SPS & Quality Standards Compliance Made Simple

October 24, 2025

Easy guide to meeting sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, getting phytosanitary/plant health certificates, using participatory organic certification (PGS), and preparing goods to pass inspections.

Meeting Sanitary & Phytosanitary (SPS) and Quality Requirements for Agroecological Exports

Why this is important

Sanitary & Phytosanitary (SPS) rules protect plant, animal, and human health — but are often misunderstood and feared by small traders.
Many agroecological products are delayed, rejected, or destroyed because of pests, poor packaging, or wrong paperwork.
Quality standards (grades, organic labelling, fair trade) are market entry tickets — even in local/regional markets, not just exports.
Simplifying SPS & quality compliance can reduce border losses, boost prices, and open new premium markets.

Key Learning Areas

What SPS Really Means
- SPS = measures to protect humans, animals, and plants.
- Covers pest/disease control, food safety, and pesticide limits.
- EAC SPS Protocol: harmonised regional rules https://www.eac.int/agriculture/plant-health.
- WTO SPS Agreement: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/sps_e.htm.
When You Need SPS Certificates
- Plants, seeds, fresh produce, spices, herbs.
- Sometimes, even dried products (e.g., beans, grains).
- Request Phytosanitary Certificate (PC) from:
  - Kenya: KEPHIS https://kephis.org/services/phytosanitary-services
  - Tanzania: TPRI https://www.tpri.go.tz
  - Uganda: MAAIF https://www.agriculture.go.ug
Quality & Grading Standards
- EAC standards: e.g., EAS 56 for dry beans, EAS 38 for packaged foods.
- Organic & agroecological verification: Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) https://www.ifoam.bio/pgs.
- National standards bodies:
  - KEBS https://www.kebs.org
  - TBS https://www.tbs.go.tz
  - UNBS https://www.unbs.go.ug
Low-Cost Compliance for Small Traders
- Batch records: field, harvest date, treatments.
- Proper drying & cleaning: prevents pests/mould.
- Basic packaging & labelling: product name, weight, date, producer.
- Use PGS: a low-cost organic certification alternative.
Digital SPS Tools
- e-Phyto Solution: https://www.ephytoexchange.org
- Online SPS requests (KEPHIS, TPRI, MAAIF portals).
- Track market requirements via EAC-ATKH (coming soon).
Dealing with Rejections & Inspections
- Right to an inspection report explaining rejection.
- Right to appeal or correct minor issues (if not pests).

Report unjustified SPS delays as NTBs: https://www.tradebarriers.org

Practical Tools & Templates

SPS Preparation Checklist (pre-harvest to border).
Simple label template (for packaged grains, spices, vegetables).
PGS group application guide for small producers.
QR code label how-to for traceability.

Suggested Outputs

Illustrated field guide (photos of pests, approved packaging, and sample phytosanitary certificate).
Flowchart: “How to Get SPS Certificate Step by Step.”
Pocket checklist for field-to-border compliance.
QR codes linking to KEPHIS, TPRI, UNBS, PGS, and WTO SPS.

Key References & Links

WTO SPS Agreement: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/sps_e.htm
EAC SPS Protocol: https://www.eac.int/agriculture/plant-health
KEPHIS – Kenya Phytosanitary: https://kephis.org/services/phytosanitary-services
TPRI – Tanzania Plant Health: https://www.tpri.go.tz
MAAIF – Uganda Plant Health: https://www.agriculture.go.ug
Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS): https://www.ifoam.bio/pgs
KEBS Standards: https://www.kebs.org
TBS Standards: https://www.tbs.go.tz
UNBS Standards: https://www.unbs.go.ug

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