 
 
WTO Reference Commitments 
(by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation;  
Estimated Time Required to  Undertake the Commitment 
1. Generally agreed 
principle in WTO 
accession negotiations. 1. Standstill: introduction of new 
standards, animal health 
regulations and food safety regulations shall conform to SPS 
Agreement norms and 
principles. The Russian Federation does not intend to compli cate access to its markets by introducing a less 
favourable treatment for the purposes  of the SPS Agreement.  All sanita ry, veterinary and phytosanitary 
measures maintained by the Russian Federation are to be applied only to the extent necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or hea lth, as required by the WTO SPS Agr eement.  The same principles are 
valid for all Decisions of the Customs Union
1 Commission and legally binding acts (CUC).  
 
Development and introduction of new standards, animal health regulations and food safety regulations 
will be carried out in full conformity with the CU  and national legislation in force and rules, and 
obligations derived from of the WTO SPS Agreement. 
 
The on-going work on drafting the technical regulatio ns (TRs) in the SPS area is aimed at fulfilling this 
condition.  According to the Eurasian Economic Community (EurAsEC)2 Agreement on Implementation 
of Coordinated Policy in the Field of Technical Regulation, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the 
Federal Law No. 184-FZ of 27 December 2002 "On Technical Regula tion", technical regulations are 
documents, establishing requirements on technical re gulation issues, which are obligatory for application 
and execution. 
 
The work plan and ti metable for adoption of priority technical regulations are established by the 
CU Commission Decision No. 492 of 8 December 2010 and EurAsEC Interstate Council Decision 
No. 521 of 19 November 2010. 
 
The Federal Law No. 99-FZ of 15 July 2000 "On Qu arantine of Plants" establishes the procedure for 
application of phytosanitary measures. The CU does not have common phytosanitary requirements and those are developed and implemented at the national level (Order of the Ministry of Agriculture of the 
Russian Federation No. 456 of 29 December 2010). Th is law will be replaced by the new one which is 
now under development (http://mcx.ru/documents/document/show/15896.285.htm). 
2. Article 7 and 
Annex B.3. 2. Establishment and operation of a 
single Contact Point for 
Information ("Enquiry point").   Article 44 of the Federal Law No. 184-FZ of 27 December 2002 prov ides for the esta blishment of a 
Federal Information Fund for Technical Regulations and Standards.  This Fund is a State information 
resource.   
A single information system, designed to provide interested persons with information on documents 
contained in the Federal Information Fund for Technical Regulations and Standards, is created and functioning in the Russian Federation in a manner and on terms specified by the Government of the 
Russian Federation (Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 500 of 15 August 2003 
"On the Federal Information Fund for Technical Regulations and Standards and the Single Information 
                                                      
1 Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. 
2 Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyz Republic, and Tajikistan.  
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(by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation;  
Estimated Time Required to  Undertake the Commitment 
System for Technical Regulation").  Interested pers ons are given free access to the information resources 
that are being created. 
 The Federal Information Fund for Technical Regulations and Standards is established and run by the 
Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Russian Scientific and Technical Centre of Information on 
Standardization, Metrology and Conformity Assessme nt" (hereafter:  FSUE "S tandartinform").  FSUE 
"Standartinform" operates since 2005.  
 
Within the framework of the FSUE "Standartinform", the Russian Information Centre on Standardization, Certification and Overcoming Te chnical Barriers to Trade (hereafter:  RIC WTO 
TBT/SPS) has been operating since 1997.  In the struct ure of RIC WTO TBT/SPS there is an Enquiry 
(dispatching) Service (National Enquiry Point - NEP) , providing information on the implementation of 
the WTO Agreements on TBT and SPS.  
 
The contact information (web-address, addre ss/phone/fax numbers and e-mail) of NEP is: 
 
Address: 4 Granatny pereulok, Moscow 123995, Russian Federation; 
Phone: +7 (495) 332-56-28, 332-56-59, 690-38-41;  
Fax: +7 (495) 332-56-59, 719-78-20; 
e-mail: enpoint@gostinfo.ru http://www.gostinfo.ru. 
 
