WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/L/412
14 November 2000
(00-4815)
REPORT (2000) OF THE COMMITTEE ON TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE
1. The Committee held its nineteenth, tw entieth, twenty-first, twenty-second and
twenty-third meetings on 25 February, 17-19 May, 21 July, 6 October and 10 November
(G/TBT/M/18-22) respectively, and Mr. John Adan k (New Zealand) was Chairman.  At those
meetings, the Committee heard statements on the implementation and administration of theAgreement.  A number of Members informed the Committee of measures taken to ensure the
implementation and administration of the Agreement.  Several measures were brought to the attention
of the Committee by Members who raised concerns about the potential adverse trade effects or
inconsistency with the Agreement of those measures.
2. At its nineteenth meeting, the Committee carried out its Fifth Annual Review of the
Implementation and Operation of the Agreement under Article 15.3 based on background
documentation contained in G/TBT/8, and its Fifth A nnual Review of the Code of Good Practice for
the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards in Annex 3 based on background
documentation contained in WTO TBT Standards Code Directory (1999), G/TBT/CS/1/Add.4 andG/TBT/CS/2/Rev.6.
3. In order to promote information exchange and to facilitate discussion on technical assistance
in the lead-up to the Second Triennial Review, a Workshop on Technical Assistance and Special and
Differential Treatment in the Context of the Agreement was held on 19-20 July.
4. At its nineteenth, twentieth, twenty-first and twenty-second meetings, the Committee
prepared for the Second Triennial Review of the Operation and Implementation of the Agreement
under Article 15.4.  The Triennial Review was concluded at its twenty-third meeting (see attached the
report of the Review).
5. Representatives of the ACP, ALADI, EFTA, FAO, IEC, IMF, ISO, ITC, OECD, OIE, OIML,
UNCTAD, UN/ECE, UNIDO, WHO, WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission and the
World Bank attended meetings of the Committee in an observer capacity.G/L/412
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SECOND TRIENNIAL REVIEW OF THE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE AGREEMENT ON TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE
Report
I. INTRODUCTION
1. Article 15.4 of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade provides that "Not later than the
end of the third year from the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement and at the end of each
three-year period thereafter, the Committee shall review the operation and implementation of thisAgreement, including the provisions relating to transparency, with a view to recommending an
adjustment of the rights and obligations of the Agreement where necessary to ensure mutual economic
advantage and balance of rights and obligations, without prejudice to the provisions of Article 12.
Having regard, inter alia,  to the experience gained in the implementation of the Agreement, the
Committee shall, where appropriate, submit proposals for amendments to the text of this Agreementto the Council for Trade in Goods."
A. 
THE RESULT AND FOLLOW -UP OF THE FIRST TRIENNIAL REVIEW
2. The First Triennial Review of the Operation and Implementation of the Agreement on
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) was concluded on 13 November 1997 (G/TBT/5).  As a result, a
work programme was established by the Committee on 27 March 1998 (G/TBT/M/11) to continue thework arising from the First Triennial Review.  Consequently, submissions were made by Members
during the period of 1998-2000 for the purpose of information exchange, to share national experiences
regarding the implementation and operation of the Agreement, as well as to put forward proposals in a
number of areas (G/TBT/W/60-61, 63-64, 70-71, 74 AND 74/ADD.1, 75 AND 75/REV.1, 79-85, 87
and 87/REV.1, 88, 93, 99, 110-111, 112/REV.1, 113, 118, 121, 121/CORR.1, 132-133, 136, 138-140,and 142-151 – listed in Annex 6).  A stock-taking pa per of the submissions is contained in documents
G/TBT/SPEC/11 and Add.1-2.  Discussions on these papers assisted in providing a basis for the
preparation of the Second Triennial Review.
3. In order to follow-up on the work programme agreed at the First Triennial Review, the
Committee organized the following activities:  Workshop and Special Meeting on Procedures for
Information Exchange on 14 September 1998;  Information Session of Bodies Involved in the
Preparation of International Standards on 19 November 1998;  Symposium on ConformityAssessment Procedures on 8-9 June 1999;  and Workshop on Technical Assistance and Differential
Treatment in the context of the TBT Agreement on 19-20 July 2000.  (A description of these meetings
is contained in Annex 1).  Consequently, a number of actions were taken, e.g. the Committee agreed
on a number of decisions and recommendations concerning notifications and procedures for
information exchange (G/TBT/1/Rev.6), includin g a decision regarding work programmes under
paragraph J of the Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards
by Standardizing Bodies (Annex 3 of the Agreement);  a survey on the electronic facilities available
in Members' national enquiry points was conducted  by the Secretariat (G/TBT/W/105 and Suppl.1-2);
a synthesis paper compiling the information provided by a number of bodies involved in the
preparation of international standards was prepared by the Secretariat (G/TBT/W/106).
4. In response to the decisions adopted at the First Triennial Review, the following papers have
been prepared by the Secretariat:  a list of rele vant international guides and recommendations related
to conformity assessment procedures (G/TBT/W/72 and Rev.1);  a list of Members whose local
government bodies, directly below the central government level, are authorized to adopt technicalregulations or conformity assessment procedures (G/TBT/W/76 and Add.1);  a list of standardizing
bodies within the territories of Members (G/TBT/W/93);  and a paper on technical barriers to theG/L/412
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market access of developing countries (G/TBT/W/103).  In addition, the Secretariat has taken action
to further the implementation of Article 10.6, which provides that "the Secretariat shall, when it
receives notifications in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, … draw the attention of
developing country Members to any notifications relating to products of particular interest to them"
(G/TBT/W/124).
B. THE SECOND TRIENNIAL REVIEW
5. The Committee prepared and conducted its Second Triennial Review of the Implementation
and Operation of the Agreement at its twelfth to twenty-third meetings held on 27 March, 1 July,
15 September and 20 November of 1998, 31 March, 11 June and 1 October of 1999, as well as
25 February, 17-19 May, 21 July, 6 October a nd 10 November of 2000 (G/TBT/M/11-22).  The
elements considered during the Review, and the decisions taken by the Committee are set out below.
II. ELEMENTS CONSIDERED UNDER THE REVIEW
A. IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE AGREEMENT
6. Article 15.2 of the Agreement provides that "Each Member shall, promptly after the date on
which the Agreement enters into force for it, inform the Committee of measures in existence or taken
to ensure the implementation and administration of the Agreement".  These statements are seen as
providing a useful picture on how different Members implement the Agreement.  The Committeenoted that the preparation and submission of these statements could also assist Members in meeting
their obligations under the Agreement, by enabling th em to take stock of their existing legislation and
institutional structure for the implementation and administration of the Agreement.
7. The Committee recognized that whilst Members might face similar problems regarding the
implementation and administration of the Agreement, their specific needs and appropriate solutions toaddress those needs were different.  There was no one single model bureaucratic or administrative
structure that all countries should follow.  The Committee also noted that a significant underpinning
of the Agreement is domestic and international cooperation and coordination of trade, regulatory,
voluntary standards and conformity assessment policy and practice.  It was important for Members to
ensure cooperation and coordination at the domestic level, and inter alia  for the achievement of
increased awareness of the TBT requirements at the national level.  The involvement of all interested
parties, including the private sector, was also important to further the understanding of the benefits
and importance of the Agreement and to support implementation by national authorities.  A national
policy concerning TBT matters could usefully be developed by the government, involving relevant
government agencies, authorities, voluntary standards bodies and other interested parties.
8. At the conclusion of the Second Triennial Review (as indicated in Annex 2) 77 Members
have submitted their statements under Article 15.2 (G/TBT/2 and Add.1-61).  The Committeeconsidered that the status of implementation needed to be improved.  The Committee agreed that
efforts should be made to understand the reasons for this situation and to seek practical solutions.
9. The Committee recalled that during the First Triennial Review, Members had been invited to
exchange information on the arrangements they ha d in place to achieve an effective implementation
and administration of the provisions of the Agreement.  The Committee agreed that Members shouldbe encouraged to continue sharing their experiences in this regard.  In particular, the Committee urged
those Members who had not done so to submit their statements in accordance with the relevant
decisions taken by the Committee as provided for in document G/TBT/1/Rev.6.
