WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/12
11 March 1999
(99-1007)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
REVIEW OF THE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
AGREEMENT ON THE APPLICATION OF SANITARY AND
PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES
Report of the Committee
I. INTRODUCTION
1. Article 12.7 of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
("The Agreement") provides that "[T]he Committee shall review the operation and implementation of
this Agreement three years after the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement, and thereafter as
the need arises. Where appropriate, the Comm ittee may submit to the Council for Trade in Goods
proposals to amend the text of this Agreement having regard, inter alia , to the experience gained in its
implementation."
2. At its meeting of 15- 16 October 1997, the SPS Comm ittee agreed on a procedure to review the
operation and implementation of the Agreement (G/SPS/10).  In 1998, the Committee held four
informal meetings and four formal meetings, at whic h it considered issues and proposals identified by
Members.  These discussions were informed by a number of background papers submitted byMembers.
3. In its discussion of issues concerning the operation and/or implementation of the Agreement,
the Committee focussed especially on the provisions relating to transparency of sanitary and
phytosanitary measures (Annex B), including the notification procedures;  special and differential
treatment of developing country Members (Article 10) and technical assistance (Article 9).  The
Committee also discussed international harmonization (Article 3);  equivalence (Article 4);
adaptation to regional conditions (Article 6);  risk assessment (Article 5);  and dispute resolution(Articles 11 and 12.2).
II. GENERAL
4. The Committee emphasized that the SPS Agreement was a new framework which, during its
first three and a half years  of implementation, had contributed to improving international trading
relationships with respect to sanitary and phytosanitary measures, although a number ofimplementation issues gave concern to some Members, including a number of developing country
Members.  The Agreement specified Members' rights and obligations in the application of sanitary
and phytosanitary measures and provided a  useful set of international rules  for the relevant national
and subnational authorities within each Member.  The Committee noted that a  substantial part of each
of its formal meetings was devoted to the discussion of specific implementation problems.  On theseoccasions, the Committee had also discussed other issues of a more general nature, including matters
related to the operation of the Agreement.  The Committee welcomed the fact that a substantial
number of SPS-related trade matters had been resolved following their discussion at formal meetings
of the Committee or bilaterally.G/SPS/12
Page 2
5. Since its inception, the Committee has adopted a number of decisions, recommendations and
arrangements aimed at improving the operation and implementation of the Agreement.  However, the
Committee observed that Members had not exhausted the discussions on the operation and
implementation of the Agreement.  It recognized that a number of issues needed to be addressed in the
context of the future work programme of the Committee,  and that further issues could be raised at any
time by Members.  It recalled that in  accordance with Article 12.7,  the operation and implementation
of the Agreement shall be reviewed "… as the need arises …".
III. TRANSPARENCY OF SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES
(ANNEX B)
6. Paragraph 5 of Annex B of the SPS Agreement requires Members to notify new sanitary and
phytosanitary regulations or modification of existing regulations "[W]henever an international
standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist or the content of a proposed sanitary or
phytosanitary regulation is not substantially the sa me as the content of an international standard,
guideline or recommendation, and if the regulation may have a significant effect on trade of other
Members (…)".  The Committee noted that the Agreement had significantly improved transparency in
the application of sanitary or phytosanitary measures.  This was illustrated by the fact that Members
are progressively, and in a more comprehensive manner, meeting their notification obligations. Also,
significant progress had been made in the establishment of Enquiry Points and National NotificationAuthorities.  As of 11 March 1999, over 1100 notifications had been submitted by 59 Members;
91 Members had established National Notification Au thorities;  and 100 Members had established
National Enquiry Points to respond to requests for information.
7. The SPS Agreement requires Members to publish their sanitary and phytosanitary measures.
In this respect, the Committee encouraged Members to publish their sanitary and phytosanitarymeasures on the world wide web, in order to improve transparency.
