 
RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13 
14 February 2000 
 (00-0539) 
Working Party on the Accession 
of the Russian Federation Original:   English 
 
 
 
ACCESSION OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 
 
Checklists of TBT and SPS Issues  
in the Accession of the Russian Federation to the WTO  
 
  The Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation has submitted the following checklists of TBT and SPS issues in the accession of the Russian Federation to the WTO, with the request that it be circulated to members of the Working Party. 
 
_______________ 
 
  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13 
Page 2 Checklist of TBT Issues in the Accession of  the Russian Federation to the WTO  
 
WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of 
accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time  Required to Undertake the Commitment 
1. Generally agreed 
principle in WTO accession negotiations 1. Standstill: the introduction of 
new standards, technical regulations and conformity 
assessment procedures should 
be fully compatible with the 
TBT Agreement The Russian party does not intend to complicate acce ss to its markets by introducing a less favourable 
treatment for the purposes of the TBT Agreement. The basic parameters were defined in the Russia’s draft commitments in respect of access to goods and services markets. Measur es for market protection 
will be undertaken in full compliance with the Russia’s international obligations, the Russian 
legislation in force and the requirements of draft laws currently under development. Legal and 
regulatory framework for the implementation of the above is provided under the «Interministerial 
Programme of Measures to Ensure Compliance with the WTO TBT Agreement and the WTO SPS 
Agreement for 1999 – 2000» (see Note below and the Annex hereto). 
2. Article 15.2 and TBT 
Committee Decision 
(G/TBT/1) 2. Submission of Statement on 
Implementation Pursuant to the TBT Agreement this commitment w ill be fully implemented after the accession of the 
Russian Federation to the WTO (see also Section 3 herein). 
3. Article 10 3. Establishment and operation of 
a single Contact Point for Information ("enquiry point") The Russian single Information Center on TB T/SPS (“TBT/SPS Enquiry Point”) was set up at 
Gosstandart of Russia on the basis of All-Russia Re search Institute for Classification, Terminology and 
Information on Standardisation and Quality (VNIIK I). The function of the TBT/SPS Enquiry Point is 
to provide, in conjunction with specialised informati on centres of different ministries and agencies, the 
necessary TBT and SPS related information to all inte rested parties, including foreign participants of 
international trade. 
The Russian TBT/SPS Enquiry Point address: 4 Gran atny per., Moscow 103001 Russian Federation. 
tel./fax 230 25 98 E-mail: ENPOINT@VNIIKI.RU 
Gosstandart of Russia also has a web site (w ww.GOSTR.RU) which can be used for access to 
information stored on the Macronet interm inisterial network (regarding TBT and SPS). 
4. Articles 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 
15.2, Annex 3 and 
G/TBT/1 4. Identification of authority 
responsible for notifications, 
publications and other internal 
procedures to ensure transparency obligations are met 
on an ongoing basis:  
 (a) Articles 2.9.1, 
3.1, 5.6.1, 7.1, 10.1.5  (a) identification of 
publication where notices of proposed technical 
regulations and conformity 
assessment procedures will appear; The Russian TBT/SPS Enquiry Point specified in S ection 3 above, which has started publishing a 
specialised Bulletin («Vestnik»), is currently ready to assume this function. 
 (b) Article 2.9.2, 
2.10.1, 3.2, 3.3, 
5.6.2, 5.7.1, 7.2, 
7.3, 10.7, 10.10  (b) identification of authority 
responsible for making 
notifications to the WTO; Gosstandart of Russia and other ministries and agencies concerned are planned to be responsible for 
the preparation of notifications. The organisation re sponsible for making notifications to the WTO is 
the Russian TBT/SPS Enquiry Point.    WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13
 Page 3WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of 
accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time  Required to Undertake the Commitment 
 (c) Articles 2.9.4, 
2.10.3, 3.1, 3.3, 
5.6.4, 5.7.3, 7.1, 7.3  (c) guidance/law to ensure 
regulatory authorities 
afford non-discriminatory consideration of comments 
in the preparation of a final 
regulation; The draft Federal Law «On Technical Measures in Trade» (to be submitted to the Government of the 
Russian Federation in 2000) requires that all fe deral executive authorities developing technical 
regulations and conformity assessment procedures shall publish any new drafts and consider and take into account comments thereon from all interested parties. 
 (d) Articles 2.11, 
2.12, 3.1, 5.8, 5.9, 
7.1  (d) guidance/law to ensure 
regulatory authorities 
allow a reasonable period 
of time between the final publication of a technical 
regulation and conformity 
assessment procedure and its entry into force so that 
suppliers can adapt; All federal executive authorities must allow a sufficient period of time between the adoption of a 
technical regulation or conformity assessment procedure and its entry into force as provided under the 
draft Federal Law «On Technical Measures in Trade». 
 (e) Article 4, Annex 
3 (J, K, L, N, O);  Article 8.1  (e) publication and 
notification of work programme for standards 
and non-governmental 
conformity assessment procedures, including 
publication of notices of 
draft standards and an opportunity for public 
comment. These functions will be performed by the Russi an TBT/SPS Enquiry Point which has started 
publishing a specialised Bulletin (“Vestnik”). Besides, programmes of standardisation measures are published in the Annual Catalogue of Standards.  
5. Articles 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 5. Development and Application 
of Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment 
Procedures: Existence of legal 
and/or administrative underpinnings (or “reasonable 
measures" as appropriate) to 
ensure ongoing compliance with provisions of the agreement 
concerning, in particular:  
 (a) Articles 2.1, 3.1, 
5.1, 5.2, 7.1  (a) non-discrimination with 
respect to the treatment of products; There is no discrimination of imported goods (as far as the TBT Agreement is concerned) in the 
Russian Federation.  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13 
Page 4 WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of 
accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time  Required to Undertake the Commitment 
 (b) Articles 2.2, 3.1, 
5.1, 5.2, 7.1  (b) the prohibition of 
unnecessary obstacles to 
international trade and the consideration of less trade-
restrictive alternatives to 
fulfilling legitimate objectives; Unnecessary obstacles to international trade are be ing lifted in the course of harmonisation of the 
