WORLD TRADE G/TBT/5
19November 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-5092)
Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
FIRST TRIENNIAL REVIEW OFTHE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF
THE AGREEMENT ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TOTRADE
I. INTRODUCTION
1. Article 15.4oftheAgreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade provides that"Not laterthan
theendofthethirdyearfrom thedateofentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement andattheendof
eachthree-year period thereafter, theCommittee shallreview theoperation andimplementation of
thisAgreement, including theprovisions relating totransparency, withaviewtorecommending an
adjustment oftherights andobligations oftheAgreement where necessary toensure mutual economic
advantage andbalance ofrights andobligations, without prejudice totheprovisions ofArticle 12.
Having regard, interalia, totheexperience gained intheimplementation oftheAgreement, the
Committee shall, where appropriate, submit proposals foramendments tothetextofthisAgreement
totheCouncil forTrade inGoods."
2. TheCommittee onTechnical Barriers toTrade conducted itsFirstTriennial Review ofthe
Agreement atitseighth, ninth, tenth andeleventh meetings heldon14February, 20June, 3October
and13November 1997(G/TBT/M/7-10). Submissions bydelegations forthepurpose oftheReview
arecontained indocuments G/TBT/W/36, 39,40,41,44,45,47andAdd. 1,48,50,51,53,54,
55and56.
3. TheCommittee reiterated theimportance oftheprevention andelimination oftechnical barriers
totradeandtheessential roleoftheAgreement infurthering theseobjectives. TheCommittee attached
specialimportancetothisFirstTriennialReview.Prioritywasgiventotheoperationandimplementation
oftheAgreement, including theprovisions relating totransparency, Article 11"Technical Assistance
toOtherMembers"andArticle12"SpecialandDifferentialTreatmentofDevelopingCountryMembers".
Bearing inmindtheHigh-Level Meeting onIntegrated Initiatives forLeast-Developed Countries 'Trade
Development, theCommittee noted thattechnical assistance activities oftheWTO should becoordinated
withother international intergovernmental organizations. Inthisrespect, special attention should also
begiventothedevelopmentofhumanandinstitutionalresources,inparticular,withrespecttoconformity
assessment procedures.
4. TheCommittee examined thestatus ofimplementation byMembers andassessed theextent
towhich theoperation oftheAgreement facilitated trade inallMembers, including thetrade ofsmall
andmedium sizeenterprises (SMEs). Theoverall viewwasthattheoperation oftheAgreement during
thefirstthree years ofitsexistence revealed thecapacity andpotential oftheAgreement toadvance
theobjectives ofGATT 1994, byensuring thattechnical regulations, standards andprocedures for
assessment ofconformity donotcreate unnecessary obstacles tointernational trade. TheCommittee
considered thatadjustment oftherights andobligations oftheAgreement andamendments toitstext
were notnecessary. TheCommittee noted however, thatcertain difficulties orproblems existed in
anumber ofareas regarding theoperation andimplementation oftheAgreement. Accordingly, theG/TBT/5
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Committee adopted anumber ofdecisions, recommendations andarrangements aimed atbetter operation
andimplementation oftheAgreement. Inaddition, theCommittee reiterated thatinaccordance with
Article 13.1, eachMember hadtheopportunity ofconsulting intheCommittee onanymatters relating
totheoperation oftheAgreement orthefurtherance ofitsobjectives.
II. ELEMENTS CONSIDERED UNDER THE REVIEW
A. Implementation andAdministration oftheAgreement byMembers under Article 15.2
5. Article 15.2provides that"Each Member shall, promptly afterthedateonwhich theAgreement
enters intoforce forit,inform theCommittee ofmeasures inexistence ortaken toensure the
implementation andadministration oftheAgreement". Relevant decisions taken bytheCommittee
concerning thecontents ofthesewritten statements asprovided forindocument G/TBT/1/Rev.4 cover,
interalia,thelegislative, regulatory andadministrative action taken asaresult ofthenegotiation of
theAgreement orcurrently inexistence toensure thattheprovisions oftheAgreement areapplied,
andinformation onmeasures andarrangements forthepurpose oftransparency. TheCommittee noted
thattheSingapore Ministerial Declaration attached highpriority tofullandeffective implementation
oftheWTO Agreement, andstated thatthose Members "which havenotsubmitted notifications in
atimely manner orwhose notifications arenotcomplete, should renew theirefforts". TheCommittee
reiteratedtheimportanceofMembersfulfillingtheirobligationsfortheimplementationandadministration
oftheAgreement, andurged them tosubmit theirstatements under Article 15.2inaccordance with
therequirements contained intherelevant decisions.
