The SPS Electronic Certification Advisory Committee (ECAC) convenes and connects stakeholders with an interest in SPS e-Cert to exchange experiences, identify opportunities for collaboration, promote synergies and disseminate good practices to drive catalytic SPS improvements that facilitate safe trade.

SPS international standard setting bodies are at various stages of supporting the implementation of SPS e-Cert to facilitate safe trade. In addition, various regional organizations are advancing the development of initiatives to facilitate the exchange and use of electronic certificates. Many of these initiatives have significant implications for the trade in agriculture and agri-food products. These initiatives also have significant implications for the business processes of national government agencies and will impact on industry too. In parallel, countries are advancing in the implementation of national single windows.

In October 2019, the ECAC was created, under the auspices of the STDF, to bring together the organizations interested in SPS e-Cert and share information and experiences related to the implementation of e-Cert initiatives, facilitate linkages and synergies between these different initiatives, maximize outputs and avoid duplication.

The main functions of the ECAC are:

• Provide a discussion forum to share experiences related to the implementation of SPS e-Cert activities and initiatives across various standard setting bodies to achieve a strategic, integrated and ordered approach;
• Provide advice to the STDF Working Group on specific issues brought to its attention by its members and propose suggestions and recommendations for future developments;
• Share information regarding developments occurring in e-Cert initiatives including providing information regarding projects or proposed projects in which e-Cert is an integral component;
• Develop projects to enhance harmonization across e-Cert, building upon existing approaches and initiatives (e.g. ePhyto, eVet, Single Windows, eCITES, etc.)
• Identify opportunities for collaboration between international organizations undertaking e-Cert and data exchange initiatives;
• Identify resource needs and opportunities related to e-Cert initiatives and provide guidance and assistance in fundraising efforts and cooperation on capacity development efforts.

Initiatives: