A. General Information
Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) – e-Veterinary certification based on single window system
B. Lessons Learned
This project aims to assist developing countries by facilitating their understanding and potential use of e-veterinary certification to better engage in international trade of animals and animal products through information sharing, country visits by experts, and the sharing of information.
Given the lack of comprehensive information about using e-veterinary certification, the project was designed to identify the basic features of operating systems that are in place. These include: technical details, motivations for introducing e-certification (for example, economic development, trade facilitation and enhancing regulatory controls), and responding to challenges that prevent widespread use.
The establishment of streamlined border processes compatible with e-veterinary certification (including, as appropriate, a single window system).
A survey was developed to gauge how streamlined regulatory processes for cross-border trade are being implemented. The project also considered issues of e-certification in other SPS areas to provide a clear picture on trade facilitation. Based on the review of these documents and other relevant information, a set of recommendations for the WOAH, its member countries and other relevant stakeholders, including resource partners, was developed.
E-veterinary certificates
Financial resources were seen as the biggest challenge in all cases and that developing countries saw IT infrastructure as a major concern. Political will and the willingness of the private sector was not seen as a challenge. During the in-country visits, a common finding was the lack of capacity to exchange certificate information internationally by electronic means.
E-Veterinary certification at the national level should not be an isolated process among veterinary authorities. Similarly, e-veterinary certification at the international level should not be an isolated process for the WOAH. Cooperation between the WOAH, IPPC, and Codex, as well as customs authorities, will help countries develop e-veterinary certification for international trade based on the single window system.
With regard to the benefits, improved efficiency is considered by all countries to be of major importance. The countries that apply e-veterinary certification derived the most benefits, including improved market access and enhanced authenticity and integrity. Developing countries expect first and foremost that e-veterinary certification will reduce their clearance times.
To ensure that the future OIE framework on e-veterinary certification functions properly, it will first of all need to fit into the OIE objective to safeguard world trade by publishing health standards for international trade in animals and animal products. Assistance to developing countries, to help them understand e-veterinary certification, and assistance to developing and developed countries in their potential use of e-veterinary certification could be achieved by the development of practical solutions supported by collaborations with other International Organizations.