8. The Committee recalled that it had adopted recommended notification procedures, as well as
formats for routine  and emergency notifications (G/SPS/7).  It stressed that a number of the concerns
raised during the course of the review related to the operation of the transparency provisions of the
Agreement could be resolved if Members more comprehensively and systematically applied therecommended procedures.  In this context, the Committee noted that there was a procedure allowing
for the extension of the recommended comment period on notifications.  The Committee also stressed
the need for an accurate summary of the notified measure in one of the WTO official languages.  The
Committee noted that access to informal translations (especially if in a WTO official language) of
texts of notified measures would facilitate their consideration by other Members, particularly if madeavailable to Members through electronic means.  It noted that a number of the other concerns
identified in this area could be addressed by modification or clarification of the recommended
procedures.  In this regard, and with a view to ensuring a more effective functioning of the
transparency provisions, the Committee agreed to the revised recommended notification procedures
and notification formats contained in the Annex of this report.
IV. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (ARTICLE 9)
9. The Committee stressed the need for enhanced technical assistance and cooperation to
developing countries, in particular with regard to human resource development, national capacity
building and the  transfer of technology and information, particularly by way of concrete, "hands-on"
assistance.  It recognized that technical assistance has been provided by Members on a bilateral basis,
as provided in Article 9.1.  In addition, in accordance with Article 9.2, some importing Members had
provided technical assistance to developing c ountry Members when substantial investments were
required in order for these countries to fulfil the importing Member' sanitary and phytosanitary
requirements.G/SPS/12
Page 3
10. The Committee also  noted that the Secretariat provided technical assistance to developing
country Members in the areas of its competence.
11. The Committee appreciated that the internationa l organizations recognized in the Agreement,
as well as other international organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Trade Center (ITC), also provided
considerable technical assistance to developing country Members. However, the Committeeemphasized that there was still a need for further assistance which, due to the expertise required,
could best be provided by the relevant standard-setting international organizations.  It  agreed to bring
this matter to their attention, keeping in mind th at this could have a significant impact on the
resources of these bodies and/or Members' resources.
12. The Committee reiterated the need for Members and the relevant international organizations
to provide information on their technical cooperation and assistance programmes on a regular basis.
In this regard, and with a view to making the most efficient use of the resources available and tofacilitate coordination of different technical assistance initiatives, Members agreed to make available
such information.  It was noted that several Me mbers have reported regularly to the Committee
concerning ongoing activities and their continuing involvement in this area.
V. SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT (ARTICLES 10 AND 14)
13. The Committee recalled that Article 10.1 of the Agreement provides that "[I]n the preparation
and application of sanitary or phytosanitary  measures, Members shall take account of the special
needs of developing country Members, and in part icular of the least-developed country Members".
Moreover, Article 10.2 provides that "Where the appropriate level of sanitary or phytosanitary
protection allows scope for the phased introduction of  new sanitary or phytosanitary measures, longer
time-frames for compliance should be accorded on products of interest to developing countryMembers so as to maintain opportunities for their exports".  The Committee noted that it had no
information on the extent to which the special and differential treatment provided for in Articles 10.1
and 10.2 had been accorded to developing country Members, nor information on the extent to which
developing country Members had made use of any special and differential treatment accorded to
them.
14. The Committee noted that the notification procedures for proposed sanitary and phytosanitary
measures allow developing country Members, as well as other Members, to identify potential
problems in meeting new requirements which may adversely affect their exports before the new
measure(s) come into force.
15. The Committee noted the proposals submitted by some developing country Members  in the
context of the review and encouraged Members to further the practical implementation of
Articles 10.1 and 10.2.  In particular, the Committee stressed that Members should, in accordance
with Article 10.2, accord longer time-frames for compliance on products of interest to developing
country Members.  Concerns identified by deve loping countries in the implementation of the SPS
Agreement are summarized in document G/SPS/W/93.