10. The Committee took note of the discussions in the General Council on implementation
concerns, particularly in regard to participation by developing country Members in internationalstandardization activities, and the problems they faced in the area of international standards andG/L/412
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conformity assessment.  The Committee recognized that the issue of implementation was linked to a
number of elements of the Second Triennial Review, such as technical assistance, international
standards and conformity assessment procedures as further elaborated below.  It was noted that the
issue of implementation was of an ongoing nature, and that the Committee stood ready to report to the
General Council, if requested, as well as in its Annual Report.
B. N OTIFICATIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE
11. The Committee reiterated the importance of the tr ansparency provisions of the Agreement, in
particular those related to notifications of draft technical regulations and conformity assessment
procedures as well as to the establishment of enquiry points, as required under Articles 2.9.2, 2.10.1,
5.6.2, 5.7.1, 10.1 and 10.2 of the Agreement.  The Committee also noted the low level of notificationsof technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures of local governments at the level
directly below that of the central government in Members as required under Articles 3.2 (in relation to
Articles 2.9.2 and 2.10.1) and 7.2 (in relation to Articles 5.6.2 and 5.7.1).  The Committee recognized
that regulatory responsibility existed in a number of Members at the sub-national level.  However,
since the entry into force of the Agreement, only 7 such notifications had been made.  The Committeerecalled that at the First Triennial Review, Members had been invited to provide information to
indicate if local government bodies in their jurisdiction, directly below the central government level,
were authorized to adopt technical regulations or conformity assessment procedures.  The Committee
urged Members who had not responded to that request to do so.  The Committee further noted that
greater efforts were required by Members to explain the Agreement to their local government bodiesand to remind Members of their obligations with respect to notifications.
12. The Committee reaffirmed Members' obligations to designate a single central government
authority responsible for the implementation at the national level of the provisions concerning
notification procedures as stated under Articles 10.10 and 10.11, and to ensure the publishing of
adopted technical regulations in accordance with Article 2.11.  The Committee noted that at thenational level, notifications were often not made due to lack of awareness of the TBT obligations or
the lack of priority given to implementing these provisions by relevant agencies.  In some cases, it
appeared that the agency responsible for submitting notifications was not made aware of draft
regulations created by other national authorities.  The need for coordination between relevant agencies
was important.  Inadequate coordination could also hinder the provision of comments on other
Members' notifications within the comment periods, which in some cases were shorter than the period
recommended by the Committee.
13. The Committee noted the increasing number of notifications made under Articles 2.9 and 5.6,
as well as the increasing number of notifying Members.  However, certain Members still faced
problems relating to notifications, including the length of time allowed for comments, as well as the
provision of comments on other Members' notifications.  The Committee reiterated that it was
important for Members to follow the relevant Committee recommendations and decisions in thisregard.  Members were encouraged to give sympathetic consideration to requests from other Members
for an extension of comment period beyond 60 days, particularly in regard to notifications relating to
products of interest to developing country Member s.  Wherever possible, Members were encouraged
to provide information, including the text of draft regulations, through an internet web-site.  With a
view to ensuring the more efficient and effective functioning of the transparency provisions, theCommittee adopted a number of decisions and recommendations, and agreed to the revised
notification format as attached in Annex 3.
14. At the conclusion of the Second Triennial Review, 103 Members have submitted information
concerning their national enquiry points (Annex 2).  The Committee considered that this status of
implementation was not satisfactory.  The Committee reiterated the importance of enquiry pointsproviding information in accordance with Arti cle 10.1, including information on any proposed or
adopted technical regulations.G/L/412
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15. The Committee noted that in some cases, the problems faced by Members with respect to the
establishment and functioning of their national enquiry points and notification procedures were due to
the lack of financial and human resources as well as access to modern telecommunication networks
and equipment.  There was a need for enquiry points to improve cooperation with regulatory
authorities in order to respond to queries within an adequate period of time.  Technical cooperationwithin regions aimed at sharing experience could also be helpful.  Taking into account the result of
the Survey on Members' national enquiry points related to their electronic facilities, the Committee
agreed, as indicated in paragraph 4 of Annex 3 (see page 21), to examine the steps that would be
needed to facilitate the electronic transmission of information among Members to complement the
provision of documents in hard copy form.
16. The Committee recognized that the dissemination of information and knowledge was a key
element of capacity building that could assist Members in fulfilling their obligations and benefittingfrom the Agreement, in particular in relation to its notification and information exchange provisions.
In this respect, the Committee noted the important role that information technology could play to
assist relevant bodies of Members, both at the national level as well as in the context of regional and
international cooperation.  This could also facilitate  the participation in international standardization
work by means of electronic transmission of documents, provision of written comments andelectronic voting.  The dissemination of information to industry concerning the use of international
standards and standards-related requirements in the market-place could enhance the transfer of
technology, market access possibilities and competitiveness.  A number of developing country
Members had expressed their need for assistance in the acquisition of information technology
products and optimization of databases and networks.
C. I
NTERNATIONAL STANDARDS , GUIDES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
17. The Committee noted that international standards, guides and recommendations were
important elements of the Agreement and played a significant role in its implementation.  Articles 2.4,
2.5, 5.4, and Paragraph F of Annex 3 of the Agreement placed an emphasis on the use of international
standards, guides and recommendations as a basis for domestic standards, technical regulations and
conformity assessment procedures, with the objective of reducing trade barriers.  Articles 2.6, 5.5 and
Paragraph G of Annex 3 emphasized the importance of Members' participation in international
standardization activities, with a view to harmonizing technical regulations, conformity assessment
procedures and standards on as wide a basis as possible.
18. At the First Triennial Review, the Committee had noted that difficulties might be encountered
in relation to the use of certain international standards and that trade problems could arise.  With a
view to developing a better understanding of in ternational standards with in the Agreement, the
Committee had agreed to, among other things, explore ways and means of improving the
implementation of the provisions relating to enhanc ing Members' awareness of, and participation in,
the work of international standardizing bodies;  to invite Members to submit information on the
difficulties and problems they encounter in relation to international standards;  to increase Members'
awareness of the activities of international stan dardizing bodies;  and to consider the appropriate
means for the Committee to express its views to these organizations regarding the preparation of
international standards.
19. The Committee noted that a diversity of bodies were involved in the preparation of
international standards ( i.e. intergovernmental or non-governmental bodies;  specialized in standards
development or involved also in other related activities), and that different approaches and procedureswere adopted by them in their standardization activities.  However, the obligation under the
Agreement for Members to use international standards was the same.
20. In order for international standards to make a maximum contribution to the achievement of
the trade facilitating objectives of the Agreement, it was important that all Members had theG/L/412
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opportunity to participate in the elaboration and a doption of international standards.  Adverse trade
effects might arise from standards emanating from international bodies as defined in the Agreement
which had no procedures for soliciting input from a wide range of interests.  Bodies operating with
open, impartial and transparent procedures, that afforded an opportunity for consensus among all
interested parties in the territories of at least a ll Members, were seen as more likely to develop
standards which were effective and relevant on a global basis and would thereby contribute to the goal
of the Agreement to prevent unnecessary obstacles to trade.  In order to improve the quality of
international standards and to ensure the effective application of the Agreement, the Committee
agreed that there was a need to develop principles concerning transparency, openness, impartiality and
consensus, relevance and effectiveness, coherence and developing country interests that would clarify
and strengthen the concept of international standards under the Agreement and contribute to the
advancement of its objectives. In this regard, the Committee adopted a decision containing a set ofprinciples it considered important for international standards development (Annex 4).  These
principles were seen as equally relevant to the preparation of international standards, guides and
recommendations for conformity assessment procedures. The dissemination of such principles by
Members and standardizing bodies in their territo ries would encourage the various international
bodies to clarify and strengthen their rules and procedures on standards development, thus furthercontributing to the advancement of the objectives of the Agreement.
21. The Committee noted that even when the above-mentioned principles were observed by
international standardizing bodies, inappropriate, inef fective or obsolete international standards might
still exist.  In this regard, the Committee recognized that Articles 2.4, 5.4 and paragraph F of Annex 3
provided Members with the flexibility to avoid having  to use inappropriate or ineffective international
standards as the basis for their technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures.
As indicated in the attached principles, the Committee noted the importance of international
standardizing bodies putting in place procedures ai med at identifying and reviewing standards, guides
and recommendations to ensure their continued fitness for use, while taking into consideration
differences in technological development among Members.
