RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/MA/SPEC/20
12 March 2002
(02-1267)
Committee on Market Access
DRAFT
PERIODIC REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO THE
COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS
1. The Committee met on 15 March 2002 and examined the following issues:
2. [The Committee took note of the factual information provided by the Members under current
waivers regarding the transposition into the Harmoni zed System (HS), the introduction of HS changes to
their schedules,  or the renegotiation of their schedu les. This information is summarized in Annex I of
this report.]
3. [The Committee examined the situation relate d to the submission of HS96 documentation set
out in document G/MA/TAR/2/Rev.27.]
4. [The Committee examined the situation related to the circulation of HS2002 documentation set
out in document G/MA/TAR/4]
5. [The Committee considered the draft waiver decision on the introduction of HS2002 changes to
schedules of concessions (G/MA/W/29)]
5. [With reference to the modalities and operation of the Integrated Data Base, the Committee
examined the status of IDB submissions on th e basis of the document G/MA/IDB/2/Rev.13. The
Secretariat presented an oral report on the stat us of processing of IDB submissions, use of IDB
information,  and the status of software development.]
6. [The Secretariat reported on the status of the Consolidated Tariff Schedules Database (CTS)
Project. The Committee addressed the question of the dissemination policy of the CTS Database
project]
7. [The Committee took note of the status of notifications under the Decision on Notification
Procedures for Quantitative Restrictions on the basis of a Secretariat documentG/MA/NTM/QR/1/Add.8]G/MA/SPEC/20
Page 2
8. [The Committee took note of the status of notifications under the Decision on Reverse
Notification of Non-Tariff Measures on the basis of a Secretariat document G/MA/NTM/W/3/Rev.1]
9. [The Committee took note of the tariff information available in the Secretariat as contained in
document G/MA/TAR/3/Rev.7.]
10. [The Committee was informed of the letter sent by the Chairman of the Committee on Trade
and Development (CTD) to the Chairperson requestin g that information be provided to the CTD on
any discussions or other developments relating to special and differential treatment taking place in theCommittee on Market Access.]
11. [The Committee agreed to postpone election of  the Chairperson for 2002 at its next meeting.]
The report will be completed in light of the discussion that will take place at the
Committee's meeting on 15 March 2002.G/MA/SPEC/20
Page 3ANNEX I
FACTUAL INFORMATION RELATING TO WAIVERS REQUESTED FOR THE PURPOSE OF
INTRODUCING HS 96 CHANGES TO SCHEDULES OF CONCESSIONS
Member Date of
original
waiverDate of
submission of HS
documentationN° of
extensions and
datesN° of Members
with which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been initiatedN° of Members with
which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been concludedStatus of
outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiationsOutlook for
concluding the
processRequest for a waiver
and draft decision
1. Argentina 13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/30
(16.10.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96
/30/Corr.1
(16.05.2000)Ten
18.07.1996
24.04.199722.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.1998
15.06.1999
04.11.199903.05.2000
08.12.2000
08.05.2001Four Two Still  need to
conclude
negotiations andconsultations with
the two remaining
Members- Requested 6 months.
G/L/528
G/C/W/- (to beissued)
2. Brazil 13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/36
(31.07.1997)
G/SECRET/HS96
/36/Corr.1
(16.10.1997)Ten
18.07.1996
24.04.1997
22.10.199724.04.1998
14.10.1998
15.06.199904.11.1999
03.05.2000
08.12.200008.05.2001Five Four The consultations
regarding the
introduction of
HS96 changes intoBrazil's schedule of
tariff concessions
are ongoing onlywith the European
Communities.
Brazil has providedresponses to specific
reservations.Brazil is convinced
that the process can
be concluded
expeditiously as
evidenced by its
request for a three-
month waiver.Requested 3 months.
G/L/511
G/C/W/348
G/SECRET/HS96
/36/Corr.2
(19.02.1999)
G/SECRET/HS96
/36/Corr.3
(24.04.2001)G/MA/SPEC/20
Page 4
Member Date of
original
waiverDate of
submission of HS
documentationN° of
extensions and
datesN° of Members
with which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been initiatedN° of Members with
which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been concludedStatus of
outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiationsOutlook for
concluding the
processRequest for a waiver
and draft decision
3. El Salvador 18.07.1996 G/SECRET/HS96
/44
(01.05.2000)
G/SECRET/HS96
/44/Corr.1(12.02.2002)Nine
24.04.1997
22.10.199724.04.1998
14.10.1998
15.06.199904.11.1999
03.05.2000
08.12.200008.05.2001Three Two El Salvador should
respond to the
United States inrespect of certain
tariff lines.Hopes to conclude
before the expiry of
the time-limit of the
requested waiver.Requested 6 months.
