The SPS agreement travaux preparatoire, or TPR, is an essential component of the World Trade Organization`s Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement). The TPR is a framework designed to improve the transparency and predictability of member countries` SPS measures while providing guidance on the development and implementation of these measures.
The SPS Agreement was established to ensure that countries` SPS measures were not used as barriers to trade. The TPR aims to achieve this goal by providing a process for the systematic review of SPS measures. The TPR process is intended to promote an open, transparent, and science-based approach to the development and implementation of SPS measures.
The TPR is conducted by the WTO`s SPS Committee, which is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the SPS Agreement and ensuring its effective operation. The Committee`s work includes reviewing the measures submitted by member countries, providing guidance on the development and implementation of SPS measures, and facilitating cooperation between member countries.
The TPR process involves three stages. In the first stage, the member country provides a notification of the measure to be evaluated. In the second stage, the SPS Committee conducts a review of the measure based on the information provided by the member country and any other relevant information. In the third stage, the Committee provides recommendations to the member country on how to improve the measure, if necessary.
The TPR is an important tool for ensuring that SPS measures are scientifically based and transparent. It helps to prevent the use of SPS measures as barriers to trade and promotes the use of international standards and guidelines. In addition, the TPR process provides a forum for dialogue and cooperation between member countries, which can help to resolve any issues that may arise.
In conclusion, the SPS agreement travaux preparatoire is a critical component of the WTO`s SPS Agreement. The TPR process helps to promote an open, transparent, and science-based approach to the development and implementation of SPS measures while providing guidance to member countries. Through this process, the WTO is working to ensure that SPS measures are not used as barriers to trade, while also improving the health and safety of consumers around the world.