16. The Committee recalled that under Article 14 of the Agreement, least-developed country
Members could delay application of the Agreement, with respect to their sanitary and phytosanitarymeasures affecting importation or imported products, for a period of five years following its
implementation (i.e., until 2000).  Other developing country Members had the possibility to delay the
application of the provisions of the Agreement, other than obligations pursuant to Articles 5.8 and 7,
for two years following the entry into force of the WTO Agreement with respect to their existing
sanitary and phytosanitary measures affecting importation and imported products (i.e., until 1997).Moreover, under Article 10.3 of the Agreement, developing country Members could request furtherG/SPS/12
Page 4
time-limited exceptions with respect to any obligation under the Agreement taking into account their
financial, trade and development needs.  Although there had been some suggestions to extend the
period for application by all developing country Members, the Committee noted that during the period
under review no specific requests had been submitted to the Committee under Article 10.3.
VI. INTERNATIONAL HARMONIZATION (ARTICLES 3 AND 12.4)
17. The Committee recalled that, as required by Ar ticles 3.5 and 12.4 of the SPS Agreement, it had
adopted a preliminary procedure to monitor the pr ocess of international harmonization and the use of
international standards, guidelines or recommendations (G/SPS/11 refers). The Committee noted that
several concrete examples had been submitted to the Committee  as reflected in the annual report on the
procedure (G/SPS/W/94).  It encouraged Members to  submit further examples.  The Committee recalled
that the operation of the monitoring procedure was to be  reviewed 18 months after its initial
implementation.
18. The Committee noted the concerns raised by developing country Members with regard to the
procedures for the development and adoption of international standards, including difficulties in
actively participating in the development of intern ational standards and the lack of a mechanism to
take into account the economic and technical capacity of developing country Members to implement
such standards.  However, the Committee considered that it was more appropriate for these  concerns
to be addressed within the relevant international organizations.  It noted that some of these issues werealready under discussion in the standard-setting bodies, including an evaluation of how to ensure a
greater and more effective participation of developing countries in the development and adoption of
international standards.  The Committee agreed to communicate the concerns expressed by
developing country Members to these organizations and to request the representatives of these
organizations to keep the Committee informed of actions taken in this regard.
19. The Committee welcomed the cooperation of, and developments in, the international
organizations recognized under the Agreement.  In addition to their contribution in the context of
technical assistance, this included:  (i) the intensification and simplification of the Codex
Alimentarius Commission (Codex) standard-setting procedures;  (ii) the increased activity in the
Office International des Epizooties (OIE), with which the WTO had signed a 
Cooperation and
Consultation  Agreement;  and (iii) the  revision of the International Plant Protection Convention
(IPPC).
VII. EQUIVALENCE (ARTICLE 4)
20. Article 4.1 states that "Members shall accept the sanitary or phytosanitary measures of other
Members as equivalent, even if these measures differ from their own or from those used by other
Members trading in the same product, if the exporting Member objectively demonstrates to the
importing Member that its measures achieve the importing Member's appropriate level of sanitary orphytosanitary protection."  While recognizing that further discussions were necessary regarding this
issue, the Committee noted the progress in the application of the concept of equivalence of sanitary
and phytosanitary measures as illustrated by  the increasing number of instances where equivalence
has been accepted and of negotiations aimed at the recognition of equivalence.   Bearing in mind the
importance of this provision of the Agreement for facilitating trade, the Committee recognized the
need for further efforts to achieve the practical appl ication of this provision, including with respect to
recognition of equivalence of measures applied by developing country Members.  In this context, theCommittee stressed the need for Members to provide relevant information regarding the
determination of their appropriate level of protection and to recognize equivalence rather than
sameness of measures.   With a view to further enhancing transparency, it encouraged Members to
submit information on their bilateral equivalency agreements and determinations.  The CommitteeG/SPS/12
Page 5
welcomed the work underway in some of the releva nt international organizations that could further
the application of this concept.
VIII.  ADAPTATION TO REGIONAL CONDITIONS (ARTICLE 6)
21. The Committee noted that adaptation to regional c onditions, including the recognition of pest-
or disease-free areas or areas of low pest or disease prevalence, was of significant importance for
trade in agricultural products.  In this regard, the Committee welcomed the application of theseconcepts by an increasing number of Members.  However, the Committee also noted certain
difficulties in the implementation of this Article.  Such difficulties included divergences in
interpretation and implementation of international gu idelines;  an excessively lengthy administrative
process in importing countries for recognizing pest- or disease-free areas or areas of low pest or
disease prevalence;  and the complexities often involved in risk assessment.  The Committee
welcomed the contributions of the relevant international standard-setting bodies which assist
Members in fulfilling the provisions of Article 6 of the Agreement.