22. The Committee agreed that regular information-exchange between the Committee and
relevant bodies involved in the development of international standards was useful. The Committee
agreed that its observers should be invited to provide regular updates on their activities at Committee
meetings, and the Secretariat was requested to prepare a programme for such regular updates on an
annual basis. In this context, the Committee would invite these bodies to inform it on the ways in
which they were seeking to ensure effective participation of Members, and particularly of developing
country Members in their activities.
23. The Committee also noted that situations could arise where no relevant international standards
existed or their completion was not imminent.  As an interim measure until suitable international
standards were developed, the Committee noted that in some cases standardizing bodies or regulators
in the territories of some Members had chosen to accept as equivalent standards originating from
other Members, even though these standards differed  from their own, on the basis that such standards
fulfilled their objectives.  The Committee considered that Members may find it useful to further
explore equivalency of standards as an interim measure to facilitate trade in the absence of relevant
international standards.  Taking into account the obligation of Members under Article 2.6, the
Committee emphasized that the possible use of th is approach must not hinder the process of
development of international standards, guides and recommendations.
24. The Committee noted that international standardization was an area where developing country
participation was still limited and constrained.  Some of the reasons identified for this situation were
the lack of technical capacity, the location of secretariats and meetings, as well as other constraints in
the areas of financial and human resources which impeded participation in meetings. This was
recognized as an area for ongoing attention with in international and regional bodies.  The CommitteeG/L/412
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also noted that certain Members encountered problems relating to the translation of international
standards into their national languages.
25. To assist in resolving the problem of particip ation, the Committee noted that it was important
to prioritize the international standardization activities related to products or subject-matter of
particular interest to developing countries.  It was critical for developing country Members, as part oftheir national consultation, to assess products/sectors of priority interest to them for international
standardization, so that resources could be appropriately targeted.  It was suggested that international
standardizing bodies should seek to secure greater developing country participation as chairpersons or
secretariats in various technical committees, including, where appropriate, rotation of chairs and
secretariats.  Another solution was to facilitate effective participation by means of information
technologies, such as using email and video conferencing as alternatives to traditional meetings.  Such
an approach could also provide solutions to the financial constraints faced by developing countriesregarding their participation in international standa rdization.  Increasing awareness and co-ordination
at the national level among stakeholders with respect to the importance of international standards
related to trade interests could help to strengthen the financial and human resources of national
standardization bodies, thus enhancing their effectiveness in the international standardization process.
Regional cooperation could also contribute to the efficient and effective use of resources and act as auseful way to influence the international standardization process.
D. C
ONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
26. At the First Triennial Review, the Committee had noted the growing concerns with respect to
the restrictive effect on trade of multiple testing and conformity assessment procedures, and had
agreed to further its discussions on ISO/IEC Guides;  to exchange information on Members'experience in the various types of conformity assessment procedures and their conditions of
application;  to review the role of regional and international systems for conformity assessment;  as
well as the provisions containing disciplines with respect to recognition of results of conformity
assessment procedures, including mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) and possible difficulties
associated with them.  The Committee, while recognizing the need for effective conformityassessment procedures to establish confidence between different players in the market-place,
reiterated that these procedures should not create unnecessary obstacles to trade.
27. The Committee noted the existence of different mechanisms to facilitate acceptance of results
of conformity assessments, e.g.  mutual recogniti on agreements for conformity assessment to specific
regulations;  in the voluntary sector, co-operative arrangements between domestic and foreign
conformity assessment bodies;  the use of accreditation to qualify conformity assessment bodies;
government designation; unilateral recognition of results of foreign conformity assessment; andmanufacturer’s/supplier’s declarations.  An indicative list describing these different approaches to
facilitate acceptance of results of conformity assessment is attached (Annex 5).  This list was not
intended to prescribe particular approaches that Members might choose to adopt as it was recognized
that the application of different approaches would depend on the situation of Members and the
specific sectors involved.  Governments and non-governmental bodies might choose to apply differentapproaches across different sectors, or apply more than one procedure within individual sectors,
taking into account variations in procedures in different Members and perceived levels of risk in the
acceptance of results in different sectors.
28. The Committee agreed to invite Members, on a vo luntary basis, to supply further information
on the different mechanisms used in their jurisdiction for acceptance of results of conformityassessment.  The Committee would further discuss the different approaches with a view to analysing
them in the light of Articles 5 and 6.  The Committee reiterated that, irrespective of the mechanisms
of conformity assessment procedures chosen by central government bodies of Members, in
accordance with Articles 5.1, 5.2, and 5.6-5.9, these procedures must be non-discriminatory,
transparent and should avoid unnecessary obstacles to trade.  The same rules applied relating toG/L/412
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conformity assessment procedures by local government bodies, non-governmental bodies and
international and regional systems  in accordance with Articles 7, 8 and 9.  The Committee also noted
that in some circumstances the adoption by exporting and importing countries of different
mechanisms of conformity assessment for particular categories of products could give rise to
difficulties.  Members were encouraged to address such situations through cooperation aimed atidentifying appropriate solutions.
29. The Committee also noted the usefulness of working towards the harmonization of practices
and criteria on as wide a basis as possible through Members playing a full part, within the limits of
their resources, in the preparation of internat ional standards, guides and recommendations for
conformity assessment procedures (according to Article 5.4), as well as conformity assessment bodies
participating, wherever practicable, in confidence building and proficiency testing programmes of
international systems in order to build confidence within all regimes.
30. In accordance with Articles 5.4, 6.1, 7, 8 and 9, the Committee reiterated the importance of
using the relevant guides, standards and recommendations issued by international standardizing
bodies on conformity assessment procedures.  Meeting the requirements of the relevant international
guides, standards and recommendations, where appropriate, was recognized as a useful way to
benchmark the technical competence and performance of conformity assessment bodies, so thatcredibility and confidence in their assessment results could be obtained.  Thus, the use of these guides,
standards and recommendations could serve as a basis for the recognition of the competence of
conformity assessment bodies, facilitate the acceptance of results of conformity assessments and help
ensure a harmonized approach to conformity assessment procedures.
31. The Committee noted that in addition to relevant guides, standards and recommendations
issued by international standardizing bodies, there were also reference documents developed by
international or regional conformity assessment systems that could have effects on the results of
conformity assessment.  The Committee stressed the importance of ensuring that such reference
documents were developed through a transparent, open and impartial process.
32. The Committee noted that a supplier's declaration of conformity, when used in appropriate
circumstances and for certain sectors, was considered by some Members to be a less-onerous
approach for the assurance of conformity.  From a manufacturer’s perspective, supplier’s declaration
allowed flexibility and non-discriminatory treatment in the choice of location for testing or other
conformity assessment procedures, reduced the uncertainty associated with mandatory testing by
designated laboratories based in foreign countries as well as associated costs.  Reliance on a supplier’s
declaration of conformity could also be a cost-savin g and efficient tool for regulators to ensure that
regulatory requirements and legitimate policy objectives were met.  The Committee noted that thiscould be enhanced by introducing deterrents to suppliers for not meeting conformity assessment
requirements, such as penalties being imposed for non-compliance, and affording opportunities for
market participants to inform regulatory authorities of perceived non-conformance.
33. The Committee, however, acknowledged that supplier's declarations might not always be
appropriate.  Consideration needed to be given to the particular characteristics of the sector, therelevant product risks, as well as health, consumer safety and environment issues.  An appropriate
legislative framework, including safeguards against non-compliance of dangerous products, such as
market surveillance and product liability laws were relevant considerations in this regard.  TheCommittee noted the absence of appropriate infrastruct ure in some Members, in particular developing
country Members.  The Comm ittee invited Members, on a voluntary basis, to further exchange
information on their experience in the use of supplier’s declaration.  Such experience could include
the following:  an indication of the sectors/product categories where supplier’s declaration of
conformity is used in relation to technical regulations and standards;  a further definition of the
conditions supporting effective use of such an approach and the costs of these conditions;G/L/412
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considerations that may deem such an approach inappropriate from a regulatory perspective;  and an
identification of technical infrastructure to support reliance on this approach.
