SPS Online
Basic Definition
SPS Agreement Background
- WTO: An Historical Perspective
- Emergence of an SPS Regime
SPS Agreement Principles
- Basic Rights
- Harmonization
- Risk Assessment
- Setting the Appropriate Level of Protection
- Regionalization
- Equivalence
- Transparency
- Dispute Settlement
Conclusions
International Standards
Standards Development
International Standard Setting Organizations
Desk Reference
Glossary
Related Organziations

International Standards & Organizations

Standards Development

The OIE, IPPC and Codex will increasingly focus their efforts in developing internationally accepted standards in their respective areas of animal, plant health and food safety as a result of their role in the WTO. The standards and guidelines of the OIE, IPPC and Codex are likely to prevail when the WTO is called upon to review technically-based trade disputes.

Veterinary and plant health scientists and officials from around the world will play a crucial role in the standard-setting efforts of the OIE and IPPC. Their potential contributions will help:

  • Provide technical advice and analysis to the SPS Committee and to panels formed to examine disputes;
  • Accelerate the development of standards for conducting risk assessments;
  • Develop risk management strategies, including tools and technologies, to reduce disease risks to an acceptable level and thereby increase trade opportunities;
  • Widen and deepen the level of discourse between regulators and scientists around the world to accelerate the diffusion and transfer of regulatory ideas, approaches, and technologies (i.e., quarantine practices, data, surveillance, and monitoring systems and techniques).