Workshop: The SPS Committee and the International Standard-Setting Organizations

The workshop focused on the procedures and issues before the Codex, IPPC, and OIE (“three sisters”), and how to ensure effective coordination with the work of the SPS committee. Representatives of the three sisters made presentations and contributed to the discussions.

Representatives of Members, Observers and Observer Organizations were all invited to participate in the workshop as well as the subsequent meetings of the SPS Committee. Fifty officials from least-developed and developing countries who were involved with the issues addressed in the workshop, had their participation in the workshop funded by WTO. 

The objectives of the workshop were:

• To examine the procedures and issues faced by Codex, IPPC and OIE in the development, adoption and monitoring of the use of international standards of relevance to the SPS Committee; and
    
• To discuss concrete actions to improve coordination between the Committee and the three sisters, and to increase effectiveness and avoid the duplication of efforts.

The workshop attempted to identify concrete actions to:

• Enhance the coordination between the Committee and three sisters, and between the three sisters;
   
• Increase the use and usefulness of international standards;
   
• Avoid unnecessary duplication of effort; and
   
• Ensure that the standard-setting process is in line with the implementation of the SPS Agreement, and facilitates trade in agriculture and food products.

  

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Documents and presentations 

> Workshop programme
> WTO Secretariat presentation
> Codex presentation
> IPPC presentation
  > FAO biosecurity tool kit
  > IPPC dispute settlement manual
> OIE presentation
> EU submission