RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/W/112
15 October 2001
(01-5016)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
ENHANCING TRANSPARENCY: PROPOSED CHANGES TO
THE RECOMMENDED NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
(G/SPS/7/REV.1)
Submission by New Zealand
With a view to enhancing transparency under the SPS Agreement, New Zealand submits this
paper to Members for consideration during the pr oposed review of the SPS Committee’s recommended
notification procedures (G/SPS/7/Rev.1).
General principles
1. We recommend that the proposed revision of the recommended notification procedures be
guided by principles ensuring that such a revision encompasses changes that are both practical and
easy to implement as well as further embodying the ‘no-surprises’ approach.  In light of the
Committee’s discussions on equivalence, the Committee may consider it useful to discuss thenotification of equivalence agreements at the upco ming informal meeting.  Further, the Committee
may also find it useful for Members to hold a discussion on the concept of ‘trade facilitating’ as used
in the recommended notification procedures.
WTO secretariat handbook on SPS transparency
2. The Secretariat published in November 2000, a handbook for Members on SPS transparency
(available on the WTO website at www.wto.org).  The handbook made a number of advances inproviding guidance to Members on the implementation of the transparency provisions of the SPS
Agreement. We suggest to incorporate a reference to this handbook into the recommended
notification procedures.
Revision of G/SPS/7/Rev.13. Additionally, it may also be appropriate to consider modifications to the recommended
notification procedure to address:
(i) the need to expand the scope of G/SPS/7/Rev .1 to also include na tional enquiry points
and publication;
(ii) the need to provide additional guidance on notifying SPS regulations that also contain
TBT measures, and on preparing addendums, corrigendums and revisions.
Scope of G/SPS/7/Rev.1
4. The scope of the G/SPS/7/Rev.1 might usefully be expanded to include guidance to Members
on the two other aspects of SPS transparency - national enquiry points and the publication ofregulations.  Provision of guidance in this area would improve the utility of these parts of the SPS
Agreement.G/SPS/W/112
Page 2
The TBT Agreement
5. The Committee may consider it appropriate to provide information to Members clarifying
these requirements where regulations contain both SPS and TBT measures.
Addendums, Corrigendums and Revisions
6. At present, guidance on the use of addendums, corrigendums and revisions is lacking.
Members have used these documents throughout the nearly six and half years of the SPS Agreement.
It may be useful for the SPS Committee to amend the recommended notification procedures to ensure
consistency in approaches and use.
Summary7. In order to facilitate discussion and assist Members when considering revisions to the
recommended notification procedures, New Zealand has taken the opportunity to submit a suggested
redraft of G/SPS/7/Rev.1 for consideration by Members.  All changes in the suggested redraft are
indicated by 
highlighting for ease of reference.
8. Key proposed changes and suggested redraf ting of the SPS Committee’s recommended
notification procedures (G/SPS/7/Rev.1) and the notification forms, include:
(a) Renaming the document and adding additional guidance to expand the scope of
G/SPS/7/Rev.1 to incorporate all aspects of SPS transparency envisaged under
Article 7 and Annex B of the SPS Agreement;
(b) Adding guidance for situations where regulations contain both SPS and TBT
measures;
(c) Adding guidance on documentation that can  be used to make corrigendums (Corr.),
addendums (Add.) and revisions (Rev.);
(d) Emergency notification form: We suggest splitting the existing box 11 into two boxes
along similar lines to that used in the routine notification form.G/SPS/W/112
Page 3
GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE TRANSPARENCY OBLIGATIONS OF THE
SPS AGREEMENT (ARTICLE 7)
Draft New Zealand text
9. Transparency in the context of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is used to signify one of
the fundamental principles of its agreements: the aim 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 regulations1 that may significantly affect their
trading partners.  Transparency under the SPS Agreement also includes answering reasonable
questions, and publishing regulations.
10. These guidelines have been developed to assist Members fulfil their transparency obligations
under Article 7 and Annex B of the SPS Agreement regarding the notification of SPS regulations,
answering information requests under the national enquiry point system and publishing regulations.