The primary function of RIC WTO TBT/SPS is the operative supply of the domestic authorities and businesses, as well as foreign trade partners and th e Secretariat of the WTO, with rules, directives, 
regulations, national, CU and foreign national standards and certification systems. 
 NEP provides answers to the requests of interested parties, renders information and documentation on 
TBT and SPS, standards, an d conformity assessment. 
 NEP publishes on the website the list (on a monthl y basis) of notifications of WTO Members on 
TBT and SPS in Russian (http://www.gostinfo .ru/show.php?/ric_vto/reestr_yved.htm). 
3. Articles 7 and 
Annex B, also G/SPS/7. 
 3. Transparency: notification and 
access to documentation: 
 EurAsEC documents are availabl e on the EurAsEC web-site: www.evrazes.com . 
 
EurAsEC Interstate Council Decision No 15 of 27 November 2009 "Rules and Procedures of the 
Customs Union Commission", provides that the documents of the CUC are published on the official 
web-site of the CUC and that they come into force no earlier than a month after their official publication. 
 
According to Article 6 of the Eu rAsEC Interstate Council Decision No. 1175 and Article 7 of the 
CU Commission Decision No. 527, third-country interested parties could provide comments on draft 
EurAsEC Technical Regulations proposed by any of the EurAsEC or CU Parties.  
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Estimated Time Required to  Undertake the Commitment 
  Documents of the CU are officially published on the CUC website: www.tsouz.ru . 
 
CU Commission Decision No. 625 of 7 April 2011 established a public consultations procedure.  Drafts CU documents in the SPS field are placed on the CUC website after their review by the TBT and 
SPS Coordinating Committee.  The period for comments  from the public is no less than 60 days. 
Interested parties including foreign governments and foreign economic operators are to submit their comments and suggestions to the CUC Secretariat
3.  
 
Furthermore, according to CU Decision No. 527 of  28 January 2011, draft CU Technical Regulations 
must be published on the website of the CU and should be available for public consultation for at least 
2 months. 
 All information on SPS measures and current SP S legislation are presented on the websites of: 
 
- the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation - www.mcx.ru;  - the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation - www.minzdravsoc.ru; 
- the Federal Supervisory Service for Customers' Rights and Human Welfare (Rospotrebnadzor) - 
www.rospotrebnadzor.ru; and 
- the Information and Methodical Centre "Exp ertiza" of Rospotrebnadzor - www.crc.ru. 
 In addition, the transparency of th e domestic legislative process in the SPS sphere is provided through 
publication of all regulatory legal acts related to SPS measures in official editions: "Rossiyskaya 
Gazeta", "Sobranie zakonodatelsctva Rossiyckoy Fede ratsii", "The Bulletin of Regulatory Acts of 
Federal Executive Authorities", "The Bulletin of intern ational agreements", "The Bulletin of Regulatory 
and Methodical Acts of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation", and 
"The Information bulletin of the Ministry of agriculture of the Russian Federation". 
 
There are also some non-of ficial editions, such as "Veterinariya"  magazine, newspapers "Veterinarniy 
Konsultant", "Veterinary Gazette" a nd "Zatschita i karantin rasteniy" (monthly edition) as well as in 
other special editions, "Sbornik normativno pravovyh aktov v oblasti sanitarno-epidemiologicheskogo 
blagopoluchija naselenija". 
(a) Annex B.5(b) and 
Annex B.10. 
 
 
  
 
 Whenever an international standard, 
guideline or recommendation does not exist or the content of a proposed 
sanitary or phytosanitary regulation is 
not substantially the same as the content of an international standard, 
guideline or recommendation, and if 
the regulation may have a significant According to Article 5 point 2 of the EurAsEC Agr eement on Implementation of Coordinated Policy in 
the Field of Technical Regulation, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, dated 25 January 2008, Parties of the EurAsEC recognize national standards that comply with international standards.  EurAsEC 
technical regulations are developed on the basis of relevant international standards, guidelines and 
recommendations.  
CUC Decision of 22 June 2011 "On application of international standards, guidelines and 
recommendations" includes the following provisions: 
                                                      
3 119121 Moscow, Smolensky boulevard 3/5; tel: + 7.495.604.40.38; info@tsouz.ru .   
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 (b) Annex B.5 (a), 
(c), (d). effect on trade of other Members, 
Members shall: 
 
(a) notify other Members, through 
the Secretariat, of the products 
to be covered by the regulation together with a brief indication 
of the objective and rationale of 
the proposed regulation.  Such notifications shall take place at 
an early stage, when 
amendments can still be introduced and comments taken 
into account; 
 
