Guidelines for the Development of a Database with Regard to the Legislative Requirements of Importing Countries as Related to the SPS Agreement
62. The delegation of India noted that the lack of information on importing country requirements, especially in regard to health related SPS measures, often resulted in the rejection of exports at the entry point in the importing country. It was often difficult to obtain such information due to problems such as the involvement of more than one organization in establishing these requirements and the availability of requirements in different languages which necessitated translation. India therefore suggested that guidelines for the development of a database on legislation of various countries might be considered by the Committee, to be made available via electronic media.
63. Several delegations noted the existence of such databases in their own countries and it was suggested that an inventory might be made of such systems as a first step. The delegation of Argentina informed the Committee that they have a database on food legislation which contains the regulations of national bodies, the Argentina Food Code, local legislation and MERCOSUR standards. It was available through the Internet site under the Secretary of Agriculture, Livestock, Fish and Food and was developed with the technical support of INPPAZ from PAHO.
64. The WHO representative noted that the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) maintained a database on Latin American food law, and also suggested that any inventory proposed by the Committee should also take account of initiatives already undertaken by private firms. The WTO representative indicated that addresses of inquiry points and central government authorities of WTO Members, as well as the WTO Members notifications of SPS Measures, were available under the WTO Internet Home Page. The FAO representative also noted that an inventory should take account of both health and quality legislation as it was often difficult to differentiate between the two. The difficulty in establishing and the expenses associated with maintaining these systems was also stressed.
65. The Committee accepted the offer of India, assisted by other interested delegations, including Argentina, Australia and Canada, to prepare a discussion paper on Guidelines for the Establishment of a Database on Importing Country Legislation for consideration at its next meeting.
