Besides responding to the inquiries, each state body, defined by the legislation, compulsorily develops and publishes the procedure of providing information which places in a visible place, publishes at once or (read more) informs the public about the possessed information, the publishing of which can pose a threat to the state and public safety, to public order, public health and morals, rights and freedoms of others, the environment, humans’ properties.

The following information should be published at least once a year:

a) works  and services implemented for the public (subject to implementation)

b) budget

c) forms of written inquires and the instructions on filling them in

d) staff lists, resumes of officials,

e) procedure of employment and vacancies

f) influence on environment

g) projects, activities

h) the procedure, date, time and place of citizens’ reception

h) procedure of pricing, costs of services

i) list of disposing information and the procedure of the handling thereof

j) statistical and complete data on received inquiries including the grounds for refusal

k) preparation or acquisition of information defined in this paragraph

l) data of the authorised person to clarify the information set forth in this paragraph

changes made therein are publisized within 10 days

The information concerned is published in an accessible manner for the public, also in the web page belonging to the information holder.

The organizations of public importance, as well as those getting allocation (funding) from the state budget are eligible not to publish the above information and the changes therein.

Three forms of the protection of the right to obtain information are defined by the legislation

review of superior procedure

appeal to the Ombudsman

appeal through judicial procedure

The information inquiry can not be denied if it refers to the emergencies threatening the safety and health of citizens, natural (including the officially predicted) disasters and their consequences, presents the total situation of the economy of RA, as well as the real situation existing in the spheres of nature and environment protection, healthcare, education, agriculture, trade, culture.

The denial will have a negative influence on the implementation of state activities related to the social-economic, scientific-technical and spiritual-cultural development of RA.

The information inquiry is denied, if: it has state, service, banking, trade secrets, violates the confidentiality of personal and family life of a person, including the privacy of correspondence, telephone conversations, postal, telegraph and other communications, contains data of preliminary investigation not subject to publication,

reveals data (medical, notary, attorney secrets) demanding restrictions of availability conditioned by professional activities,

violates the copyright and (or) related rights (“FOI” law, Article 8).

The written request is not also answered if:

the requirements to the request are not fulfilled,

turns out that the data of the identity of the author are false,

it is the second inquiry from the same person on the demand of getting the same information within the last 6 months,

The information inquiry may be refused in the case of non-payment of the amount specified for the provision of information.

The denial of information inquiry must contain:

the legal basis for denying the request,

reference to the relevant norm (referring to the specific provision of the law the rejection of the information inquiry is based on),

terms and procedures of appealing the rejection.

The refusal must be justified. The justification of the refusal is the obligation of the information holder.

The refusal of the written request must be only in written form.

The information inquiry can not be denied to an official or government agency for the reasons of causing inconvenience, or lack of time.

The information may only be restricted by law. If a part of required information contains data the the dissemination of which restricted, the information on the remaining part is provided.

The denial of information inquiry may be appealed to the Ombudsman or the court.

The charged payment for obtaining information by the state governmental and local self-governing bodies, public institutions and organizations includes only technical costs (copying, price of diskette, etc.). The providing of information by these bodies is free of charge in the following cases:

responding to oral inquiries

providing up to 10 pages printed or copied information

providing information by e-mail (network)

Providing the information which can prevent the state and public safety, danger threatening the public order, public health and morals, rights and freedoms of others, the environment, person’s properties.

denying the providing of information.

Public organisations define the amount of charged costs for providing of information, which shall not exceed technical costs (copying, price of diskette, etc.).

The body or organization which has provided inaccurate or incomplete information is obliged to provide correct information for free on the basis of the written request of the person who received that information.

The response of a written request is given in the following deadlines: the information or a copy thereof shall be given to the applicant within 5 days after the receipt of the request, if there is need to make an additional work for providing the information mentioned in the request then such information shall be given to the applicant within 30 days after the receipt of the request. But within 5 days after the receipt of the request the body shall notify the applicant in written form about the reasons for the delay and the final date the information will be provided.

The official letter about the delay shall contain:

the reasons of the delay

the deadline for providing information

It is possible the request has not been directed to the certain competent authority, which does not possess the requested information or its provision is beyond the scope of its authority. In this case the body receiving the request is obliged to inform about it in written form after the receipt of the written request within 5 days and, if possible, also provide the name and location of the competent body/organization disposing that information.

If the information holder has only a portion of the information sought, then he/she gives it to the applicant at the same time, if possible, indicating the applicant how he/she can find the other part of the information sought.

The response to oral request is given orally after hearing the request immediately or in a very short period of time.