G/L/514
G/C/W/350
4. Iceland 13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/38(10.06.1997)
G/SECRET/HS96
/38/Corr.1
(26.11.1997)
G/SECRET/HS96
/38/Add.1
(29.01.1999)Ten
18.07.199624.04.1997
22.10.1997
24.04.199814.10.1998
15.06.1999
04.11.199903.05.2000
08.12.2000
08.05.2001Two One Iceland needs to
concludeconsultations and
negotiations with the
EuropeanCommunities.Iceland is convinced
that the consultations
and negotiations with
the European
Communities will beconcluded within the
next weeks.Requested 6  months.
G/L/510G/C/W/347
5. Israel 13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/26
(08.10.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96
/26/Add.1(05.03.1999)
G/SECRET/HS96
/26/Add.1/Corr.1
(06.07.2000)Ten
18.07.1996
24.04.199722.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.199815.06.1999
04.11.1999
03.05.200008.12.2000
08.05.2001Four Three Israel has just
responded to
questions from theEC and is awaiting
their remarks.Israel will do its best
to complete the whole
process before 30
April 2002.
However, if this is not
possible, it will most
certainly finish the
procedure by 31
October 2002.Requested 6 months.
G/L/513
G/C/W/349G/MA/SPEC/20
Page 5Member Date of
original
waiverDate of
submission of HS
documentationN° of
extensions and
datesN° of Members
with which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been initiatedN° of Members with
which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been concludedStatus of
outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiationsOutlook for
concluding the
processRequest for a waiver
and draft decision
6. Morocco 24.04.1998 G/SECRET/HS96
/47
(04.12.2000)
G/SECRET/HS96
/47/Add.1(28.03.2001)
G/SECRET/HS96
/47/Add.2
(28.05.2001)Six
14.10.1998
15.06.199904.11.1999
03.05.2000
08.12.200008.05.2001Four Two Morocco is in the
process of
negotiating with theEC. The US
reservation was
based on the lack ofconcordance tables
which have now
been submitted.- Requested 6 months.
G/L/512/Rev.1
G/C/W/358
7. Norway 13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/11
(24.01.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96
/11/Corr.1
(22.03.2001)Ten
18.07.1996
24.04.199722.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.1998
15.06.1999
04.11.199903.05.2000
08.12.2000
08.05.2001Six Five Consultations are
ongoing with one
Member.It is Norway's view
that the consultations
are likely to be
concluded within the
next six months.Requested 6 months.
G/L/519
G/C/W/355
8. Pakistan 24.04.1997 G/SECRET/HS96
/40
(10.12.1998)Eight
22.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.199815.06.1999
04.11.1999
03.05.200008.12.2000
08.05.2001Three Two One outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiations with the
US is still being
examined in capital.
The reservation
made by the US
dates back to 1995
and the specific
concern was notified
on 1 February 2001.Pakistan is hopeful
that the matter will be
resolved bilaterally at
the earliest.Requested one year
G/L/526
G/C/W/- (to be
issued.)G/MA/SPEC/20
Page 6
Member Date of
original
waiverDate of
submission of HS
documentationN° of
extensions and
datesN° of Members
with which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been initiatedN° of Members with
which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been concludedStatus of
outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiationsOutlook for
concluding the
processRequest for a waiver
and draft decision
9. Panama 24.04.1998 G/SECRET/HS96
/48
(04.04.2001)
G/SECRET/HS96
/48/Add.1(to be issued)Six
14.10.1998
15.06.199904.11.1999
03.05.2000
08.12.200008.05.2001Four Members
have placed
reservations.- - Panama is taking the
necessary formal
steps to adopt the
executive decrees
required for the
introduction of
changes to a portion
of its tariff lines;
changes which are
resulting from the
introduction of the
Harmonized System
1996 version.Requested one year.
G/L/518
G/C/W/354
10. Paraguay 13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/29
(23.10.1996)Ten
18.07.1996
24.04.199722.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.1998
15.06.1999
04.11.199903.05.2000
08.12.2000
08.05.2001Four Two The US have
specified their
concerns.   The ECis awaiting the
notification of
corrections of some
tariff lines.Paraguay hopes to
conclude soon.Requested one year.
