. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/767 
1 March 2007 
 (07-0876) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
 
 
EQUIVALENCE – ARTICLE 4 
 
Update from the World Organization for Animal Health Organization (OIE)
1 
 
 
 The following communication, received on 28 Fe bruary 2007, is being circulated at the 
request of the OIE.  
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 1. The OIE, through the standards published in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code recognizes 
equivalence by recommending alternative sanita ry measures (measures) for many diseases and 
pathogenic agents.  Equivalence may be gained , for example, by enhanced surveillance and 
monitoring, by the use of alternative test, treatment or isolation procedures, or by combinations of the 
above. 
2. The OIE has also established guidelines to assist OIE Member Countries to determine 
whether measures arising from different animal h ealth and production systems may provide the same 
level of animal and human health protection. 
3. These guidelines are applicable whether equivale nce applies at the level of the specific 
measures or on a systems-wide basis, and whether e quivalence applies to specific areas of trade or 
commodities or generally.  These guidelines provide principles and a step-wise process to follow in 
making a judgement on equivalence. 
General considerations in making a judgement of equivalence 
 
4. In most cases, the risk management measures drawn up by an importing country will rely in 
part on judgements made about the animal health  and production system(s) in the exporting country 
and the effectiveness of sanitary  procedures undertaken there. 
5. Systems operating in the exporting country may differ from those in the importing country 
including with respect to infrast ructure, policies and/or operating procedures, laboratory systems, 
approaches to the pests and diseases present, bor der security and internal movement controls. 
Principles for making a judgement of equivalence 
 
1. An importing country has the right to set the level of protection it de ems appropriate (its 
ALOP) in relation to human and animal life and health in its territory, expressed in 
qualitative or quantitative terms; 
                                                     
 
1 More complete information may be found in the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code. G/SPS/GEN/767 
Page 2  
 
  2. The importing country should be able to describ e the reason for each measure i.e. the level 
of protection intended to be achieved by app lication of the identified measure against a 
hazard; 
3. An importing country should recognise that measures different from the ones it has 
proposed may be capable of providing the same ALOP; 
4. The importing country should, upon request, enter into consultations with the exporting 
country with the aim of facilitating a judgement of equivalence; 
5. Any measure or combination of measures can be proposed for judgement of equivalence; 
6. An interactive process should be followed that  applies a defined sequence of steps, and 
utilises an agreed process for exchange of information; 
7. The exporting country should be able to demonstrate objectively how the measures 
proposed as equivalent will provide the same level of protection; 
8. The exporting country should present a submission for equivalence in a form that facilitates 
judgement by the importing country; 
9. The importing country should evaluate submissi ons for equivalence in a timely, consistent, 
transparent and objective manner, and acco rding to risk assessment principles; 
10. The importing country should take into account  any knowledge of and prior experience 
with the authorities of the exporting country; 
11. The exporting country should provide access to enable the procedures or systems which are 
the subject of the equivalence judgement to be examined and evaluated; 
12. The importing country should be the sole dete rminant of equivalence, but should fully 
explain the reasons for its judgement; 
13. To facilitate judgements of equivalence, me asures should be based on OIE standards; 
14. The countries concerned should keep each other informed of significant changes to 
infrastructure, health status or progra mmes which may bear on the judgement of 
equivalence;  and 
15. An importing country should give positive c onsideration to a request by an exporting 
developing country for appropriate technical assistance relevant to a judgement of equivalence. 
  
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