6. Attheconclusion oftheFirstTriennial Review, 58Members havesubmitted theirstatements.
TheCommittee considered thatthestatus ofimplementation wasnotsatisfactory. TheCommittee noted
thattheissue involved twoelements, namely thesubmission ofthestatements, andthearrangements
fortheimplementation andadministration oftheAgreement. Certain Members might facedifficulties
inproviding theinformation andneedclarification ofthenotification requirements. Certain Members
might alsoencounter difficulties andproblems regarding themeasures andarrangements toensure the
implementation andadministration oftheAgreement byrelevant authorities andnon-governmental
standardizing bodies. TheCommittee agreed thatanexchange ofinformation andexperience among
Members would helptoidentify suchproblems anddifficulties, andprovide assistance tothoseMembers
seeking it.
7. Inorder toensure thesubmission ofstatements under Article 15.2, andtoimprove the
implementation andadministration oftheAgreement, theCommittee agreed tothefollowing:
(a) Withdueconsideration totheobligations under Article 15.2toinform theCommittee
ofmeasures inexistence ortaken toensure theimplementation andadministration of
theAgreement, Members whohavenotsubmitted suchinformation areexpected to
dosowithout further delay. They areinvited toindicate anydifficulties andneeds
inthisrespect, sothattechnical assistance maybeprovided asappropriate; and
(b) forthepurpose ofinformation exchange, Members areinvited, onavoluntary basis,
tomake oralpresentations tofurther elaborate onthearrangements theyhaveinplace
toachieve aneffective implementation andadministration oftheprovisions ofthe
Agreement, including those under Article 12.Thisexercise would beauseful means
ofsharing information withrespect togoodpractices andinmeeting theneeds ofthose
Members thatmaybeseeking assistance.G/TBT/5
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B. Operation andImplementation ofNotification Procedures under Articles 2,3,5and7
8. Under Articles 2.9.2, 2.10.1, 3.2(inrelation toArticles 2.9.2 and2.10.1), 5.6.2, 5.7.1 and
7.2(inrelation toArticles 5.6.2 and5.7.1), notifications should bemade withrespect todrafttechnical
regulations andprocedures forassessment ofconformity prepared bycentral government bodies and
localgovernment bodies directly below thecentral government level. Inorder toensure auniform
andefficient operation ofthese provisions, theprocedures fornotification arekeptunder review by
theCommittee. TheCommittee recalled thattherelevant recommendations anddecisions, including
theinformation contained inthenotification form, timing ofnotifications, andhandling ofcomments
onnotifications werecontained indocument G/TBT/1/Rev.4. Itreiterated theimportance ofcompliance
withtherelevant provisions oftheAgreement, including Article 10.5, theagreed format andguidelines,
andstressed thattimely notification atthedrafting stage wasessential toensure transparency. The
Committee stressed theimportance oftheprovisions ofArticle 2.9.4 which provide that"Members
shallwithout discrimination, allow reasonable timeforother Members tomake comments inwriting,
discussthesecommentsuponrequest,andtakethesewrittencommentsandtheresultsofthesediscussions
intoaccount".
9. Withaviewtoensuring theefficient andeffective functioning ofthesetransparency provisions,
theCommittee agreed totherevised notification format attached. TheCommittee reiterated the
importanceofclearlyindicatingthecontentoftheproposedoradoptedtechnicalregulationorprocedures
forassessmentofconformityinaccordancewiththedecisiononnotificationprocedures(G/TBT/1/Rev.4).
TheCommittee stressed theimportance ofcomplying with therecommendation contained in
G/TBT/1/Rev.4thatthenormaltimelimitforcommentsonnotificationsshouldbe60days.AnyMember
abletoprovide atime-limit beyond 60daysisencouraged todoso.Based oninformation provided
byMembers,alistwillbepreparedbytheSecretariattoindicatethoseMemberswhoselocalgovernment
bodies, directly below thecentral government level, areauthorized toadopt technical regulations or
conformity assessment procedures. TheSecretariat shalldraw theattention ofdeveloping country
Members toanynotifications relating toproducts ofparticular interest tothem. TheCommittee will
examine anyproblems faced bydeveloping country Members intheimplementation oftheprovisions
regarding notification obligations sothattechnical assistance maybeprovided asappropriate.