IX. RISK ASSESSMENT (ARTICLES 5.1, 5.2 AND 5.3)
22. The Committee noted that since the entry into force of the Agreement, Codex, OIE and IPPC
had undertaken a considerable amount of work in the area of risk assessment and that their work had
significantly progressed. These international organizations had begun work on guidelines on risk
analysis, including on relevant terminology, facil itating Members' compliance with obligations under
the Agreement.  Other international organizations, including the WHO and the FAO, were also
working in this area.  The Committee agreed to continue to closely follow developments in this area.
X. DISPUTE RESOLUTION (ARTICLES 11 AND 12.2)
23. The Committee noted that three cases involving the Agreement had been examined by
Panels/Appellate Body under formal WTO dispute settlement procedures.
24. With regard to the application of Article 12.2 of the SPS Agreement, there had been a number
of bilateral consultations between Members which had facilitated the clarification of
misunderstandings or otherwise resolved the issues involved.  In some cases, the Chairman and/or the
Secretariat had facilitated the consultations and the efforts to reach a mutually satisfactory solution.
Without prejudice to the right of Members to invoke formal dispute settlement procedures at any time,the Committee noted that the use of Article 12.2 could be an effective means of satisfactorily
resolving problems.
25. Finally, the Committee observed that extensive discussions on particular implementation
problems at its formal meetings had helped to draw attention to specific trade concerns and related
issues and to avoid potential trade conflicts.
XI. OTHER ISSUES
26. The SPS Committee recalled that its review of the operation and implementation of the
Agreement at this time had not been exhaustive.  It recognized that Members could at any time raise
any issue for consideration by the Committee.G/SPS/12
Page 6
ANNEX
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/7/Rev.1
date of distribution
(98-0000)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
RECOMMENDED NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
At its meeting of 10-11 March 1999 , the Committee adopted the following revised
recommended notification procedures with regard to paragraphs 5 and 6 of Annex B of the
Agreement.
_______________
Members should follow these guidelines when notifying regulations as required in
paragraphs 5 or 6 of Annex B.  The format for routine  notifications (Item F below) should be used for
notifications in accordance with paragraph 5 of Annex B, whereas the format for emergencynotifications (Item G below) should be used for notifications as provided for in paragraph 6 ofAnnex B.
A. APPLICATION OF ANNEX B, PARAGRAPH 5 (PREAMBULAR PART) OF THE SPS
AGREEMENT
For the purposes of Annex B, paragraphs 5 and 6 in the SPS Agreement, the concept of
"significant effect on trade of other Members" may refer to the effect on trade:
- of one sanitary or phytosanitary regulation only or of various sanitary or
phytosanitary regulations in combination;
- in a specific product, group of products or products in general;  and- between two or more Members.When assessing whether the sanitary or phytosanitary regulation
1 may have a significant effect
on trade, the Member concerned should take into consideration, using relevant information which isavailable, such elements as the value or other importance of imports in respect of the importing and/orexporting Members concerned, whether from other Members individually or collectively, the potentialdevelopment of such imports, and difficulties for producers in other Member s to comply with the
                                                     
1 Sanitary and phytosanitary measures such as laws, decrees or ordinances which are applicable generally.G/SPS/12
Page 7
proposed sanitary or phytosanitary regulations.  The concept of a significant effect on trade of other
Members should include both import-enhancing and import-reducing effects on the trade of otherMembers, as long as such effects are significant.
B. TIMING OF NOTIFICATIONS
When implementing the provisions of paragraph 5 of Annex B, a notification should be made
when a draft with the complete text of a proposed regulation is available and when amendments canstill be introduced and comments taken into account.
A notification shall be made well before the entry into force of the relevant measure , except
when urgent problems of health protection arise or threaten to arise for the Member concerned.  Any
regulation brought into force in urgent circumstances must be notified immediately.