34. Concerning MRAs, as referred to in Article 6, the Committee noted the importance of
technical competence, openness and linking them to regulatory and market-needs to serve the
objective of facilitating market access and that they should be targeted to selected areas of tradeinterest. The use of relevant international conformity assessment standards, guides and
recommendations, as well as harmonized conformity assessment procedures could facilitate the
conclusion of MRAs at different levels.  The Committee reiterated the importance of Members
notifying mutual recognition agreements in accordance with Article 10.7.  In this connection, it was
noted that only 29 notifications had been made since the entry into force of the Agreement.  The
Committee also noted the role that regional and international systems for conformity assessment (as
referred to in Article 9) could contribute to solving the problems of multiple testing andcertification/registration for traders and industries.
35. In the area of conformity assessment, the Committee noted a number of problems expressed
by developing country Members.  Developing coun try exporters, in particular SMEs, in some cases
found themselves faced with conformity assessment requirements in export markets that were difficult
to meet.  This could be due to the limited physical and technical resources for national conformityassessment; insufficient number of accredited laboratories at the national or regional level, high costs
as well as legal difficulties in obtaining foreign accreditation, difficulties in establishing
internationally recognized accreditation bodies, difficulties in participating in international conformity
assessment systems, as well as difficulties related to the implementation of ISO/IEC guides on
conformity assessment procedures.  The Committee noted the technical and financial assistancealready being provided by a number of national and international bodies to developing countries, such
as the training of conformity assessment practitioners;  training packages focussed on establishment of
accreditation and certification bodies;  the design of quality strategies targeting policy-makers,
conformity assessment practitioners and industry;  as well as the funding of developing country
participation in regional and international mee tings of conformity assessment systems.  The
Committee also noted the work that was being conducted at the regional level to address the various
common concerns relating to conformity assessment, such as the pooling of resources to facilitate
accreditation at the regional level, and eventually at the international level.
36. The Committee noted that it took a long period of time for a country to develop a national
conformity assessment system.  Different infrastructure might be needed at different stages of
development and for different sectoral needs.  Priorities needed to be identified by developing
countries concerning certain basic elements of a domestic conformity assessment infrastructure.Technical assistance in this area was an evolving process, given the need to nurture skills and
institutional development over a long time-frame.  In order to build a structure for domestic
conformity assessment which could ultimately facilitate the recognition of conformity assessment
results, it was important to raise awareness and develop a national strategy for quality management.
Assistance to implement the relevant international guides and standards could be useful to obtain theconfidence of the competence of conformity assessment bodies by import markets, to facilitate
entering into negotiations of MRAs and participating in international systems.  Technical assistance of
this kind could be enhanced through regional and international cooperation.
E. T
ECHNICAL REGULATIONS
37. At the First Triennial Review, the Committee had reiterated that good regulatory practice for
the preparation, adoption and application of technical regulations was a priority for Members to
facilitate trade.  Members had been invited to s ubmit descriptions of their approach to technical
regulations.  A number of Members had advanced submissions to present their regulatory practices.
The Committee agreed to continue the in formation exchange in this regard.G/L/412
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38. The Committee noted that minimizing the use of mandatory technical regulations and
utilising voluntary international standards, where appropriate, rather than preparing separate domestic
standards, could reduce the regulatory burden and open-up market access opportunities.  In cases
where technical regulations were required, the Committee reiterated that in accordance with Article
2.4, Members were obliged to use relevant international standards or relevant parts of them as a basisfor their technical regulations except when such in ternational standards or relevant parts would be an
ineffective or inappropriate means for the fulf ilment of the legitimate objectives pursued. The
Committee also reiterated the importance of giving positive consideration to accepting as equivalent
technical regulations of other Members as provided for under Article 2.7.
F. T
ECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT
39. At the First Triennial Review, the Committee had held discussions on technical assistance and
special and differential treatment and noted that certain Members, in particular developing countryMembers, encountered difficulties in the implementation and operation of the Agreement.  Members
had been invited to exchange information concerning their national and regional technical assistance
programmes.  Members that require technical assistance had been invited to inform the Committee of
any difficulties they encounter in the implementation and operation of the Agreement, and the kind of
technical assistance they may need.  Accordingly,  a Workshop on Technical Assistance and Special and
Differential Treatment was held in July 2000.  The Committee considered the results of the Workshop
useful, and took note of the need s and problems identified, the possible solutions suggested, as well as
the information concerning technical assistance act ivities provided and planned by donor countries and
organizations.
40. The Committee recognized the importance of ensuring that solutions were targeted at the
specific priorities and needs identified by individual or groups of developing country Members thatwould allow them to effectively implement as well as benefit from the Agreement.  This called for an
assessment at the national level taking into account the specific situation of each Member.  Effective
coordination at the national level between authorities, agencies and other interested parties was
considered essential to identify relevant infrastr ucture requirements and needs and to establish
priorities.
41. The Committee noted that in accordance with the mandate provided by the General Council,
the Director-General had been requested through hi s good offices to contact relevant international
standardizing bodies and intergovernmental organizations to explore financial and technical
mechanisms to assist the participation of developing countries in international standard-setting
activities and to identify TBT-related technical assistance needs and how best to address these.   In
pursuing its further work, the Committee emphasized the importance of ensuring that its efforts
complemented, and did not duplicate, the work by the Director-General and other WTO bodies in thisfield.
42. The Committee noted the importance of the coordination and cooperation of donor countries
and organizations.  The Committee took note of a number of capacity building programmes involving
joint efforts to combine the expertise and experience of different organizations.
43. Recognizing the Integrated Fr amework for Least Developed Countries, and the ongoing work
in other fora of the WTO, including the General Council and the Committee on Trade and
Development, the Committee agreed that coordination and cooperation between the Committee and
other relevant WTO bodies should be strengthened in order to effectively and efficiently address the
issue of trade-related technical assistance in the context of the TBT Agreement.
44. The Committee noted that provision of technical assistance, including technical assistance
under Article 11, could be directed at both the national and regional level.  In this context, the
Committee recognized the importance of technical cooperation and capacity-building, pursuedG/L/412
Page 11
through a range of cooperative activities, as an appropriate means of enhancing technical confidence.
The Committee noted that technical assistance and cooperation could be delivered in different forms,
including through internships, technical missions and consultancies, training of in-house experts, and
"twinning arrangements" between institutions.  Workshops and seminars were acknowledged as of
ongoing importance to raise awareness of the benefits and obligations of the Agreement and to assistcoordination among relevant agencies at the national level for the implementation of the Agreement.
The Committee also noted the value of direct dial ogue and contact between developing countries on
national solutions to certain implementation problems, and that regional and international
organizations could play a role in this regard.
45. In this context, the Committee recognized th e importance of enhancing the effectiveness of
technical assistance and cooperation and agreed to build on the results of the Workshop held in July
2000 with a view to identifying realistic and practical options for progress.  The objective would be todevelop a demand driven technical cooperation programme related to the Agreement, taking into
account existing and proposed technical assistance activities, as well as seeking ways to achieve more
effective cooperation and coordination among donors to better target the needs identified by
developing country Members. The Committee invited Members on a voluntary basis to further
communicate information on technical assistance programmes they proposed, provided or received.
46. The Committee agreed that the programme would n eed to evolve on the basis of the following
elements:  design of a survey with the assistance of relevant international, regional and bilateral
organisations to assist developing countries in needs identification; identification and prioritization by
developing and least developed country Members of their specific needs in the TBT field;
consideration of existing technical assistance activities by multilateral, regional and bilateralorganizations with a view to the effective and efficient development of technical assistance
programmes; enhancement of co-operation between donors; reassessment of needs in light of agreed
priorities, identification of technical assistance partners and financial considerations. The Committee
agreed that the progress made in implementing the programme should be assessed by the Committee
in the context of the Third Triennial Review and the Committee should also reflect its work on theprogramme in its Annual Report to the General Council.
47. The Committee also recalled its decision (G/TBT/1/Rev 6, page 22) in relation to technical
assistance that "Technical assistance would remain as an item of the agenda of the Committee on a
permanent basis and would be included on the agenda of a regular meeting of the Committee when so
requested by a Member in accordance with the agreed procedures."