C. Acceptance, Implementation andOperation oftheCode ofGood Practice forthePreparation,
Adoption andApplication ofStandards byStandardizing Bodies
10. Under Article 4oftheAgreement, "Members shall ensure thattheir central government
standardizing bodies accept andcomply withtheCode ofGood Practice ...They shall takesuch
reasonable measures asmaybeavailable tothemtoensure thatlocalgovernment andnon-governmental
standardizing bodies within theirterritories, aswellasregional standardizing bodies ofwhich they
oroneormore bodies within theirterritories aremembers, accept andcomply withtheCode ofGood
Practice".
11. Attheconclusion oftheFirstTriennial Review, 84standardizing bodies havenotified their
acceptance oftheCode. TheCode provides disciplines suchas,non-discrimination, transparency,
harmonization andavoidance ofunnecessary obstacles totrade. TheCommittee considered thatthe
status ofimplementation wasnotsatisfactory. Itnoted thattheproliferation ofstandards prepared,
adopted andapplied bystandardizing bodies which didnotfollow thedisciplines oftheCode could
haveapotentially adverse impact ontrade, eveniftheywerevoluntary. Thefailure ofstandardizing
bodies ofsome Members toaccept andcomply withtheCode undermined theeffectiveness ofthe
Agreement andthebalance ofrights andobligations between Members. TheCommittee reiterated
theimportance ofenhancing themaximum acceptance of,andcompliance withtheCode byall
standardizing bodies.G/TBT/5
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12. Inorder toimprove thetransparency, acceptance of,andcompliance withtheCode, the
Committee agreed tothefollowing:
(a) Members areinvited toshare theirexperience withrespect tothesteps taken tofulfil
theirobligations under Article 4andtoexchange information onthereasons whycertain
standardizing bodies asidentified inArticle 4.1havenotyetaccepted theCode;
(b) Membersshouldtakeappropriateactiontoinformstandardizingbodiesoftheprovisions
oftheCode andthebenefits theywould gainfrom accepting it;
(c) theCommittee willexamine anyproblems faced byMembers intheimplementation
oftheprovisions oftheCode, forexample, problems encountered inpublishing work
programs every sixmonths asrequired under paragraph J,sothatappropriate technical
assistance canbeprovided, ifnecessary;
(d) theSecretariat willdraw upalistofstandardizing bodies onthebasis ofinformation
provided byMembers forthispurpose; and
(e) without prejudice totheviews ofMembers concerning thecoverage andapplication
oftheAgreement, theobligation topublish notices ofdraft standards containing
voluntary labelling requirements under paragraph LoftheCode isnotdependent upon
thekindofinformation provided onthelabel.
13. Inaccordance withparagraph GoftheCode, withaviewtoharmonizing standards onaswide
abasis aspossible, theCommittee stressed inparticular theneedforstandardizing bodies toplaya
fullpart,within thelimits oftheirresources, inthework ofinternational standardizing bodies. In
accordance with paragraphs FandH,theCommittee alsostressed theimportance ofnational
standardizing bodies making every effort toachieve national consensus onthestandards theydevelop
andavoid duplication oroverlap ofwork withother standardizing bodies intheirnational territory,
orrelevant international orregional standardizing bodies. Furthermore, theCommittee stressed the
importance ofregional standardizing bodies making every effort toavoid duplication of,oroverlap
withthework ofrelevant international standardizing bodies. Inthisregard, theCommittee noted the
preference forinternational standardizing activities. TheCommittee agreed toseekinformation from
international standardizing bodies regarding theirprocedures toensure cooperation withtheirnational
members andregional standardizing bodies andtoconsider theusefulness ofcommunicating the
Committee 'sviews totherelevant international standardizing bodies.
14. TheCommittee recognized thatdivergent national standards existed indifferent Members to
achieve similar objectives, inparticular, ininstances where international standards didnotexist.
Members areinvited toexchange views onthereasons whynointernational standards existandon
whether andonhowtheconcept ofequivalency might apply inrelation tovoluntary standards. In
thisrespect, Members areinvited, onavoluntary basis, toexchange information ontheirexperience
intheimplementation ofArticle 2.7relating toequivalency oftechnical regulations.
15. BearinginmindthemoredetailedprovisionsoftheAgreementrelatingto"unnecessaryobstacles
tointernational trade" inthecontext oftechnical regulations, theCommittee agreed toexchange views
ontheconcept of"unnecessary obstacles tointernational trade" asgiven inparagraph EoftheCode.
