WHO urges keeping non-digital ship-health documents available alongside digital versions
WHO’s October 28 guidance calls for ship-health declarations and sanitation certificates to remain accessible in non-digital form alongside digital documents.
What the record says
WHO cites differences in countries’ capacity to issue and verify digital health documents and says maintaining non-digital availability can support port reviews and continuity of maritime operations during the transition. The guidance addresses national and port health authorities and ship operators.
Source details and supporting locations.
Practical next step
Read the WHO update and applicable national port-health requirements for the exact documentation arrangements.
Limits and what is not established
This is WHO guidance about coexistence of formats. It is not an announcement that digital documents are prohibited or that every country has adopted a new identical rule.
Sources checked October 29, 2026. Later notices may change instructions or arrangements.
Original sources
World Health Organization: original information