11. When a Member’s national notification authority or national enquiry point has been
established, or changed, the WTO Secretariat should be informed.  The Secretariat regularly circulates
a list of all Members' notification authorities and enquiry points.  These lists are updated three or four
times a year.  The national enquiry points are listed in the G/SPS/ENQ/ document series of the WTO,
and the notification authorities are listed in the G/SPS/NNA/ series.   To be included in these lists, it is
useful to provide the following information:
• Contact name
• Name of institution
• Postal address / physical address
• Phone
• Fax
• E-mail
• Website address
12. Members should also refer to the guidelines on transparency contained in the handbook How
to apply the transparency provisions of the SPS Agreement  (November 2000) when notifying
regulations and operating national enquiry points in accordance with Article 7 and Annex B of the
SPS Agreement.
RECOMMENDED NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
13. Members should follow these guidelines wh en notifying regulations as required in
paragraphs 5 or 6 of Annex B.  The form at for routine  notifications ( Section Item  FH below) should
be used for notifications in accordance with paragraph 5 of Annex B, whereas the form at for
emergency notifications ( Section Item  GI below) should be used for notifications as provided for in
paragraph 6 of Annex B.
                                                     
1 The SPS Agreement uses the terms ‘measures’ and ‘regulations’ somewhat interchangeably.  WTO
members should note that regardless of the term used, the Agreement is 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.Sanitary and phytosanitary measures such
as laws, decrees or ordinances which are applicable generally.G/SPS/W/112
Page 4
A. APPLICATION OF ANNEX B, PARAGRAPH 5 (PREAMBULAR PART) OF THE SPS
AGREEMENT
14. For the purposes of Annex B, paragraphs 5 and 6 in the SPS Agreement, the concept of
"significant effect on trade of other Members" may refer to the effect on trade:
- of one sanitary or phytosanitary regulation only or of various sanitary or phytosanitary
regulations in combination;
- in a specific product, group of products  or products in general;  and
- between two or more Members.
15. When assessing whether the sanitary or phytosanitary regulation may have a significant effect
on trade, the Member concerned should take into consideration, using relevant information which is
available, such elements as the value or other importance of imports in respect of the importing and/or
exporting Members concerned, whether from other Members individually or collectively, the potential
development of such imports, and difficulties fo r producers in other Members to comply with the
proposed sanitary or phytosanitary regulations.  The concept of a significant effect on trade of other
Members should include both import-enhancing and import-reducing effects on the trade of other
Members, as long as such effects are significant.
B. TIMING OF NOTIFICATIONS
16. When implementing the provisions of paragraph 5 of Annex B, a notification should be made
when a draft with the complete text of a proposed regulation is available and when amendments can
still be introduced and comments taken into account.
17. A notification shall be made well before the entr y into force of the relevant measure, except
when urgent problems of health protection arise or threaten to arise for the Member concerned.  Anyregulation brought into force in urgent circumstances must be notified immediately.
C. REQUESTING DOCUMENTS RELATED TO A NOTIFICATION
18. Members requesting documents related to a notification should provide all the elements
permitting the identification of the documents, and in particular the WTO SPS notification number to
which the requests refer.
19. When requesting an electronic transmission of documents from another Member, Members
should indicate which electronic formats they are ab le to receive, including applicable versions, e.g.
Word 95 Word 97, Adobe PDF.
[NZL comment: our experience is that the most common problem with using email is that the
requesting Member can not read the attachments]
D. PROVIDING DOCUMENTS RELATED TO A NOTIFICATION
Address of body supplying the documents
20. Members should indicate under point 12 of the WTO notification format (point 11 for
Emergency notifications)  the full address of the body responsible for supplying the relevant
documents if that body is not the notification authority or the enquiry point.G/SPS/W/112
Page 5
Responding to requests
21. Documents requested should normally be provided within five working days.  If this is not
possible, the request for documentation or informatio n should be acknowledged within that period and
an estimate given of the time required to provide the requested documentation.
22. Documents supplied in response to a request should be identified with the WTO SPS
notification number to which the request refers.
23. Members should use fax and e-mail facilities to the extent possible in responding to requests
for documentation or information.  Members are encouraged to publish their sanitary or phytosanitary
measures on the world wide web, to facilitate the supply of documents.
Acknowledging receipt of documents24. The Member requesting documents relating to a notification should acknowledge receipt of
the documents provided.
Translation of documents
25. When a translation of a relevant document exists or is planned, this fact should be indicated
on the WTO notification form next to the title of the document.  If only a translated summary exists,
the fact that such a summary is available should be similarly indicated.
26. If a translation of a document or summary exists in the language of the requesting Member,
or, as the case may be, in the WTO working language used by the requesting Member, it should be
automatically sent with the original of the document requested.
