Establishment of National SPS Notification Authority & National Enquiry Point Saudi Arabian Experience Transparency Workshop Geneva - October 2010

Content Introduction History Planning Operation of Saudi SPS-CP - Processing Saudi Arabian notifications - Processing other WTO members notifications - Dealing with enquiries Challenges

On 11 December, 2005-Saudi Arabia became the 149 th Member of the WTO. On 12 February, SFDA mandate was approved by the Saudi council of ministers. SFDA is an independent body with an independent budget. Introduction SFDA reports directly to the premier of the council of ministers On 3 November, 2003 – Saudi Food & Drug Authority (SFDA) was established. History :

1. To insure safety and wholesomeness of food & feed. 2. To insure safety, effectiveness, and availability of drug for human and animals. 3. To insure safety of biological, chemicals, Cosmetics, and pesticides. 4. To insure the safety of medical devices. SFDA-Main Objectives

7. To establish a good communication and cooperation with various share holders both locally and internationally. 5. To establish well defined policies and procedures for food & drug and make the necessary plans to achieve these policies. 6. To perform research and studies to highlight the health problems and their causes. SFDA-Main Objectives

December 2005 Saudi Arabia became a full WTO Member 2005 Proposed Chart of Saudi SPS Contact Point Workflow was drafted by MOC. July 2003 The SPS Regulations in Saudi Arabia was approved by the Council of Ministers. July 2000 The ministry of Commerce (MOC) was charged to establish NNA & EP.

February 2010 February 2010 SPS Facilitation Programme was completed by New Zealands Adviser, (Mrs. Sally Jennings) 1- WTO/SPS Overview Workshop 2- SPS Notification Writing Workshop December 2009 SFDA nominated the members of the SPS committee and contact Points May 2009 A Royal Decree was issued to authorize SFDA to take all tasks and responsibilities of SPS committee from Ministry of Commerce including the SPS- CP February 2007 SFDA Mandate was approved by was approved by the Council of Ministers

August 2010 August 2010 Draft of Handbook for Completing National SPS Notification was issued. June 2010 June 2010 Saudi SPS Contact Point Website was approved (still under construction) June 2010 Start writing the Saudi notification to WTO secretariat. June 2010 The of SPS-CP was established. May 2010 May 2010 Issuing the Draft of Procedural Manual For SPS National Notification Authority & SPS National Enquiry Point in both Arabic and English

Physical Resource Computer Phone Fax Copier Printer Scanner Human Resource Director Coordinator CP Operators (2) IT specialist Secretary Follow-up Technical Resource Internet Web page Resources for SPS Contact Point- SFDA

Writing and auditing the Saudi SPS notificationsWriting and auditing the Saudi SPS notifications. Mailing the Saudi SPS notifications. Processing notifications from member countries. Answering enquiries and providing relevant documentsAnswering enquiries and providing relevant documents. Delivery and charging information and documents to other government agencies. Operation of the Contact Point (CP) Main Responsibilities

Thank You For your attention

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Saudi - SPS Contact Point Responsibilities - Process new SPS notifications sent from the WTO Website - Targeted distribution of notifications to stakeholders - Requesting full texts from other countries -Receiving and forwarding submissions - Record keeping -Answer all reasonable questions from interested (WTO) members) World Trade Organization Requests for full texts Comments Requests for Information New notifications WTO members Other countries Stakeholders Industries Other Government Agencies International organizations Member notifications Other member notifications Other WTO Information Back

New SPS Measures (Draft)Amended SPS Measures Writing & Reviewing Notifications Saudi SPS Contact Point SFDA OR Other Government Agencies Mailing Notifications to WTO secretariat at Back

QueriesComments Saudi SPS Contact Point WTO Members Forwards response to WTO member Send to Other Government Agencies Deal with (SFDA) Back

موقع اتفاقية التدابير الصحية والصحة النباتية على موقع الهيئة العامة للغذاء والدواء Back