Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) are regulatory standards implemented by governments to protect human, animal, and plant life from risks associated with the importation and exportation of food, plants, and animal products. They are an essential component of international trade, as they help maintain consumer confidence and facilitate the smooth flow of goods across borders while minimising health and safety risks. SPS measures include various requirements such as inspections, certifications, quarantine, testing, and labeling.

Sanitary measures primarily focus on food safety and hygiene practices. They involve regulations for handling, processing, and storage of food products to prevent contamination and the transmission of pathogens. These measures may require adherence to specific production techniques, appropriate packaging, temperature control, and the use of approved additives and preservatives to safeguard human health.

Phytosanitary measures deal with the protection of plants and plant products from pests and diseases. They aim to limit the introduction and spread of harmful organisms that can harm agricultural crops, forests, and ecosystems. Phytosanitary measures often include inspections and treatments to eliminate pests and diseases, as well as requirements for the use of pest-resistant crop varieties, quarantine procedures, and proper handling of plant material.

To comply with sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), several steps are typically followed. While the specific requirements may vary between countries and products, the general process involves the following steps:

1. Understanding the Regulations: Start by familiarising yourself with the SPS regulations and requirements of the target market where you intend to export or import goods. These regulations are often published by government agencies responsible for food safety and plant health.

2. Conduct a Risk Assessment: Assess the potential risks associated with your products and identify potential hazards, diseases, pests, or contaminants that may affect human health, animal health, or plant life. This may involve analysing production processes, ingredient sourcing, handling procedures, packaging, and storage conditions.

3. Implement Good Agricultural and Manufacturing Practices: Establish and adhere to good agricultural practices (GAP) and good manufacturing practices (GMP) to ensure that your operations comply with industry standards for hygiene, pest control, traceability, and quality control. This includes proper handling, storage, processing, packaging, and labelling of products.

4. Develop a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Management System: Create a comprehensive management system specific to SPS requirements. This system should include standard operating procedures (SOPs), record-keeping processes, traceability systems, sampling and testing protocols, and response plans for any potential incidents or outbreaks.

5. Seek Certifications and Audits: Depending on the destination market, you may need to obtain specific certifications or undergo audits to demonstrate compliance with SPS measures. This may involve third-party certification bodies or inspections by government agencies. Examples include Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification for food safety or certifications for organic production.

6. Establish Traceability Systems: Implement robust traceability systems to track the movement of products throughout the supply chain. This includes maintaining records of suppliers, inputs, production processes, transportation, and distribution.

7. Conduct Testing and Analysis: Regularly test and analyse products for contaminants, residues, pathogens, or other factors that could impact their compliance with SPS requirements. Testing may include laboratory analysis, microbial testing, residue analysis, or genetic identification.

8. Implement Preventive Measures: Take appropriate preventive measures to reduce the risk of contamination, diseases, or pests. This may involve implementing pest control measures, using approved pesticides and fertilisers, maintaining proper hygiene practices, and establishing biosecurity protocols.

9. Documentation and Labelling: Ensure accurate and complete documentation of all relevant information, including certificates of analysis, certificates of origin, phytosanitary certificates, and other required documentation. Properly label products according to the regulations of the target market.

10. Stay Updated and Communicate: Continuously monitor changes in SPS regulations, standards, and certifications. Stay informed about new developments, guidelines, and requirements through official channels, industry associations, and trade organisations. Maintain clear communication with relevant stakeholders, including suppliers, customers, and regulatory bodies.

By following these steps, businesses can improve their compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary measures, ensuring the safety and quality of their products while meeting the requirements of international markets.

The implementation of SPS measures plays a crucial role in international trade negotiations and agreements. Countries may impose SPS requirements on imports to protect domestic industries and ecosystems while ensuring that imported goods meet their health and safety standards. However, it is essential to ensure that these measures are science-based, transparent, and not used as trade barriers disguised as health concerns.

Internationally, the World Trade Organization (WTO) sets guidelines and standards for SPS measures through the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement). The SPS Agreement encourages harmonisation of standards, risk assessment based on scientific evidence, and the use of international standards developed by organisations such as the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

In conclusion, sanitary and phytosanitary measures are crucial for protecting the health of humans, animals, and plants, as well as ensuring the safety and quality of food and agricultural products in international trade. Governments, international organisations, and stakeholders must collaborate to establish effective SPS measures that balance health concerns with the facilitation of trade.