WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/W/198
17 March 2003
(03-1539)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:  English
TBT-RELATED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND CAPACITY BUILDING
Submission from Australia
I. INTRODUCTION
1. Australia’s program of technical cooperation and policy dialogue with developing countries
actively works to maximise their capacity to benefit from global and regional trading opportunities.Current trade-related assistance through Australia’s aid program totals A$240 million
1 including a
significant element with a technical barriers to trade (TBT) focus.
2. Australia’s TBT-related assistance focuses on the Asia Pacific region through bilateral and
regional programs. The assistance is needs-based. It is established on country-specific analyses ofpoverty and development needs and jointly developed partner country strategies.
3. The stage of development of the standards and conformity assessment systems in partner
countries tends to reflect their general level of economic and industrial development and in turn has a
bearing on the efficacy of their technical regulation regimes.  In order to maximise sustainability,Australia’s TBT-related assistance is carefully targeted and sequenced to ensure it is appropriate to
the needs of partner countries.
II. REGIONAL COOPERATION
4. A substantial portion of Australia’s TBT-assistance is developed on a regional basis, directly
supporting:
(i) ASEAN’s priorities in this area, partic ularly those of the ASEAN Consultative
Committee on Standards and Quality (ACCSQ)
(ii) APEC’s trade liberalisation and facilitation agenda
(iii) Pacific Forum Island Countries’ development of a Regional Trade Facilitation
Program.
A. ASEAN
Background
5. Australia’s support for ASEAN on TBT-related issues commenced in 1974 when the
ASEAN-Australia Economic Cooperati on Program (AAECP) was established.
6. Over the past thirty years there has been significant cooperation between Australian standards
and conformity assessment organisations and their ASEAN counterparts. Assistance has been
                                                     
1 Includes all current trade related assistance at 2002-03 regardless of each program’s commencement
or end date.  Does not include any trade-related assistance program that finished prior to 2002-03.G/TBT/W/198
Page 2
provided principally through training in Australia and attachment of Australian experts to
ASEAN counterpart institutions. The formation of Specialist Regional Bodies in Asia Pacific has
further assisted this cooperation.
7. In 1996, ASEAN and Australia and New Zealand (through the Closer Economic Relations -
CER) signed a Memorandum of Understandin g Concerning Cooperation on Standards and
Conformity Assessment to encourage and promote cooperation on standards and conformity
assessment in:
(i) measurement standards;
(ii) legal metrology;(iii) documentary standards development;(iv) accreditation of testing and inspection bodies;  and(v) accreditation of certification bodies
8. Regular meetings have been held between ACCSQ and CER counterparts to consider
progress and implementation of the Action Plan de veloped under the MOU.  Under the ACCSQ-CER
Action Plan, 58 projects have been identified, which include 24 projects coordinated by ACCSQ-CER
and 34 under the Regional Bodies.  At the Tenth ACCSQ-CER Meeting held in Bali, Indonesia on
17 August 2000, it was noted that out of 24 projects coordinated by ACCSQ-CER, 7 projects weresuccessfully completed.
Current Assistance
9. A new 3 year A$45 million ASEAN Australia Development Cooperation Program (AADCP)
will address a range of priorities including agricultural pest, disease and safety issues, food qualitystandards, standards and conformity assessment and customs harmonisation and strengthening.
10. A major goal of AADCP is to strengthen ASEAN’s economic integration by facilitating the
free flow of intra-ASEAN trade through the elimin ation of TBTs by adopting a harmonised system of
standard and conformity assessment.  Australian assistance is directed at facilitating the developmentof legal, institutional, physical and technical capabilities and capacities - particularly the new ASEAN
members - and to identify, design, adopt and manage a harmonised standard and conformity
assessment system.  Partner governments, farmers, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and
micro industries are all targets of this program.
B. APEC
Background and Current Assistance
11. As the pre-eminent forum for regional economic cooperation, Asia Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) has played a strong role in supporting trade liberalisation and facilitation.
Australia’s APEC Support Program was establis hed in 1995 to support APEC member developing
economies to participate effectively in APEC fora and activities.
