I. Position and Functions of the Vietnam SPS Office
The National Notification Authority and Enquiry Point for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (Vietnam SPS Office) is an agency directly under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, having legal status and its own seal, and is permitted to open accounts at Banks and the State Treasury in accordance with the law.
The Vietnam SPS Office is located at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, No. 10 Nguyen Cong Hoan Street, Hanoi City.
II. Main Tasks of the Vietnam SPS Office
1. Organize and coordinate the implementation of the task of notifying the WTO Secretariat of regulations and changed measures regarding sanitary and phytosanitary in Vietnam; provide copies of documents, receive, and forward notifications from WTO member countries to relevant domestic ministries, sectors, organizations, and individuals as prescribed.
2. Organize and coordinate the implementation of the task of receiving and answering questions, providing documents, risk assessment procedures; production and quarantine processes; bilateral and multilateral agreements and other issues related to sanitary and phytosanitary measures for the WTO Secretariat in accordance with the regulations and requirements of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement); send questions or requests for the provision of documents requested by Vietnam to the WTO Secretariat and WTO member countries.
3. Organize the establishment of a national SPS information network between the Vietnam SPS Office and focal points, technical support points for notification and enquiry of relevant ministries and sectors, and with the WTO.
4. Organize and participate in international and domestic cooperation activities to provide professional guidance and disseminate experiences on sanitary and phytosanitary measures to relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals in accordance with WTO regulations.
5. Sign and implement projects and contracts on providing information and consulting on sanitary and phytosanitary measures with domestic and foreign organizations and individuals to perform the above-mentioned tasks in accordance with the law.
6. Prepare content and programs for negotiation meetings, conferences, and seminars; summarize the situation and report on sanitary and phytosanitary matters in Vietnam as required by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment assigned by the Government.
7. Act as the focal point for consulting and coordinating with bilateral and multilateral international organizations operating in the field of sanitary and phytosanitary in Vietnam within the scope of assigned tasks.
8. Estimate the annual operating budget of the Vietnam SPS Office and manage expenditures after approval in accordance with State regulations.