Standard Method for Product Description Sheryn Kirkpatrick-Papineau OEWG IPPC Workshop, Seoul, Korea, June 8, 2011

2 Objectives Compare product descriptions in a paper versus an electronic system Highlight opportunities for standardization within the UNCEFACT Schema (Schema) Present potential benefits of a common approach to describing products Introduce a concept for systematic product description

3 Product Descriptions Paper CertificateElectronic Certificate Guidance from ISPM 12 Name of produce declared “…should be sufficiently descriptive of the commodity…to enable the NPPO of the importing country to verify the contents of the consignment.” ISPM 12 Model has 1-2 fields that contains information that can include: Common names Scientific names Intended use ‘Included SPS Trade Line Item’ breaks down into various data elements for Description Common name Scientific name Intended use Weight measures Many other possible data elements International Customs codes may be added to facilitate identification

4 Considerations The inherent flexibility of the Schema has the potential for inconsistency in the data within an element or between elements Inconsistency can reduce the potential benefits delivered by moving to electronic certification The Schema provides an opportunity for standardization

5 Potential Benefits of Standardization Standardization reduces errors Standardization facilitates automated validation of documentation Automation of document validation can generate efficiencies to focus efforts elsewhere (e.g. inspection/verification of shipment compliance) Automation of document validation can allow for rapid communication of non-compliant documentation and correction/amendment of documentation Benefits exist for both exporting and importing countries

6 How Do We Standardize? Define Schema data elements to capture product description data that permit standardization ‘Applicable SPS Classification’ Provides an opportunity to use a list of codes with descriptions for classification Standardize methodology to generate descriptions Potential for categorization, coding ISPM 5 is a good starting point for common terminology

7 One Possible Approach Codification based on three standardized categories Commodity Class “A category of similar commodities that can be considered together in phytosanitary regulations” (as defined in ISPM 5) Some possible examples to include in a standard list: Plants, Fruit & Vegetables, Seed & Grain, Sawn Timber/Lumber, etc. Sub-Class Generally describes the state of the product Some possible examples to include in a standard list: Fresh, Processed, Dried, etc.) Intended Use Some possible examples to include in a standard list: For Planting, For Direct Human Consumption

8 Systematic Product Description Methodology Common NameScientific Name Applicable SPS Classification Included SPS Trade Line Item Intended Use Product Description Applicable SPS Process Net Weight Measure Physical SPS Shipping Marks......

9 Systematic Product Description Methodology BlueberriesVaccinium spp. Applicable SPS Classification Included SPS Trade Line Item For direct human consumption Product Fresh Blueberries for consumption N/A 1600 Kg XXXX Example: Fresh Blueberries for Consumption

10 Systematic Product Description Methodology Common NameScientific Name Applicable SPS Classification Included SPS Trade Line Item Intended Use Product Description Applicable SPS Process Net Weight Measure Physical SPS Shipping Marks......

11 Systematic Product Description Methodology Applicable SPS Classification System IDSystem Name Class CodeClass Name Applicable SPS Classification System IDSystem Name Class CodeClass Name

12 Systematic Product Description Methodology Applicable SPS Classification IPPCEC IPPC Ecert Product Class C1 Fruit & Vegetables Applicable SPS Classification IPPCESC IPPC Ecert Product Sub-class SC1Fresh Also possible to add HS Codes using these elements

13 Systematic Product Description Methodology Applicable SPS Classification WCO-HS WCO Harmonized Custom Codes Cranberries, bilberries and other fruits of the genus Vaccinium (fresh) Also possible to add HS Codes using these elements