RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/W/114/Rev.1
21 May 2002
(02-2785)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
PROPOSED FORMAT FOR THE NOTIFICATION OF
AGREEMENTS OF EQUIVALENCE
Note by the Secretariat
Revision
1. Article 4 of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary or Phytosanitary Measures (SPS
Agreement) 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 otherMembers 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 or
phytosanitary protection".  Paragraph 2 of Article 4 further provides that "Members shall, upon
request, enter into consultations with the aim of achieving bilateral and multilateral agreements on
recognition of the equivalence of specified sanitary or phytosanitary measures."
2. In its Decision on Equivalence (G/SPS/19, paragr aph 11), the Committee agreed that it would
revise its recommended notification procedures to provide for the notification of the conclusion of
agreements between Members which recognize the equivalence of sanitary and phytosanitary
measures. There is no indication in the text of the SPS Agreement itself as to the form that such
agreements on the recognition of equivalence should take.  In its Decision on Equivalence the
Committee observed that:
"Equivalence can be accepted for a specific measure or measures related to a certain
product or categories of products, or on a systems-wide basis.  Members shall, when
so requested, seek to accept the equivalence of a measure related to a certain product
or category of products. … Members may further, where necessary and appropriate,
seek more comprehensive and broad-ranging agreements on equivalence.  The
acceptance of the equivalence of a measure related to a single product may notrequire the development of a systems-wide equivalence agreement."
3. With the objective of increased transparency, it is suggested that a Member should submit this
notification when, at the request of an exporting Member, they have made a determination that the
measure proposed by the exporting Member achieves the level of protection of the importing Member
and imports will be permitted on that basis.  A notification need not be made unless the recognition ofequivalence may have a significant effect on trade of the exporting Member which requested the
determination or on trade of other Members.
4. Notification should be made for those situations where a Member recognizes the equivalence
of SPS measures of another Member or Members, by formal agreement or by another less formal
arrangement.  Where a recognition of equivalence embraces a number of Members or products, asingle notification specifying the relevant Members and/or commodities will suffice.  A notification
should also be made where a recognition of equiva lence is substantially modified or is rescinded.G/SPS/W/114/Rev.1
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5. Attachment 1 is the proposed format for the notification of recognition of equivalence.  The
proposed format is based on the format used for the notification of agreements on issues related to
technical regulations, standards or conformity assessment procedures under Article 10.7 of the
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, as modified on the basis of discussions in the SPSCommittee.
6. Attachment 2 contains recommended procedures and further guidance on the completion of
the various boxes of the proposed format.G/SPS/W/114/Rev.1
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ATTACHMENT 1
Proposed Format for the Notification of Recognition of Equivalence
of Sanitary or Phytosanitary Measures
The following notification of recognition of equivalence has been received.
1. Member notifying:
2. Title of the text stating the recognition of equivalence:
3. Parties to the arrangement:
4. Date of entry into force of regulations or procedures reflecting the recognition of
equivalence:
5. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, ot herwise national tariff
heading):
6. Brief description of the arrangement, including description of measures recognized
as equivalent:
7. Further information available from:
[   ]  National Enquiry Point [   ]  Other (specify)G/SPS/W/114/Rev.1
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ATTACHMENT 2
Recommended Procedures for the Completion of the Notification Format
In accordance with the Decision on Equivalence (G/SPS/19), a Member which has recognized
the equivalence of sanitary or phytosanitary measures of another Member or Members shall notify
other Members through the Secretariat of the products covered by the arrangement and include a brief
description of the measure(s) recognized as equi valent.  A Member should submit this notification
when, at the request of an exporting Member, it has made a determination that the measure(s)
proposed by the exporting Member achieves the appropriate level of sanitary or phytosanitary
protection of the importing Member and imports will be permitted on that basis.  A notification neednot be made unless the recognition of equivalence may have a significant effect on trade of the
exporting Member which requested the determination or on the trade of other Members.
Notification should also be made of significant variations to existing equivalence
arrangements, including their suspension or rescission.
Item Description
1.  Member notifying Government, including the competent authorities of the European
Communities, which is making the notification.
2.  Title of text statingrecognition of equivalenceTitle of any formal or informal agreement, Memorandum of
Understanding or other document establishing the recognition of
equivalence.
3.  Parties to the arrangement Name of the exporting Member or Members whose measure has
been recognized as equivalent.
4.  Date of entry into force ofregulations or procedures
reflecting the recognition ofequivalenceDate from which regulations or other measures based on the
recognition of equivalence took effect.
5.  Products covered (HS or
CCCN where applicable,
otherwise national tariff
heading)Tariff item number(s) (normally HS, chapter or heading and
number) as contained in national schedules deposited with the
WTO of the product(s) which are imported on the basis of the
recognition of equivalence.
6.  Brief description of thearrangement, including
description of the measure(s)
recognized as equivalentClearly indicate the nature of the recognition of equivalence,
including which measure(s) of the exporting Member have been
recognized as equivalent and which elements of the importing
Member's usual requirements are to be met by these equivalentmeasures.
7.  Further informationavailable from:The agency or authority from which an interested Member may
request further information regarding the specific recognition of
equivalence being notified.  If this is the National Enquiry Point,
check the box provided.  If available from another body, give its
address, fax number and (if available) E-mail address.  Provide
the world wide web address of the document, if available.
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