1.

Notifying Member: AUSTRALIA

If applicable, name of local government involved:

2.

Agency responsible: Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

3.

Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where applicable): Wool, skins and hides

4.

Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:

[X] All trading partners

[ ] Specific regions or countries:

5.

Title of the notified document: Updates to sanitary certificates for exports from Australia of wool, skins and hides. Language(s): English. Number of pages: 1

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/export/certification/nexdoc/transition

6.

Description of content: Australia is replacing the current Export Documentation System (EXDOC) with a system called the Next Export Documentation System (NEXDOC). NEXDOC is designed to make Australia's export documentation system more secure and responsive to changes in trade conditions.

Australia's export documentation for wool, skins and hides will soon transition to the NEXDOC system. These goods are the next commodities to transition after dairy, which transitioned in 2021, honey and apiculture products in 2022, eggs in 2023 and fish and fish products in September 2024.

The planned changes do not affect the agreed conditions or attestations for market access, bilaterally agreed information about the consignment details, or the department's regulatory controls over exports. However, there are minor changes to grammar, spelling, and the location of some of the information on the certificate. In addition, the new certificates will have unique Quick Response (QR) codes. The QR codes provide consignment specific information which border officials can use to confirm authenticity of the certificate in real-time. To verify the QR code, border officials scan the code through the official's smart phone camera.

Australia proposes the new export certificates be issued for:

         Australian exports of wool, skins and hides.

This will commence from 25 November 2024. There will be a transition period where both the old and new certificates will be in use to allow for transit time (air and sea freight) to the port of destination.

7.

Objective and rationale: [ ] food safety, [X] animal health, [ ] plant protection, [X] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [ ] protect territory from other damage from pests.

8.

Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:

[X] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g. title or serial number of Codex standard or related text): CCFICS CAC/GL 38-2001

[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic Animal Health Code, chapter number):

[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number):

[ ] None

Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?

[X] Yes   [ ] No

If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the international standard:

9.

Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  

10.

Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy): 25 November 2024

Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy): 25 November 2024

11.

Proposed date of entry into force: [ ] Six months from date of publication, and/or (dd/mm/yy): 25 November 2024

[X] Trade facilitating measure

12.

Final date for comments: [X] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the notification and/or (dd/mm/yy): 28 December 2024

Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X] National Notification Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:

Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

GPO Box 858

Canberra ACT 2601

Australia

Tel: +(61) 2 6272 3933

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.agriculture.gov.au

13.

Text(s) available from: [X] National Notification Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:

Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

GPO Box 858

Canberra ACT 2601

Australia

Tel: +(61) 2 6272 3933

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.agriculture.gov.au