16. Membersarealsoinvitedtoshareexperiencesondifficultiesassociatedwithvoluntarystandards,
andonthenature andreasons fordeviations fromrelevant international standards when standards are
drafted.G/TBT/5
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D. International Standards, Guides andRecommendations
17. TheCommittee reiterated theimportant contribution thatinternational standards canmake to
improve efficiency ofproduction, tofacilitate theconduct ofinternational trade, andtothetransfer
oftechnology fromdeveloped todeveloping countries. TheCommittee noted therights andobligations
under Articles 2.4,5.4andparagraph FofAnnex 3regarding theuseofrelevant international standards
orrelevant parts thereof asabasis fortechnical regulations, standards andconformity assessment
procedures. TheCommittee stressed theimportance ofcompliance withthese provisions. The
Committee alsonoted thatinaccordance withArticle 2.5whenever atechnical regulation "isin
accordance withrelevant international standards, itshall berebuttably presumed nottocreate an
unnecessary obstacle tointernational trade".
18. However, theCommittee noted thatdifficulties might beencountered inrelation totheuse
ofcertain international standards andthattrade problems could arisethrough, interalia,theabsence
ofinternational standards, ortheirnon-use duetopossible out-dated content. There wasaneedto
examine these difficulties aswellasthepotential trade effects arising from international standards.
Anexamination ofthese issues would alsoneedtotakeintoaccount theextent towhich thespecial
development, financial andtradeneeds ofdeveloping countries Members hadbeentaken intoaccount,
andthekindoftechnical assistance thatmight beneeded inthisrespect.
19. TheCommittee emphasised theimportance ofMembers playing afullpart,within thelimit
oftheirresources, inthepreparation byappropriate international standardizing bodies ofinternational
standards, asprovided forinArticle 2.6. This wasimportant toensure thattheinternational
standardizationprocesswasrepresentativeoftheinterestsandconcernsofallpartiesconcerned.Annex1
oftheAgreement defines aninternational body asabody whose membership isopentotherelevant
bodies ofatleastallMembers. TheCommittee noted however thatconcerns hadbeenexpressed by
certain Members, inparticular developing country Members, onthedifficulties theyencountered in
thisrespect. Inorder forinternational standards tomake amaximum contribution totheachievement
ofthetrade facilitating objectives oftheAgreement, itwasimportant thatallMembers havethe
opportunity toparticipate inthediscussions, elaboration andadoption ofinternational standards.
20. TheCommitteealsoreiteratedthatinthepreparationofinternationalstandards,itwasimportant,
interalia,thattrade needs were taken intoaccount along withtechnical progress, andArticle 12.6
concerning products ofspecial interest todeveloping country Members.
21. InordertoensurethatinternationalstandardizingbodieswereawareoftheconcernsofMembers
andconducted theiractivities inaccordance withtheobjectives oftheAgreement, andinorder toensure
thatrelevant information wascommunicated inatimely manner, closer cooperation between theWTO
andrelevant international standardizing bodies, aswell asamong officials andexperts in
non-governmental standardizing bodies atthenational levelwere essential.
22. Taking account oftheconsiderations outlined above, andwithaviewtodeveloping abetter
understanding ofinternational standards within theAgreement, theCommittee agreed:
(a) Toexplore waysandmeans ofimproving theimplementation ofArticles 2.6,5.5,11.2,
12.5andparagraph GoftheCode withaviewtoenhancing Members 'awareness of,
andparticipation in,thework ofinternational standardizing bodies. Asappropriate,
theCommittee willconsider theusefulness ofcommunicating itsviews totherelevant
international standardizing bodies fortheirconsideration;
(b) toinvite Members, onavoluntary basis, tosubmit specific examples totheCommittee
addressing thedifficulties andproblems theyencounter inrelation tointernationalG/TBT/5
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standards, including those mentioned inparagraph 18above, taking intoaccount
Article 12.4. Thisinformation exchange process, aswellastheindications obtained
through thenotifications ofdraftregulations andconformity assessment procedures,
would provide relevant information onthenational practices ofMembers, andonthe
manner inwhich international standardizing bodies developed standards. Inthelight
ofthisexperience sharing exercise, theCommittee mayconsider theusefulness of
communicating itsviews torelevant international standardizing bodies fortheir
consideration;
(c) toconsider theappropriate means fortheCommittee toexpress itsviews torelevant
international standardizing bodies regarding thepreparation ofinternational standards,
andtoinvite international standardizing bodies tofollow therelevant principles ofthe
Code ofGood Practice; and
(d) inaccordance withtherules ofprocedures oftheCommittee andonanadhocbasis
asagreed, relevant international standardizing bodies willbeinvited tomeetings of
theCommittee toenable themtotakeintoaccount theon-going discussions intheWTO,
andtoincrease Members 'awareness oftheactivities ofthese organizations. Relevant
internationalstandardizingbodieswillbeinvitedtoprovidepriorinformationconcerning
theiractivities.
