Project

A. General Information

1. Title

Ephyto certification between Fiji and New Zealand

2. Status of the project
Operating
3. Implementation period of the project/service:
From
2020
To
Present
4. Website
https://www.ippc.int/en/news/the-ippc-ephyto-solutions-go-live-in-fiji-and-new-…
5. Geographical coverage
Bilateral
Participating countries: Fiji, New Zealand
6. Participating agencies/entities of the project/service:
a. Development stage
Lead agencies/entities
Biosecurity authority of Fiji (BAF), Fiji’s National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) , Ministry of Primary Industries, New Zealand’s National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO)
Other participating agencies/entities
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b. Operational stage
Lead agencies/entities (op)
Biosecurity authority of Fiji (BAF), Fiji’s National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) , Ministry of Primary Industries, New Zealand’s National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO)
Other participating agencies/entities (op)
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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)

Continuing with efforts to facilitate trade on a biosafety platform Fiji and New Zealand have become the latest pair of countries in the Pacific region to go live with the exchange of electronic phytosanitary certificates using the IPPC ePhyto Solution.The electronic exchange of phytosanitary certificates and accompanying documents for plants and plant products export is a significant step for both nations towards improving trade efficiency by reducing the time and cost of conveying paper documentation through freight and third-party service.

b. Business need for the project (background)
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c. Business process covered*

Exchange of electronic Phytosanitary Certificates　 

d. Overall architecture and functionalities*

Data entry for export certification

Defined exchange mechanism and a standardized UN/CEFACT schema

Issuance/authorization of an ePhyto

Sending of an ePhyto

Printing of the sent certificate data on paper

Receipt of ePhyto

Ability to check the authenticity of an ePhyto after receipt

Extraction of the data from an ePhyto

Printing of the received certificate data on paper

Ability to store ePhytos for later reference

Connected to the hub to facilitate certificate transfer

Reporting

Please refer to the link;https://www.ephytoexchange.org/landing/gens/index.html

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

Phytosanitary Certificates 

11. Data models/databases, proprietary solutions, hybrid approaches

Please refer to the link: https://www.ephytoexchange.org/doc/IPPC_Guide_Implementing_GeNS.pdf

12. Main challenges faced during the project

GeNS testing and fine-tuning to meet Fiji’s phytosanitary certificate issuance requirements (in consideration of Fiji’s needs, remoteness, maritime zones and capacities)

Conducting training of officers, stakeholder consultations and awareness in all major trading areas of the country as Fiji is made up of many islands and BAF had 22 regional offices to work with.

13. Lessons learned from the project

Countries should have adequate IT infrastructure and manpower capabilities

NPPO personnel should always be updated on the system including enhancements and ensure it is tested and working properly

Initial implementation requires a dedicated team with time and resources at hand

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

Beforehand information for pre-assessment of imported goods and improved planning for the arrival and clearance of goods

Expedited clearance of commodities from the ports of entry including pre-clearance where there is an opportunity to do so

Efficient replacement of erroneous certificates; easier to search and locate certificates when required (especially for past months and years)

Access to certificates from any location within the network

Reduced costs (no longer need to print many documents)

Improved efficiencies by reduced data entry and validation

Easier and systematic data storage, retrieval from the system and report preparation for presentations to management of third parties

15. Technical/financial/capacity building/other assistance
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16. Future plan for expansion of the project
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17. Other information or relevant references on the project
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18. Relevant document regarding the project
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C. Relevant Standards

19. Name(s) of any international, national legal instrument underpinning the project
Bilateral Agreement
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
International standard
21. Technical communication standard
21A. Technical communication standard supporting the project
Exchange protocol is Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) over HTTPS
21B. Type of technical communication standard applied for the project
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22. Security-related standards*
22A. Security-related standard supporting the project
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22B. Type of security-related standard applied for the project
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23. Other Technical Information
23A. Interface developed for data exchange with an internal system
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23B. Other technical implementation information
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