C. REQUESTING DOCUMENTS RELATED TO A NOTIFICATION
Members requesting documents related to a notification should provide all the elements
permitting the identification of the documents, and in particular the WTO SPS notification number towhich the requests refer.
D. PROVIDING DOCUMENTS R ELATED TO A NOTIFICATION
Address of body supplying the documents
Members should indicate under point 12 of the WTO notification format (point 11 for
Emergency notifications) the full address of the body responsible for supplying the relevant documentsif that body is not the notification authority or the enquiry point.
Responding to requests
Documents requested should normally be provided within five working days.  If this is not
possible, the request for documentation or informatio n should be acknowledged within that period and
an estimate given of the time required to provide the requested documentation.
Documents supplied in response to a request should be identified with the WTO SPS
notification number to which the request refers.
Members should use fax and e-mail facilities to the extent possible in responding to requests
for documentation or information.  Members are encouraged to publish their sanitary or phytosanitary
measures on the world wide web, to facilitate the supply of documents.
Acknowledging receipt of documents
The Member requesting documents relating to a notification should acknowledge receipt of
the documents provided.G/SPS/12
Page 8
Translation of documents
When a translation of a relevant document exists or is planned, this fact should be indicated
on the WTO notification form next to the title of the document.  If only a translated summary exists,the fact that such a summary is available should be similarly indicated.
If a translation of a document or summary exists in the language of the requesting Member,
or, as the case may be, in the WTO working language used by the requesting Member, it should beautomatically sent with the original of the document requested.
Where documents are not available in a WTO working language, developed country Members
shall, upon request, supply a translation of the document, or in case of voluminous documents, atranslation of a summary of the documents, in a WTO working language.
When a Member seeks a copy of a document relating to a notification which does not exist in
that Member's WTO working language, the notifying Member should advise the requesting Memberof other Members that have requested, as of that date, a copy of the document.  The Member seekinga copy of a document relating to a notification may contact other Members in order to determinewhether the latter are prepared to share any translation that they have or will be making.
Any Member possessing an unofficial translation of a document relating to a notification
should inform the notifying Member of the existence of the unofficial translation and is encouraged tomake it available to ot her interested Members, through elect ronic fac ilities wher e appropriate.  In
doing so, the Member should clearly i ndicate the unofficial  and non committal  nature of the
translation.
E. HANDLING OF COMMENTS ON NOTIFICATIONS
Each Member should notify the WTO Secretariat of the authority or agency (e.g. its
notification authority) which it has designated to be in charge of handling comments received, and ofany change and/or modification of such authority or agency.
Members submitting comments on a notified draf t regulation should pr ovide them without
unnecessary delay to the authority designated to handle the comments, or to the national notificationauthority if no other designation is made.
A Member receiving comments through the designated body should, without further request(i) acknowledge the receipt of such comments;(ii) explain within a reasonable period of time, and at the earliest possible date  before the
adoption of the measure,  to any Member from which it has received comments, how
it will  take these comments into account a nd, where appropriate,  provide additional
relevant information on the proposed sanitary or phytosanitary regulations concerned;
(iii) provide to any Member  from which it has received comments, a copy of the
corresponding sanitary or phytosanitary regulations as adopted or information that no
corresponding sanitary or phytosanitary regulations will be adopted for the time
being;G/SPS/12
Page 9
(iv) where possible make available to other Members comments and questions it has
received and answers it has provided , preferably  through electronic facilities.
Favourable consideration should be given to requests for extension of the comment period, in
particular with regard to notifications relating to products of particular interest to developing country
Members, or where there have been delays in receiving and translating the relevant documents.  Anextension of the time-limit for comments of at least 30 days should be provided upon request,whenever possible .
F. COMPLETION OF FORMATS - ROUTINE  NOTIFICATIONS (ANNEX B,
PARAGRAPH 5)
Information contained in the notifications should be as complete as possible and no section
should be left blank.  Where necessary, "not known" or "not stated" should be indicated.
Item Description
1. Member notifying Government, including the competent authorities of the European
Communities, which is making the notification.