current legislation and conformity assessment procedur es with the international requirements (notably, 
amendments were made to Law No. 5151-1 of the Russian Federation “On Certification of Products and Services” of June 10, 1993 (with supplemen ts and amendments of December 27, 1995); 
amendments are underway to Law No. 5154-1 of the Russian Federation “On Standardisation” of June 
10, 1993 (with supplements and amendments of December 27, 1995). This commitment is more 
specifically defined in the draft Federal Laws  “On Technical Measures in Trade” and “On 
Confirmation of Conformity Assessment of Products and Services to the Regulatory Regulations” (the 
draft Federal Laws are to be submitted to the G overnment of the Russian Federation in 2000). 
 (c) Article 2.3, 3.1, 
7.1  (c) the ongoing review of 
technical regulations to 
ensure they are appropriate 
to achieve the desired legitimate objective; Ongoing review of technical regulations to ensure their conformity to legal requirements is 
implemented in practice.   
 (d) Article 2.4, 3.1, 
5.4, 7.1  (d) the consideration of 
appropriate international 
standards, guides and recommendations as a 
basis for technical 
regulations and conformity assessment procedures; Current practice heavily relies on international standards, guides and recommendations in the 
development of technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures. Besides, the requirement 
to use the above as a basis for national technical re gulations and conformity assessment procedures is 
provided under the draft Federal Law “On Technical Measures in Trade”. 
 (e) Article 2.7, 3.1, 
7.1  (e) the consideration of 
equivalent technical 
regulations of other Members; Technical regulations of WTO Members are routin ely considered in the development of national 
technical regulations. Notably, as far as standard s containing obligatory requ irements are concerned, 
this commitment is being implemented under the Law of the Russian Federation “On Standardisation” (Article 6). 
 (f) Article 6, 7.1  (f) the acceptance of the 
results of conformity 
assessment procedures 
conducted by bodies in an 
exporting Member 
country; Under Article 4 of Law No. 5151-1 of the Russian Federation “On Certification of Products and 
Services” dated June 10, 1993 as amended by Federal Law No. 154-FZ of July 31, 1998 the Russian 
side accepts the results of conformity assessment pr ocedures of those international systems to which 
Russia has acceded. In other cases the acceptance of th e results of conformity assessment procedures is 
defined under multilateral and bilateral agreements. 
 (g) Article 5.2, 7.1, 
10.4  (g) non-discriminatory and 
cost-based fee structure. Gosstandart of Russia has adopted and agreed with the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation 
the “Rules of Certification. Fees for Certifica tion of Products and Services”. This document is 
currently undergoing registration procedures with th e Ministry of Justice of  the Russian Federation. 
The document provides a uniform fee payment structure for national and foreign applicants, and is 
based on the costs effectively incurred by certifica tion authorities and testing laboratories in carrying 
out the conformity assessment procedures.   WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13
 Page 5WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of 
accession) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time  Required to Undertake the Commitment 
6. Article 4 and Annex 3, 
Article 8 6. Development and Application 
of Standards and Conformity 
Assessment Procedures: Existence of legal and/or 
administrative underpinnings 
(or " reasonable measures" as appropriate) to ensure ongoing 
compliance with provisions of 
the agreement concerning, in 
particular:  
 (a) Annex 3 (D), 
Article 8.1  (a) non-discrimination with 
respect to the treatment of 
products; There is no discrimination of imported goods (as far as the TBT Agreement is concerned) in the 
Russian Federation. 
 (b) Annex 3 (E), 
Article 8.1  (b) the prohibition of 
unnecessary obstacles to 
international trade; Unnecessary obstacles to interna tional trade are being lifted in th e course of harmonisation of the 
current legislation and conformity assessment pr ocedures with the international requirements. 
The necessary measures are being taken under the «I nterministerial Programme of Measures for 1999 – 
2000» (see the Note below and the Annex hereto). 
 (c) Annex 3 (F), 
Article 8.1  (c) the consideration of 
appropriate international 
standards, guides and 
recommendations as a basis for standards; This requirement is implemented in the principal standards of the State Standardisation System (GOST 
R 1.0-92 “The State Standardisation System of the Russian Federation. The Main Principles”; GOST R 
1.2-92 “The State Standardisation System of the Russian Federation. The Procedure for Development 
of State Standards.”) 
 (d) Annex 3 (M), 
Annex 3 (P), 
Articles 8.1, 10.4  (d) non-discriminatory and 
cost-based fee structure. Gosstandart of Russia has adopted and agreed with the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation 
the “Rules of Certification. Fees for Certifica tion of Products and Services”. This document is 
currently undergoing registration procedures with th e Ministry of Justice of  the Russian Federation. 
The document provides a uniform fee payment structure for national and foreign applicants, and is based on the costs effectively incurred by certifica tion authorities and testing laboratories in carrying 
out the conformity assessment procedures. 
The ISO approaches are applied for the purposes of payment of the cost of standards. 
 Note
: Gosstandart of Russia in conjunction with the ministries and agencies concerned has prepared the new «Interministerial Progra mme of Measures to Ensure Compliance 
with the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade and the WT O Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Me asures for 1999 – 2000» (see 
Annex) which defines an actualized set of focused measures to enable the Russian Federation to accede to the above Agreements. This Programme is approved by the 
Commission of the Government of the Russian Federation on the WTO Issues. 
 Notably, Section 1 of the Programme contemplates writing 17 le gislative and legal regulatory acts to define the legal framewor k for standardisation and conformity 
assessment developments for the purposes of  Russia’s accession to the WTO (including draft Federal Laws “On Technical Measures in Trade”, “On Assessment of 
Conformity of Products and Services to Regulatory Requirements”, “On Amendments to the Law of the Russian Federation “On Standa rdisation”, “On Amendments to 
the Law of the Russian Federation “On Protection of Consumer Rights”). 
 Sections 2 and 3 of the Programme include measures to harmonise the national standards and conformity assessment procedures wi th their international analogues.  
  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13 
Page 6 Checklist of SPS Issues in Accession of the Russian Federation to the WTO  
 
WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession ) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
1. Generally agreed 
principle in WTO accession 
negotiations. 1. Standstill: the introduction of new standards, 
animal health regulations and food safety regulations shall conform to SPS Agreement 
principles. The Russian party does not intend to complicat e access to its markets by introducing a less 
favourable treatment for the purposes of the SPS Agreement. The basic parameters were defined in the Russia’s draft commitments in  respect of access to goods and services 
markets. Measures for market protection will be undertaken in full compliance with the 
Russia’s international obligations, the Russian legislation in force and the requirements of 
draft laws currently under development. 
Measures with regard to sanitary-epidemiological and veterinary issues are aimed at human and animal health protectio n and are fully consistent with the SPS Agreement. 
Development and application of new standards, norms for animal health protection and food 
safety regulations proceed by  reference to the requireme nts of the SPS Agreement. 
The legal and regulatory framework for plant quarantine (phytosanitary) protection is 
consistent with the SPS Agreement.  
As Russia is preparing to accede to the SPS  Agreement, the standstill principle is 
implemented through the «Interministerial Pr ogramme of Measures to Ensure Compliance 
with the WTO TBT Agreement and the WTO SPS Agreement for 1999-2000» (See Annex). 
2. Article 7 and Annex 
B.3. 2. Establishment and operation of a single 
Contact Point for Information ("enquiry 
point"). The Russian single Information Center on TBT/SPS (“TBT/SPS Enquiry Point”) was set up 
at the Gosstandart of Russia on the basis of A ll-Russia Research Institute for Classification, 
Terminology and Information on Standardisation and Quality (VNIIKI). The function of 
this TBT/SPS Enquiry Point is to provide, in conjunction with specialised information 
centres at the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Russian Federation, the necessa ry SPS related information to all interested 
parties including foreign participants of international trade. 
The Russian TBT/SPS Enquiry Point address: 4 Granatny per., Mo scow 103001 Russian 
Federation; tel./fax 230 25 98; e-mail: enpoint@vniiki.ru 
A specialised SPS information centre was estab lished at the Ministry of Health of the 
Russian Federation (sanitary and epidemiological issues) on the basis of the Centre for Hygienic Regulations and Certification. 
Address of the specialised SPS Information Center at the Ministry of Health of the Russian 
Federation: 18/20 Vadkovsky per., Moscow 101479 Russian Federation; tel. 978 2496, fax 973 1976; e-mail: snodeadmin20@gost.ru 
  A specialised SPS information center was esta blished at the Ministry of Agriculture and 
Food of the Russian Federation (veterinary and phytosanitary issues) on the basis of the 
Principal Computing Centre (by Order No. 500 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Russian Federation dated August 10, 1998). 
Address of the Specialised SPS information centre at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food 
of the Russian Federation: 15 Krzhizhanovskogo street, Moscow, Russian Federation; tel. 124 7796; fax: 124 7374 (www.aris.ru). 
3. Articles 7 and Annex 
B, Also G/SPS/7. 3. Transparency: notification and access to 
documentation:    WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13
 Page 7WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession ) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
 (a) Annex B.5.(b) 
and Annex B.10.  (a) identification of authority responsible 
for making notifications to the WTO 
and ensuring transp arency obligations 
are met on an ongoing basis; (a) The Russian TBT/SPS Enquiry Point is the agency which is responsible for providing 
notifications to the WTO, distribution of information and ensuring access to the SPS 
documentation (in compliance with the transpar ency requirement), and it will start full 
operation in such capacity immediately upo n accession. Preparation of the necessary 
materials and documents pertains to the authority of the Ministry of Health of the Russian 
Federation (sanitary and epidemiological issues) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (animal health and plant control). 
 (b) Annex B.5(a).  (b) establish guidance or law requiring 
publication of proposed measures at an 
early stage for comment; (b) The organ of the press in which notifications required under the SPS Agreement would 
be officially published will be determined by the Government of the Russian Federation. 
The Russian TBT/SPS Enquiry Poin t, which has started publis hing a specialised Bulletin 
(“Vestnik”), is currently ready to assume  this function. This requirement will be 
implemented after the accession. 
At present listings of newly developed sanita ry legislation are published in specialised 
journals. The Ministry of Health’s “Bu lletin of Regulatory and Policy Documents 
Regarding State Sanitary and Epidemiological  Supervision” is currently completing its 
registration procedures. Regulatory and legal documents on veterinary and phytosanitary measures are published in 
the Information Bulletin of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food  Products of the Russian 
Federation.  
 (c) Annex B.5.(c).  (c) provision in law or administrative 
procedure to provide copies of 
proposed measures to WTO Members; 
and Various draft legal and regulatory acts, no tably the Draft Federal Law “On Technical 
Measures in Trade”, require provision of information on proposed measures to WTO 
Members. 
After the Law is adopted this requirement will be added to the state sanitary and epidemiological regulations. 
This SPS Agreement requirement concerning vete rinary and phytosanitary measures will be 
implemented gradually by adopting appropriate legal and regulatory acts. 
 (d) Annex B.5(d).  (d) require in law or administrative 
procedure, a reasonable period of time 
for comment from Members and the 
public, and establishment of a process to take comments into account without 
discrimination. The Draft Federal Law “On Technical Measures in Trade” provides a proper period of time 
for comments from the WTO Members and interested persons regarding the newly 
developed Russian laws, standards and other documents, and sets forth the requirement to 
consider and take into comments and proposals. Non-discriminatory treatment in international trade is provided under the current legislation of the Russian Federation. 
Comments and proposals are considered and taken into account without discrimination 
unless capable of adversely affecting the protection of human health, human environment, animal and plant health.   WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13 
Page 8 WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession ) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
4. Article 2.2. 4. Necessity: me asures are applied only to the 
extent necessary to protect human, animal or 
plant health. It is now under implementation pursuant to Federal Law No. 52-FZ “On Sanitary and 
Epidemiological Well-Being of the Population” dated March 30, 1999, sanitary and 
epidemiological requirements are aimed only at ensuring human-friendly environment and product safety, protection of human life and health as well as prevention of appearing and 
dissemination of diseases. 
Pursuant to the requirements of Federal Law No. 4979-1 of the Russian Federation “On Veterinary Service” dated May 14, 1993 and th e Code of the International Office of 
Epizootics, measures are applied only to the extent necessary to protect human and animal 
health. 
Under Resolution No. 268 of the Government of the Russian Federation “On the State Plant 
Quarantine Service of the Russian Federation” dated April 23, 1992, phytosanitary quarantine applies only to the extent necessary to prevent import and assimilation of items 
subject to quarantine in the Russian Federation. 
Further improvement of Russian legislation is contemplated in the draft Federal Law “On Quarantine of Plants” (adopted by the State Du ma in the third reading in November 1999). 
Russia reserves the right to introduce phyt osanitary measures in respect of harmful 
organisms which have not been completely studied in phytosanitary terms and can be potentially dangerous for Russia, with subsequent analysis of the phytosanitary risk in 
accordance with the in ternational norms.  
5. Articles 2.2, 3.3 and 
5.2. 5. Regulations Based on Science: regulations 
governing animal and plant health and food safety shall be based on scientific evidence. It is now under implementation pursuant to Federal Law No. 52-FZ “On Sanitary and 
Epidemiological Well-Being of the Population” dated March 30, 1999, regulations governing human health protection and food safety shall be based on all embracing 
scientific evidence. 
Under Federal Law No. 4979-1 of the Russia n Federation “On Veterinary Service” dated 
May 14, 1993, existing and newly developed veterinary regulatory documents shall only be 
adopted on the basis of scientific evidence or subject to international requirements. 
Resolution No. 268 of the Government of the Russian Federation “On the State Plant Quarantine Service of the Russian Federation” dated April 23, 1992, requires, among other 
provisions, that phytosanitary risks and their management (i.e. phytosanitary measures) be 
supported by scientific evidence, and prohibits  application of phytosanitary measures for 
purposes other than plan t quarantine regulation. 
The scientific substantiation requirement in resp ect of quarantine regulations is based on the 
recommendations of the International Plant Protection Convention – IPPC) and the European and Mediterranean Pl ant Protection Organisation (EPPO), the European Union’s 
directives and the results of the national research projects.      WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13
 Page 9WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession ) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
6. Articles 3.1, 3.3 and 
3.4. 6. Harmonization: to the extent possible, 
members shall follow international 
standards, guidelines, and recommendations in establishing SPS measures. Federal Law No. 52-FZ “On Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-Being of the Population” 
dated March 30, 1999 and Statute “On the State Sanitary and Epidemiological Regulations” 
approved by Resolution No. 625 of the Government of the Russian Federation dated June 5, 1994, requires that national sanitary regulations shall analyse and use international 
requirements and recommendations. 
This requirement is also implemented under Federal Law No. 4979-1 “On Veterinary Service” dated May 14, 1993 and Resolution No . 268 of the Government of the Russian 
Federation “On the State Plant Quarantine Service of the Russian Federation” dated April 
23, 1992. Notably, to substantiate the intro duction of a phytosanitary measure, the above 
instruments allude, wherever applicable, to recommendations of IPPC and EPPO and 
international standards. Further adjustment of procedures for full analysis and harmonisation of sanitary and 
phytosanitary measures to incorporate international standards, rules and recommendations 
will take no less than three years. 
7. Article 4. 7. Equivalence: members shall recognize 
different measures that achieve the same level of protection. Russia complies with the equivalence princi ple for the purposes of the SPS Agreement 
provided that sanitary and phytosanitary measures maintained by other countries achieve the necessary level of protection of public, animal and plant health. 
8. Article 5.1, 5.2 and 
5.3. 8. Risk Assessment: developing scientific 
evidence and conducting risk assessments to 
ensure that measures are based on science and applied only to the extent necessary to 
protect health. Under the current legislation of the Russian Federation (Federal Law No. 52-FZ “On 
Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-Being of the Population” dated March 30, 1999, Federal 
Law No. 4979-1 “On Veterinary Service” date d May 14, 1993 and Resolution No. 268 of 
the Government of the Russian Federation “On the State Plant Quarantine Service of the 
Russian Federation” dated April 23, 1992) meas ures are based on scientific evidence and 
risk assessment (examination of the potential threat latent in a harmful factor or commodity) to the extent that is necessary for protection of human, environmental, animal and plant 
health. 
To comply with the commitments with regard to sanitary and hygienic, epidemiological, veterinary and phytosanitary measures, and to conduct an analysis of the above and 
substantiate the need for their harmonisation with the international risk assessment methods 
in the first place, will require a transition pe riod of no less than 3 y ears upon accession to 
the WTO depending on the challenges of required scientific solutions in terms of state of the 
art and funds availability.
1  
                                                      
