Project

A. General Information

1. Title

Electronic exchange of SPS between Australia and New Zealand

2. Status of the project
Operating
3. Implementation period of the project/service:
From
2020
To
Present
4. Website
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/industry-advice/2020/13…
5. Geographical coverage
Bilateral
Participating countries: Australia, New Zealand
6. Participating agencies/entities of the project/service:
a. Development stage
Lead agencies/entities
Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries
Other participating agencies/entities
--
b. Operational stage
Lead agencies/entities (op)
--
Other participating agencies/entities (op)
--
7. Main stakeholders/beneficiaries of the project
Traders (big enterprises)
Traders (SMEs)
Customs brokers
Customs
8. Business process category of the project
Regulatory/official control

B. Lessons Learned

9. Summary description of the project/service
a. Objective(s)

Effective 31 August 2020, Australia has transitioned the current eCert exchange with New Zealandto a paperless eCert exchange. This means NZ will no longer issue original paper phytosanitary or sanitary certificates. The NZ exporter will provide importers and brokers with the certificate number, which must be provided to the department (Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment). The department will receive the eCert and will assess the eCert where required for import clearance.

The eCert application is an electronic system that enables the department to receive overseas government certificates in a digital format. This includes phytosanitary and sanitary certificates for food and agricultural imports.If the electronic certificate has been lodged correctly, importers (exporters) and brokers should not submit a paper certificate, as the eCert received by the department and will be used for customs clearance.

e-CERT SPS-Certificates are exchanged directly from government bodies to government bodies via their electronic SPS certificate management systems, National Single Windows. This approach has been used for example by New Zealand, Australia.Australia’s exchange of phyto e-certificates with New Zealand is occurring outside of the ePhyto Hub, with the intention to transition these to the hub from 30 September 2020.

b. Business need for the project (background)

To ensure compliance to health, sanitary requirements of exporting and importing country

Facilitate quarantine compliance and control fraud

 Trade facilitation, cross border efficiencies with advanced information, reusable data.

c. Business process covered*

Electronic application and issuance of SPS certificate

Electronic SPS exchange

Electronic verification of import quarantine

d. Overall architecture and functionalities*

e-Cert SPS certificates are exchanged directly from government bodies to government bodies via their electronic SPS certificate management systems, national single windows.

https://www.unescap.org/sites/default/files/2.2%20NSW_Collaborative%20eSPS%20Exchange_FrancisLopez.pdfhttps://www.unescap.org/sites/default/d8files/knowledge-products/01._Streamlining%20and%20Automating%20Procedures%20for%20Agrifood%20Trade_%20Francis_Lopez_eSPS.pdf

e. Relevant document/figure
--
10. Documents and data exchanged via the project

Electronic exchange of sanitary and phytosanitary certificates

11. Data models/databases, proprietary solutions, hybrid approaches
--
12. Main challenges faced during the project

Digital technologies require careful planning, analysis, and investment

Need for a clear and enabling legal framework

Capacity and capability to adopt digital technologies is mixed

Digital technologies can give rise to trust concerns regarding data

13. Lessons learned from the project
--
14. Main benefit(s) of the project
Enhanced regulatory compliance*
Transaction Cost savings*
Transaction Time savings
Simplified process
14A. Elaborations/detailed description on benefits gained

Certificates are transferred securely between governments, reducing the opportunity for fraudulent certificates to be presented

Provides an instant connection with other government agencies, reducing time delays for certificates to be issued and/or replaced

Helps eliminate lost and illegible documents

Certificates are transmitted in a consistent digital format

Certificates provide assurance that goods being imported comply with food safety, animal and plant health requirements

Reduces reliance on paper, in line with international standards – ultimate goal of eCert is paperless trading

Provides prior notice of imports, which could be used for pre-clearance of goods

Seamless interface for industry clients

Improved efficiency and integrity for staff assessing certificates.

15. Technical/financial/capacity building/other assistance
--
16. Future plan for expansion of the project

Australia’s exchange of phyto e-certificates with New Zealand is occurring outside of the ePhyto Hub, with the intention to transition these to the hub from 30 September 2020.

17. Other information or relevant references on the project
--
18. Relevant document regarding the project
--

C. Relevant Standards

19. Name(s) of any international, national legal instrument underpinning the project
Bilateral Agreement between Australia and New Zealand
20. Electronic message standard
20A. Electronic message standard supporting the project
XML:
- UN/CEFACT BRS/RSM
20B. Type of standard for electronic message applied for the project
--
21. Technical communication standard
21A. Technical communication standard supporting the project
N/A
21B. Type of technical communication standard applied for the project
--
22. Security-related standards*
22A. Security-related standard supporting the project
--
22B. Type of security-related standard applied for the project
--
23. Other Technical Information
23A. Interface developed for data exchange with an internal system
--
23B. Other technical implementation information
--