SPS transparency

What is SPS transparency?

While the word "transparency" is often used in the context of the WTO it is not specifically defined. In the SPS Agreement it appears in two places, in the title of Article 7 (Transparency) and in the title of Annex B (Transparency of sanitary and phytosanitary regulations).

Under the SPS agreement, transparency has three components:

• notification of draft SPS measures
• answering reasonable questions
• publishing SPS regulations

For more specific information, see:

• New Zealand SPS Notification Authority
• New Zealand SPS National Enquiry Point
• New Zealand SPS notifications and notified documents-2006/2007
• SPS memos and submissions made by New Zealand
• Guide to New Zealand SPS measures

Page last updated: 30 April 2008