2. Agency responsible Body elaborating a proposal for or promulgating a sanitary or
phytosanitary regulation.
3. Products covered and
regions or countries likelyto be affectedTariff item number(s) (normally HS, chapter or  heading and
number) as contained in national schedules deposited with theWTO.  ICS numbers may be provided in addition, whereapplicable.  A clear description is important for an understandingof the notification by delegations and translators.  Abbreviationsshould be avoided.  The geographical regions or countries likelyto be affected by the notified regulation should be identified to theextent relevant or practicable .
4. Title and number of  pages
of the notified documentTitle of the pr oposed or adopted sanitary or phytosanitary
regulation.  Number of pages in the  notified document.  Worldwide web address of document notified, if available.
5. Description of content A summary  of the proposed or adopted sanitary or phytosanitary
regulation clearly indicating its content and health protectionobjective.  The summary should be as complete and accurate aspossible to allow the full understanding of the proposedregulation.  T o the extent possible, likely effects on trade should
be described.  Abbreviations should be avoided.  Where
practicable it should also include an outline of the specific
sanitary measures the regulation will apply.G/SPS/12
Page 10
6. Objective and rationale State whether objective is:  protection of human health from food-
borne risks;  or protection of human health from plant- or animal-
carried diseases;  or protection of animal health from pests or
diseases;  or protection of animal health from contaminated feed;
or protection of plant health from pests or diseases; or prevention
of other damage from entry or spread of pests.
7. Existence of international
standard, guideline orrecommendationIf a relevant international standard, guideline or recommendation
does not exist, put a cross in the box provided;  otherwise give theappropriate reference of the existing standard, guideline orrecommendation and briefly describe how the proposed regulationdeviates from the international standard, guideline orrecommendation.
8. Relevant documents and
language(s) in which theseare available(a) Publication where notice of the proposed regulation  appears,
including date and reference numbers;
(b) Proposal and basic document to which  proposal refers (with
specific reference number or other identification), and thelanguage(s) in which the notified documents and any summary ofthese are available;
(c) Publication in which proposal will appear when adopted;(d) If it is necessary to charge for documents supplied, the amount
of the charge should be indicated.
9. Proposed date of adoption The date when the sanitary or phytosanitary regulation is expected
to be adopted.
10.Proposed date of entry into
forceThe date from which the requirements in the regulation are
proposed or decided to enter into force.  Where appropriate,Members should accord longer time-frames for compliance onproducts of interest to developing country Members.
11.Final date for comments
and agency or authority
handling commentsThe date by which Members may submit comments in accordance
with Annex B, Paragraph 5(b) of the SPS Agreement.  A specific
date should be indicated.  A normal time limit for comments on
notifications of sixty days has been recommended.  A Membermay, if necessary, however, indicate in its notification that it willproceed to implement the proposed measure after forty-five daysif no comments or requests for extension of the time limit havebeen received from other Members within that time.  AnyMember which is able to provide a time limit beyond sixty days isencouraged to do so.
The agency or authority which has been designated to handle the
comments should be indicated.  If this is the national notificationauthority or the national enquiry point, put a cross in the boxprovided.  If another agency or authority has been designated,provide its name, address, fax and (if available) E-mail address.G/SPS/12
Page 11
For proposed measures which f acilitate tr ade, Members may
reduce or eliminate the period for receiving comments.
12.Texts available from If available from the national notification authority or the enquiry
point, put a cross in the respective box.  If available from anotherbody, give its address, fax number and (if available) E-mailaddress.  Such indications do not in any way discharge therelevant enquiry point of its responsibilities under the provisionsof Annex B, Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the SPS Agreement.G/SPS/12
Page 12
WORLD TRADE G/SPS/N/COUNTRY
date of distribution
ORGANIZATION
(99-0000)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:   
3. Products covered (provide  tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO;  ICS numbers  may be provided in addition, where
applicable). R egions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or
practicable :
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:
5. Description of content:
6. Objective and rationale:  [   ] food safety  [  ] animal health [  ] plant protection 
[  ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease
 [  ]  protect territory from other damage from pests
7. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [  ].