12. Since the commencement of the APEC Support Program, 160 small scale activities worth
A$18 million have been approved for 13 APEC member economies by various Australian government
agencies and statutory authorities.  A significant number of TBT-related activities have been delivered
under this program with the most common methodology being training, including workshops, courses,on-the-job training, attachments or exchanges.  S upport under this program continues with assistance
of A$2.7 million per annum.G/TBT/W/198
Page 3
C. PACIFIC
Background and Current Assistance
13. Pacific Island countries face particular difficulties adapting their economies to take advantage
of increased global trade and economic integration.  They are small and remote from markets andexhibit systemic institutional problems.
14. One mechanism to address these difficulties is the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic
Relations (PACER), an umbrella economic part nership agreement between all Pacific Forum
members.  It entered into force in October 2002 and provides for the future trade integration of
members.  As part of its PACER obligations, Australia will provide an initial $150,000 to develop a
Regional Trade Facilitation Program.  The program will assist Pacific Forum Island Countries in areasof customs, quarantine and standards and conformance, which will therefore help to reduce technical
barriers to trade.
III. BILATERAL COOPERATION
15. Australia provides substantial TBT-related assistance on a bilateral basis. In addition to
bilateral assistance provided through Australia’s aid program (Attachment 1), Standards Australia and
the National Authority for Testing Australia (NATA) also provide assistance including:
A. S
TANDARDS AUSTRALIA
(i) Sponsoring week-long secondments to Standards Australia for staff of partner
country counterpart bodies including Fiji, Colombia, Mongolia and Zimbabwe
(ii) Providing trainers for APEC courses
(iii) Conducting a workshop in Thailand for developing on National and International
Standardization.
B. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TESTING AUTHORITIES AUSTRALIA
(iv) Through the Asia Pacific Laborator y Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC):
• Conducted a study tour to survey APLAC member needs
• Attachment training for staff from developing country accreditation bodies
• “Training the trainer” for courses related to laboratory accreditation
• APLAC proficiency testing programs
• Development of a web-based tr aining program on ISO/IEC/ 17025
• Study tour to promote APLAC Mutual Recognition Agreements to regulators
in the APEC region
(v) Short-term consultancies to accreditation bodies in partner countries.G/TBT/W/198
Page 4IV. ATTACHMENTS - Attachment 1 outlines Australia’s current TBT-related assistance .
AUSTRALIA'S AID PROGRAM: CURRENT ASSISTANCE ON TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE*
Country/ies Activity Name Activity DescriptionDate
CommencedDate of
Completion
(estimated)Total
Approval
($AUD)
Regional Programs
Overall Activity
ASEAN**Australian - ASEAN
Development Cooperation
Program (AADCP)
Program StreamThe Program Stream goals are 1. Economic Integration - to
assist ASEAN to integrate into one market for goods, services
and investment, and 2. Enhancing Competitiveness -
development of a competitive private and small/mediumenterprise sector focusing on the quality and safety of food,agricultural and industrial products.2002 2005 20,920,000
TBT-Related Sub Activities
ASEAN  Strengthening Quality Assurance Systems 2002 2005 1,670,000
ASEAN  Strengthening Quality Assurance and Safety of Fish and
Fishery Products, Processing and Packaging2002 2005 1,020 000
ASEAN  Strengthening ASEAN Capability in Risk Assessment in
Support of Food Safety Measures2002 2005 650,000
ASEAN  Strengthening ASEAN standards and conformity assessment 2002 2005 1,780,000
Overall Activity
ASEANAADCP Regional
Economic Policy Support
Facility (REPSF)The ASEAN Australia Development Cooperation Program
(AADCP) Regional Economic Policy Support aims to provide
a flexible and responsive mechanism to promote partnershipsbetween Australian and ASEAN entities to undertake regionaldevelopment and economic cooperation activities based onthe concept of mutual interest and benefit.2000 2006 9,000,000
TBT-Related Sub Activities
ASEAN  Research activity – Liberalization & Harmonization of
ASEAN Telecommunications2002 2003 250,000
ASEAN  Research activity – preparing ASEAN for Open Sky. 2002 2003 250,000
Overall Activity
APEC APEC Support ProgramThe APEC Support Program objective is to support small,