1 The length of the transition period (no less than three years)  is due to the need for a scientifically grounded revision of na tional sanitary, veterinary and 
phytosanitary rules to comply with the in ternational norms, including those laid down by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO ). 
This will involve, among other activities, coll ection, translation into Russian and analysis of the relevant international docu ments, their comparison with the Russian 
legislation and regulatory acts in effect, analysis of internati onal practice of new sanitary, veterinary and phytosanitary reg ulation of imports and exports operations, update the 
material and technical resources of sanita ry, veterinary and phy tosanitary institutions, and if it is necessary and this is suf ficient scientific confirmation to amend and supplement 
the legal and regulatory documents in effect, to accommodate th e various regional characteristics within the Russian Federation , based on a profound study and scientific 
evidence.  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13 
Page 10 WTO Reference Commitments (by the time of accession ) Progress of Implementation; Estimated Time 
Required to Undertake the Commitment 
9. Article 6 and Annexes 
A.6 and A.7. 9. Regional conditions: measures take into 
account the regional ch aracteristics both of 
the areas from which products originate and 
the areas for which they are destined. It is implemented that all measures maintained under sanitary legislation apply without 
discrimination to both the area of origin of the goods and the targeted area. Regional 
characteristics are relevant only for the purposes  of risk assessment of different factors, 
including the nutrition structure and subject to the permitted daily dose (PDD) 
recommended by international organisations. 
Veterinary measures take into account the regional characteristics pursuant to Federal Law No. 4979-1 “On Veterinary Service” dated May 14, 1993, and the requirements of the 
International Office of Epizootics. 
Regional characteristics are a f actor in quarantine regulation for the purposes of devising 
phytosanitary measures tailored for use in a particular region.  
10. Article 2.3, and 
Annex C.1(a) and (d). 10. Non-discrimination:  measures do not 
arbitrarily or unjustifiably discriminate 
between different members or between domestic and foreign suppliers. Non-discriminatory treatment is provided by the current legislation of the Russian 
Federation. Sanitary-epidemiological, veterinary and phytosanitary requirements are applied 
without discrimination to both domestic and foreign producers and domestic and foreign suppliers. 
11. Article 8 and  
 Annex C. 11. Control, inspection and approval procedures: 
ensure that procedures, including systems 
for approval of the use of additives or for establishing tolerances for contaminants in 
foods, beverages or foodstuffs comply with 
the Agreement. The Russian Federation continues to improve its procedures for sanitary and phytosanitary 
control, inspection and approval. Notably, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation 
approved new “Regulations on Hygienic Assessment of Products, Commodities and Manufactures” (Order No. 217 of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation of July 
20, 1998; English translation was submitted to the WTO Secretariat in October 1999). 
Procedures for sanitary and phytosanitary cont rol, inspection and approval will be gradually 
adjusted to the SPS Agreement requirements ov er no less than a 3 year period, as new 
legislation and regulatory documents are bei ng developed, and sanitary, veterinary and 
quarantine institutions build up adequate material and technical resources, based on the available funds, under the Programme of Meas ures to Ensure Complete Compliance with 
the TBT/SPS Agreements of the WTO. 
   WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13
 Page 11ANNEX 
 
