RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES FOR IMPLEMENTING
THE TRANSPARENCY OBLIGATIONS OF THE SPS
AGREEMENT (ARTICLE 7)
Revision[1]
The
term transparency in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is used
to signify one of the fundamental principles of its agreements: the aim is to
achieve a greater degree of clarity, predictability and information about trade
policies, rules and regulations of Members. In implementing this concept
Members use notifications. Under the SPS Agreement, notifications are used to
inform other Members about new or changed regulations that may significantly
affect their trading partners.[2]
Transparency under the SPS Agreement also includes answering reasonable
questions, and publishing regulations.
[1] This revision of the Recommended Transparency Procedures does not
include any substantive changes to the text. It incorporates updates based on
changes in the online tools (SPS IMS, SPS NSS and ePing) and the notification
templates. It also includes text and the notification format contained in the
Decision on Special and Differential Treatment (G/SPS/33/Rev.1) to consolidate
all notification recommendations into one document.
[2] The SPS Agreement uses the terms 'measures' and 'regulations'
somewhat interchangeably when referring to any sanitary or phytosanitary measure
such as laws, decrees, or ordinances applied to protect human, animal or plant
life or health as defined under paragraph 1 of Annex A to the SPS Agreement.