PROPOSED PROCESS FOR THE FIFTH REVIEW OF THE
OPERATION AND
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE
APPLICATION
OF SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT[1]
At the Fourth Session of the
Ministerial Conference, Ministers instructed the Committee to review the
operation and implementation of the SPS Agreement at least once every four
years, pursuant to the provisions of Article 12.7 of the Agreement.[2]
The Fourth Review, which started in October 2013, was concluded by the
Committee in July 2017 (G/SPS/62). In order to facilitate an efficient review
process, the Secretariat, at the request of Members and in consultation with
the Chairperson, has prepared the following procedure. The Committee is invited
to consider this procedure at its meeting of 1-2 March 2018.
[1] This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own
responsibility and is without prejudice to the positions of Members or to their
rights and obligations under the WTO.
[2] Implementation-Related Issues and Concerns, Decision of 14 November
2001, WT/MIN(01)/17, paragraph 3.4.