(b) - publish a notice at an early 
stage in such a manner as 
to enable interested 
Members to become 
acquainted with the proposal to introduce a 
particular regulation; 
 -  provide upon request to 
other Members copies of 
the proposed regulation 
and, whenever possible, identify the parts which in 
substance deviate from 
international standards, guidelines or 
recommendations;   
 -  without discrimination, 
allow reasonable time for 
other Members to make 
comments in writing, discuss these comments 
upon request, and take the 
comments and the results 
of the discussions into 
account.  - in the absence of CU or national SPS documents in force on the CU territory establishing 
obligatory requirements, it is necessary to apply standards, recommendations and guidelines of the 
International Office of Epizootics (OIE), the Inte rnational Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the 
Commission of "Codex Alimentarius" (hereafter :  international standards) respectively; 
- in case of SPS requirements in force on the CU territory are more stringent than relevant 
international standards, in the absence of scientific  justification of risk to human, animal or plant 
life or health,  in corresponding part international standards are applied. 
 
In addition, CUC Decision No. 625 establishes a pr ocedure for examination of SPS measures at the 
request of an interested party, including foreign governments, which that party believes are more 
stringent than international standards and not justified by science and a risk assessment with the view of 
aligning them with international standards.   
 
The legislative and implementation work in the Russi an Federation is aimed at ensuring harmonization 
of the CU and national legal base with the provisions of international standards, guidelines and recommendations (OIE, IPPC, and Codex Alimentarius). 
 
Phytosanitary measures maintained by the Russian Federation are based on the recommendations and 
principles of the IPPC, as well as those of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection 
Organization. The Government Resolution No. 329 names Rosselkhoznadzor as the federal agency responsible for fulfilling the duties stipul ated in Article IV of the IPPC.  
 
According to the Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 159 of 24 March 2006 "On Implementation of the Veterinary Measures Regarding Importation of Live Animals and Products of 
Animal Origin to the Customs Territory of the Russian Federation", while importing to the Russian 
customs territory live animals and products of animal origin, in case of contradiction of veterinary requirements, stated in the national legislation of th e Russian Federation to the international veterinary 
requirements, operating norms of the OIE Code are to be applied.  
 
However, in case a proposed Customs Union or natio nal regulation is not substantially the same as the 
relevant international standards, the Russian Federation will comply with the notification obligations 
stipulated by Annex B of the WTO SPS Agreement, as a part of its general commitment to fulfil the requirements of this Agreement. 
 
The agencies involved in the pr eparation of the notifications re quired by the provisions of the 
WTO SPS Agreement, will be the Mini stry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of 
Health and Social Development of the Russian Fe deration and the Ministry of Economic Development 
of the Russian Federation as the coordinating authority responsible for providing notifications to the 
WTO.  
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4. Article 2.2. 4.  Necessity: measures are applied 
only to the extent necessary to 
protect human, animal and plant health.  
 
 According to Article 10 of the EurAsEC Agreemen t on Implementation of Coordinated Policy in the 
Field of Technical Regulation, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, dated 25 January 2008, Parties of 
the EurAsEC ensure the application of SPS measures only to the ex tent necessary to protect human, 
animal and plant life or health. 
 
The CUC Decision No. 299 of 28 May 2010 states that the products produced in, or imported into the CU territory have to comply with the sanitary, epid emiological and hygienic re quirements. This Decision 
approved the List of goods subject to sanitary and epidemiological surveillance; regulation on sanitary 
and epidemiological surveillance at the Customs Union territory and Customs Union border; common form of documents confirming safety of products; and Customs Union common sanitary and 
epidemiological requirements.  
 The conformity for certain groups of products (foo d additives, food supplements, GMO, infant nutrition 
and dietetic nutrition) must be supporte d by a state registration certificate.  
 The procedure of state registration is determined by the above-mentioned CUC Decision and the 
domestic law.  The procedure of state registration includes the review of an application and other 
documents.  A State registration cer tificate is issued within 30 days after the application.  Food 
supplements and food additives are registered at th e federal level in the Russian Federation and other 
products are registered in the territorial bodies of Rospotrebnadzor.  The products subject to state registration can be registered in the Rep ublics of Kazakhstan and Belarus as well. 
 
The State registration certificate is valid throughout the CU territory.  The period of validity of the state 
registration certificate covered the whole period of manufacture or delivery of controlled goods to the 
CU territory.  
 The CUC Decision No. 317 of 18 June 2010, Federal Law of the Russian Federation No. 4979-1 of 
14 May 1993 "On Veterinary Practices" (to the extent that it does not contradict the CU Commission 
Decision No. 317 of 18 June 2010) provide the framework for protection of animal and human health and implementation of sanitary and veterinary measures.  This law will be replaced by the new one 
which is now under development (http://www.mcx.ru/documents/document/show/15824.300.htm). 
Similar provisions are included in to the draft of the new law.  
 
