1. Making Better Use of the SPS Notification System
Marlynne Hopper Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF)
WTO Public Forum 2009
"Global Problems, Global Solutions: Towards Better Global Governance"

2. Obligations under SPS Agreement
Doesn’t a mechanism already exist to promote transparency in SPS measures?
Obligations under SPS Agreement
Advance notice of new / amended measures
Over 10,250 since 1995 – publicly available
Notification authorities and enquiry points
Publication of SPS requirements

3. So what is the problem? NAs / NEPs exist in most countries, however:
problems of effectiveness
capacity constraints
coordination challenges
political considerations

4. WTO / STDF initiatives to enhance transparency
Mentoring system
Practical guidance for NAs and NEPs
On-the-ground support through STDF projects
STDF study to examine national coordination mechanisms in Africa

5. Experiences and lessons learned
Importance of:
high-level commitment and support
effective coordination: public-public and public-private
ensuring continuity and institutional memory
enhancing transparency and substantive coordination in technical cooperation