  
  
G/SPS/GEN/1772  
27 April 2020 
(20-3283) Page: 1/1 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original:  Spanish  
 
  
MEASURES CONCERNING PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATES AIMED  
AT THE FACILITATION OF TRADE IN VIEW OF ISSUES  
ARISING FROM  THE COVID -19 PANDEMIC  
COMMUNICA TION FROM  ARGENTINA  
The following communication, dated 24 April 2020, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Argentina . 
 
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1.  As a result of the COVID -19 pandemic and the current restrictions on air transport and  courier 
services used to deliver  phytosanitary certificates ( PCs) in many countries , trade operators  are facing 
challenges  in submittin g original paper -based  PCs at points  of entry . 
2.  In order  to resolve this issue and to prevent  delays or disruption s to trade , the National 
Agriculture and Food Quality and Health Service (SENASA) advises that, where  the submission of  
original paper -based  document s is delayed , the following  tools for validating PCs are available for 
EXPORTS FROM ARGENTINA : 
• CUVE/ QR code : the party  concerned  will be able to check  the validity of PCs by entering 
the Single Electronic Validation Code  (CUVE)  printed on the PC into the relevant field 
on the SENASA website . V alidation  can also be carried out using the 
QR code that is printed  on each PC (the validation service can be accessed  directly  
at: https://aps2.senasa.gov.ar/vdc/faces/consulta.jsp ). 
• ePhyto : countries that are connected to the IPPC's centr al server (Hub)  will be able to access  
the electronic equivalents of paper -based  PCs issued by Argentina.  
• Blockchain : every PC is recorded in  blockchain and, in the event that the  digital pdf file of the 
PC does not have a handwritten  or holographic signature , the document can be validated 
through  SENASA's  website (direct access  at: https://cerpov.lyncros.com ). 
3.  For IMPORTS INTO ARGENTINA , the requirement to submit an  original paper -based PC  may be 
waived , provided that a  digital version of the PC with a mechanism for verifying its validity is 
submitted in place of the paper version . Such mechanisms include a QR code, a bar code or the 
possibility  of validating the document on a website specified  by the National Plant Protection 
Organization (NPPO) of the exporting country . Moreover,  for countries that are connected to the 
IPPC's central server  (Hub), S ENASA will be able to  use the electronic equivalent of the PC. 
4.  These measures will remain in place  until normal air transport and courier service s resume.  
5.  For any additional information  on this matter, please contact  dnpv@senasa.gov.ar . 
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