Fashion
WTO to boost ePing use to raise transparency, market access in Africa
The free, global platform ePing was by the WTO, the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA). It helps address this challenge.
The WTO is implementing a project to strengthen use of the ePing platform on sanitary and phytosanitary and technical barriers to trade, helping governments and stakeholders better track and engage in evolving product requirements affecting international trade.
The project focuses on Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda, and aims at enhancing transparency, predictability and market access.
It allows users to follow notified draft SPS and TBT measures in real time, receive tailored email alerts, and engage with regulators before new requirements enter into force.
Funded by the Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF), the three-year project focuses on five African countries—Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda—and aims at enhancing transparency, predictability and market access.
The project brings together governments, the private sector and international partners to improve how regulatory information is shared, accessed and used in sectors affected by SPS measures and TBT, an official release said.
Workshops are being planned in these five countries to strengthen practical use of ePing among regulators, enquiry points, exporters, trade associations and other stakeholders who rely on timely regulatory information to access markets.
The urgency of strengthening ePing use is underscored by growing volumes of regulatory activity, the WTO added.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)