. /.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/W/100
17 November 1998
(98-4590)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:  English
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES AND PROCEDURES FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE:
CANADIAN PROPOSALS AND COMMENTS REGARDING G/TBT/1/REV. 5
Submission by Canada
1. In order to clarify some of the decisions and recommendations adopted by the
TBT Committee since 1 January 1995, and to enhance notification and information exchangeprocedures, Canada proposes that a number of modifications and additions be considered for inclusion
in G/TBT/1/Rev.5:  Decisions and Recommendations Adopted by the Committee Since
1 January 1995 , under sections III ( Notification Procedures ) and IV ( Procedures for Information
Exchange).  These proposals arise from the participation of Canada's enquiry point in the
14 September 1998 meeting and workshop on procedures for information exchange.
I. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
A. F
ORMAT AND GUIDELINES
2. To ensure full consistency with the decision under Section III, Item 4:  Translation of
documents relating to notifications and address of body supplying the document, paragraph a), which
states:  “ When a translation of a relevant document exists or is planned, this fact shall be indicated on
the WTO TBT notification form next to the title of the document.  If only a translated summary exists,
the fact that such a summary is available shall be similarly indicated;" Canada proposes modifying
the last sentence under Item 1:  Format and Guidelines (Decisions), Item (v), “Title and number of
pages” (page 12 of G/TBT/1/Rev.5) as follows:
The language(s) in which notified documents , and summaries thereof,  are available
exist, or will be made available .
B. TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO NOTIFICATION AND ADDRESS OF BODY
SUPPLYING THE DOCUMENTS
3. Canada proposes amending the decision in paragraph (c) of point 4 (page 16 of
G/TBT/1/Rev.5) to read:
Members shall indicate under point 11 of the WTO TBT notification form the exact
address, e-mail address  , telephone and fax numbers of the body responsible for
supplying the relevant documents if that body is not the enquiry point.
4. With regards to notification procedures generally, Canada urges Members to present clear and
descriptive outlines of regulatory changes when  completing notification forms.  Providing such
information helps other Members to make reasonable assessments of the need for additional
information, in the absence of the full regulatory proposal.  Canada also considers it important thatG/TBT/W/100
Page 2
Members fully implement, and keep under review, the TBT Committee’s recommendations and
decisions on notification procedures, in an effort to improve consistency in the way regulatory
changes are notified.
C. PROCESSING OF REQUESTS FOR DOCUMENTATION
5. In order to improve procedures for the exchange of information between enquiry points,
Canada proposes that the recommendation in paragra ph (b) of point 5 (page 16 of G/TBT/1/Rev.5) be
amended as follows:
any request for documentation should be processed if possible within five working
days.  If a delay in supplying the documentation requested is foreseen, this should be
acknowledged to the requester, along with an estimate of when the documents can be
provided.
II. PROCEDURES FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE
A. HANDLING OF REQUESTS
6. Canada believes that acknowledging receipt of technical enquiries, as recommended by the
TBT Committee, is an important step in improving procedures for information exchange.  To further
enhance procedures for information exchange, we  suggest that the recommendation under point 5
(page 21 of G/TBT/1/Rev.5) be modified as follows:
An enquiry point should, without further request, acknowledge the receipt of the
enquiry , and advise the requester if the enqu iry has been forwarded to another
organization or body for response.
7. The Canadian Enquiry Point further suggests that Members might wish to give consideration
to developing mutually agreeable, voluntary service standards, which would establish acceptable
time-frames for acknowledging and providing responses to technical enquiries.
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