Regulations on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures. Country/Territory Document type Regulation Date 2009 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Livestock, Food & nutrition, Cultivated plants Keyword Certification Codex Alimentarius Data collection/reporting Food additives Food quality control/food safety Hygiene/sanitary procedures Internal trade International trade Monitoring Public health Dispute settlement International relations/cooperation Animal feed/feedstuffs Animal health Business/industry/corporations Pests/diseases Protection of environment Registration Research Risk assessment/management Toxicity/poisoning Traceability/product tracing Drugs Plant production Plant protection Entry into force notes These Regulations enter into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette of the Common Market. Abstract These Regulations consisting of 27 articles aim at governing the implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary matters in the Common Market, in particular (i) setting out principles and creating mechanisms for cooperation in the implementation of SPS measures by the Member States; (ii) ensuring the protection of human, animal, and plant health and life from risks and contaminations, together with the socio-economic structures and institutions of a Member State; (iii) ensuring that the application of SPS measures does not unnecessarily hinder trade in food and agricultural products in the Common Market. In this view, Member States shall, in accordance with Article 5(2)(b) of the Treaty, take all appropriate measures, whether general or particular, to ensure the fulfillment of the obligations arising out of these Regulations or resulting from any action taken under these Regulations, ensuring that any SPS measure is not arbitrary or unjustified. The two main bodies are (1) the Council, with main legislative powers; and (2) the Committee on Agriculture (established under article 15 of the Treaty), with main administrative functions. Full text English Website www.comesa.int