Vietnam Promotes Digital Transformation in Agricultural Certification under CPTPP
Vietnam chaired the 8th SPS Committee meeting under CPTPP, focusing on electronic certification and transparency in agricultural trade.
From August 20-21, Vietnam chaired the 8th virtual meeting of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Committee under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The meeting brought together representatives from 11 member countries to discuss the promotion of electronic certification and the enhancement of transparency in agricultural product quality management.
Under the coordination of Dr. Ngo Xuan Nam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam SPS Office, participants focused on the goal of eliminating paper-based documentation in SPS activities. Survey results from UNIDO indicated a strong consensus on transitioning to electronic certification, though obstacles remain, such as inconsistent digital infrastructure and differences in national legal regulations.
Beyond digitization, the meeting emphasized the importance of remote inspection and information transparency. Members including Chile and New Zealand exchanged views on improving the quality of SPS notifications, while Peru shared APEC initiatives regarding the use of 6-digit HS codes to identify regulated products, facilitating more accurate information tracking.
Regionalization and disease zoning were also discussed, with Canada providing a notable example of establishing agreements to manage African Swine Fever. Furthermore, members reviewed cooperation projects regarding Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs), asserting that all control measures must be based on scientific evidence, risk assessment, and compliance with international standards such as Codex.
Dr. Ngo Xuan Nam affirmed that Vietnam consistently supports the principle that all SPS measures must ensure fairness and avoid creating barriers to international trade. The 8th session served as a platform for Vietnam to address obstacles in agricultural exports and represents a significant step toward regulatory harmonization, creating long-term advantages for Vietnamese agricultural products to access CPTPP markets.