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:
9. Proposed date of adoption:
10. Proposed date of entry into force:
11. Final date for comments:
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [  ] National notification 
authority, [  ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
12. Texts available from:  [  ] National notification authority,  [  ]  National enquiry point,
or address, fax number and E-mail a ddress (if available) of other body:G/SPS/12
Page 13
G. COMPLETION OF FORMATS - EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS (ANNEX B,
PARAGRAPH 6)
Information contained in the notification form should be as complete as possible and no
section should be left blank.  Where necessary, "not known" or "not stated" should be indicated.
Item Description
1. Member notifying Government, including the competent authorities of the European
Communities, which is making the notification.
2. Agency responsible Body elaborating a proposal for or promulgating a sanitary or
phytosanitary regulation.
3. Products covered and
regions or countries likelyto be affectedTariff item number(s) (normally HS, chapter or  heading and
number) as contained in national schedules deposited with theWTO.  ICS numbers may be provided in addition, whereapplicable.  A clear description is important for an understandingof the notification by delegations and translators.  Abbreviationsshould be avoided. The geographical regions or countries likely tobe affected by the notified regulation should be identified to theextent relevant or practicable.
4. Title and number of pages
of the notified documentTitle of the pr oposed or adopted sanitary or phytosanitary
regulation.  Number of pages in the notified document.  Worldwide web address of document notified, if available.
5. Description of content A summary of the proposed or adopted sanitary or phytosanitary
regulation clearly indicating its content and health protectionobjective.  The summary should be as complete and accurate aspossible to allow the full understanding of the proposedregulation.  To the extent possible, likely effects on trade shouldbe described.  Abbreviations should be avoided.  Where
practicable it should also include an outline of the specificsanitary measures the regulation will apply.
6.  Objective and rationale State whether objective is:  protection of human health from food-
borne risks;  or protection of human health from plant- or animal-
carried diseases;  or protection of animal health from pests or
diseases;  or protection of animal health from contaminated feed;
or protection of plant health from pests or diseases; or prevention
of other damage from entry or spread of pests.
7. Nature of urgent
problem(s)Indication of the underlying reasons for resorting to emergency
action.G/SPS/12
Page 14
8.Existence of  international
standard, guideline orrecommendationIf a relevant international standard, guideline or recommendation
does not exist, put a cross in the box provided;  otherwise give theappropriate reference of the existing standard, guideline orrecommendation and briefly describe how the proposed regulationdeviates from the international standard, guideline orrecommendation.
9. Relevant documents and
language(s) in which theseare available(a)  Measure(s) taken and basic regulation which was modified
(with specific reference number or other identification), and thelanguage(s) in which the notified documents and any summary ofthese are available;
(b)  Publication in which regulation will appear;(c)  If it is necessary to charge for documents supplied, the
amount of the charge should be indicated.
10.Date of entry into force
and period of applicationThe date from which the requirements entered into force, and, if
applicable, the period of time during which they will  apply.  (Forexample:  immediate entry into force [date], duration of twomonths.)
11.Texts available from and
agency or authorityhandling commentsIf available from the national notification authority or enquiry
point, put a cross in the respective box.  If available from anotherbody, give its address, fax number and (if available) E-mailaddress.  Such indications do not in any way discharge therelevant enquiry point of its responsibilities under the provisionsof Annex B, Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the SPS Agreement.
The agency or authority which has been designated to handle the
comments should be indicated.G/SPS/12
Page 15
WORLD TRADE
G/SPS/N/COUNTRY
                  date of distribution
ORGANIZATION
(99-000)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
1. Member to Agreement notifying:
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO;  ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable).Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:
5. Description of content:
6. Objective and rationale:  [  ] food safety    [  ] animal health    [  ] plant protection
[  ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease[  ]  protect territory from other damage from pests
7. Nature of the urgent problem(s):
8. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [  ].
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, give its appropriate
reference and briefly  identify deviations:
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:
10. Date of entry into force/period of application (as applicable):
11. Texts available from/and agency or authority designated to handle comments:
[ ] National notification authority,  [  ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number
and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
__________