Establishing an SPS notification authority and enquiry point

1.4 Resources

As a minimum, the resources needed to operate either the notification authority or enquiry point need not be extensive; often existing office infrastructure and services can be utilized. At the very least, countries should ensure that these facilities have some form of word-processing capability (typewriter or computer), a photocopier and access to postal facilities and a telephone. If possible, countries are encouraged to ensure that the notification authority and enquiry point have access to a fax machine, which will help speed up communication with the WTO Secretariat and other countries.

With additional resources, countries can help improve transparency and provide more efficient services to other countries and end-users at home. Countries are encouraged to consider obtaining and using the following resources:

1. E-mail: Electronic mail is an excellent tool for communication with both other countries and the WTO Secretariat. It allows messages to be received almost instantaneously by the intended recipient and replies can be usually obtained within days depending on the different time zones. The other advantage of e-mail is that it allows documents to be sent and received electronically. This has obvious applications for sending and receiving both notifications and notified documents. Upon request, the WTO Secretariat has begun to circulate notifications electronically (see Box 6).
    
2. Internet: The Internet is a powerful research tool that can be used for a multitude of purposes. The WTO places all of its documents, on its website, unless they are restricted, and countries are able to download them at their convenience. There is also a password-protected Members-only website where all document, restricted or unrestricted, are available. The Internet enables countries to improve transparency by decreasing the time between notifications being made and received by individual countries, which allows countries to respond more quickly. The use of the Internet means that notification authorities do not have to rely on receiving notifications or other documents through slower methods such as post or from diplomatic missions in Geneva. The SPS Committee has encouraged countries to publish their SPS regulations on the Internet, where possible.
     

The WTO Secretariat distributes SPS notifications and other documents to diplomatic missions in Geneva or to capitals. If access to Internet and email facilities is not possible, countries can obtain SPS documents and notifications from their WTO representative (usually the diplomatic mission in Geneva). Each country can also designate one address in the capital to which notifications will be sent by post.