G. O
THER ELEMENTS
48. The Committee noted that concerns regarding labelling were raised frequently in the
Committee meetings during discussions on the implementation and operation of the Agreement.  In
this regard, the Committee reiterated the importan ce of any such requirements being consistent with
the disciplines of the Agreement, and in particular stressed that they should not become disguised
restrictions on trade.G/L/412
Page 12
ANNEX 1
ACTIVITIES ORGANIZED BY THE COMMITTEE
DURING THE PERIOD OF 1998-2000
A. WORKSHOP AND SPECIAL MEETING ON PROCEDURES FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE HELD ON
14 SEPTEMBER 1998
1. The event was attended by representatives from capitals, including those from developing and
least developed countries, responsible for information exchange.  At the Workshop, the transparency
provisions of the Agreement were outlined, and several national and regional experiences concerning
enquiry points and notification procedures presented.  The importance of disseminating standardinformation to industry was highlighted.  A number of difficulties and problems faced by national
enquiry points and with respect to notification procedures were addressed and proposals were made to
improve the situation, including by ways of enhancing electronic information exchange and technical
assistance.  A number of representatives from developing country Members indicated the problems
they experienced with respect to raising national awareness among government agencies andindustries of the importance, benefits and the obligations under the Agreement, and requested
technical assistance in the form of workshops and seminars.  Some enquiry points faced difficulties in
handling the large volumes of information, as well as coordinating their work with relevant regulatory
authorities and disseminating information to stakeholders.  To overcome these problems, it was
suggested that comprehensive efforts, includin g the involvement and coordination of regulatory
authorities, relevant government and local governmental agencies, enquiry points and private sector
would be essential.  Suggestions were made also to enhance the efforts of cooperation in the regional
context.
B. I
NFORMATION SESSION OF BODIES INVOLVED IN THE PREPARATION OF INTERNATIONAL 
STANDARDS HELD ON 19 N OVEMBER 1998
2. The objectives of the Session were to increase the awareness of Members of the activities of
bodies involved in the preparation of international st andards, to have these bodies take into account of
the ongoing discussions on international standards in the Committee, as well as to develop an
improved understanding of the role of international standards within the Agreement.
Ten organizations were invited (FAO, FAO/WHO Codex, IEC, ISO, OIE, OIML, ITU, OECD,
UN/ECE, and WHO).  The Committee was informed of the different approaches and proceduresadopted by these various bodies in their standardization activities ( i.e. their membership and meetings,
openness in drawing up programmes, transparency procedures, procedures for comments and
decision-making, application of adopted standards, as well as coordination and cooperation with other
bodies at the international level).
C. 
SYMPOSIUM ON CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES HELD ON 8-9 JUNE  1999
3. The purpose of the Symposium was to improve understanding on the subject-matter of
conformity assessment in the Committee.  One of the goals was to explore how the Agreement could
further minimize trade barriers as a result of multiple testing and certification requirements.  Experts
from business, testing laboratory, inspection, certif ication, accreditation, metrology and standardizing
bodies, as well as regional and international systems were invited as speakers and panelists.  (They
included representatives from the following orga nizations: ISO, IEC, OIML, ILAC, IAF, OECD,
BIPM, APLAC, EA, IAAC, PAC, SADCA and FSC).   Information was provided regarding the
different types of conformity assessment procedures in the market place, mutual recognition
agreements, relevant international guides/standards, regional/international systems and possibletechnical assistance to developing countries in this area.G/L/412
Page 13
D. W ORKSHOP ON TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT IN THE CONTEXT
OF THE TBT A GREEMENT HELD ON 19-20 J ULY 2000
4. The objective of the Workshop was to provide the opportunity for Members that require
technical assistance to inform other Members and relevant organizations of the difficulties they
encounter in the implementation and operation of the Agreement, and the kind of technical assistancerequired.  At the same time, Members and international organizations providing technical assistance
in the TBT area could communicate with the Committee information concerning their technical
assistance programmes.  The aim was to help better target technical assistance, avoid duplication and
promote further cooperation and coordination among  donor Members and organizations, aiming at
developing efficient and effective technical assistance programmes in the various areas related to the
Agreement.  Speakers and participants invited included representatives from national and regional
bodies, as well as the following organizations:  ISO, IEC, FAO/CODEX, PASC, ILAC, IAF, UNIDO,
OIML, Inter-American Development Bank, Worl d Bank, ITC and OAS.  The discussion which
focused on the following four areas was practical and solution-oriented:  implementation and
administration of the Agreement;  international standards;  conformity assessment procedures;  and
capacity building.  It highlighted the real world challenges that developing countries faced in regard to
pursing both their rights and meeting their obligations under the Agreement.  Difficulties and needs ofdeveloping country Members were identified, possible solutions were suggested, and information
concerning the existing technical assistance programmes by donor countries and organizations was
provided.G/L/412
Page 14
ANNEX 2
IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLES 15.2 AND 10.1
OF THE AGREEMENT
(as of  10 November 2000)
Member Enquiry Point
(Notified)Notification under
Article 15.2
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina X G/TBT/2/Add.21 and Suppl.2
Australia X G/TBT/2/Add.8
Austria X G/TBT/ 2/Add.12/Rev.1
Bahrain X G/ TBT/2/Add.19
Bangladesh
Barbados X G/TBT/2/Add.48
Belgium X G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.1
Belize X
Benin X
Bolivia X G/TBT/2/Add.43 and Suppl.1
Botswana X
Brazil X G/TBT/2/Add.26
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria X G/TBT/2/Add.32
Burkina Faso
Burundi X
Cameroon X
Canada X G/TBT/2/Add.6
Central African (Rep.)
Chad
Chile X G/TBT/2/Add.16 and Suppl.1
Colombia X G/TBT/2/Add.18
CongoG/L/412
Page 15
Member Enquiry Point
(Notified)Notification under
Article 15.2
Congo, Democratic Rep. of
Costa Rica X G/TBT/2/Add.51
Côte d'Ivoire X
Cuba X G/TBT/2/Add.13
Cyprus X G/TBT/2/Add.46
Czech Republic X G/TBT/2
Denmark X G/TBT/ 2/Add.12/Rev.1
Djibouti X
Dominica
Dominican Republic X
Ecuador X
Egypt X G/TBT/2/Add.34
Estonia X G/TBT/2/Add.58
El Salvador X
European Communities X G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.1
Fiji X
Finland X G/TBT/ 2/Add.12/Rev.1
France X G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.1
Gabon
Gambia
Georgia X
Germany X G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.1
Ghana X
Greece X G/TBT/ 2/Add.12/Rev.1
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea, Rep. of
Guinea Bissau
GuyanaG/L/412
Page 16
Member Enquiry Point
(Notified)Notification under
Article 15.2
Haiti
Honduras X G/TBT/2/Add.50
Hong Kong, China X G/TBT/2/Add.1
Hungary X G/TBT/2/Add.41
Iceland X G/TBT/2/Add.55
India X G/TBT/2/Add.56
Indonesia X G/TBT/2/Add.3
Ireland X G/TBT/ 2/Add.12/Rev.1
Israel X
Italy X G/TBT/ 2/Add.12/Rev.1
Jamaica X G/TBT/2/Add.57
Japan X G/TBT/2/Add.10
Jordan X G/TBT/2/Add.61
Kenya X
Korea X G/TBT/2/Add.28
Kuwait
Kyrgyz Republic X G/TBT/2/Add.59
Latvia X G/TBT/2/Add.52
Lesotho
Liechtenstein X G/TBT/2/Add.36
Luxembourg X G/TB T/2/Add.12/Rev.1
Macau X G/TBT/2/Add.30
Madagascar
Malawi X
Malaysia X G/TBT/2/Add.9
Maldives
Mali X
Malta X
MauritaniaG/L/412
Page 17
Member Enquiry Point
(Notified)Notification under
Article 15.2
Mauritius X G/TBT/2/Add.40
Mexico X G/TBT/2/Add.14
Mongolia X G/TBT/2/Add.44
Morocco X G/TBT/2/Add.39
Mozambique X
Myanmar X
Namibia X G/ TBT/2/Add.42
Netherlands X G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.1
New Zealand X G/TBT/2/Add.24
Nicaragua X
Niger X
Nigeria X G/ TBT/2/Add.20
Norway X G/TBT/2/Add.15/Rev.1
Oman
Pakistan X G/TBT/2/Add.45
Panama X G/TBT/2/Add.53 + Corr.1
Papua New Guinea X
Paraguay
Peru X G/TBT/2/Add.29
Philippines X G/TBT/2/Add.11
Poland X G/TBT/2/Add.31/Rev.1
Portugal X G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.1
Qatar
Romania X G/TBT/2/Add.17 and Corr.1
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia X G/TBT/2/Add.37
Saint Vincent & Gren.