Import of goods subject to state veterinary control is carried out on the basis of written import permits, 
for goods from establishments placed  on the list of approved estab lishments, and accompanied by the 
relevant export veterinary certificate.  Import permits are issued by Rosselhoznadzor (including through 
the automated system ARGUS) free of char ge and are valid for a calendar year.  
 
CUC Decision No. 318 of 18 June 2010 and national legislation being established in the draft "On Plant 
Quarantine", which is expected to be in effect by 1 January 2012, and Order No. 456 establish the legal basis for application of phytosanitary measures in the CU.  
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According to Russian legislation, phytosanitary meas ures apply only to the extent necessary to prevent 
import and acclimatization of quarantine objects in the Russian Federation. Pursuant to the 
SPS Agreement, the Russian Federation, as well as th e Other Countries, have the right to introduce 
phytosanitary measures in respect of insufficie ntly studied hazardous organisms and carry out 
phytosanitary risk assessment in acco rdance with international risk assessment techniques (standards). 
5. Articles 2.2, 3.3 and 
5.2.  5. Science-based regulations: 
regulations governing animal and plant health protection and 
food safety control shall be 
based on scientific evidence.  According to Article 10 of the EurAsEC Agreemen t on Implementation of Coordinated Policy in the 
Field of Technical Regulation, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, dated 25 January 2008, the Parties base their SPS measures on principles which have sufficient scientific evidence.  
 
The preambles of CU SPS Agreements state that the Parties take into acc ount the principles and rules of 
the relevant international organizations, including OIE, IPPC, and Codex Alimentarius. 
 
CUC Decision of 22 June 2011 "On application of international standards, guidelines and recommendations" provides for the following: 
 
- In the absence of CU or national SPS documents  in force on the CU territory establishing 
obligatory requirements, it is necessary to apply respective international standards; and 
- In case the SPS requirements in  force on the CU territory are more stringent than relevant 
international standards, in the absence of scientific  justification of risk to human, animal or plant 
life or health,  the corresponding part of the international standards are applied. 
 
Pursuant to Article 38 of Federal Law No. 52-FZ "On Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare of the 
Population" dated 30 March 1999, sanitary rules and safety criteria should be based on the results of 
scientific research and epidemiological studies, as well as on monitoring of human health and harmful 
environmental factors. 
 
The Decision of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 159 of 24 March 2006 "On Implementation of the Veterinary Measures Regarding Importation of Live Animals and Products of 
Animal Origin to the Customs Territory of the Russian Federation" stipulates that when importing live 
animals and products of animal origin into the customs territory of the Russian Federation, if 
requirements stated in the legislation of the Russian  Federation are more stringent than international 
veterinary requirements, the international standards (e.g., the relevant provisions of the OIE Code) are to 
be applied. 
 
According to the Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 329 of 29 May 2006, 
phytosanitary measures maintained by the Russian Federation are based on the recommendations and principles of the IPPC, as well as those of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection 
Organization.   
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6. Articles 3.1, 3.3 and 
3.4. 6. Harmonization: to the maximum 
possible extent, the WTO 
Members shall follow international standards, 
guidelines, and 
recommendations in establishing SPS measures. 
 
  Article 5.2 of the Agreement on Implementation of Coordinated Policy in the Field of Technical 
Regulation, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of EurAsEC states that EurAsEC technical regulations 
are to be developed on the basis of relevant inte rnational standards, guidelines and recommendations. 
 
Article 10 of the above-mentioned Agreement stipulat es that Parties of EurAsEC apply sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures only for the extent necessary  to protect human life and health on the basis of 
international and regional standards. 
 
CU Commission Decision No. 625 of 7 April 2011 "On Harmonization of CU Legal Acts in the Field of Sanitary, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Measures with  International Standards" creates at CU level a 
procedure similar to the Decree of the Russian Fe deration No. 761.  CU SPS measures that after 
examination are recognized as more stringent than inte rnational standards, without scientific justification 
for such restriction or risk to human, animal or plant life or health,  would be brought into conformity 
with international standards.  Interested pers ons, which include foreign governments, could bring 
measures to the attention of the CU Parties and participate in the examination. A regulation on implementing CUC Decision No. 625 is available for public comment.  Furthermore, another CUC 
decision "On application of international standards, recommendations, and guidelines" stipulates that:  
1) in the absence of CU or national documents applied in the territory of the CU, it is necessary to apply 
international standards; and 2) if SPS measures in force in the territory of the Customs Union are more 
stringent than international standards, in the absen ce of a scientific justification, the corresponding 
international standard will be applied.  
 
