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BACKGROUND

All countries maintain sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures to ensure that food is safe for consumers and to prevent the spread of pests or diseases among animals and plants. Good Regulatory Practices (GRPs) are internationally recognized processes, systems, tools, and methods used to improve the quality of regulatory measures and ensure that regulatory outcomes are effective, transparent, inclusive, and sustained. GRPs can improve and strengthen the design, development, and review of SPS measures. In a nutshell, SPS regulators can rely on GRPs to assist them in selecting the most appropriate SPS measure so that the expected policy objective(s) can be achieved.

Although extensive literature exists on GRPs, tailored information on GRPs in the SPS context is missing. To address this gap, the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) has developed a Guide to help SPS policymakers and regulators use GRPs to improve SPS measures and facilitate safe trade. The Guide provides practical guidance on where to start with GRPs in the SPS context, even when resources are limited; step-by-step suggestions for SPS regulators to use GRPs when designing, developing, and reviewing SPS measures; and where to find key resource materials to assist SPS regulators in the implementation of GRPs. 

Read the STDF's GRP Briefing Note:

     English     
   Russian   

ABOUT THE WEBINAR 

The joint ADB-STDF webinar will serve as a forum for participants to learn about GRPs and how these can be used to improve the development and implementation of SPS measures and facilitate safe trade. The webinar will have three sessions:

  • Session 1 will provide an overview of the practical tools and processes contained in the STDF’s Guide. 
  • Session 2 will showcase individual country experiences in the application of GRPs in the SPS area, highlighting major challenges, key results, and lessons learned.
  • Session 3 will discuss opportunities for regional cooperation and identify the potential role of ADB’s subregional programs in promoting the use of GRPs. 


TARGET PARTICIPANTS

  • Mid-level government officials or specialists in government agencies with responsibilities in SPS areas (e.g., agencies responsible for agriculture, animal health, plant protection, food safety, customs, trade and industry).
  • Members of oversight bodies that coordinate SPS matters and agricultural trade.
  • Other stakeholders (business organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs), the academe, and development partners) that support the development and implementation of SPS measures.