SenegalG/L/412
Page 18
Member Enquiry Point
(Notified)Notification under
Article 15.2
Sierra Leone
Singapore X G/ TBT/2/Add.25
Slovak Republic X G/TBT/2/Add.4
Slovenia X G/TBT/2/Add.5 and Suppl.1
Solomon Islands
South Africa X G/TBT/2/Add.60
Spain X G/TBT/ 2/Add.12/Rev.1
Sri Lanka X G/TBT/2/Add.27
Suriname
Swaziland X G/TBT/2/Add.35
Sweden X G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.1
Switzerland X G/TBT/2/Add.7
Tanzania X
Thailand X G/TBT/2/Add.38
Togo
Trinidad and Tobago X G/TBT/2/Add.47
Tunisia X G/TBT/2/Add.22
Turkey X G/TBT/2/Add.33
Uganda X G/TBT/2/Add.23
United Arab Emirates X
United Kingdom X G/TBT/2/Add.12/Rev.1
United States X G/TBT/2/Add.2
Uruguay X G/ TBT/2/Add.54
Venezuela
Zambia X
Zimbabwe X G/TBT/2/Add.49
TOTAL MEMBERS = 139 103 77G/L/412
Page 19
ANNEX 3
DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON PROCEDURES FOR
NOTIFICATION AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE∗
I. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
1. Format and Guidelines
Background and purpose
The procedures for notification under the Agreement have been kept under constant review by
the Committee.  In order to ensure a uniform and efficient operation of these procedures the
Committee agreed on the following format and guidelines.
Recommendation
(a) Information contained in the notification form should be as complete as possible and
no section should be left blank.  Where necessary, "not known" or "not stated" should
be indicated.
(b) Notifications may be transmitted by electronic mail to the WTO Central Registry of
Notifications (CRN):  crn@wto.org
Decisions Relating to the Information to be Provided in the Notifications Format
Note:  The numbers below correspond to the relevant boxes of the notification form (G/TBT/Notif.)
Item Description
1. Member to Agreement notifying G overnment, including the competent
authorities of the European Communities, which hasacceded to the Agreement and which is making thenotification;if applicable, name of local government involvedArticles 3.2 and 7.2).
2. Agency responsible Body elaborating a proposal for or promulgating a
technical regulation or procedures for assessment of
conformity.  The authority or agency designated to
handle comments regarding the specific notificationshall be indicated if different from above.
∗ Changes to Decisions and Recommendations contained in G/TBT/1/Rev.6 are highlighted.G/L/412
Page 20
Item Description
3. Notified under Relevant provision of the Agreement:
Article 2.9.2:  proposed technical regulation by centralgovernment body,Article 2.10.1:  technical regulation adopted for urgentproblems by central government body,
Article 3.2:  proposed technical regulation or technical
regulation adopted for urgent problems by localgovernment (on the level directly below that of thecentral government),Article 5.6.2:  proposed procedures for assessment of
conformity by central government body,
Article 5.7.1:  conformity assessment  procedureadopted for urgent problems by central governmentbody,
Article 7.2:  proposed procedure for  assessment ofconformity  or conformity assessment procedureadopted for urgent problems by local government (on
the level directly below that of the central
government),Other Articles under which notification can arise incases of urgency set out in those Articles are:Article 8.1:  adopted procedures for assessment ofconformity by non-governmental body,
Article 9.2:  adopted procedures for assessment of
conformity by international or regional organization.
4. Products covered HS or CCCN (chapter or heading and
number) where applicable.  National tariff heading ifdifferent from HS or CCCN.  ICS numbers may beprovided in addition, where applicable.  A cleardescription is important for an understanding of thenotification by delegations and translators.
Abbreviations should be avoided.
5. Title and number of pages Title of the proposed or adopted technical regulation
or procedure for the assessment of conformity that isnotified.  Number of pages in the notified document.The language(s) in which notified documents areavailable. If a translation of the document is planned,this should be indicated.  If a translated summary is
available, this too should be indicated.
6. Description of content An abstract of the proposed or adopted technical
regulation or procedures for assessment of conformity
clearly indicating its content.  A clear
comprehensible  description stating the main
features of the proposed or adopted technical
regulation or procedu res for assessment of
conformity is important for an understanding of the
notification by delegations and translators.
Abbreviations should be avoided.
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature  of
urgent problems where applicableFor instance:  health, safety, national security, ... etc.G/L/412
Page 21
Item Description
8. Relevant documents (1) Publication where notice appears, including date
and reference number;  (2) Proposal and basicdocument (with specific reference number or otheridentification) to which proposal refers;(3) Publication in which proposal will appear when
adopted;
(4) Whenever practicable, give reference to relevantinternational standard.If it is necessary to charge for documents supplied,this fact should be indicated.
9. Proposed dates of adoption and entry into force The date when the technical regulation or procedures
for assessment of conformity is expected to be
adopted, and the date from which the requirements inthe technical regulation or procedures for assessmentof conformity are proposed or decided to enter intoforce, taking into consideration the provisions ofArticle 2.12.
10. Final date for comments The date by which Members may submit comments in
accordance with Articles 2.9.4, 2.10.3, 3.1 (in relationto 2.9.4 and 2.10.3), 5.6.4, 5.7.3 and 7.1 (in relation to5.6.4 and 5.7.3) of the Agreement.  A specific dateshould be indicated.  The Committee has
recommended a normal time limit for comments on
notifications of 60 days.  Any Member which is ableto provide a time limit beyond 60 days is encouragedto do so.  Members are encouraged to advise of any
extension to the final date for comments.
11. Texts available from If available from national enquiry point, put a cross in
the box provided.  If available from another body,
give its address, e-mail, telex and telefax number.  If
available in a web-site, provide the web-site
address.   Such indications should not in any way
discharge the relevant enquiry point of itsresponsibilities under the provisions of Article 10 ofthe Agreement.G/L/412
Page 22
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/Notif.
(00-0000)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade
NOTIFICATION
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6.
1. Member to Agreement notifying:           
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):           
2. Agency responsible:           
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and web-site
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding
the notification shall be indicated if different from above:           
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [    ], 2.10.1 [    ], 5.6.2 [    ], 5.7.1 [   ], other:           
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):           
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:           
6. Description of content:           
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable:           
8. Relevant documents:           
9. Proposed date of adoption:
Proposed date of entry into force:           
10. Final date for comments:           
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [    ] or address , telephone  and fax numbers,
e-mail  and web-site addresses, if available  of the other body:            :G/L/412
Page 23
2. Length of time allowed for comments
Background
The Committee set the following time limits for presentation of comments on notified
technical regulations and procedures for assessment of conformity.
Recommendation
The normal time limit for comments on notifications should be 60 days.  Any Member which
is able to provide a time limit beyond 60 days, such as 90 days  is encouraged to do so,  and should
indicate this in the notification .
3. Monthly Listing of Notifications Issued
Background and purpose
With a view to provide a brief indication of the notifications issued, the Committee
agreed on the following procedure.
Decision
The Secretariat is requested to prepare a monthly table of notifications issued,
indicating the notification numbers, notifying Members, Articles notified under, productscovered, objectives and final dates for  comments.
4. Enhancement of Electronic Transmission of Information
Background and purpose
Enhancement of internet usage can facilitate access to and exchange of information by
Members.  This would also facilitate and provide the maximum time possible for receiving
notifications, obtaining and translating of relevant documents, and the presentation of
comments.  With a view to facilitate the access to information by Members, as well as to
strengthen the notification process, including  the time needed for the publication and
circulation of notification by the Secretariat , the Committee agreed on the following action.
Decision
Whenever possible Members should file no tifications by downloading, filling out and
returning the complete form by e-mail to the Secretariat.  The Committee will continue to
explore ways to shorten the time for the submission, publication and circulation of notifications,as well as to examine the steps that would be ne eded to facilitate the electronic transmission of
information among Members to complement  the hard copy information exchange.G/L/412
Page 24
II. PROCEDURES FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE
1. Regular Meetings
Background and purpose
In order to give Members the opportunity to discuss the activities and problems relating to
information exchange and to review periodically how well notification procedures work , the
Committee took the following action.