high-impact requests from Australian Governmentdepartments and statutory authorities (including universities)for assistance aimed at supporting developing membereconomy participation in APEC.1996 2003 18,715,681G/TBT/W/198
Page 5TBT-Related Sub Activities
VIETNAMCSIRO Division of
Applied Physics:
International Recognitionof the National Standardsof Measurement inVietnamThe objective of this proposal is to gain international
recognition for the national measurement standards of
Vietnam.Jul-1996 Jun-1997 199,802
PHILIPPINESCSIRO Division of
Applied Physics:
International recognition
of the national standardsof measurement of thePhilippinesProject to develop the basis for international recognition of
selected national standards of measurement of the
Philippines.Oct-1996 Jul-1997 194,833
CHINA Department of Industry,
Science and Tourism:Australia-China
Laboratory Assessor
Training ProgramThis activity consists of two courses training 40 laboratory
assessors to assess laborator ies in accordance with accepted
international standards with a view to strengthening the
implementation of measurement standards.Jun-1996 Jul-1996 25,134
INDONESIA,
PHILIPPINES,THAILAND,MALAYSIA,
CHINA AND
VIETNAM Australia New Zealand
Food Authority: Advisoryservices to developingAPEC countries on food
regulatory matters –
feasibility studyThe activity consists of a feasibility study to investigate
providing advisory services to other countries in the region,with a view to such services becoming operational inapproximately 2-3 years. The study will cover areas such as
food regulation, legislative framework, food law enforcement,
technical and administrative infrastructure, standardsrequirements and food hygiene arrangements.Dec-1996 Aug-1997 135,231
THAILAND Therapeutic Goods
Administration: Trainingprogram in Australia forGMP inspectors from the
Thai Ministry of Public
HealthIntensive technical training course aimed at developing the
practical skills in auditing of industry manufacturing practicesof five senior Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) inspectorsfrom Thailand. The training is aimed at providing the
technical capability to enforce compliance with standards of
manufacturing sufficient to ensure safe production ofpharmaceutical products in Thailand.Feb-1996 Mar-1997 51,400
REGIONALCSIRO – Division of
Building , Constructionand Engineering:Alignment of Structural
Loading Standards for
Building Design andConstruction in APECCountriesProfessional Collaboration between structural engineering
experts in the region aimed at the alignment of structuralloading codes (for building design) and the creation of a set ofagreed guidelines on which to base draft model codes.Mar-1997 Sep-1998 60,000G/TBT/W/198
Page 6
THAILAND,
VIETNAM CSIRO – Division of
Building , Construction
and Engineering:Alignment of StructuralLoading Standards forBuilding Design andConstruction in APEC
CountriesObjectives of the activity are to develop uniform regulations
governing the durability of components used in building and
infrastructure, and to develop uniform and accurateperformance based test methods for corrosion resistance todemonstrate compliance with standardsJun-1998 Jul-1998 156,000
INDONESIA,
PHILIPPINES,THAILAND,MALAYSIA ANDVIETNAM National Standards
Authority:  Workshop forASEAN Legal MetrologyAuthorities onModernisation of LegalMetrology SystemsConduct a one-day workshop for ASEAN Legal Metrology
authorities on modernisation of legal metrology systems(legislative and administrative framework ).Jul-1997 Jul-1997 20,400
PHILIPPINES CSIRO – National
Measurement Laboratory
(NML): InternationalRecognition of theNational Standards ofMeasurement of the
Philippines 1997-98The proposal is to develop the basis for the international
recognition of selected standards of measurement for the
Philippines. NML seeks to assist the Philippines to developtechnical capabilities in the areas of dimensional metrology,temperature, electrical (DC resistance, viscosity and mass)and to demonstrate competence through participation in
bilateral comparisons.Jul-1997 May-2000 199,559
INDONESIA,
PHILIPPINESAND CHINA CSIRO Division of
Building, Constructionand Engineering:Harmonisation ofStructural LoadingStandards for Building
Design and Construction
in APEC CountriesProject to identify key loadin g experts in selected APEC
economies, conduct a workshop with their participation tosurvey current loading requirements and create a frameworkfor a model loading standard in the regionMar-1996 Jan-1997 54,100
INDONESIA,
VIETNAM,CHINA, PNG,PHILIPPINESAND THAILAND.National Standards
Commission:  Train theTrainer Course for theVerification andReverification of Non-
automatic weighing
instrumentsTo have regionally consistent training for trade measurement
