1. The Joint Management Committee for Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the “Joint Management Committee”), established under Article 26.2.1(d), comprises regulatory and trade representatives of each Party responsible for SPS measures.

2. The functions of the Joint Management Committee include:

(a) to monitor the implementation of this Chapter, to consider any matter related to this Chapter and to examine all matters which may arise in relation to its implementation;
(b) to provide direction for the identification, prioritisation, management and resolution of issues;
(c) to address any request by a Party to modify an import check;
(d) at least once a year, to review the annexes to this Chapter, notably in the light of progress made under the consultations provided for under this Agreement. Following its review, the Joint Management Committee may decide to amend the annexes to this Chapter. The Parties may approve the Joint Management Committee’s decision, in accordance with their respective procedures necessary for the entry into force of the amendment. The decision enters into force on a date agreed by the Parties;
(e) to monitor the implementation of a decision referred to in subparagraph (d), above, as well as the operation of measures referred to under subparagraph (d) above;
(f) to provide a regular forum to exchange information that relates to each Party’s regulatory system, including the scientific and risk assessment basis for an SPS measure; and
(g) to prepare and maintain a document that details the state of discussions between the Parties on their work on recognition of the equivalence of specific SPS measures.

3. The Joint Management Committee may, among other things:

(a) identify opportunities for greater bilateral engagement, including enhanced relationships, which may include an exchange of officials;
(b) discuss at an early stage, a change to, or a proposed change to, an SPS measure being considered;
(c) facilitate improved understanding between the Parties on the implementation of the SPS Agreement, and promote cooperation between the Parties on SPS issues under discussion in multilateral fora, including the WTO Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and international standard-setting bodies, as appropriate; or  
(d) identify and discuss, at an early stage, initiatives that have an SPS component, and that would benefit from cooperation.

4. The Joint Management Committee may establish working groups comprising expertlevel representatives of the Parties, to address specific SPS issues.

5. A Party may refer any SPS issue to the Joint Management Committee. The Joint Management Committee should consider the issue as expeditiously as possible.

6. If the Joint Management Committee is unable to resolve an issue expeditiously, it shall, at the request of a Party, report promptly to the CETA Joint Committee.

7. Unless the Parties decide otherwise, the Joint Management Committee shall meet and establish its work programme no later than 180 days following the entry into force of this Agreement, and its rules of procedure no later than one year after the entry into force of this Agreement.

8. Following its initial meeting, the Joint Management Committee shall meet as required, normally on an annual basis. The Joint Management Committee may decide to meet by videoconference or teleconference, and it may also address issues out of session by correspondence.

9. The Joint Management Committee shall report annually on its activities and work programme to the CETA Joint Committee.

10. Upon entry into force of this Agreement, each Party shall designate and inform the other Party, in writing, of a contact point to coordinate the Joint Management Committee’s agenda and to facilitate communication on SPS matters.