Paragraph 15 Technical working groups and ad-hoc groups

The SPS Sub-Committee may by a decision pursuant to Article 74(3) of the Agreement create or abolish, where appropriate, technical working groups or ad-hoc working groups, including scientific groups.

The membership of the ad-hoc working groups shall not be restricted to representatives of the Parties. The Parties shall ensure that the members of any groups created by the SPS Sub-Committee respect any appropriate confidentiality requirements.

Unless otherwise decided, the groups created by the SPS Sub-Committee shall work under the authority of the SPS Sub-Committee, to which they shall report.

The meetings of the working groups may be held when required, in person or by video- or audio-conference.

The Secretariat of the SPS Sub-Committee shall be in copy of all relevant correspondence, documents and communications pertaining to the activities of the working groups.

The working groups shall have the power to make recommendations in writing to the SPS Sub-Committee. The recommendations shall be adopted by consensus and communicated to the Chair, who shall circulate the recommendations as provided for in Article 7.

These Rules of Procedure shall be applied mutatis mutandis to any technical working group or an ad-hoc working group created by the SPS Sub-Committee, unless otherwise specified in this Article. The references to the Association Committee in its Trade configuration shall be understood as references to the SPS Sub-Committee.