inspectors in the use of electronic measuring/weighingdevices throughout the ASEAN and APEC region.Expectation: Establishment of highly competent trademeasurement inspectors which will assist in the
harmonisation of legal metrology systems throughout the
ASEAN and APEC region.Dec-1997 Oct-1999 171,008
INDONESIA,
PHILIPPINESAND VIETNAMCSIRO Entomology:
Computer-assistedlearning to improvetraining standards in grain
storage management in
APEC countriesDevelop and conduct a training course on pest management
and store hygiene for grain store managers and staff in theAPEC region, integrating multi-lingual multimedia ComputerAssisted Learning (CAL) methods with conventional training
techniquesApr-1998 Mar-1999 187,379G/TBT/W/198
Page 7CHINADepartment Primary
Industries and Energy:
People’s Republic ofChina Wool TestingAccreditation ProjectAims to identify technical infrastructure needs and
development activities which would bring the current PRC
national laboratory accreditation program in line withinternationally recognised standards, through an appraisal ofthe current national laboratory accreditation programincluding their activities in  accreditation of calibration
laboratories.N/A N/A 65,500
VIETNAMCSIRO National
Measurement Laboratory
Develop InternationalRecognition of theNational Standards ofMeasurement of Vietnam1998/99The project aims to provide metrological training (in
Australia and Vietnam) for the staff of the Vietnam
Metrology Institute in order to improve the maintenance anddissemination of the physical standards of measurement inVietnam.  The effectiveness of the training will be assessedthrough independent inter-comparisons in selected fields ofmeasurement leading to participation in regional
comparisons.Jul-98 Feb-2000 94,481
VIETNAM, THE
PHILIPPINESAND THAILANDCSIRO Building
Construction &Engineering:Implementation of astrategy for harmonisation
of durability standards
and performance tests forcomponents andinfrastructure betweenTropical CountriesThis proposal plans to achieve harmonisation of APEC
housing durability standards through the development ofinternational standards that reflect the technical requirementsof sub tropical and tropical countries.  The proposal also aimsto assist in the development of a knowledge base and
performance based test methods for durability of components
in buildings that facilitate the application of internationalstandards in sub-tropical and tropical regionsJul-1998 Jul-1999 186,490
CHINA,
PHILIPPINES,
THAILAND AND
INDONESIACSIRO – DBCE
Harmonisation of
Structural Design and
construction in APECEconomiesThis proposal aims to bring together the members of the
Regional network on Loading Standards for Structures to
ensure continuing consensus on aligning regional standards to
international norms.Aug-98 Jun-2000 98,000
MALAYSIA,
PHILIPPINES,THAILAND ANDVIETNAMCSIRO National
Measurement Lab.International Recognitionof the Time & Frequency
Standards of Four APMP
LaboratoriesThis activity aims to gain international recognition of the time
and frequency standards of four APMP National Standardslaboratories.Feb-99 Feb-2000 161,456
CHINA,
INDONESIA,VIETNAM,PHILIPPINES
AND THAILANDNATIONAL
STANDARDSCOMMISSION  Train theTrainer courses for: 1)
Pattern Approval of Fuel
Dispensers and 2)Verification of FuelDispensersThe projects aims to develop, trial and present two train the
trainer courses, one for pattern approval and the other for theverification of the instrumentation to measure petrol, dieseland LPG in retail trade.  Workshops will take place in
Shanghai and will target participants from SE Asian APLMF
member economiesOct-99 Nov-2001 197,558G/TBT/W/198
Page 8
VIETNAM,
THAILAND AND
THEPHILIPPINESCSIRO-DBCE Expanding
the consensus for the
harmonisation ofdurability standards forinfrastructureThe project aims to hold a range of workshops in Vietnam,
Thailand and Indonesia in order to build a consensus for the
harmonisation of durability standards in building componentsbetween tropical countries.  The project aims to demonstrate
the feasibility and form of harmonised standards using draftcode and performance verification methods developed inprevious programs (also funded under the ASP).  The project
blends a range of activities other than the workshops
including demonstration facilities, a web site and ongoinginput into ISO standardsMay-99 Jun-2000 95,900
THAILAND CSIRO NML  Project to
develop the internationalrecognition of the nationalstandards of measurement
of Thailand 1999/2000This activity aims to provide training for personnel from the
Thailand National Laboratory as a basis for developinginternational recognition of the national standards ofmeasurement of Thailand and to demonstrate Thai
competence through participation in bilateral comparisons.
