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SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES: EVENTS, 26 JUNE 2008

STDF Information session on private standards

Ever since St Vincent and the Grenadines raised a concern with respect to the operation of the EurepGAP scheme in 2003, the topic of private standards has become a regular fixture on the agenda of the SPS Committee. In June 2007, a joint UNCTAD/WTO Informal information session on private standards was held. However, the area of private standards is a dynamic one. Since 2007, EurepGAP has become GLOBALGAP and other private standards schemes have come into the picture. Therefore, on 25 June 2008, the Standards and Trade Development Facility held an information session on private standards.

See also:
> More on sanitary and phytosanitary measures
> United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

> Joint UNCTAD/WTO Informal information session on private standards, 25 June 2007

> STDF website

The aim of this STDF information session was threefold: (i) to update the SPS Committee on recent developments in this area; (ii) to examine the options for facilitating the compliance of developing countries with these schemes; and (iii) to learn more about on-going donor initiatives in this area.

The information session was organized as part of STDF's co-ordination mandate in the area of SPS-related technical co-operation. Through this information session, it was hoped that a better practical understanding of strategies for compliance would emerge, along with a clearer picture of who is doing what in terms of technical co-operation activities in this area.

Presentations

Session 1: Recent developments in the private standards area

• How to make developing countries' voices heard in the private standards' arena?
  Johannes Kern, Africa Observer Project

• One standard fits all? Initiatives to promote further equivalence between schemes?
  Kevin Swoffer, Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)
    

• Audio: Listen to Session 1— Recent developments in the private standards area
    

Session 2: Reducing compliance costs and promoting dialogue

• What certification options are available for developing country suppliers and what is the future of certification?
  David Richardson, CMi

• How to promote dialogue and information exchange on compliance between private standards holders, suppliers, certifiers and other interested parties?
  John Lamb, The World Bank
    

• Audio: Listen to Session 2 — Reducing compliance costs and promoting dialogue    > help   

  
> Report of the STDF Information session on private standards

Programme: > Download