STDF: Driving the Digital Shift: eCert and the Future of Safe Trade
World Trade Organization - WTO & Standards and Trade Development Facility - STDF
From STDF Seed Funding to Global Uptake: ePhyto's digital transformation showcased at the WTO Public Forum
This year’s Forum showed that digital certification is no longer only a future ambition but is becoming a fast-growing reality.
The IPPC ePhyto Solution is now leading the global charge to digitize and secure trade in plants and plant products, as showcased in an IPPC led session at the WTO Public Forum last week. Moderated by Sara Brunel, from the IPPC Secretariat, the session featured insights from FAO DDG Beth Bechdol, Saliou Niassy, the African Union (AU-IAPSC), Philippe Isler, Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF) and Bill Gain, the World Bank Group. With initial seed funding from the STDF, the ePhyto Solution has grown into a trusted global system, replacing outdated paper-based phytosanitary certificates, and ensuring faster, more efficient and secure trade. Speakers highlighted how it is estimated to save businesses in 96 countries about US$80 million annually. Building on these results, a new collaborative “ePhyto Africa Initiative” is planned to promote wider uptake across the continent.
A complementary session, organized by Sweden and the GATF, with panellists from Sida, the Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the WTO, Maersk and the STDF, explored what it takes to scale cross-border digitalization. Here, speakers emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, meaningful private sector engagement and additional support to enable developing countries to benefit. International standards were recognized as key, providing the common language to ensure that SPS e-certification systems are fully interoperable.
From the field: Innovation in Plant Health
In July, plant health authorities and specialists from across the Andean region met in Lima and Tarapoto, Peru for regional workshops under an STDF-funded regional project, led by the Andean Community. The trainings showcased how virtual reality, drones and digital tools strengthen pest monitoring and surveillance, with a particular focus on combatting Fusarium wilt (TR4), a devastating banana disease ranked among the world’s top 10 most serious agricultural threats. Its spread poses major risks to farmer livelihoods, food security and trade in the region and beyond.
By combining immersive simulations with hands-on field exercises, the workshops helped build the skills of producers and authorities to detect outbreaks earlier, respond faster and apply innovative surveillance approaches. In doing so, the initiative is equipping countries to better safeguard crops and protect trade opportunities across the Andean region. Learn more
Australia, Canada and Ireland Extend Their Partnership with the STDF
Australia, Canada and Ireland have renewed their long-standing partnership with the STDF, making new financial contributions to strengthen SPS capacities and unlock safe trade opportunities:
Australia: AUD 4 million (2025 - 2029) - Learn more
Canada: CAD 250,000 (2025) – Learn more
Ireland: EUR 200,000 (2025) – Learn more
All three countries have been valued partners since 2004, playing a central role in helping developing countries build stronger SPS systems. These latest contributions align with the STDF’s 2025–2030 Strategy and will support developing countries to deepen their integration into global markets while advancing safer, more inclusive trade.
What's Next?
IPPC Webinar Series - Climate Change and Phytosanitary Issues
Date: 1-2 October 2025
Time: 14.00 – 16.00 (CEST)
Organized by the IPPC Secretariat and the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Focus Group on Climate Change and Phytosanitary Issues, this two-part webinar series will explore the relationship between climate change and phytosanitary action. STDF will be taking part in the second webinar, exploring climate-resilient pest management approaches, biocontrol innovations and regional frameworks. Learn more.
STDF Event: Addressing Cadmium Contamination for Trade - Lessons from STDF Work in Latin America and the Caribbean
Date: 6 November 2025
Time: 14.00-15:00 (CEST)
Taking place on the margins of the WTO SPS Committee, this event will present and discuss the results of two recently completed STDF regional projects tackling cadmium levels in cocoa. The initiatives focused on improving capacity and knowledge sharing across Latin America and the Caribbean and strengthening institutional capacity in Colombia and Ecuador to facilitate safe cacao exports. Register here.
Other News
ePhyto Study Highlights Climate Benefits
New study shows that digitalizing trade documents reduces the carbon footprint of trade processes. This report by the GATF – "Move Goods, Not Paper: Carbon impacts of digitalizing trade procedures – evidence from the ePhyto case" – analyses the adoption of ePhyto certificates in 10 countries. It concludes that digitalizing trade paperwork delivers measurable reductions in carbon emissions. Read more
CABI BioProtection Portal Wins Gold
The CABI BioProtection Portal has been awarded the Gold Stevie Award for Sustainability Initiative of the Year in Europe at the 2025 Annual International Business Awards.
As an associate member of the Portal, building on collaboration with CABI under STDF’s three regional biopesticide projects, STDF congratulates CABI on this international recognition. The Portal plays an important role in promoting sustainable crop protection, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and facilitating safer trade.
