INTERNATIONAL LEGAL NORMS OF THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION IN THE FIELD OF FOOD SAFETY REGULATION (THE SPS AGREEMENT)

This article examines the international legal framework of the World Trade Organization governing food safety regulation through the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement). The study analyzes the legal nature, principles, and mechanisms of the SPS Agreement aimed at ensuring the protection of human, animal, and plant life and health while preventing unjustified barriers to international trade. Particular attention is devoted to the balance between the sovereign right of states to establish food safety measures and their obligations under international trade law. The article explores the role of scientific evidence, risk assessment, harmonization of standards, and the activities of international organizations such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission in the implementation of SPS measures. Furthermore, the research highlights current challenges related to globalization, technological development, and increasing international food trade, emphasizing the importance of effective legal regulation in maintaining global food security. The author concludes that the SPS Agreement represents a key international legal instrument that contributes to both consumer protection and the stability of the multilateral trading system.