Inter-Ministerial Programme of Measures to Ensure Compliance with the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade and the  
WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanita ry Measures of the World Trade Organization for 1999 – 2000  
 
(prepared by the Interministerial TBT/SPS Working Group* and approved by the Commission of the Government of the Russian Federa tion on the WTO Issues)  
 
No. Measure Principal Agencies Responsible Dates Note 
1.  PREPARATION OF DRAFT LEGISLATIVE ACTS OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION 
1.1 Analysis of the current national and foreign 
legislation and prepare proposals with regard to making amendments to the existing and newly 
developed legislative acts and regulatory legal acts 
of the Russian Federation in order to conform them to the requirements of the Agreements on Technical 
Barriers to Trade and on the Application of Sanitary 
and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO TBT and SPS Agreements) Gosstandart of Russia 
in conjunction with the ministries and agencies concerned
2 IV quarter 2000 Ministries and other federal executive 
authorities work according to their independent plans, sharing relevant 
information for better results and to 
implement the transp arency principle. 
1.2 Preparation of draft amen dments to the existing and 
newly developed legislative and regulatory legal 
acts of the Russian Federa tion to conform them to 
the requirements of the WTO TBT and SPS 
Agreements. Gosstandart of Russia 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned IV quarter 2000 
(continues in 2001) Ministries and other federal executive 
authorities work according to their 
independent plans, sharing relevant information for better results and to 
implement the transp arency principle. 
1.3 Preparation of the draft Federal Law «On Technical 
Measures in Trade», including: 
 – preparation and submission of the draft Law to 
the Government of the Russian Federation; 
– participation in the procedure for endorsement of the Law by the Federal Assembly of the Russian 
Federation. Gosstandart of Russia 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned  
 