Read the full story: https://mailchi.mp/wto/driving-the-digital-shift-ecert-and-the-future-of-safe-trade
« Back
From STDF Seed Funding to Global Uptake: ePhyto's digital transformation showcased at the WTO Public Forum
This year’s Forum showed that digital certification is no longer only a future ambition but is becoming a fast-growing reality.
The IPPC ePhyto Solution is now leading the global charge to digitize and secure trade in plants and plant products, as showcased in an IPPC led session at the WTO Public Forum last week. Moderated by Sara Brunel, from the IPPC Secretariat, the session featured insights from FAO DDG Beth Bechdol, Saliou Niassy, the African Union (AU-IAPSC), Philippe Isler, Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (GATF) and Bill Gain, the World Bank Group. With initial seed funding from the STDF, the ePhyto Solution has grown into a trusted global system, replacing outdated paper-based phytosanitary certificates, and ensuring faster, more efficient and secure trade. Speakers highlighted how it is estimated to save businesses in 96 countries about US$80 million annually. Building on these results, a new collaborative “ePhyto Africa Initiative” is planned to promote wider uptake across the continent.
A complementary session, organized by Sweden and the GATF, with panellists from Sida, the Permanent Mission of Guatemala to the WTO, Maersk and the STDF, explored what it takes to scale cross-border digitalization. Here, speakers emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, meaningful private sector engagement and additional support to enable developing countries to benefit. International standards were recognized as key, providing the common language to ensure that SPS e-certification systems are fully interoperable.
From the field: Innovation in Plant Health
In July, plant health authorities and specialists from across the Andean region met in Lima and Tarapoto, Peru for regional workshops under an STDF-funded regional project, led by the Andean Community. The trainings showcased how virtual reality, drones and digital tools strengthen pest monitoring and surveillance, with a particular focus on combatting Fusarium wilt (TR4), a devastating banana disease ranked among the world’s top 10 most serious agricultural threats. Its spread poses major risks to farmer livelihoods, food security and trade in the region and beyond.
By combining immersive simulations with hands-on field exercises, the workshops helped build the skills of producers and authorities to detect outbreaks earlier, respond faster and apply innovative surveillance approaches. In doing so, the initiative is equipping countries to better safeguard crops and protect trade opportunities across the Andean region. Learn more
Australia, Canada and Ireland Extend Their Partnership with the STDF
Australia, Canada and Ireland have renewed their long-standing partnership with the STDF, making new financial contributions to strengthen SPS capacities and unlock safe trade opportunities:
Australia: AUD 4 million (2025 - 2029) - Learn more
Canada: CAD 250,000 (2025) – Learn more
Ireland: EUR 200,000 (2025) – Learn more
All three countries have been valued partners since 2004, playing a central role in helping developing countries build stronger SPS systems. These latest contributions align with the STDF’s 2025–2030 Strategy and will support developing countries to deepen their integration into global markets while advancing safer, more inclusive trade.
What's Next?
IPPC Webinar Series - Climate Change and Phytosanitary Issues
Date: 1-2 October 2025
Time: 14.00 – 16.00 (CEST)
Organized by the IPPC Secretariat and the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Focus Group on Climate Change and Phytosanitary Issues, this two-part webinar series will explore the relationship between climate change and phytosanitary action. STDF will be taking part in the second webinar, exploring climate-resilient pest management approaches, biocontrol innovations and regional frameworks. Learn more.
STDF Event: Addressing Cadmium Contamination for Trade - Lessons from STDF Work in Latin America and the Caribbean
Date: 6 November 2025
Time: 14.00-15:00 (CEST)
Taking place on the margins of the WTO SPS Committee, this event will present and discuss the results of two recently completed STDF regional projects tackling cadmium levels in cocoa. The initiatives focused on improving capacity and knowledge sharing across Latin America and the Caribbean and strengthening institutional capacity in Colombia and Ecuador to facilitate safe cacao exports. Register here.
Other News
ePhyto Study Highlights Climate Benefits
New study shows that digitalizing trade documents reduces the carbon footprint of trade processes. This report by the GATF – "Move Goods, Not Paper: Carbon impacts of digitalizing trade procedures – evidence from the ePhyto case" – analyses the adoption of ePhyto certificates in 10 countries. It concludes that digitalizing trade paperwork delivers measurable reductions in carbon emissions. Read more
CABI BioProtection Portal Wins Gold
The CABI BioProtection Portal has been awarded the Gold Stevie Award for Sustainability Initiative of the Year in Europe at the 2025 Annual International Business Awards.
As an associate member of the Portal, building on collaboration with CABI under STDF’s three regional biopesticide projects, STDF congratulates CABI on this international recognition. The Portal plays an important role in promoting sustainable crop protection, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and facilitating safer trade.
Read the full story: https://mailchi.mp/wto/driving-the-digital-shift-ecert-and-the-future-of-safe-trade