27. Where documents are not available in a WTO working language, developed country Members
shall, upon request, supply a translation of the document, or in case of voluminous documents, a
translation of a summary of the documents, in a WTO working language.
28. When a Member seeks a copy of a document relating to a notification which does not exist in
that Member's WTO working language, the notifying Member should advise the requesting Memberof other Members that have requested, as of that date, a copy of the document.  The Member seeking
a copy of a document relating to a notification may contact other Members in order to determine
whether the latter are prepared to share any translation that they have or will be making.
29. Any Member possessing an unoffici al translation of a document relating to a notification should
inform the notifying Member of the existence of the unofficial translation and is encouraged to  make it
available to other interested Members, through elect ronic facilities where appropriate.  In doing so, the
Member should clearly indicate  the unofficial and non committal  nature of the translation.
E. HANDLING OF COMMENTS ON NOTIFICATIONS
30. Each Member should notify the WTO Secretariat of the authority or agency (e.g. its
notification authority) which it has designated to be in charge of handling comments received, and of
any change and/or modification of such authority or agency.
31. Members submitting comments on a notified draft regulation should provide them without
unnecessary delay to the authority designated to ha ndle the comments, or to the national notification
authority if no other designation is made.G/SPS/W/112
Page 6
32. A Member receiving comments through the de signated body should, w ithout further request
(i) acknowledge the receipt of such comments;
(ii) explain within a reasonable period of  time, and at the earliest possible date  before the
adoption of the measure,  to any Member from which it has received comments, how it
will  take these comments into account and, where appropriate, provide additional
relevant information on the proposed sanitary or phytosanitary regulations concerned;
(iii) provide to any Member from which it has received comments, a copy of the
corresponding sanitary or phytosanitary regulations as adopted or information that no
corresponding sanitary or phytosanitary regulations will be adopted for the time being;
(iv) where possible make available to othe r Members comments and questions it has
received and answers it has provided , preferably  through electronic facilities.
33. Favourable consideration should be given to requests for extension of the comment period, in
particular with regard to notifications relating to products of particular interest to developing countryMembers, or where there have been delays in receiving and translating the relevant documents.  An
extension of the time-limit for comments of at least 30 days should be provided upon request,
whenever possible .  Members should consider granting requests extensions of the time limit for
comments whenever practicable, particularly in the case of developing countries, where a 30-day
extension should be considered to be acceptable.
F. ADDENDUMS, CORRIGENDUMS AND REVISIONS
34. Members, in addition to their original notifications, can also provide supplementary
information in three different forms.
• Addendums are used to provide additional information or changes to an original
notification.
• A corrigendum is used to correct an error in an original notification such as an incorrect
address detail.
• A revision is used to completely replace an existing notification.
Addendums
35. Members should notify changes in the status of a notified SPS regulation.  The issuance of an
addendum allows Members to track the status of an SPS regulation via its unique notification number.
Addendums to SPS notifications should be made in a number of circumstances, such as :
(a) when a proposed regulation is either adopted or comes into force;
(b) if a proposed regulation is withdrawn;
(c) if a regulation is revoked;
(d) if the comments period has been extended;
(e) if the period of application of a regulation is extended;
(f) if the scope of application of a regulation is extended, both in terms of Members
affected and products covered.
(g) An addendum should:G/SPS/W/112
Page 7
• briefly recap what was notified, when and what it was about - this is a practical
requirement, it reduces the need for Member s to have to go back to the original
notification to check what it was about;
• specify what change has been made and why - briefly state why the information,
dates, etc have been changed - this is part of transparency;  and
• restate the comments deadline, even if it has not been changed - as a reminder to
Members that if they wish to comment it must be done by this date.
36. A form for making an addendum is available in section H for routine notifications and
section I for notifications of emergency measures.
Corrigendum
37. Members should inform the Secretariat of any error(s) contained in their original notification.
The Secretariat will issue a corrigendum accordingly.
38. A form for making a corrigendum is available in section H for routine notifications and
section I for notifications of emergency measures.
Revisions
39. Revisions are used to completely replace an existing notification.  Revisions should be made
in a number of circumstances.  An example might be when a previously notified SPS measure has
been substantively changed.
40. A form for making a revision is available in section H for routine notifications and section I
for notifications of emergency measures.