G/L/525
G/C/W/357
11. Switzerland 13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/10
(16.01.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96
/10/Corr.1
(08.12.2000)Ten
18.07.1996
24.04.1997
22.10.199724.04.1998
14.10.1998
15.06.199904.11.1999
03.05.2000
08.12.200008.05.2001Four Three Switzerland will
meet on 28.02.2002
at the expert-level
with the Memberwhich has a
reservation on the
Swiss Schedule-LIX.Depends on the
outcome of the
expert-level meeting.Requested 6 months.
G/L/523
G/C/W/356G/MA/SPEC/20
Page 7Member Date of
original
waiverDate of
submission of HS
documentationN° of
extensions and
datesN° of Members
with which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been initiatedN° of Members with
which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been concludedStatus of
outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiationsOutlook for
concluding the
processRequest for a waiver
and draft decision
12. Thailand 13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/17
(14.03.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96
/17/Rev.1(18.10.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96
/17/Rev.2
(27.11.2001)Ten
18.07.1996
24.04.199722.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.199815.06.1999
04.11.1999
03.05.200008.12.2000
08.05.2001Four Negotiations had
concluded with all
four Members.However,
negotiations have
been re-initiatedwith two of those
Members recently.Thailand is still
considering the
questions from thetwo Members.- Requested 6 months.
G/L/524
G/C/W/359
13. Venezuela,
Bolivarian
Republic of13.12.1995 G/SECRET/HS96
/12
(16.01.1996)
G/SECRET/HS96
/12/Rev.1
(07.11.1996)Ten
18.07.1996
24.04.199722.10.1997
24.04.1998
14.10.1998
15.06.1999
04.11.199903.05.2000
08.12.2000
08.05.2001Three Two One question
remains to be
resolved with theremaining Member.Hopes to conclude
before the time-limit
of the requested
waiver expires.Requested 6 months.
G/L/517
G/C/W/353G/MA/SPEC/20
Page 8
ANNEX II
FACTUAL INFORMATION RELATED TO THE EXTENSION OF WAIVERS
RELATED TO THE TRANSPOSITION OF SCHEDULES INTO THE HARMONIZED SYSTEM
Member Date of
original
waiverDate of
submission of HS
documentationN° of
extensions and
datesN° of Members
with which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been initiatedN° of Members with
which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been concludedStatus of
outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiationsOutlook for
concluding the
processRequest for an
extension and draft
decision
1. Nicaragua 26.01.1998 28.06.1995
G/SECRET/HS/3Thirteen:
09.12.1994
13.12.1995
18.07.199624.04.1997
22.10.1997
24.04.199814.10.1998
15.06.1999
04.11.199903.05.2000
08.12.2000
08.05.200131.10.2001Two One Nicaragua is keen to
complete these
negotiations as
rapidly as possibleand requests a
further extension ofthe waiver to do so.- Extension of 6
months requested
G/L/515
G/C/W/351G/MA/SPEC/20
Page 9Member Date of
original
waiverDate of
submission of HS
documentationN° of
extensions and
datesN° of Members
with which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been initiatedN° of Members with
which
Article XXVIII
negotiations have
been concludedStatus of
outstanding
Article XXVIII
negotiationsOutlook for
concluding the
processRequest for an
extension and draft
decision
2. Sri Lanka 08.11.1988 12.01.1990
SECRET/HS/26Twenty-four:
24.07.198916.07.1990
07.12.1990
01.07.199104.12.1991
20.07.1992
03.12.199219.07.1993
17.01.1994
21.07.199409.12.1994
31.08.1995
13.12.199518.07.1996
16.07.1997
22.10.199724.04.1998
14.10.1998
15.06.1999
04.11.1999
03.05.200008.12.2000
08.05.2001
31.10.2001Five Four Sri Lanka continues
to make every effortto conclude
negotiations under
Article XXVIII.The negotiations
with the United
States are stillcontinuing.Sri Lanka has had
bilateral negotiationswith the United
States. These
negotiations are stillcontinuing.  Hence to
conclude these
negotiations, SriLanka requires at
least one more
extension. Sri Lankaassures its trading
partners that every
effort will be made toconclude the
negotiations
satisfactorily, and inthe mutual interest of
all concerned, as soon
as possible.Extension of 6
months requested
G/L/516
G/C/W/352
__________