G/SPS/GEN/1757  
 
27 February 2020  
(20-1488) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
UPDATE ON THE STANDA RDS AND TRADE DEVELOPMENT FA CILITY  
NOTE BY THE SECRETAR IAT1 
This document provides a brief update on the work of the Standards and Trade Development Facility 
(STDF) since the last  meeting of the Committee  in November  2019. Delegates are encouraged to 
visit the STDF website to view  and learn from STDF activities and projects , download STDF briefing 
notes and other publications , and subscribe to STDF 's mailing list  to receive regular updates on STDF 
work (http://www.standardsfacility.org ). 
1  NEW STRATEGY 2020 -2024 
1.1.  On 30 January 2020 , the STDF launched a new five-year strategy  (2020 to 2024 ).2 Drawing 
on the findings of the external evaluation  of the STDF in 2019 , the strategy aims to consolidate and 
build on STDF streng ths and performance , and further develop the partnership and expand its reach 
and resources. Under the new strategy, the STDF will further consolidate its role as a global platform 
for dialogue and learning on SPS capacity development. It will continue to share available know -how, 
tools and good practices and build on what already exists. The STDF will also continue to finance the 
development and implementation of collaborative  and innovative SPS projects , with the potential to 
influence and catalyse SPS im provements.  
1.2.  On 19 March 2019 , the STDF Secretariat will organize a lunchtime session , on the margins of 
the Committee  meeting , to further introduce the new STDF strategy and present practical examples 
of how the STDF influences SPS capacity building through its work . The side -event will also explain 
how developing countries can continue to access grants to develop and implement SPS projects.  
More information on the event, which will be preceded by a light lunch, will be circulated separately.  
2  PRIORITIZING SPS INV ESTMENTS FOR MARKET ACCESS: P -IMA 
2.1.  The STDF continues to help developing countries in SPS planning and decision -making through 
application of the P -IMA framework. P -IMA is an evidence -based approach to inform and improve 
SPS planning an d decision making, including mobilization of additional resources for SPS 
investments. Work is on -going in Madagascar ( STDF/PPG/575 ) and the framework will also be 
applied in Ecuador shortly ( STDF/PPG/709 ). An STDF project ( STDF/PG/606 ) to assist selected 
COMESA member states in using the P-IMA framework to mainstream SPS investments int o their 
agriculture, trade, and environment planning and financing frameworks, including the 
Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), is underway (co -funded by 
the Enhanced Integrated Framework).  
2.2.  In November 2019, TradeMark East Afri ca (TMEA) supported public and private sector players 
from South Sudan, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda to identify capacity building 
options by applying P -IMA. The objective of TMEA is  to unlock regional trade in East Africa and 
improve intra -regional trade flows. The Secretariat will also present the P -IMA framework at a 
meeting and workshop of the African Continental SPS Committee in Kigali, Rwanda, from 9 to 
11 March, organized by the African Union Commission.    
 
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 also the message from WTO's Director General: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4c -
LEmQfXQ   G/SPS/GEN/1757  
 
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  3  VOLUNTARY THIR D-PARTY ASSURANCE PR OGRAMMES  
3.1.  The Secretariat recently issued a survey on existing and/or planned regulatory frameworks and 
practices related to voluntary third -party assurance (vTPA) programmes (including  quality 
management systems, assurance schemes or ce rtification programmes) in food and feed safety , in 
cooperation with IICA and UNIDO . Depending on the responses received, the Secretariat may be 
able to share some initial feedback on the survey responses during the SPS thematic session  on the 
margins of t he SPS Committee on 17 March.  
3.2.  A link to the survey (available in English, French and Spanish on SurveyMonkey) was kindly 
distributed through the SPS and Codex Secretariat mailing lists. We encourage delegates to respond 
to the survey , which can also be ac cessed here : 
✓ English: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QSPGRV8  
✓ French: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2ZK7GC8  
✓ Spanish: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BP7MCTF  
4  PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTN ERSHIPS  
4.1.  Building on previous STDF work on PPPs , and also learning from OIE 's more recent work in this 
area, the Secretariat has started to collect and compile new examples of PPPs in the area of SPS 
capacity a nd trade, more broadly (i.e. beyond collaboration or data sharing linked to vTPA 
programmes in the food safety area) . 
4.2.  To help collect additional PPP examples , the Secretariat issued another targeted survey ( also 
on SurveyMonkey) , which will soon be accessi ble via the PPP page  on the STDF website  in English, 
French and Spanish . We encourage delegates  to share PPP examples and  further distribute this 
survey with their respective net works . 
5  GOOD REGULATORY PRAC TICE  
5.1.  The STDF is continu ing its work on a guidance document and practical checklist on the use of 
Good Regulatory Practice  (GRP). This work aims to provide guidance for developing countries to 
ensure that SPS measures are "fit for purpose" and that they avoid the creation of non -tariff barriers. 
It will seek to identify good practices and recommendations to enhance the development and 
implementation of SPS measures in order to: (i) strengthen the effectiveness of regulatory 
interventions; (ii) improve compliance with international s tandards and the SPS Agreement; and (iii) 
ensure health protection while facilitating trade.  A peer review group of STDF partners and other 
members  and relevant organizations (including OECD) is supporting this work . The Secretariat  
currently aims to prese nt this work on the margins of a Committee meeting in 2021 . 
6  ELECTRONIC CERTIFICA TION  
6.1.  Paperless SPS systems can improve traceability throughout SPS supply chains, lower food 
waste, cut trade times and costs, reduce fraudulent certificates, and build trust a mong trading 
partners. STDF's work in this area is focuse d on increasing the use of electronic SPS certificates  
(SPS e-cert) in developing countries . The STDF supports the e -Phyto ( STDF/PG/504 ) and e -Vet 
(STDF/PG/609 ) projects. In October 2019, the STDF Working Group created an SPS eCert advisory 
committee  under the umbrella of the STDF,  which currently consists of 11 relevant international 
organizations . Its objective will be to exchange information on relevant eCert initiatives, facilitate 
linkages and synergies among these initiatives, and to maximize outputs and avoid duplication on 
efforts. Its first meeting is scheduled in March 2020.  
7  STDF REGIONAL MRL PR OJECTS  
7.1.  On 7 November  2019, the STDF organize d an information  session  at the margins of the 
WTO SPS Committee to share the findings and recommendations of an independent evaluation of 
three STDF projects in ASEAN ( STDF/PG/337 ), Africa ( STDF/PG/359 ) and Latin America 
(STDF/PG/436 ). Under these projects, g overnment authorities partnered with multinational pesticide G/SPS/GEN/1757  
 