G. REGULATIONS THAT CONTAIN BOTH SPS OR TBT MEASURES
41. When a regulation contains both SPS or TBT measures, it should be notified according to
both the SPS and TBT Agreements, preferably with an indication of which parts of the regulation fall
under SPS Agreement (e.g. a food safety concern) and which parts fall under the TBT Agreement
(e.g., quality or compositional requirements).
H. COMPLETION OF FORMATS - ROUTINE  NOTIFICATIONS (ANNEX B,
PARAGRAPH 5)
42. Information contained in the notifications should be as complete as possible and no section
should be left blank.  Where necessary, "not known" or "not stated" should be indicated.G/SPS/W/112
Page 8
Item Description
1. Member notifying Government, including th e competent authorities of the European
Communities, which is making the notification.
2. Agency responsible Body elaborating a pr oposal for or promulgating a sanitary or
phytosanitary regulation.
3. Products covered and
regions or countries likely
to be affectedTariff item number(s) (normally HS, chapter or  heading and
number) as contained in national schedules deposited with the
WTO.  ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where
applicable.  A clear description is  important for an understanding of
the notification by delegations and translators.  Abbreviationsshould be avoided.  The geographical regions or countries likely to
be affected by the notified regulation should be identified to the
extent relevant or practicable .
4. Title, language and number
of pages of the notified
documentTitle of the proposed or adopted sanitary or phytosanitary
regulation.  Number of pages in the notified document.  Languages
in which the notified document is available. World wide web
address of document notified, if available.
If a translation exists of the whole document, or a translated
summary of the document exists, indicate this here.
5. Description of content A summary  of the proposed or adopted sanitary or phytosanitary
regulation clearly indicating its content and health protection
objective.  The summary should be as complete and accurate as
possible to allow the full understanding of the proposed regulation.
To the extent possible, likely effects on trade should be described.Abbreviations should be avoided.  Where practicable it should also
include an outline of the specific sanitary measures the regulation
will apply.
When a regulation contains both SPS and TBT measures, it
should be notified according to both the SPS and TBT
Agreements, preferably with an indication of which parts of the
regulation fall under the SPS Agreement and which parts fall
under the TBT Agreement.
6. Objective and rationale State whether objective is:  protection of human health from food-
borne risks;  or protection of human health from plant- or animal-
carried diseases;  or protection of animal health from pests or
diseases;  or protection of animal health from contaminated feed;or protection of plant health from pests or diseases; or prevention
of other damage from entry
, establishment or spread of pests.
7. Existence of international
standard, guideline or
recommendationIf a relevant international standard, guideline or recommendation
does not exist, put a cross in the box provided;  otherwise give the
appropriate reference of the existing standard, guideline or
recommendation and briefly describe how the proposed regulation
deviates from the international standard, guideline orrecommendation.G/SPS/W/112
Page 9
Item Description
8. Relevant documents and
language(s) in which these
are availableDocuments referenced here are different from those listed in box 3.
Documents which should be referenced include:
(a) Publication where notice of the proposed regulation  appears,
including date and reference numbers;
(b) Proposal and basic document to which proposal refers (with
specific reference number or other identification), and the
language(s) in which the notified documents and any summary of
these are available;
(c) Risk analysis and/or research on which the proposed regulation
is based;
(c) (d) Publication in which propos al will appear when adopted.
(d) If it is necessary to charge for documents supplied, the amount
of the charge should be indicated.
9. Proposed date of adoption The date when the sanitary or phytosanitary regulation is expected
to be adopted.
10. Proposed date of entry into
forceThe date from which the requirements in the regulation are
proposed or decided to enter into force.  Where appropriate,
Members should accord longer time-frames for compliance onproducts of interest to developing country Members.
11. Final date for comments
and agency or authority
handling commentsThe date by which Members may submit comments in accordance
with Annex B, Paragraph 5(b) of the SPS Agreement.  A specific
date should be indicated.  A normal time limit for comments on
notifications of sixty days has been recommended.  A Member
may, if necessary, however, indicate in its notification that it will
proceed to implement the proposed measure after forty-five days ifno comments or requests for extension of the time limit have been
received from other Members within that time.  Any Member
which is able to provide a time limit beyond sixty days is
encouraged to do so.
The agency or authority which has been designated to handle the
comments should be indicated.  If this is the national notification
authority or the national enquiry  point, put a cross in the box
provided.  If another agency or authority has been designated,
provide its name, address, fax and (if available) E-mail address.