Currently, sanitary requirements for production proces ses and for domestic establishments are set out by 
the national legislation. Product requirements are s tipulated in the CU Commission Decision No. 299 of 
May 2010. 
 Federal Law No. 52-FZ "On Sanitary and Epidem iological Welfare of the Population" dated 
30 March 1999 (Article 38) and the Statute on the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Regulation 
approved by Resolution of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 554 dated 24 July 2000 (Section 5 and 6), require that international requirements and recommendations must be analysed and 
used in the national sanitary regulations and legislation to the extent that it is practicable and reasonable 
to do so. The harmonization proceeds by reference to the documents of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission, WHO recommendations, and documents of other international organizations. 
 
Phytosanitary measures applied by the Russian Fede ration are based on the pr inciples of the IPPC, 
recommendations of the European and Mediterranean Organization on the Quarantine of Plants of which 
the Russian Federation (USSR) is a member is since 1957.  The list of International Standards for 
Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) in the Russian language was available at the Rosselkhoznadzor website 
(http://www.fsvps.ru/fsvps/laws/class/10/44 ). The Delegation of the Russian Federation takes part in 
IPPC meetings and experts are involved in the elaboration of new international standards on 
phytosanitary measures.  
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The Russian Delegation always participates in OIE regular meetings and general sessions, which are 
held annually in France (Paris).  
 Russian specialists took part in: 
 
- Codex Committee on Nutrition and Food for Speci al Dietary Uses (Germany, 2003, 2004, 2005, 
2009, 2010); 
- Codex Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (Holland, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2004, 
2005, 2009, 2011); 
- Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (USA, 2004, 2005); 
- Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (Hungary, 2005, 2009); 
- Codex Committee on Food Contaminants (China, 2007, Holland 2011)  - Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (2011); and 
- Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (2011) and other similar meetings. 
 The competent authorities are actively involved in international cooperation in the SPS field.  Such 
international cooperation is carried out, in par ticular, on the basis of bilateral and multilateral 
cooperation agreements and a ccordance with the OIE Code, Co dex Alimentarius and IPPC. 
 
The Russian Federation is currently party to 34 bilateral and multilateral intergovernmental agreements with third countries on food hygiene, safety, sanitary or phytosanitary measures. The list of these 
agreements can be found in th e Annex to this document.  
 The Russian Federation is: 
 
- party to:  - International Plant Protection Convention (Rome, 1951, edition of 1997); 
 - Convention on international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora 
 (CITES) from 3 March 1973; 
 - Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) from 5 June 1992. 
- member of: 
 - World organization for Animal Heath (OIE) from 1927;  - Commission Codex Alimentarius from 1961; 
 - World Health Organization; 
 - European and Mediterranean Organization on Quarantine of Plants, 1957;  - UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) from 29 July 2006; and 
 - International Sugar Organization (ISO), from 7 January 2003. 
- participant at: 
 - Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), from 10 July 1987; 
 - International Grain Counc il (IGC), from 1 July 1995.  
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  - observer at the: 
 - Fisheries Committee of OECD, 1961; 
 - Group on Cereals, Animal Feeds and Sugar of Committee for Agriculture of OECD; 
 and 
 - Group on Meat and Dairy Products of Committee for Agriculture of OECD. 
7. Article 4. 7. Equivalence: Members shall 
recognize measures maintained by other Members provided that 
the same level of protection is 
achieved. For all its SPS measures, the Russian Federation woul d comply with the equivalence principle for the 
purposes of the SPS Agreement, if the exporting country objectively demonstr ates that its measures 
achieve the Russian appropriate level of sanitary or  phytosanitary protection.  The Russian Federation 
intends to introduce into the CU documents and national legislation relevant provisions on equivalence 
as well as procedures for the recognition of equivalence, in accordance with the SPS rules and 
international standards and recommendations.  
 
