Administrative Order No. 25, Series of 2020 Institutionalizing the Acceptance of Electronic Veterinary Health Certificates (e-CERT)

,.,. I . ' ~epubli~ of the Philippines <j>FFICE OF THE SEeRETARY 9lliptical Road, Diliman 1!100 Quezon City . . . ' June 11, 2020 I ' ADMINISTRAiIVE ORDER No. 2S j Series of 2020 i SUBJECT: INSTITU;TIONALIZING THE ACCEPTANCE OF ELECTRONIC VETERINARY ~EALTa CERTIFICATES (e-CERT) WHEREAS, Eleptronic d:ocuments shall have the legal effect, validity or enforceability as any other document or legal writing pursuant to Republic Act No. 8792 s~2000 also known as the "Electronic Commerce Act"} . I , I ' WHEREAS, Artiicle 10.2. to 10.4 of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement provides that "Each . Member shall, :Where appropriate, endeavor to accept paper or electronic copies of supporting • documents reqµired for. import, export, or transit; Use relevant international standards or parts thereof as a ba$is for their import, export, or transit formalities and procedures" which in theory would apply to s tandards relevant for ecommerce as well; and Endeavor to establish or maintain a • I • single window, enabling traders to submit documentation and/ or data requirements for importation, exportation, or I transit: of goods through a single-entry 1 point to the participating authorities or ' agencies." ; ' ' I WHEREAS, the pepartment has existing e-cert acceptance agreements for International Veterinary Certificate (IVCj or Health Certificate (HC) in 2008 with New Zealand and Australia in 2010; the submission of t*e IVC or:Hc is part of the SPS Import requirements for animal and animal products to ensure compljance with the requirements of the Philippines in accordance with the OIE standards; • I WHEREAS, the ~irect experience of using these e-cert systems at the first border has strengthened the government1s confidence and capability to consider expanding its current list of trading partners for the acceptan~e of electronic lVC/ HC; I . WHEREAS, give~ the global disruption caused by ongoing COVID-19 cases worldwide, there is a need to optimize gove~nment processes to ensure business continuity in this challenging time and beyond; i NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM D. DAR, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, by the authority vested on me b~ law hereby institutionalize the acceptance of electronic 1-lealth Certificate with its corresponding. ersignatures 'for animals and animal products as legal and functional equivalent of paper-based certifications issued by the counterpart Competent Authority of exporting country. In I • order to facilitat~ its full implementation, the following shall be authorized: ' . • 1. The Bur~au of ~riimal Industry (BAI) is the recipient of electronic ,health certificates from trading µartner$ for imported animals and animal products. The BAI may accept, reject or request the revision of the certificate and share the information on the certificate with other , ! agencies;j ' 2. The BAI S;hall coordinate the requirements of electronic health certificates for inclusion in the System J r Individual Accreditation (CSA or CFMEA) agreements with the Competent ' Authorit){ of the source country; , ', 3. DA-ICTS to enhance current IT interoperability and interconnectivity capabilities to support the expanded acceptance of electronic health certificates in accordance with international I standards or 1nethods; ' 4. BAI may issue guidelines, such as, but not limited to, the terms of use for the purposes of its I impleme11tation. · ,, I I i This ORDER shall take effect immediately. ' I . ' C '. ,/'·.i ..... ,.,... p~ ~ "'i-"" WILLIAM D. DAR, Ph Secretary ..'A. fooa-secure 'Plii{iyyines .. , ,.. ~··---------··---~·---·---· DEPARTMENT OF AORICULTURE IIIEllll 111111 UII llll lllfll lllllllfllll~IUll llllllltil 1111 IID ·ous farmers awf fisFierf oCk.. In replying pls cite this code : For Signature: S-06-20-0319 Received: 06/17/2020 03:14 PM l