Areas of metrology targeted are AC impedance, Mass,Acoustics and Vibration.Jul-99 Jun-2000 194,020
CHINA, THE
PHILIPPINES,INDONESIA AND
VIETNAM CSIRO DBCE
Harmonisation ofStructural Loading
Standards for Building
Design and Constructionin APEC EconomiesThis activity proposes to conduct regional Workshops for
members of the CSIRO informal network that servicesSCSC/TG1 in its task of bringing ISO and APEC National
Standards into closer alignment.  The meetings are specialist
technical negotiations.  They will lead to specificrecommendations for adoption by APEC/SCSC/TG1.Sep-99 Mar-2002 83,181
ALL APEC
MEMBERECONOMIES Department
CommunicationsInformation TechnologyAustralia: NOIE -
Deployment of the
Mutual RecognitionArrangementManagementThis activity seeks funding support for the deployment of a
web-based management system for the MRA on ConformityAssessment in the area of Telecommunications equipmentmanufacturing.  Funding is sought to support the system for
an 18 month period while other sponsorship arrangements are
pursued.Oct-2001 Apr-2003 199,857
Other Activities
SOUTH PACIFICRegional Trade
Facilitation ProgrammeThe programme will assist Forum Island Countries with trade
facilitation in areas of Customs, Quarantine and Standardsand Conformance, which will reduce practical impediments
to tradeApr-2002 Jun-2005 150,000G/TBT/W/198
Page 9Bilateral Programs
CHINAEconomics & Foreign
Trade TrainingAssisting Chinese ministry staff learn about rights and
obligations arising from its prospective membership of the
World Trade Organisation, including implementation of theUruguay Round and subsequent agreements. The TBTagreement was one of a number of agreements addressed viaGATT/WTO education, development of foreign tradeimplementation capability, development of specific
agreement implementation, collaborative research projects
and development of training capability.1998 2003 7,646,865
CHINAEnquiry Point Exchange:
Hosting ChinesedelegationHosted a Chinese delegation for discussion, viewing and
technical exchange in establishing and maintaining effectivenational enquiry points for TBT and SPS.2002 2002  
Overall Activity
VIETNAMCapacity Building for
Agriculture and RuralDevelopment (CARD)Aims to enhance Vietnam's capacity for teaching and research
in this sector by supporting the development of productivepartnerships between educational, research and training
institutions in Vietnam and Australia.1999 2004 8,500,000
TBT-Related Sub Activities
VIETNAMPostharvest Education in
Vietnam: University ofSydneyCapacity building in the area of improving safety and quality
standards of horticultural products for domestic and exportmarketsJul-2000 Jun-2002 110,302
VIETNAMBiofertiliser inoculant
technology in Viet Nam:University of Sydney,
University of Western
AustraliaDeveloping technical infrastructure for quality assurance and
village production for farmers.Jul-2000 Jun-2003 178,358
VIETNAMCARD/Environmental
Standards, Assessmentand Monitoring:University of SydneyAn Integrated Approach to Strengthening Institutional
Infrastructure for Environmental Standards, Risk Assessment,Monitoring and Remedial Action for Pesticide Residues.Jul-2001 Jun-2003 322,650
Overall Activity
INDONESIAIndonesia-Australia
Government Sector
Linkages ProgramThe Government Sector Linkages Program (GSLP) aims to
promote sustainable development and economic growth in
Indonesia through support for joint development-oriented
activities which are planned and implemented by Governmentsector agencies in Australia and Indonesia.Feb-1996 Jun-2005 22,160,000
TBT-Related Sub Activities
INDONESIA  Collaboration on the regulation of medicines and medical
devices with Indonesian regulatory agency: TherapeuticGoods Administration (TGA)2002 2003 117,054G/TBT/W/198