Decision
Regular meetings of persons responsible for information exchange including persons
responsible for enquiry points  and notifications will be held on a biennial basis.  Representatives of
interested observers will be invited to participate in such meetings.  The meetings will deal only with
technical issues, leaving any policy matters for consideration by the Committee itself.G/L/412
Page 25
ANNEX 4
DECISION OF THE COMMITTEE ON PRINCIPLES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF
INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS,  GUIDES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
WITH RELATION TO ARTICLES 2, 5 AND
ANNEX 3 OF THE AGREEMENT
1. The following principles and procedures should be observed, when international standards,
guides and recommendations (as mentioned under Articles 2, 5 and Annex 3 of the TBT Agreement
for the preparation of mandatory technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures and
voluntary standards) are elaborated, to ensure transparency, openness, impartiality and consensus,effectiveness and relevance, coherence, and to address the concerns of developing countries.
2. The same principles should also be observe d when technical work or a part of the
international standard development is delegated under agreements or contracts by international
standardizing bodies to other relevant organizations, including regional bodies.
B. T
RANSPARENCY
3. All essential information regarding current work programmes, as well as on proposals for
standards, guides and recommendations under consideration and on the final results should be made
easily accessible to at least all interested parties in the territories of at least all WTO MembersProcedures should be established so that adequate time and opportunities are provided for written
comments.  The information on these procedures should be effectively disseminated.
4. In providing the essential information,  the transparency procedures should, at a minimum,
include:
- The publication of a notice at an early appropriate stage, in such a manner as to
enable interested parties to become ac quainted with it, that the international
standardizing body proposes to develop a particular standard;
- the notification or other communication through established mechanisms to members
of the international standardizing body, providing a brief description of the scope ofthe draft standard, including its objective and rationale.  Such communications shall
take place at an early appropriate stage, when amendments can still be introduced and
comments taken into account;
- upon request, the prompt provision to members of the international standardizing
body of the text of the draft standard;
- the provision of an adequate period of time for interested parties in the territory of at
least all members of the international standardizing body to make comments in
writing and take these written comments in to account in the further consideration of
the standard;
- the prompt publication of a standard upon adoption;  and- to publish periodically a work programme containing information on the standards
currently being prepared and adopted.
5. It is recognized that the publication and communication of notices, notifications, draft
standards, comments, adopted standards or work programmes electronically, via the internet, whereG/L/412
Page 26
feasible, can provide a useful means of ensuring the timely provision of information.  At the same
time, it is also recognized that the requisite t echnical means may not be available in some cases,
particularly with regard to developing countries.  Accordingly, it is important that procedures are in
place to enable hard copies of such documents to be made available upon request.
C. OPENNESS
6. Membership of an international standardizing body should be open on a non-discriminatory
basis to relevant bodies of at least all WTO Members.  This would include openness without
discrimination with respect to the participation at the policy development level and at every stage of
standards development, such as the:
- proposal and acceptance of new work items;- technical discussion on proposals;- submission of comments on drafts in order that they can be taken into account;
- reviewing existing standards;
- voting and adoption of standards;  and- dissemination of the adopted standards.
7. Any interested member of the international standardizing body, including especially
developing country members, with an interest in a specific standardization activity should be provided
with meaningful opportunities to participate at all stag es of standard development. It is noted that with
respect to standardizing bodies within the territory of a WTO Member that have accepted the Code ofGood Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Appl ication of Standards by Standardizing Bodies
(Annex 3 of the TBT Agreement) participation in a particular international standardization activity
takes place, wherever possible, through one delegation representing all standardizing bodies in the
territory that have adopted, or expected to adopt, standards for the subject-matter to which the
international standardization activity relates.  This is illustrative of the importance of participation in
the international standardizing proce ss accommodating all relevant interests
D. 
IMPARTIALITY AND CONSENSUS
8. All relevant bodies of WTO Members should be provided with meaningful opportunities to
contribute to the elaboration of an international standard so that the standard development process will
not give privilege to, or favour the interests of, a particular supplier/s, country/ies or region/s.
Consensus procedures should be established that seek to take into account the views of all partiesconcerned and to reconcile any conflicting arguments.
9. Impartiality should be accorded throughout all the standards development process with
respect to, among other things:
- access to participation in work;
- submission of comments on drafts;- consideration of views expressed and comments made;- decision-making through consensus;G/L/412
Page 27
- obtaining of information and documents;
- dissemination of the international standard;- fees charged for documents;- right to transpose the international standard into a regional or national standard;  and- revision of the international standard.
D. 
EFFECTIVENESS AND RELEVANCE
10. In order to serve the interests of the WTO membership in facilitating international trade and
preventing unnecessary trade barriers, international standards need to be relevant and to effectively
respond to regulatory and market needs, as well as scientific and technological developments in
various countries.  They should not distort the global market, have adverse effects on fair competition,
or stifle innovation and technological development.   In addition, they should not give preference to
the characteristics or requirements of specific countries or regions when different needs or interestsexist in other countries or regions.  Whenever possible, international standards should be performance
based rather than based on design or descriptive characteristics.
11. Accordingly, it is important that international standardizing bodies:
- take account of relevant regulatory or market needs, as feasible and appropriate, as
well as scientific and technological developments in the elaboration of standards;
- put in place procedures aimed at identifying and reviewing standards that have
become obsolete, inappropriate or ineffective for various reasons;  and
- put in place procedures aimed at impr oving communication with the World Trade
Organization.
E. 
COHERENCE
12. In order to avoid the development of conflicting international standards, it is important that
international standardizing bodies avoid duplication of, or overlap with, the work of otherinternational standardizing bodies.  In this respect, cooperation and coordination with other relevant
international bodies is essential.
E. 
DEVELOPMENT DIMENSION
13. Constraints on developing countries, in particular, to effectively participate in standards
development, should be taken into consideration in the standards development process.  Tangible
ways of facilitating developing countries participation in international standards development should
be sought.  The impartiality and openness of any international standardization process requires that
developing countries are not excluded de facto  from the process.  With respect to improving
participation by developing countries, it may be appropriate to use technical assistance, in line withArticle 11 of the TBT Agreement.  Provisions for capacity building and technical assistance within
international standardizing bodies are important in this context.G/L/412
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ANNEX 5
INDICATIVE LIST OF APPROACHES TO FACILITATE  ACCEPTANCE OF
THE RESULTS OF CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT
A. MUTUAL RECOGNITION AGREEMENTS (MRA S) FOR CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT TO SPECIFIC 
REGULATIONS
1. Governments may enter into agreements which will result in the acceptance of the results of
conformity assessment originating in the territory of either party.
B. C O-OPERATIVE (VOLUNTARY ) A RRANGEMENTS BETWEEN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN
CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT BODIES
2. This includes arrangements among accreditation bodies as well as arrangements between
individual laboratories, between certificatio n bodies, and between inspection bodies. Such
arrangements have been common for many years and have been developed for the commercialadvantage of the participants.  Some of these agreements have been recognized by governments from
time to time as the basis for acceptance of test results and certification activities in the mandatory
sector.
C. T
HE USE OF ACCREDITATION TO QUALIFY CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT BODIES 
3. Accreditation bodies have been working towards harmonization of international practices for
accreditation of conformity assessment bodies.  This has resulted in the development of global
networks to facilitate recognition and acceptance of results of conformity assessment. These networks
take the form of multilateral recognition agreements or arrangements (MLAs) whereby each
participant undertakes to recognize the accreditation granted or certificates issued by any other party
to the agreement or arrangement as being equivalent to that granted by itself and to promote thatequivalence throughout its territory of operation.  There are international standards and guides for
such arrangements.
D. G
OVERNMENT DESIGNATION
4. Governments may designate specific conformity assessment bodies, including bodies located
outside their territories, to undertake conformity assessment.
E. UNILATERAL RECOGNITION OF RESULTS  OF FOREIGN CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT
5. A government may unilaterally recognize the results of foreign conformity assessment
procedures.  In this it may be guided by Article 6.1 of the TBT Agreement.  The conformityassessment body may be accredited abroad under recognized regional or international accreditation
systems.  In the absence of accreditation, the conformity assessment body may prove its competence
by other means.  On the basis of equivalent competence of the conformity assessment body, foreign
test reports and certificates are recognized unilaterally.
