E-Ping Platform

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has developed a platform known as the eping SPS & TBT platform. This platform facilitates tracking sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and technical barriers to trade (TBT) measures. Through the platform, a user can, amongst others:

• Browse notifications on new and updated product regulations.
• Findinformation on trade concerns discussed in the WTO SPS and TBT committees.
• Locate information onenquiry points and notification authorities.
• Sign up to receiveemail alerts  and to follow notifications on products and/or markets of interest.
• Reach out to national and international counterparts.

The tool was developed by the WTO Secretariat to assist members’ transparency activities. All SPS online tools can be accessed from the ePing SPS&TBT Platform, which allows users to:

• Search SPS and TBT notifications using specific search criteria. Registered users can also create search filters, follow-up on “favourite” notifications and interact with other users;
• Search trade concerns discussed in the SPS Committee. The Trade Concerns Database, accessible from the Platform, contains detailed information on specific trade concerns (STCs) discussed in the SPS and other committees;
• Search for SPS documents (soon to be possible in the Platform). SPS documents can also be found in the SPS Information Management System (SPS IMS)and in WTO Docs Online;
• Receive email alerts of particular types of notifications by registering on the Platform. Registered users also have the possibility to interact with other users in their national forum and to view discussions in other international fora;
• Submit notifications online. Additional rights can also be requested to fulfil transparency obligations through the Platform;
• Reach out to other users. Users with outreach rights can see the list of domestic users, activate national fora, participate in international fora and admin chats, and create and manage groups to share information with users and non-registered contacts;
• Prepare for the SPS Committee by accessing the SPS eAgendathrough the platform. Ahead of the Committee, members can add items to the agenda, raise STCs and upload statements.