For proposed measures which facilitate trade, Members may reduce
or eliminate the period for receiving comments.
12. Texts available from If available from the national notification authority or the enquiry
point, put a cross in the respective box.  If available from another
body, give its address, fax number and (if available) E-mail
address.  Such indications do not in any way discharge the relevant
enquiry point of its responsibilities under the provisions of Annex
B, Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the SPS Agreement.  World wide web
address of document notified, if available.G/SPS/W/112
Page 10
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/ISO/
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:   
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):
Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:
4. Title , language  and number of pages of the notified document:
5. Description of content:
6. Objective and rationale:  [   ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [  ] plant protection, 
[  ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease,  [  ]  protect territory from other 
damage from pests
7. An international standa rd, guideline or recommendati on does not exist [  ].
If an international standard , guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:
9. Proposed date of adoption:
10. Proposed date of entry into force:
11. Final date for comments:
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [  ] National notification 
authority, [  ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if 
available) of other body:
12. Texts available from:  [  ] National notification authority,  [  ]  National enquiry point,  or
address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:G/SPS/W/112
Page 11
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/ISO/#/Rev.#
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION
Revision
1. Member to Agreement notifying:
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):
Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:
4. Title, language  and number of pages of the notified document:
5. Description of content:
6. Objective and rationale:  [   ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [  ] plant protection, 
[  ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease,  [  ]  protect territory from other 
damage from pests
7. An international standa rd, guideline or recommendati on does not exist [  ].
If an international standard , guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:
9. Proposed date of adoption:
10. Proposed date of entry into force:
11. Final date for comments:
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [  ] National notification 
authority, [  ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if 
available) of other body:
12. Texts available from:  [  ] National notification authority,  [  ]  National enquiry point,  or
address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:G/SPS/W/112
Page 12
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/ISO/#/Add.#
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION
Addendum
The following communication, dated # Month Year has been received from [Member].
_______________
Title outlining what the SPS measure or product is
[Text]
[Where the notified document can be obtained from – include contact name, agency, full
address, telephone, facsimile, and email as appropriate].
__________G/SPS/W/112
Page 13
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/ISO/#/Corr.#
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION
Corrigendum
The following communication, dated # Month Year has been received from [Member].
_______________
Title outlining what the SPS measure or product is
[Text]
[Where the notified document can be obtained from – include contact name, agency, full
address, telephone, facsimile, and email as appropriate].
__________G/SPS/W/112
Page 14
I. COMPLETION OF FORMATS - EMERGENCY NOTIFICATIONS (ANNEX B,
PARAGRAPH 6)
43. Information contained in the notification form should be as complete as possible and no
section should be left blank.  Where necessary, "n ot known" or "not stated" should be indicated.
Item Description
1. Member notifying Government, including th e competent authorities of the European
Communities, which is making the notification.
2. Agency responsible Body elaborating a pr oposal for or promulgating a sanitary or
phytosanitary regulation.
3. Products covered and
regions or countries likelyto be affectedTariff item number(s) (normally HS, chapter or  heading and
number) as contained in national schedules deposited with theWTO.  ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where
applicable.  A clear description is  important for an understanding of
the notification by delegations and translators.  Abbreviations
should be avoided.  The geographical regions or countries likely to
be affected by the notified regulation should be identified to theextent relevant or practicable.
4. Title , language and number
of  pages of the notified
documentTitle of the proposed or adopted sanitary or phytosanitary
regulation.  Number of pages in the notified document.  Languages
in which the notified document is available.  World wide web
address of document notified, if available.
If a translation exists of the whole document, or a translated
summary of the document exists, indicate this here.
5. Description of content A summary of the pr oposed or adopted sanitary or phytosanitary
regulation clearly indicating its content and health protectionobjective.  The summary should be as complete and accurate as
possible to allow the full understanding of the proposed regulation.
To the extent possible, likely effects on trade should be described.
Abbreviations should be avoided.  Where practicable it should also
include an outline of the specific sanitary measures the regulationwill apply.
When a regulation contains both SPS or TBT measures, it should
be notified according to both the SPS and TBT Agreements,
preferably with an indication of which parts of the regulation fall
under the SPS Agreement and which parts fall under the TBT
Agreement.G/SPS/W/112
Page 15
Item Description
6. Objective and rationale State whether objective is:  protection of human health from food-
borne risks;  or protection of human health from plant- or animal-carried diseases;  or protection of animal health from pests or
diseases;  or protection of animal health from contaminated feed;
or protection of plant health from pests or diseases; or prevention
of other damage from entry
, establishment or spread of pests.