Page 10 INDONESIA  Building Indonesia's Management Capacity in Marine
Mineral Resources and Environmental Standards for
Sustainability: Commonwealth Science Industrial ResearchOrganisation2002 2003 127,320
INDONESIA  Indonesia's Capacity Building in Oceans Management
(CSIRO) including the capacity to develop appropriatescience-based standards and regulations required to supportinstitutional and policy implementation arrangements:
Environment Australia (EA)2002 2003 57,910
INDONESIA  Establishment of National Integrated Food Safety System
Programs in Indonesia: Australian Government AnalyticalLaboratories (AGAL)2002 2003 249,250
INDONESIA  Australia and Indonesia inter-agency cooperation on
therapeutic goods regulation - phase 2: Therapeutic GoodsAdministration (TGA), Department of Health & Aged Care2001 2002 126,456
INDONESIA  Institutional strengthening of food safety initiatives in
Indonesia including developing simple food safety programs
for small and medium food industry; train and strengthen
inspection and auditing capabilities, assist the BadenStandardisasi National to develop competency basedassessment criteria in alignment with standards currentlybeing developed in Australia: Department of Industry,
Science & Resources Australian Government Analytical
Laboratories (AGAL)2001 2002 90,000
INDONESIA  Indonesia Perishables Cool Chain Project: Ensuring Food
Safety Standards in Transportation Department of Transport& Regional Services (DTRS)2001 2002 85,296
INDONESIA  Institutional strengthening of food safety initiatives in
Indonesia: Australian Government Analytical Laboratories(AGAL)2000 2001 125,250
INDONESIA  Food import labelling and composition guide - Bahasa
Indonesian version: Australian New Zealand Food Authority2000 2001 73,868
INDONESIA  Australia & Indonesia inter-agency cooperation therapeutic
goods regulation: Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)2000 2001 114,594
INDONESIA  Development of a strategy to improve Indonesia's
environmental management and maintainance ofenvironmental standards in mining capabilities: Departmentof Environment and Heritage2000 2001 125,650
INDONESIA  Training of Indonesian Government Marine Officers in the
conduct of ship inspection (Port State Control): Australian
Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)1999 2000 45,000
INDONESIA  Risk management training courses for food control purposes:
Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL)1999 2000 70,774G/TBT/W/198
Page 11INDONESIA  Laboratory based training courses for food control purposes -
2000: Australian Government Analytical laboratories
(AGAL)1999 2000 94,032
INDONESIA  Creation of an internet database of Australian quarantine and
food safety standards and regulations for Indonesian foodexporters: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry -Australia (AFFA)1998 1999 62,660
INDONESIA  Laboratory based training courses for food control purposes:
Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL)1997 1998 89,592
INDONESIA  Risk management training courses for food control purposes:
Australian Government Analytical Laboratories (AGAL)1997 1998 51,604
INDONESIA  General Policy Officer Exchanges/Secondments in areas of
standards: Department of the Environment1997 1998 25,000
PAPUA NEW
GUINEAPNG Agencies Support
Scheme (PASS):InternationalDevelopment LawInstitute Trade Law
CourseTrade Law Course covering issues relating to the WTO and
its agreements including the TBT Agreement2002 2002 30,000
* All activities completed prior to 2002/03 financial year are not included in table
** ASEAN Countries are Brunei Darussalam, Ca mbodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam
__________