Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Export certificatesand their role in facilitating trade in safe food products in the APEC regionwas the main topic of a workshop which opened in Hanoi on May 9 as part of thesecond APEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM 2) and related meetings.
The two-day workshop was co-organised by the Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC), the Food Safety Cooperation Forum (FSCF) and the PartnershipTraining Institute Network (PTIN).
On the first day of the workshop, delegates from 21 APEC membereconomies focused discussion on a range of topics such as developing baseline assessmentsand self-reports of the APEC economies in the implementation of principles forcertification set forth by the Codex Committee on Food Import and ExportInspection and Certification Systems (CCFICS).
They identified gaps and challenges in implementing CCFICS principles:risk-based criteria for products that require certification, practicalimplementation of model certificates, least burdensome measures to achieve theappropriate level of protection and the use of Good Regulatory Practices(GRPs).
The panels continued dialogues on using innovative options to improvecommunication and information flow related to export certificates and discussedthe past deliverables that are included in the APEC Export Certificate Toolboxand suggested possible updates and additions.
They were provided with information on useful tools when consideringexport certificate regulations, including the use of good regulatory practices;using Codex guidance to determine if or not when an export certificate may benecessary, ways to streamline requirements, appropriate use of technology andelimination of unnecessary certificates such as in the case of low risk products.
On the second working day, the delegates are scheduled to discuss issuesrelated to the Codex guidance on generic official certificates, the benefits ofand challenges when using the model and essential information needed to providethe acceptable level of protection for the importing economy.
They will also share experience in implementing the Generic Model OfficialCertificate (GMOC) in the APEC region.
APEC groups 21 member economies, Australia, Brunei,Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, the Republic ofKorea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines,Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, the US and Vietnam, which togetheraccount for 39 percent of the world’s population and contribute 59 percent ofthe global GDP and 48 percent of the global trade by November 2016.-VNA