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  manufacturers, industry associations, farmers and international partners (including the Codex 
Secretariat, IR -4/Rutgers University and USDA ) to carr y out coordinated and complementary 
pesticide residue studies. This collaborative approach generated data to support new Codex MRLs 
for minor -use crops (like dragon fruit, mango, papaya and avocado) and the registration of new, 
improved, low -risk pesticide s for farmers.  
7.2.  Participants highlighted the catalytic impact of the projects in propelling further regional and 
global collaboration to plug pesticide data gaps and increase  developing country exports. 
The projects created dynamic public -private sector par tnerships  to support farmers in using 
new-generation pesticides and to scale up this approach. Moving forward, the legacy set up under 
STDF's projects continues to support developing countries in facilitating safe trade and meeting 
international standards for tropical crops.  New pesticide data generation projects are underway or 
planned in the regions. Work is progressing to align pesticide registration systems and MRL adoption 
practices. The projects also facilitated the establishment of the Global Minor Use Foundation at 
Rutgers University to further assist developing countries in finding solutions. 3 
7.3.  The results of the projects, and the f indings and recommendations of the evaluation , will be 
also be disseminated at the upcoming 52nd Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues 
(CCPR).   
8  NEW STDF FILM  
8.1.  The STDF released a new film " Investing in Safe Trade " featuring partners, donors and 
developing country experts speak ing on the current global landscape and what more is needed to 
facilitate safe, inclusive trade. The film sets out how in order to meet the  UN Sustainable 
Development Goals i nvesting in SPS capacity in developing countries is vital for people to share in 
the benefits from trade.  Ten experts from Belize, Canada, the European Union, the Global Food 
Safety Initiative, IPPC Secretariat,  The Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Senegal, the US and WTO 
share their views on how building SPS capacity helps producers, tr aders and consumers and also 
promotes food safety, animal and plant health. The film, interview series and other SPS related 
videos are available on the STDF YouTube channel . 
9  ADVANCED SPS COURSE  
9.1.  The STDF  Secretariat provided a full-time coach for the duration of the 2019 Advanced SPS 
course (28 October to  15 November 2019)  to share available know -how, tools and good practices 
from STDF’s knowledge and project work.  Several participants of the course work ed on action plans 
to address SPS constraints which prevents their countries from  accessing markets abroad . Four 
participants went on to submit concrete applications  to the STDF for project  preparation grants . 
These will be discussed by the STDF Working Gro up at its next meeting on 7 -8 April 2020.  
10  PROJECT DEVELOPMENT  
10.1.   The STDF provides advice and support to applicants on issues related to SPS project 
development and finances project preparation grants (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 evaluation and prioritization 
tools; (ii) prepare feasibility studies before project d evelopment 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.  
10.2.   A total of 101 PPGs  have been approved and funded by the STDF since its  inception. 
Information on on -going and completed PPGs is available on the STDF website.  
11  PROJECT IMPLEMENTATI ON 
11.1.   Project Grant (PG) financing for projects is also available from the STDF. Favourable 
consideration is given to projects that: (i) identify, dev elop and disseminate good practice in SPS -
related technical cooperation, including the development and application of innovative and replicable 
 
3 See STDF news item issued in November 2019: https://us4.campaign -
archive.com/?u=1dd65e410f4f874eaf3175abc&id=97014839a0   G/SPS/GEN/1757  
 
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  approaches; (ii) apply regional approaches to address SPS constraints; and/or (iii) implement 
collaborative appr oaches across food safety, animal and plant health and trade.  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 existing a ssets). 
11.2.   A total of 97 projects  have been approved for STDF funding since its inception. Information 
on on -going and completed projects is available on the STDF website.  
11.3.   Since its inception, the STDF has devoted 65% of its project and PPG resources to LDCs and 
other low -income countries  (OLICs). 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. 7 1% of the overall budget for PPGs).  
11.4.   49% of the n umber of STDF projects and PPGs has gone to Africa, 24% to Asia -Pacific, 15%  to 
Latin America -Caribbean, and 2% to other regions (Middle East and Europe). In addition, 10% of 
the STDF projects and PPGs are classified as global.  
11.5.   Applications for STDF fundin g 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 to be considered at that meeting.  
11.6.   The next deadline for the submission of applications is 17 July 2020 . 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.stand ardsfacility.org/projectgrants  
3. Carefully read the guidance note for applicants:  
http://standardsfacility.org/sites/default/files/STDFGuidanceNote_English_FINAL_2015.pdf  
4. Consult relevant stakeholders in the country/region.  
5. Send a brie f 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/PGApplicationForm_English_FINAL_2015.doc  
 
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