E. Preparation, Adoption andApplication ofTechnical Regulations
23. TheCommittee recognized thatwhile nocountry should beprevented from taking measures
necessary tofulfil alegitimate objective asprescribed inArticle 2.2,technical regulations, because
oftheirmandatory nature, might create tradebarriers. TheCommittee reiterated thatgoodregulatory
practice forthepreparation, adoption andapplication oftechnical regulations wasapriority forMembers
tofacilitate trade. Inthisregard, theCommittee noted theimportance ofavoiding thepromulgation
ofnational technical regulations where theywere notnecessary, limiting them totheir specific
requirements and,inaccordance withtherelevant provisions oftheAgreement, aligning them with
international standards.
24. Inorder toassist theimplementation oftherelevant provisions oftheAgreement, theCommittee
agreed tothefollowing:
(a) When considering thepreparation ofatechnical regulation, itisimportant forMembers
firsttoidentifytherelatedproblem,includingitsmagnitudeandthelegitimateobjective;
andthenconsider alloptions available consistent withtheAgreement, bearing inmind
thatinaccordance withArticles 2.2and2.3atechnical regulation shallnotbemore
trade restrictive thannecessary tofulfil alegitimate objective, andshall notbe
maintained ifthecircumstances orobjectives giving risetoitsadoption nolongexist
orifthechanged circumstances orobjectives canbeaddressed inalesstrade-restrictive
manner.Ifatechnicalregulationisrequired,itshallcomplywiththerelevantprovisions
oftheAgreement, including Articles 12.3and12.7;
(b) toavoid duplication ofwork andtoensure effective implementation oftheAgreement,
coordination between governmental regulatory authorities, tradeofficials andnational
standardizing bodies isessential; and
(c) forinformation exchange, Members areinvited, onavoluntary basis, tosubmit
descriptions oftheirapproach totechnical regulations. TheCommittee willexamine
thevarious approaches tothepreparation, adoption andapplication oftechnicalG/TBT/5
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regulations andtheirconsequences formarket access, withaviewtoassisting regulatory
authorities through promoting awareness oftheir rights andobligations under the
Agreement.
F. Conformity Assessment Procedures
25. TheCommitteereiteratedtheimportanceoftheprovisionsofArticles5and6forthepreparation,
adoption andapplication ofconformity assessment procedures toavoid unnecessary obstacles to
international trade incases where apositive assurance ofconformity withatechnical regulation or
standard isrequired. Inparticular, theCommittee emphasized Article 5.1.2, requiring that"conformity
assessment procedures shallnotbemore strict orbeapplied more strictly thanisnecessary togive
theimportingMemberadequateconfidencethatproductsconformwiththeapplicabletechnicalregulations
orstandards, taking account oftherisksnon-conformity would create". TheCommittee alsoreiterated
Members 'rights andobligations under Article 6.1fortheacceptance oftheresults ofconformity
assessment procedures inother Members, andMembers 'obligations under Article 9toformulate and
adopt international systems forconformity assessment, wherever practicable. TheCommittee also
recalledthatunderArticle6.4,Membersareencouragedtopermitparticipationofconformityassessment
bodies located intheterritories ofother Members intheirconformity assessment procedures ona
non-discriminatory basis.
26. TheCommittee noted thegrowing concern withrespect totherestrictive effect ontrade of
multiple testing andconformity assessment procedures, andthattheprinciple of“onestandard, one
test"andifrequired "onecertification, onetime”should bepursued tofacilitate tradeandreduce costs.
TheCommittee noted thatthesupplier 'sdeclaration ofconformity wasrecognized assaving costs.
Atthesame timetheCommittee acknowledged thisprocedure wasnotappropriate inallcases,
particularly where technical infrastructure waslacking. Theprinciple relating torecognition ofresults
ofconformity assessment implied complex conditions concerning confidence intechnical competence
which, inmost cases, demanded anobjective bench mark. TheCommittee noted thataccreditation
wasmore widely usedasatooltodemonstrate thetechnical competence ofconformity assessment
bodies. Recognition ofresults ofconformity assessment could beachieved through different procedures
andapproaches which might havedifferent trade impacts.
