UNIDO highlights agricultural product data standards at the 37th UN/CEFACT Forum

Under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the 37th United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) was held as of 4 October 2021. This year’s Forum, UNIDO contributed to the discussions of two sessions, session on the development of data standard for electronic exchange of Halal certificates on 5 October and session on the prospects for implementation of electronic quality certificate (eQcert) for agricultural products (link to the existing business specification requirement on eQcert).

Representatives from national and regional conformity assessment bodies, industry associations have actively participated in both sessions to contribute to the dialogue of these new solutions, facilitating enhanced trade. Bernardo Calzadilla Sarmiento,  Managing Director of UNIDO’s Directorate of Digitalization, Technology and Agri-Business, has also delivered a presentation on how UNIDO foresees the digital transformation in quality infrastructure and what challenges are faced within the development context. Harm Jam van Burg, Vice Chair of UN/CEFACT for these domains, indicated that “UNIDO’s inputs have elevated the discussion around the existing practical challenges and implementation of eQuality. I am looking forward to future between UNIDO and UNECE, UN/CEFACT in this field.” At the end of the session, fruitful discussions were held on the current challenges, touching upon common issues like standardization for Halal and product quality, building partnership among relevant bodies involved in the product conformity and data integrity.

For more information contact Gabor Molnar (G.Molnar [at] unido.org (G[dot]Molnar[at]unido[dot]org))