 I quarter 2000 
 
II-IV quarters 2000 Competent ministries and other federal 
executive authoritites shall: 
– prepare proposals to be included in the drafts; 
– consider the drafts; 
– participate in the work of the Interministerial working group’s discussions of the drafted 
materials; 
– agree the final version of the document. 
                                                      
2 See the attached list of the Federal Exec utive Authorities participatin g in the activity of the In terministerial TBT/SPS Worki ng Group.  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13 
Page 12 No. Measure Principal Agencies Responsible Dates Note 
1.4 Preparation of the draft Federal Law «On 
Confirmation of Assessment of Products and 
Services to the Regulatory Requirements», 
including:  
– preparation and submission of the draft Law to 
the Government of the Russian Federation; – participation in the procedure for endorsement of 
the Law by the Federal Assembly of the Russian 
Federation. Gosstandart of Russia 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned  
 
 
  
I quarter 2000 
 II-IV quarters 2000 
 Competent ministries and other federal 
executive authoritites shall: 
– prepare proposals to be included in the 
drafts; – consider the drafts; 
– participate in the work of the 
Interministserial working group’s discussions of the drafted materials; 
– agree the final version of the document. 
1.5 Preparation of the draft Federal Law «On 
Amendments to the Law of the Russian Federation 
«On Standardisation»», including: 
 – preparation and submission of the draft Law to 
the Government of the Russian Federation; 
– participation in the procedure for endorsement of the Law by the Federal Assembly of the Russian 
Federation. Gosstandart of Russia 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned  
 
 
 II quarter 2000 
 
III-IV quarters 2000  
1.6 Preparation of the draft Federal Law «On 
Amendments to the Law of the Russian Federation «On Protection of Consumer Rights»», including: 
 
– participation in the procedure for endorsement of the Law by the Federal Assembly of the Russian 
Federation. Ministry of Antimonopoly Policy 
of the Russian Federation in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned Accomplished 
  
 
   
1.7 Preparation of the draft Federal Law «On Safety of 
Substances», including:  
– preparation and submission of the draft Law to 
the Government of the Russian Federation; – participation in the procedure for endorsement of 
the Law by the Federal Assembly of the Russian 
Federation. Gosgortechnadzor of Russia 
in conjunction with the ministries and agencies concerned  
  
2000 
 2000 
 Harmonisation of the technical legislation of 
the Russian Federation with the relevant regulations of international law. 
1.8 Preparation of the draft Federal Law «On Providing 
of Electromagnetic Compatibility», including: 
 
– participation in the procedure for endorsement of the Law by the Federal Assembly of the Russian 
Federation. Gosstandart of Russia 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned  
 
 
 Accomplished 
 Harmonisation of the technical legislation of 
the Russian Federation with the relevant 
regulations of international law.   WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13
 Page 13No. Measure Principal Agencies Responsible Dates Note 
1.9 Preparation of the draft Federal Law «On Safety of 
Machinery», including 
 
– submission of the Draft Law to the State Duma; – participation in the procedure for endorsement of 
the Law by the Federal Assembly of the Russian 
Federation. Gosstandart of Russia 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned  
 
 
Accomplished  
III quarter 2000 Harmonisation of the technical legislation of 
the Russian Federation with the relevant 
regulations of international law. 
1.10 Improvement of the Law of the Russian Federation 
«On Veterinary Service» Ministry of Agriculture and Food 
of the Russian Federation 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned IV quarter 2000  
1.11 Preparation of the draft Resolution of the 
Government of the Russian Federation «On the 
Procedure for Using Food Additives, Materials and 
Goods in Contact with Food Products», including  
– submission of the draft Resolution to the 
Government of the Russian Federation; Ministry of Heath of the Russian 
Federation 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned  
 
 
  
Accomplished 
  
1.12 Preparation of the draft Resolution of the 
Government of the Russian Federation «On the List 
of Products Subject to St ate Registration, and the 
Terms of Supplying Such Products to the Consumer Market of the Russian Federation», including 
 
– submission of the draft Resolution to the Government of the Russian Federation; Ministry of Heath of the Russian 
Federation 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned  
 
 
  
 
I quarter 2000  
1.13 Preparation of the draft Resolution of the 
Government of the Russian Federation «On the 
Procedure for State Regist ration of Certain Types 
of Substances and Products Potentially Dangerous 
to Human Health», including 
 – submission of the draft Resolution to the 
Government of the Russian Federation. Ministry of Heath of the Russian 
Federation 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned  
 
 
 
 
 Accomplished 
   WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13 
Page 14 No. Measure Principal Agencies Responsible Dates Note 
1.14 Preparation of a supplement to the draft new «State 
Sanitary and Epidemiological Regulations» 
developed for the purposes of implementation of 
Federal Law No. 52-FZ «On Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-Being of the Population» 
dated March 30, 1999, which would address the 
requirements of the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Measures. Ministry of Heath of the Russian 
Federation I quarter 2000    WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13
 Page 15No. Measure Principal Agencies Responsible Dates Note 
1.15 Preparation of the following draft resolutions of the 
Government of the Russian Federation for 
implementation of Federal Law No. FZ-29 “On 
Quality and Safety of Foodstuffs” dated January 2, 2000: 
 