7. Nature of urgent
problem(s)Indication of the underlying reasons for resorting to emergency
action.
8. Existence of international
standard, guideline or
recommendationIf a relevant international standard, guideline or recommendation
does not exist, put a cross in the box provided;  otherwise give the
appropriate reference of the existing standard, guideline orrecommendation and briefly describe how the proposed regulation
deviates from the international standard, guideline or
recommendation.
9. Relevant documents and
language(s) in which these
are availableDocuments referenced here are different to those listed in box 3.
Documents which should be referenced include:
(a) Measure(s) taken and basic regulation which was modified
(with specific reference number or other identification), and thelanguage(s) in which the notified documents and any summary of
these are available;
(b) Publication in which regulation will appear;
(c) Risk analysis and/or research on which the proposed regulation
is based.
(c) If it is necessary to charge for documents supplied, the amount
of the charge should be indicated.
10.Date of entry into force
and period of applicationThe date from which the requirements entered into force, and, if
applicable, the period of time during which they will apply.  (For
example: immediate entry into force [date], duration of two
months.)
11.Agency or authority
handling commentsThe agency or authority which has been designated to handle the
comments should be indicated.  If this is the national notification
authority or the national enquiry  point, put a cross in the box
provided.  If another agency or authority has been designated,
provide its name, address, fax and (if available) E-mail address.
12. 11. Texts available from
and agency or authority
handling comments ]If available from the national notification authority or enquiry
point, put a cross in the respective box.  If available from another
body, give its address, fax number and (if available) E-mail
address.  Such indications do not in any way discharge the relevantenquiry point of its responsibilities under the provisions of Annex
B, Paragraphs 3 and 4 of the SPS Agreement.  
World wide web
address of document notified, if available.
The agency or authority which has been designated to handle the
comments should be indicated .G/SPS/W/112
Page 16
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/ISO/
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
1. Member to Agreement notifying:
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:
3. Products covered (provide tariff item num ber(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):
Regions or countries likely to be affect ed, to the extent relevant or practicable:
4. Title , language and number of pages of the notified document:
5. Description of content:
6. Objective and rationale:  [  ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [  ] plant protection, [  ] protect
humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [  ]  protect territory from other damage from
pests
7. Nature of the urgent problem(s):
8. An international standa rd, guideline or recommendati on does not exist [  ].
If an international standard , guideline or recommendation exists, give its appropriate
reference and briefly  identify deviations:
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:
10. Date of entry into force/period of application (as applicable):
11. Agency or authority designated to handle comme nts:  [  ] National notification authority,
[  ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of
other body:
12. Texts available from:  [  ] National notification authority,  [  ]  National enquiry point,  or
address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:G/SPS/W/112
Page 17
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/ISO/#/Rev.#
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
Revision
1. Member to Agreement notifying:
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:
3. Products covered (provide tariff item num ber(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):
Regions or countries likely to be affect ed, to the extent relevant or practicable:
4. Title, language and number of pages of the notified document:
5. Description of content:
6. Objective and rationale:  [  ] food safety, [  ] animal health, [  ] plant protection, [  ] protect
humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [  ]  protect territory from other damage from
pests
7. Nature of the urgent problem(s):
8. An international standa rd, guideline or recommendati on does not exist [  ].
If an international standard , guideline or recommendation exists, give its appropriate
reference and briefly  identify deviations:
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:
10. Date of entry into force/period of application (as applicable):
11. Agency or authority designated to handle comme nts:  [  ] National notification authority,
[  ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of
other body:
12. Texts available from:  [  ] National notification authority,  [  ]  National enquiry point,  or
address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:G/SPS/W/112
Page 18
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/ISO/#/Add.#
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
Addendum
The following communication, dated # Month Year has been received from [Member].
_______________
Title outlining what the SPS measure or product is
[Text]
[Where the notified document can be obtained from – include contact name, agency, full
address, telephone, facsimile, and email as appropriate].
__________G/SPS/W/112
Page 19
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/ISO/#/Corr.#
date of distribution
(##-####)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
Corrigendum
The following communication, dated # Month Year has been received from [Member].
