Yerevan, 4 November 2025 – A joint project launched by the Food Safety Inspection Body of the Republic of Armenia (FSIB) and the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation (the Alliance) is set to digitalise the exchange of phytosanitary certificates – a key process required in international agricultural trade. The project will enable FSIB to exchange electronic phytosanitary certificates or ‘ePhytos’ on behalf of traders through the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Hub, increasing local trade competitiveness and creating new opportunities for Armenian exporters in the European Union and other international markets.
The ePhyto Solution developed by IPPC and the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC) allows countries to electronically exchange certificates through an international hub, quickly, accurately and at low cost. The use of the ePhyto Solution addresses the inefficiencies related to the use of paper certificates by:
- reducing the risk of document loss, damage or fraud
- enabling safer, faster and cheaper data exchange and processing
- cutting delays in document distribution or validation
- creating potential for advanced controls and better use of data
- reducing administrative burden on FSIB and the private sector
Armenian importers of vegetables, seeds, cut flowers, and timber will also benefit from the use of ePhyto, as the IPPC platform will connect them to producers from more than 200 countries who will be able to send their phytosanitary certificates instantly to FSIB, expediting import controls. 
As part of his opening remarks for the launch event, Deputy Head of the Food Safety Inspection Body, Mr. Hayk Sargsyan, welcomed the initiative, emphasising that the ePhyto Solution “will facilitate the exchange of goods with the EU and other countries, while also expediting export processes”.
This effort is part of the project Enhancing Agri-Food Trade Systems in Armenia which is financed by the Sweden and will be implemented by Armenian authorities and the Alliance, in collaboration with interested associations and companies from the local and international private sector.
Flowers, nuts and fruit producers in Armenia are enthusiastic about the project. Carel Hofstra, from ICC-Armenia said “ICC strongly promotes cross-border business. Any effort to reduce the burden of paperwork for exporters, is a welcomed signal from the FSIB and the government as a whole of their intention to help us grow by diversifying markets and becoming more competitive on the global stage.”
Klas Waldenström, Head of Development Cooperation for the Embassy of Sweden in Armenia, said, “Our support aims to optimize key procedures for Armenia’s agri-food sector and facilitate the exchange of goods with the EU. We trust this project will demonstrate how international collaboration can lead to practical, impactful solutions for trade and regulatory modernization.”