“On Approval of Regulations on State Registration of Foodstuffs, Materials and Goods in Contact 
Therewith” 
 
“On Amendments and Supplements to Resolution 
No. 1013 of the Government of the Russian Federation dated August 13, 1997, and Resolution 
No. 766 of the Government of the Russian 
Federation dated July 7, 1999, Regarding the Lists of Products Whose Conformity to Regulatory 
Requirements Is to Be Confirmed by 
Manufacturer’s Conformity Certificate”  
“On Federal Executive Bodies Authorised by the 
Government of the Russian Federation to Perform Mandatory Certification of Certain Types of 
Foodstuffs and Services” 
 “On Regulations on Carrying out Mandatory 
Certification of Certain Types of Foodstuffs, 
Materials and Goods, Services in Retail Trade in Foodstuffs and Public Catering Sectors” 
 
“On Amendments and Supplements to Regulatory 
Acts Regarding Marking and Labelling of 
Foodstuffs During Their Parcelling, Packing and Marking”.  
 
 
  
 
Ministry of Heath of the Russian Federation 
 
 
Gosstandart of Russia 
  
 
  
 
  
Gosstandart of Russia 
  
 
 Gosstandart of Russia 
 
  
 
Gosstandart of Russia  
 
 
  
 
2000  
 
 
2000 
  
 
  
 
  
2000 
  
 
 2000 
 
  
 
2000 
 
   
1.16 Preparation of the draf t law «On the Quarantine of 
Plants», including 
 
– submission of the draft Law to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. Ministry of Agriculture and Food  
 
 
Accomplished    WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13 
Page 16 No. Measure Principal Agencies Responsible Dates Note 
1.17 Support of the work of the Interministerial working 
group on the issues of accession of the Russian 
Federation to the WTO TBT/SPS Agreements, 
including participation in the development of Russia’s proposals for the negotiations to be 
conducted during the new round of the WTO 
multilateral trade negotiations. Federal executive authorities 
represented in the Interministerial 
working group. According to the 
schedule of the 
Interministerial 
working group  
Note:  Specialists of the Institute of Law under the Government of the Russian Federation are engaged in the work on draft laws . 
 
   WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13
 Page 17 
No. Measure Principal Agencies Period Note 
   2.  HARMONISATION OF THE STATE STANDARDISATION SYSTEM OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION WITH THE CODE OF GOOD PRACTICE FOR THE 
PREPARATION,  ADOPTION AND APPLICATION OF STANDARDS. 
 HARMONISATION OF THE STATE STANDARDS OF THE RUSSIA N FEDERATION WITH INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED STANDARDS. 
2.1 Implementation of meas ures for the accession of 
the Russian Federation to the Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and 
Application of Standards, including preparation of 
notifications to the ISO regarding the accession of 
the Russian Federation to the Code of Good 
Practice. Gosstandart of Russia 
Gosstroy of Russia Federal executive authorities may 
be engaged for the purposes of 
adjustment of a measure Accomplished 
 Implementation of the requirements of Article 
4 of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade. 
2.2 Development of amendments to GOST R 1.0-92 
and GOST R 1.2-92 to include in the said standards a reference to the Code of Good Practice for the 
Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards 
(Annex 3 to the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade) Gosstandart of Russia 
Gosstroy of Russia  Accomplished 
  