_______________
Title outlining what the SPS measure or product is
[Text]
[Where the notified document can be obtained from – include contact name, agency, full
address, telephone, facsimile, and email as appropriate].
__________G/SPS/W/112
Page 20
J. COMPLETED NOTIFICATIONS
44. Notifications should be sent by fax, e-mail or air mail from the national notification authority
to the central registry of notifications (CRN) at the WTO.  The address is:
Central Registry of Notifications
World Trade Organization
Rue de Lausanne 154
1211 Geneva 21
Switzerland
Fax: (+41 22) 739 5197
e-mail: crn@wto.org
Members are not required to send the legal texts of the proposed regulation that is being notified.
GUIDELINES FOR NATIONAL ENQUIRY POINT REQUESTS
45. The national enquiry point system established under the SPS Agreement is an effective
avenue for obtaining information regarding SPS systems and measures from other Members.
46. The national enquiry point handles on a routine basis:
• document and information requests;
• general enquiries; and
• delivery and charging.
K. DOCUMENT AND INFORMATION REQUESTS
47. Under Annex B of the SPS Agreement, the national enquiry point is the single government
body responsible for providing answers to all reasonable questions from interested Members as well
as for the provision of relevant documents regarding:
• any sanitary or phytosanitary regulations adopted or proposed within the territory;
• any control and inspection procedures, production and quarantine treatment, pesticide
tolerance and food additive approval procedures, which are operated within its
territory;
• risk assessment procedures, factors taken into consideration, as well as the
determination of the appropriate level of sanitary or phytosanitary protection;
• the membership and participation of the Member, or of relevant bodies within its
territory, in international and regional sanitary and phytosanitary organisations and
systems;
• the membership and participation of the Member in bilateral and multilateral
agreements and arrangements within the scope of the SPS Agreement; and
• the texts of such agreements and arrangements.
L. REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION
48. Government agencies other than the national enquiry point in a Member’s territory will
continue to receive direct requests on matters such as those outlined above, and they should be free to
continue answering them.  Enquiries that come to  the individual units within government agencies
(i.e. not through the enquiry point) can be answered directly and do not need to be processed through
the enquiry point system.  However, in order to support the enquiry point system, it is recommendedG/SPS/W/112
Page 21
to send a copy of replies (and a list of material supplied) to the national enquiry point.  However, the
enquiry point is listed by the WTO as having this responsibility, and must respond to any requests
made of it.
49. Requests to the national enquiry point may come from other Member’s national enquiry
points or originate from other interested parties (such as industry groups) in a Members’ territory, and
from non-Members.  Although the legal obligation is only to respond to requests from other Members,
the enquiry point is encouraged to treat all such enquiries equally, and respond to all reasonable
requests for information about the country's SPS regulations.  It is best to reply directly to whoever
makes the request, but to support the enquiry point system, it is recommended to send a copy of
replies (and a list of material supplied) to the relevant Member’s national enquiry point.
M. DELIVERY AND CHARGING
50. Delivery of documents should be by the fastest means possible.  In the first instance, if the
Member has such facilities, the documents should be sent by e-mail, or by fax.  Alternatively, a
Member can send the documents by post or via a requesting Member’s diplomatic mission in their
territory.
51. A Member may only charge the same cost for the documents as it would for its own nationals
plus the cost of delivering the documents.
PUBLICATION OF REGULATIONS
52. The publication of regulations is a fundamental component of transparency under the SPS
Agreement.  This is a general obligation on Members, and does not relate specifically to the work of
either the national notification authority or national enquiry point.
53. Members are obliged to:
(a) ensure that all SPS regulations which have been adopted are published promptly in
such a manner as to enable interested countries to become acquainted with them.
Regulations to be published include laws, decrees or ordinances which are applicable
generally.
(b) except in urgent circumstances, allow a reasonable interval between the publication
of a sanitary or phytosanitary regulation and its entry into force in order to allow time
for producers in exporting countries and particularly in developing countries, to adapt
their products and methods of production to the requirements of the importing
country.
N. INTERNET
54. Members are encouraged to publish SPS regulations on the Internet where possible.
Publication on the internet has a number of advantages and benefits to Members over more traditional
methods.  It:
(a) allows for greater transparency;
(b) makes it easier for countries to obtain documents; and
(c) reduces the amount of work involved in processing and fulfilling document requests.
__________