SPS
COMMITTEE THEMATIC SESSION ON SCIENCE-BASED SPS IMPORT CONTROLS
TO FACILITATE SAFE TRADE
3 and 4
November 2025
report by the Moderator, Mr Knut Berdal
(Norway)
Table of
Contents
1 BACKGROUND
2
MODERATOR'S REPORT
2.1
Session 1 – Setting the scene: The role of international organizations in
providing objective, science-based information about import controls to
support safe trade in food and agricultural products. 2
2.2
Session 2 – Identifying and assessing SPS risks to determine import controls. 5
2.3
Session 3 – Best practices for efficient, science-based import controls. 7
2.3.1
Procedures and tools used to facilitate safe and efficient risk-based import
controls. 7
2.3.2
Facility registration: challenges and opportunities for streamlining processes. 9
2.4
Session 4 – Ongoing projects, research to further streamline risk-based import
controls. 11
2.5
Session 5 - Panel discussion - paving the way forward. 14
3
MODERATOR'S ENDNOTE