The response to the written request is given by the material carrier (paper, diskette, e-mail, etc.) mentioned in that request. If the material carrier is not mentioned then the response to the written request is given to the information holder by the most acceptable material carrier by the information holder. The applicant can get acquainted with the information at place taking back the written request. The response of an oral inquiry shall be made orally after hearing the request immediately or in a very short period of time.

If the body/organization does not have all data about the information sought, then the part of data is given to the applicant or, if possible, the information holder indicates the location of the sought information.

For obtaining information one should apply to the information holder in written or oral request. The oral or written request must be submitted to one of the following departments of the relevant organization. general division, press service or public relations division, (read more) to the person responsible for freedom of information.

If possible, one should apply by written request (see the template of information request): If the request is denied later or the response is delayed, it may be complained. It should be required that the written request be registered by all means and the registration number be mentioned. Later it is possible to figure out by the registration number who the request is superscribed to and who is responsible for responding to it.

In case of oral inquiry the applicant is obliged to inform his/her name and surname in advance. Appling in an oral form first of all you should find out which official is in charge for providing the information. Afterwards you should immediately turn to him/her, pointing in what way it is preferrable for you to receive the information: to see or read the paper, get a copy of it , etc.

The written request must comply with the requirements defined by the law, otherwise it may not be discussed.

The applicant must indicate in the written request.

name, surname

citizenship

place of residence, work or study, (in the case of the legal entity- name, location);

the written request must be signed.

In case of not meeting the requirements of the request, the latter may be revoked or it will not be given a process. The written unsigned request is subject to destruction. The applicant is not obliged to give reasons for the request, for what reason is that information necessary, or how he/she is going to use it.

In the request of obtaining information you should formulate the content as clear as possible: If you require a specific document, all the information that exist on a certain document should be noted. The clear wording is necessary for the person/organization to be able to find and provide the requested information.

The written request must be registered by all means and the registration number must be given. If you have sent it by an ordered mail, call a few days later and find out whether the body has received the request and which is the registration number of the request.

In order to meet the requirements of the request, request sample developed by the “Freedom of Information Center” can be used.

government bodies, local government authorities, state institutions, organizations funded from state and local budgets, public organizations and officials. In each body the obligation of giving information is imposed on the person responsible for freedom of information, who must timely give process to the requests of obtaining information.

The right of obtaining information is a fundamental human right: “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the right to seek information and ideas, receive and impart information by any means, regardless of frontiers” (Article 27 of the Constitution, Part 2)

Article 6 of RA law on the “Freedom of Information”.

“Every person is entitled to get acquainted with the information sought by him/her and/or with the purpose of obtaining it to request to the information holder defined by the law.”

Moreover, the person has a right not only to get information, but also a right to receive the information existing in the document or a right of getting a copy of the document.

Everyone has the right to obtain information in the Republic of Armenia.

Phytosanitary certificate of export issued by the SSFS of MoA of RA.

Phytosanitary certificate of export issued by the SSFS of MoA of RA.

Document verifying the safety of the batch of consignment; certificate of safety.

Document verifying the safety of the batch of consignment; certificate of safety.

Document verifying the safety of the batch of consignment; certificate of safety.

Document verifying the safety of the batch of consignment ; certificate of safety.

In compliance with the requirements of the importing country, document verifying the health of non-agricultural animals issued by the SSFS of MoA, RA; veterinary certificate.

Veterinary certificate issued by the SSFS of MoA of RA, and if appropriate permission of the authorized body of the importing country.

1. Veterinary certificate in case of exporting to RF (by the organizations which are registered in the register of the third countries of RF authorized body).

2. Health certificate in case of exporting to EU (products and organizations are set up by the authorized body of EU)

3. Veterinary certificate issued by SSFS of MoA.

Phytosanitary certificate of import issued by the authorized body of the exporting country.

Phytosanitary certificate of import issued by the authorized body of the export country.

Document verifying the safety of the particular consignment issued by the authorized body of the exporting country or certificates of compliance or certificate of origin or laboratory testing protocols of the consignment.

Document verifying the safety of the particular consignment issued by the authorized body of the exporting country or certificates of compliance or certificates of origin or laboratory testing protocols of the consignment.

Document verifying the safety of the particular consignment issued by the authorized body of the exporting country or certificates of compliance or certificates of origin or laboratory testing protocols of the consignment.

In case of compliance with the veterinary requirements of RA, document verifying the health of non agricultural animals: veterinary or health or sanitary certificate or veterinary certificate issued by the authorized body of the export country.

In case of compliance with the veterinary requirements of RA, document verifying the health of non agricultural animals: veterinary or health or sanitary certificate or veterinary certificate issued by the authorized body of the export country.