F. M
ANUFACTURER ’S / SUPPLIER ’S DECLARATIONS
6. A manufacturer's/supplier’s declaration of conformity is a procedure by which a supplier (as
defined in ISO/IEC Guide 22:1996, a supplier is the party that supplies the product, process or service
and may be a manufacturer, distributor, importer,  assembler, service organization, etc.) providesG/L/412
Page 29
written assurance of conformity to the specified requirements.  The declaration identifies the party
responsible for making the declaration of conformity and for the conformity of the
product/process/service itself.  Under this approach, the manufacturer/supplier, rather than the
regulatory authority, takes on the responsibility for ensuring that products entering a market comply
with the mandatory technical regulations.  Assessme nt may be undertaken either by the suppliers own
internal test facility or by an independent test facility.
7. This system is often predicated on:- adequate market surveillance;
- substantial penalties for false or misleading declarations;
- an appropriate regulatory environment; and- an appropriate product liability regime.G/L/412
Page 30
ANNEX 6
WORKING DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED BY MEMBERS AND PREPARED BY THE
SECRETARIAT IN RELATION TO THE SECOND TRIENNIAL REVIEW
Symbol Date Issued Title of Document
G/TBT/W/60 9 March 1998 Environmental Labels and Market Access:  Case Study
on the Colombian Flower-Growing Industry –
Contribution from Colombia
G/TBT/W/61 11 March 1998 Forests:  A National Experience – Contribution from
Canada
G/TBT/W/63 7 April 1998 Conformity Assessment Procedures:  Supplier's
Declaration of Conformity – Contribution from theUnited States
G/TBT/W/64 2 April 1998 Transparency in International Standards Development
– Contribution from the United States
G/TBT/W/70 23 June 1998 ISO/IEC Guides on Conformity Assessment - Note
from the European Communities
G/TBT/W/71 24 June 1998 National Experiences with Technical Regulations –
Contribution from Canada
G/TBT/W/72 and Rev.1 24 June 1998
29 September 1999A List of Relevant International Guides and
Recommendations Related to Conformity AssessmentProcedures - Note by the Secretariat
G/TBT/W/74, and Add.1 30 June 1998
10 August 1998TBT Agreement Code of Good Practice,
Paragraph J:  Publication of the Work Programmes of
Standardizing Bodies - Note from the EuropeanCommunities
G/TBT/W/75 and Rev.1 30 June 1998
17 June 2000Transparency in International Standards - Draft U.S.
Proposal for a Decision – Contribution from the U.S.
G/TBT/W/76 and Add.1 13 July 1998
1 October 1998A List of Members whose Local Government Bodies,
directly below the Central Government Level, areAuthorized to Adopt Technical Regulations or
Conformity Assessment Procedures - Note by the
Secretariat
G/TBT/W/79 3 September 1998 Autonomous Recognition of the Results of Foreign
Conformity Assessments – Communication fromSwitzerland
G/TBT/W/80 9 September 1998 Information Exchange in Relation to the Preparation,
Adoption and Application of Technical Regulations –Contribution from Thailand
G/TBT/W/81 9 September 1998 Information Exchange in Relation to the use of
International Standards, Guides and Recommendations– Contribution from Thailand
G/TBT/W/82 14 September 1998 Information Exchange in Relation to the Acceptance,
Implementation and Operation of the Code of GoodPractice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application
of Standards by Standardizing Bodies – Contribution
from Thailand
G/TBT/W/83 14 September 1998 Information Exchange on the Implementation of
Article 2.7 relating to Equivalency of TechnicalRegulation – Contribution from Thailand
G/TBT/W/84 9 September 1998 Information Exchange in Relation to the Operation and
Implementation of Notification Procedures underArticles 2, 3, 5 and 7 – Contribution from ThailandG/L/412
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Symbol Date Issued Title of Document
G/TBT/W/85 9 September 1998 Information Exchange in Relation to Members'
Experience in the Various Types of Conformity
Assessment Procedures – Contribution from Thailand
G/TBT/W/87 and Rev.1 14 September 1998
30 September 1999The Conditions for Acceptance and Use of
International Standards in the Context of the TBTAgreement – Note from the European Community
G/TBT/W/88 15 September 1998 Equivalency of Standards:  An Interim Measure to
Facilitate Trade in the Absence of RelevantInternational Standards – Note from New Zealand
G/TBT/W/93 24 September 1998 India's Experience on TBT Notification System and
Procedures for Information Exchange – Contributionfrom India
G/TBT/W/99 17 November 1998 National Experiences with Standards and Technical
Regulations – Contribution by Australia
G/TBT/W/103 25 January 1999 Tec hnical Barriers to the Market Access of Developing
Countries Background - Note by the Secretariat
G/TBT/W/110 8 June 1999 Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption
and Application of Standards by Standardizing Bodies
– Note from Thailand
G/TBT/W/111 8 June 1999 Conformity Assessment Procedures - Note from
Thailand
G/TBT/W/112/Rev.1 11 June 1999 Equivalency of Technical Regulations and Standards –
Note from Thailand
G/TBT/W/113 15 June 1999 Issues concerning International Standards and
International Standardization bodies - Submission fromJapan
G/TBT/W/118 14 September 1999 Code of Good Practice for the Accreditation
of conformity assessment bodies – Contribution from
Australia
G/TBT/W/121 and Corr.1 7 October 1999
9 December 1999Amendment of the TBT Agreement - Proposal by
Japan
G/TBT/W/124 22 December 1999 Implementation of Article 10.6 of the Agreement
on Technical Barriers to Trade – Note by the
Secretariat
G/TBT/W/132 29 March 2000 Factual Comparison between the Annex 3 of the
WTO/TBT Agreement - Code of Good Practice for thePreparation, Adoption and Application of Standards
and the ISO/IEC Guide 59 – Code of Good Practice for
Standardization – Note by the Secretariat
G/TBT/W/133 11 April 2000 Second Triennial Review of the Operation and
Implementation of the Agreement on TechnicalBarriers to Trade - Note from the EuropeanCommunity
G/TBT/W/136 19 June 2000 Implementation of the Transparency Obligations of the
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade
(as of 15 June 2000) - Note by the Secretariat
G/TBT/W/138 28 July 2000 Good Practice for the Acceptance of Results of
Conformity Assessment - Second Triennial Review of
the Agreement – Contribution from Australia
G/TBT/W/139 28 July 2000 Second Triennial Review of the Agreement
International Standards – Contribution by AustraliaG/L/412
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Symbol Date Issued Title of Document
G/TBT/W/140 28 July 2000 Brazilian Proposals to the Second Triennial Review of
the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade –Contribution from Brazil
G/TBT/W/142 4 August 2000 Results of the Workshop on Trade Facilitation,
Regulations and Standards:  the DevelopmentChallenge in Central America - Communication fromPanama
G/TBT/W/143 22 September 2000 Second Triennial Review of the Operation and
Implementation of the Agreement on Technical
Barriers to Trade - Note from Canada
G/TBT/W/144 2 October 2000 Issues concerning International Standards - Submission
by Japan
G/TBT/W/145 3 October 2000 Equivalency of Standards:  a Clarification of New
Zealand’s Proposal for Recognition of Equivalency as
an Interim Measure in the Absence of Relevant
International Standards – Communication from NewZealand
G/TBT/W/146 3 October 2000 Technical Assistance – Communication from
Cameroon
G/TBT/W/147 3 October 2000 Issues concerning Conformity Assessment –
Communication from Japan
G/TBT/W/148 1 November 2000 Equivalency - Experience Paper – Toys and Children's
Products Safety Ordinance – Communication from
Hong Kong, China
G/TBT/W/149 1 November 2000 Principles of coherence and singularity to be observed
by international standardizing bodies -Contribution from the European Communities
G/TBT/W/150 2 November 2000 Labelling - Submission from the European
Communities
G/TBT/W/151 7 November 20000 Brazilian Proposal on Technical Cooperation for the
Second Triennial Review of the WTO Agreement on
Technical Barriers to Trade – Submission from Brazil
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