Forty CU common forms of veterinary certificates for import into the CU territory from any third country had been adopted by Decisi on No. 607 of 7 April 2011, for each of the cat egories of controlled 
goods established in the CUC Decision No. 317.  
 According to CU Commission dr aft Decision "On Veterinary M easures", if a country made a 
substantiated request to negotiate a veterinary certif icate that differed from the Common Form prior to 
1 January 2013, veterinary certificates in effect in th e Russian Federation, or one of the other CU Parties, 
before 1 July 2010, as well as their subsequent amendments, could continue to be used until an 
agreement is reached on a CU veterinary certificat e.  For other countries, importation of veterinary 
controlled goods after 1 January 2013 would only be permitted with the common CU Veterinary 
certificate. 
 The procedure for sanitary and ep idemiological examination of produ cts and issuance of sanitary and 
epidemiological opinions establishing conformity (or non-conformity) of products to sanitary and 
epidemiological requirements are provided by Customs Union Decision No. 299 of 28 May 2010, Resolutions of the Government of the Russian Federation and Order of the Rospotrebnadzor No. 224 of 
27 July 2007 (as amended with the order No. 309 of 12 August 2010).  
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8. Article 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3. 8. Risk Assessment: obtaining 
scientific evidence and 
conducting risk assessments to ensure that measures are 
science-based and applied only 
to the extent necessary to protect human, animal and plant health.  
 
 The CUC Decision of 22 June 2011 "On application of international standards, guidelines and 
recommendations" includes the following provisions: 
 
- in the absence of CU or national SPS documents in force in the CU territory establishing obligatory 
requirements, it is necessary to apply standards, recommendations and guidance of the International 
office of epizootics, the International plant protection convention, the Commission of "Codex Alimentarius" (hereafter:  interna tional standards) respectively; and 
- in case of SPS requirements in force in the CU territory are more stringent than relevant 
international standards, in the absence of scientific  justification of risk to human, animal or plant 
life or health,  in corresponding part international standards are applied. 
 
The preambles of CU SPS Agreements
4 state that the Parties take into  account the principles and rules 
for risk assessment of the relevant international organizations, including OIE, IPPC, and 
Codex Alimentarius.  
 All sanitary and veterinary measures are applied in accordance with OIE recommendations and based on 
risk assessment (Chapter 2.1. OIE, 2010). The following institutions, inter alia , are responsible for the 
respective studies:  the FGU "Federal Centre for an imal health protection" (Vladimir) and the FGU "All-
Russian Centre on quality of medicine for animals and feed" (Moscow).  
 According to the draft Quarantine Law (Article 5) phytosanitary risk assessment is the procedure of 
evaluation of biological or other scientific and economic data to identify the necessity of regulation of 
pest and to introduce phytosanitary measures. The au thorized body carries out the phytosanitary risk 
assessment for every pest and periodically, at least on ce a year, revises it.  The methodology of carrying 
out the phytosanitary risk assessment was established by the authorized body.  
 All phytosanitary measures are applied in accordance with IPPC standards and ba sed on risk assessment. 
The Federal State Establishment "All-Russian Centre  on Plant Quarantine" (FGU "VNIIKR"; Moscow 
region) is responsible for the respective studies.  
The following institutions are responsible for conducting risk assessments related to sanitary measures: 
the Federal Centre of Hygiene and Epidemiology (Rospotrebnadzor); the Federal Scientific Centre of Hygiene, named by А. Erisman (Rospotrebnadzor); and the Scien tific Research Institute of Nutrition of 
the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences. 
                                                      
4 CU Agreement on Veterinary and Sanita ry Measures, CU Agreement on Plant Quar antine, Agreement on Sanitary Measures.  
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9. Article 6 and 
Annexes A.6 and 
A.7.  9. Regional characteristics: 
measures shall reflect the 
regional characteristics both of the areas from which products 
originate and the areas for which 
they are destined.  
 
 
  
 
 Common veterinary requirements ar e adopted by the CUC Decision No . 317 of 18 June 2010 and each 
Chapter of these requirements stipulates that the regi onalization principle is re cognized. Regionalization 
in the sphere of applying veterinary measures is carried out in accordan ce with the OIE Code 
(Chapter 4.3. OIE, 2010). 
 
The Russian legislation in the plant quarantine sphere is based on IPPC provisions and international standards on phytosanitary measures. Accordingly, regionalization applies to all imported regulated 
products.  Phytosanitary certificates  are issued in the exporting coun try by agencies of the official 
national plant protection organization. Regional characteristics are a factor for the purposes of devising phytosanitary measures for use in a particular region. 
 