In case of compliance with the veterinary requirements of RA, document verifying the health of non agricultural animals: veterinary or health or sanitary certificate or veterinary certificate issued by the authorized body of the export country.

Document verifying the health of non agricultural animals: veterinary or health or sanitary certificate or veterinary certificate issued by the authorized body of the export country.

Document verifying the safety of the particular consignment issued by the authorized body of the relevant country or certificates of compliance or certificates of origin or laboratory testing protocols of the consignment. /p>

Document certifying the health of non agricultural animals issued by the authorized body or specialized organization of the country that is to be submitted to the import, export or transit transfer processes in compliance with the requirements of the relevant country. In case of transit transfer of non agricultural animals the agreement of the authorized body of the destination country is necessary.

Veterinary or health or sanitary certificates, as well as document certifying the breeding origin in case of breeding animal, incubated egg, sperm, ovum, zygote, embryo.

Original veterinary certificate issued by the authorized body in the veterinary field, as well as a document certifying the breeding origin in case of breeding animals. Before that it is necessary to submit a request to the State Service of Food Safety of MoA of RA in advance for getting a permission or agreement of the service as well as the requirements for veterinary import of the particular animal type.

Veterinary certificate issued by the State Service of Food Safety of MoA of RA, for which it is necessary to submit a request to the Service in advance attached presenting the written permission of the host country and the veterinary requirements of the exporting animal type.

The export of plants, plant products and regulated items is implemented in compliance with the phytosanitary requirements of the importing country and is permitted in the availability of the phytosanitary certificate of export which is given for any kind of consignment by the inspector. For receiving phytosanitary certificate of export the owner of the consignment submits a request to the inspection, which within three days of the receipt of the request, implements load testing and gives phytosanitary certificate of export and in case of submitting phytosanitary passport the phytosanitary certificate is given immediately. The certificate of plants, plant products and regulated articles is in force for 14 days from the date of issue untill leaving the country.

In case of the consignments subject to veterinary state control original health and veterinary certificate of the consignment. In case of breeding animal, bird, incubated egg, sperm, ovum, zygote, embryo the document certifying the breeding origin as well. In case of consignment imports from CIS and Georgia laboratory testing protocols. Certificates of safety or compliance of origin or health certificates or laboratory protocols or opinions or certificates are necessary for the import of foodstuff, food contact materials, food and biologically active additive substances.

For the import of food, food supplements, food mixtures, food additives, foodstuff of animal origin to RA, other than from CIS countries and Georgia, original health or veterinary certificate of the consignment subject to veterinary state control, proof of implementation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) System or BRC or IFS or FSSC 22000 or SQF or ISO 22000 certificates or ISO 17025 certificate certifying about the international accreditation of the laboratory testing the safety of the mentioned consignments and the testing protocols certifying laboratory safety of the consignment.

For the animal origin consignment checks as well as analyzing the accompanying documents fee is charged

1) 1000 AMD for 500-1000 kg weight in the amount of the minimum wage,

2) in case of the excess of 1 ton – 300 AMD for each extra ton (read more),

3) fee is not charged for 500 kg weight

The import or export veterinary certificates, safety certificates, phytosanitary certificates provided by the State Service for Food Safety of MoA of RA are issued free of charge.

A veterinary certificate or safety certificate is issued for which it is required to contact the corresponding border control point of State Service for Food Safety of MoA of RA prior to the export, to perform sampling from the exporting consignment for laboratory testing.

Veterinary certificate is issued, for which it is necessary to present the dog or cat passport to the corresponding border control point of State Service for Food Safety of MoA of RA, the passport of the exporter and the copies thereof.

In written form. You can download the attached template b) by e-mail. Download the attached template, fill, sign, scan and send to info@ssfs.am c) online through the website. Login, then fill all the appropriate fields mentioned, and click “Send” button. And remember that online complaint/requests can be sent only after registration in the website. If you do not want to register, you can write an online letter to the Service. However, note that in the absence of registration your letter will not be basis for giving process to the procedure.

Follow this link. The filling of fields marked with an asterisk are required. It is desirable to complete with the Armenian letters (by «Unicode» coding). After filling in all the fields read “Conditions” and, if agree, click “I agree with the terms” item. Then click on the “Register” button. (read more) A link will be sent to the mentioned e-mail address by which you will confirm your registration.

Please provide accurate information on your, because the data will be checked and only in case of approval your registration number will be generated.

To leave unfinished the registration process click on the “Cancel” button. And remember that in this case your registration number will not be generated, and you will not be able to use the online complaint/requests option. If desired register again.