2.3 Development and bringing into effect in the 
territory of the Russian Federation of a state 
standard entitled GOST R “State Standardisation System of the Russian Federation. Standardisation 
and Related Types of Activities. Terms and 
Definitions.” Gosstandart of Russia 
Gosstroy of Russia 
Federal executive authorities may be engaged for the purposes of 
adjustment of a measure Accomplished 
 Bringing the terminology in conformity to 
Annex 3 to the Agreement on Technical 
Barriers to Trade 
2.4 Development and adoption of a state standard of the 
Russian Federation on rules and procedures for 
preparation of notifications on technical regulations 
and standards of their conformity to the international regulations and standards. Gosstandart of Russia 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned I quarter 2000  
2.5 Preparation and adoption of a document on the 
procedure for use of international norms and 
recommendations in the development of sanitary rules, hygienic norms and  procedures for 
preparation of notifications of newly developed and 
approved documents in sanitary legislation to the WTO Secretariat Ministry of Health of the Russian 
Federation 
in conjunction with the ministries and agencies concerned I quarter 2000  
2.6 Carrying out harmonisation of state standards of the 
Russian Federation, norms and rules of federal 
executive authorities with the international and 
regional standards, norms and rules. Gosstandart of Russia 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned According to the 
programme for state 
standardisation and 
plans of federal 
executive authorities   WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13 
Page 18 No. Measure Principal Agencies Period Note 
2.7 Development of requirements in respect of control 
over the quantity of packed goods in any kind of 
package, in the stage of packing, distribution and 
import. Gosstandart of Russia 
Ministry of Trad e of the Russian 
Federation I quarter 2000  
2.8 Development of requirements metrological 
requirements in respect of  inspecting companies in 
charge of pre-shipment inspection in the customs 
territory of the Russian Federation. Gosstandart of Russia I quarter 2000  
   WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13
 Page 19 
No. Measure Principal Agencies Period Note 
  3.  DEVELOPMENT OF PROCEDURES FOR CONFIRMATION OF CONF ORMITY OF A PRODUCT TO TECHNICAL REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS. 
HARMONISATION OF CERTIFICATION RULES OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION WITH THE INTERNATIONALLY ACCEPTED RULES 
3.1 Preparation of draft regulatory acts in order to 
implement in the Russian Federation the principal 
requirements of the La w “On Confirmation of 
Assessment of Products and Services to Regulatory 
Requirements” Gosstandart of Russia 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned 2000 
(continues in 2001)  
3.2 Bringing the existing regulatory documents on 
confirmation of assessment of products and services 
in line with the principles of TBT and SPS 
Agreements Gosstandart of Russia 
in conjunction with the ministries and agencies concerned 2000 Supplement of the existing certification 
documents, including rules of the mandatory certification system and the rules of 
certification of similar products and the 
schemes underlying the product certification procedures, with the requirement to use a 
conformity assessment declaration. Further 
improvement of  the above by simplifying the certification system, better definition and 
reduction of the nomenclature of goods 
subject to mandatory certification; excluding 
the variety of certificates. 
3.3 Development of methodological basis for  
determining a product’s hazardous potential and the 
extent to which it affects the potential danger of production facilities in which such product is used. 
Further, based on the above, development of 
principles of classifying such products as subject to mandatory certification or manufacturer’s 
conformity assessment decl aration for the purposes 
of confirming their conformity to the requirements 
of regulatory documents. Gosstandart of Russia 
in conjunction with the ministries 
and agencies concerned II quarter 2000 Development of methodological basis for 
determining a product’s hazardous potential 
and for correlation of the ways of conducting its conformity assessment (certification 
schemes, conformity assessment declaration) 
with its hazardous potential. 
  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13 
Page 20  
No. Measure Principal Agencies Period Note 
   4.  CREATION OF RUSSIA’S ENQUIRY POINT FOR TBT AND SPS ISSUES 
4.1 Implementation of Agreements made by 
Gosstandart and federal executive authorities on the 
maintenance of the Federal fund of  standards Gosstandart of Russia 
Federal executive authorities Permanent  
4.2 Development of a network of information centres 
(information processing points) at federal executive authorities and territorial authorities of Gosstandart 
of Russia Gosstandart of Russia 
Federal executive authorities Permanent  
4.3 Creation of a service for terminological 
examination of legislative and regulatory legal acts of the Russian Federation Gosstandart of Russia 2000 Upon agreement with the Administration of 
the State Duma of the Russian Federation and the Administration of the President of the 
Russian Federation 
4.4 Putting into operation the Russian Enquiry Point for 
synchronising the actions of Russia and the WTO 
on TBT and SPS issues Gosstandart of Russia Accomplished 
  
   WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13
 Page 21 
No. Measure Principal Agencies Period Note 
  5.  INFORMATION ACTIVITY 
5.1 Conducting of workshops for business experts, 
ministries and agencies and legislative authorities on 
issues of accession to th e Agreement on Technical 
Barriers to Trade and the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Gosstandart of Russia 
Federal executive authorities 1999 – 2000 According to annual plans 
5.2 Participation in organisation and implementation of 
measures contemplated by international and regional 
authorities in standardisation with a view to providing technical assistance to the Russian 
Federation for ensuring compliance with the 
requirements of TBT and SPS Agreements. Gosstandart of Russia 
Federal executive authorities 1999 – 2000  
5.3 Preparation and publishing in mass media of 
materials on the accession of the Russian Federation 
to the WTO regarding technical barriers to trade, 
sanitary and phytosanitary measures Gosstandart of Russia 
Federal executive authorities Permanent  
5.4 Setting up a periodical entitled ”Vestnik” 
(Specialized Bulletin of the Russian Enquiry Point) 
for publication of documents and materials on  
TBT/SPS issues Gosstandart of Russia 
Federal executive authorities Accomplished 
\ Federal executive authorities submit to 
Gosstandart of Russia any documents on TBT or 
SPS issues available to them. 
  WT/ACC/SPEC/RUS/13 
Page 22 List of the Federal Executive Authorities Participating in the Activities of the Interminis terial Working Group on the  
Accession of the Russian Federation to the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade and the Agreement on the  
Application of Sanitary and Phyt osanitary Measures (IWG on WTO TBT/SPS)  
  
- Ministry of Railways of the Russian Federation 
- Ministry of Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation 
- Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation 
- Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence Issues, Extr aordinary Situations and Rectification of Effects of Natural C alamities 
- Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation 
- Ministry of Natural Resources of the Russian Federation 
- Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Russian Federation 
- Ministry of Fuel and Energy of the Russian Federation 
- Ministry of Trade of the Russian Federation 
- Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation 
- Ministry of Economy of the Russian Federation 
- Ministry of  Telecommunications and Informatization of the Russian Federation 
- State Committee of the Russian Federation for Land Policy 
- State Committee of the Russian Federation for Environmental Protection 
- State Committee of the Russian Federation for Fishing 
- State Committee of the Russian Federation for Standardisation and Metrology (Gosstandart). 
- State Committee of the Russian Federation for Co nstruction and Housing Development (Gosstroy). 
- State Customs Committee of the Russian Federation 
- Russian Federal Service for Air Transport. 
- Russian Federal Service for Land-Surveying and Mapping 
- Russian Federal Service for Forestry 
- Russian Road Agency 
- Russian Federal Mining and Industrial Supervision Board (Gosgortekhnadzor) 
- Russian Federal Supervision Board for Nuclear and Radiation Safety 
- Russian River Register 
- Russian Marine Navigation Register 
 
__________ 
 
 