All measures maintained under sanitary legislation apply without discrimination to both the area of 
origin of the goods and the target area.  Regional char acteristics are relevant only for the purposes of risk 
assessment of different factors, including the public nutrition structure, and subject to the permitted daily 
dose (PDD) recommended by international organizations.  
10. Article 2.3, and 
Annex C.1(a) and 
(d).  10. Non-discrimination: 
unwarranted discrimination of 
Members and differentiated 
treatment of national and foreign 
suppliers are prohibited.  
 Non-discriminatory treatment is provided by the curr ent legislation of the Russi an Federation. Sanitary-
epidemiological, veterinary and phytosanitary rules,  criteria, measures and requirements are applied 
uniformly to all foreign and domestic products and suppliers and without discrimination between 
domestic and foreign products and suppliers.  The sa me measures, requirements, criteria and rules are 
not applied in a manner that would constitute a disguised restriction on international trade. 
 In accordance with Article 29.2 of the Federal La w No. 164-FZ of 8 December 2003 "On Basics of 
Regulation of Foreign Trade Activity", SPS requir ements are implemented in respect of goods 
originating from foreign countries in the same way they are applied in respect of similar products of Russian origin. 
 
The current legislation of the Russian Federation in th e veterinary sphere is uniform for all veterinary 
services of subjects of the Russian Federation and es tablishes identical requirements both to foreign and 
domestic goods and manufacturers (Articles 1, 14, 15, 18 of the Law of the Russian Federation 
No. 4979-1 of 14 May 1993 "On Veterinary Practices"). 
 
According to the draft Quarantine Law (Article 6) , phytosanitary requirements apply to regulated 
products originating from foreign countries in the same manner as they apply to the same regulated products of Russian origin.  
   WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/36/Rev.1
 Page 13WTO Reference Commitments 
(by the time of accession) Progress of Implementation;  
Estimated Time Required to  Undertake the Commitment 
11. Article 8 and  
 Annex C. 11. Control, inspection and approval 
procedures: ensure that 
procedures, including systems for approval of the use of 
additives or for establishing 
tolerances for contaminants in foods, beverages or feedstuffs 
comply with th e Agreement.  As of 1 July 2010, the "Regulation of a single system of joint inspections of sites and sampling the goods 
(products), subjected to veterinary control (supervision)" approved by CU Commission Decision 
No. 317 of 18 June 2010 entered into force.  This Decision outlined two possibilities for exporting countries' establishments to become eligible to export to the Russian Federation.  The first option was 
that the competent authority of the exporting country provided guarantees to the CU that the 
establishment met the requirements of the CU.  The second option was through a joint inspection by all CU Parties. Now this Regulation is under amendm ent to include details of the decision-making 
procedure and to bring this Regulation in line with international standards and guidelines.  
 The CUC Decision No. 299 of 28 May 2010 determined sanitary and epidemiologic requirements for 
food products, sets up hygienic safety and value norms on food for humans, and also requirements on 
compliance of these norms for production, import and turnover of food products.  The national sanitary-epidemiological rules and norms "Hygienic requirements on food safety and food value" 
(SERN) are being amended to reflect the regulations of the CUC Decision No. 299 of 28 May 2010. 
 The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation approved "Regulations on Sanitary and 
Epidemiological Examination of Products", by Order No. 224 of 27 July 2007 (as amended with the 
order No. 309 of 12 August 2010), issued by a centre of the State Sanita ry and Epidemiological 
Surveillance Authority on concrete kind of production is valid everywhere in the Russian Federation on 
uniform terms for both domestic and imported products.   
Relevant procedures on phytosanitary control were adopted by CU Commission Decision No. 318 of 
18 June 2010. 
 WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/36/Rev.1 
Page 14  
 
  ANNEX 
 
List of Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements in the SPS Sphere  
to which the Russian Federation is Party (last amended on 24 May 2011) 
 
 
1. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the South African Republic for the cooperation in  the field of quarantine and protection of 
plants of Moscow, 5 August 2010; 
2. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the Turkish  Republic for the cooperation in the field of quarantine and protection of plants, 
Moscow, 13 January 2010; 
3. The Agreement between the Governments of the Customs Union on Sanitary Measures, 
St.-Petersburg, 11 December 2009; 
4. The Agreement between the Governments of the Customs Union on Veterinary and Sanitary 
Measures, St.-Petersburg, 11 December 2009; 
5. The Agreement between the Governments of the Customs Union on Plant Quarantine, 
St.-Petersburg, 11 December 2009; 
6. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
Mongolia for the Cooperation in the field of Veterinary Science, Moscow, 11 April 2008; 
7. The Agreement  on Implementation of Coordi nated Policy in the Field of Technical 
Regulation, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measu res, Eurasian Economic Community, Moscow, 
25 January 2008; 
8. The Agreement between The Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the United States of America on Agriculture  Biotechnology, Hanoi, 19 November 2006; 
9. The Agreement between The Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the United States of America on Importation of Beef, Hanoi, 19 November 2006; 
10. The Agreement between The Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the United States of America on Importation of Pork Meat, Hanoi, 19 November 2006; 
11. The Agreement between The Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the United States of America concerning Inspection and Certification of slaughter, processing, and cold storage facilities to be in the offici al list of facilities which are allowed to export 
poultry and poultry products and pork and pork products to the Russian Federation, Hanoi, 
19 November 2006; 
12. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the Kingdom of Morocco for the Cooperation in the field of Quarantine and Protection of plants, Casablanca, 7 September 2006; 
13. The Agreement on the cooperation procedure on hygienic evaluation of potentially hazard 
products imported into the member-states of the Community of the Independent States, Cholpon-Ata, 16 April 2004;   WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/36/Rev.1 
 Page 15 
 
 
  14. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the Republic of Macedonia for the Cooperation in the field of Veterinary Science, Moscow, 
16 October 2003; 
15. The Agreement for the Legal protection of sorts of Plants (The Community of the 
Independent States, Moscow, 16 March 2001; 
16. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the Hungarian Republic for the Cooperation in th e field of Veterinary Science, Budapest, 
30 September 1999; 
17. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the Greek Republic for the Cooperation in the field of Veterinary Science, Athens, 
28 July 1999; 
18. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the Turkish Republic for the Cooperation in th e field of Veterinary Science, Moscow, 
5 November 1999; 
19. The Agreement for the cooperation in the field of preservation and use of genetic resources of 
cultural plants of the states-participants of the Community of the Independent States of 
4 June 1999; 
20. The Protocol on the uniform order of application of Technical, Medical, Pharmaceutical, 
Sanitary, Veterinary, Phytosanitary and Ecological standards, norms, rules and requirements concerning goods imported into the State-partic ipants of the Customs Union Agreements", 
ratified by the Russian Federation on 25 August 1999; 
21. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the Argentina Republic for the cooperation in the field of Quarantine and Protection of plants 
(with lists of pests, diseases of plants a nd the weeds having quarantine value), Moscow, 
26 June 1998; 
22. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the United States of America for the sal e of the Agricultural Goods, Moscow, 
23 December 1998; 
23. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the New Zealand for the cooperation in the field of Veterinary Science, Moscow, 
15 May 1998; 
24. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
Vietnam for the cooperation in the field of Veterinary Science, Moscow, 24 November 1997; 
25. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for the cooperation in the field of Veterinary Science, Moscow, 14 October 1997; 
26. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the Democratic People's Republic of Korea for the cooperation in the field of Quarantine and 
Protection of plants (with lists of pests, diseases of plants and the weeds having quarantine 
value), Moscow, 14 October 1997; WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/36/Rev.1 
Page 16  
 
  27. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the Republic India for the cooperation in the field of Quarantine and Protection of plants (with lists of pests, diseases of plants a nd the weeds having quarantine value), Moscow, 
25 March 1997; 
28. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the Union Republic of Yugoslavia for the cooperation in the field of Quarantine and 
Protection of plants (with lists of pests, diseases of plants and the weeds having quarantine 
value), Belgrade, 31 October 1996; 
29. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the Union Republic of Yugoslavia for the coopera tion in the field of Veterinary Science, 
Belgrade, 31 October 1996; 
30. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Ukraine for the 
cooperation in the field of Quarantine of plants (with lists of pests, diseases of plants and the 
weeds having quarantine value), Moscow, 27 August 1996; 
31. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
the Turkmenistan for the cooperation in the field of Quarantine of plants (with lists of pests, 
diseases of plants and the weeds having quarantine value), Moscow, 18 May 1995; 
32. The Agreement between the Government of th e Russian Federation and the Government of 
Mongolia for the cooperation in the field of Quaran tine and Protection of plants (with lists of 
pests, diseases of plants and the w eeds having quarantine value), Moscow, 
11 November 1993; 
33. The Agreement for the cooperation in the field of Veterinary Science (The Community of the 
Independent States), Moscow, 12 March 1993; and 
34. The Agreement for the cooperation in the field of  quarantine of plants (with lists of quarantine 
pests, diseases of plants and the weeds) (The Community of the Independent States), Moscow, 13 November 1992. 
 
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