27. TheCommittee noted thatthere wasanemerging interest inconcluding mutual recognition
agreements (MRAs) attheregulatory level byMembers onabilateral basis. Concerns hadbeen
expressed onpossible difficulties andproblems associated withMRAs, inparticular fordeveloping
country Members. They included those relating tocost,transparency, non-MFN nature, opportunity
toenter intonegotiations fortheconclusion ofMRAs, theneedtotakeintoaccount thequality ofthe
conformity assessment procedures rather thantheorigin oftheproduct, andefficiency andeffectiveness
ofMRAs tosolve problems ofmultiple testing andconformity assessment procedures.
28. TheCommittee reiterated theprovisions under Articles 5.4,6.1.1 and7regarding theuseof
relevant guides orrecommendations issued byinternational standardizing bodies. Theuseofcommon
procedures, suchasinternational guides, recommendations orstandards inrelation totheoperation
ofaccreditation, testing, inspection andcertification bodies would benecessary toachieve therequired
confidence among Members inthefieldofconformity assessment. TheCommittee noted thatrelevant
ISO/IEC Guides areuseful incontributing toimproving efficiency andfacilitating theconduct of
international trade. Italsonoted however thatdifficulties arestillfaced bycertain countries concerning
thepractical implementation ofanumber ofGuides. TheCommittee established aTechnical Working
Group toexamine certain ISO/IEC Guides onconformity assessment procedures andhowtheymight
contribute tofurthering theobjectives ofArticles 5and6oftheAgreement inorder toassist the
Committee toconsider ifitwished toadopt decisions andrecommendations regarding these Guides.G/TBT/5
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(G/TBT/M/6). Thediscussions oftheTechnical Working Group arereflected indocuments
(G/TBT/M/7-9).
29. Inorder tofurther theobjectives ofArticles 5and6,including inparticular theneedtoavoid
thecreation ofunnecessary obstacles tointernational trade duetoconformity assessment procedures,
andwithaviewtomaking recommendations toremove anyunnecessary duplication ofconformity
assessment, theCommittee agreed tothefollowing:
(a) TheCommittee willpursue further discussions onISO/IEC Guides. Members are
invited, onavoluntary basis, tocontinue providing information ontheirexperience
inusing relevant international guides andrecommendations onconformity assessment,
andtheextent towhich these guides andrecommendations haveserved asabasis for
therecognitionofconformityassessmentproceduresadoptedbybodiesintheirterritories
andinregional andinternational conformity assessment systems, orasaharmonized
approach toconformity assessment. Inthelightofthisexercise, theCommittee will
consider ways andmeans forbetter implementation ofArticles 5and6;
(b) fortransparency purposes andtosupport thework oftheCommittee, alistofrelevant
international guides andrecommendations related toconformity assessment procedures
willbeconsolidated, circulated andupdated regularly bytheSecretariat forthe
information ofMembers;
(c) Members areinvited, onavoluntary basis, toexchange information ontheirexperience
inthevarious types ofconformity assessment procedures andtheir conditions of
application. Inthelight ofthisexercise, theCommittee willconsider making
recommendations aimed atensuring thatprocedures fortheassessment ofconformity
avoid thecreation ofunnecessary obstacles tointernational trade;
(d) theCommittee willreview theroleofregional andinternational systems forconformity
assessment ascovered byArticle 9andhowthese systems could contribute tosolving
theproblems ofmultiple testing andcertification/registration fortraders andindustries,
including inparticular small andmedium sizeenterprises. Thisexercise willalso
address theextent towhich international guides andrecommendations contribute to
theestablishment ofthese systems, andthepossible technical assistance needed for
developing countries todevelop operational conformity assessment procedures within
thecontext ofArticles 11.6, 11.7and12.5; and
(e) theCommitteewillreviewtheoperationofArticles6,10.7andotherrelevantprovisions
which contain disciplines withrespect torecognition oftheresults ofconformity
assessment procedures. Inthisregard, Members areinvited, onavoluntary basis,
toexchange information. Thereview willalsoaddress thepossible difficulties and
problems associated withMRAs. Inthelightofthisexercise, theCommittee may
consider theusefulness ofdrafting guidelines, interaliaforMRAs.
G. Technical Assistance under Article 11
30. TheCommitteenotedthatcertainMembers,especiallydevelopingcountryMembers,encountered
difficulties intheimplementation andoperation oftheAgreement. Technical assistance should be
provided torequesting Members, particularly leastdeveloped country Members, onthepreparation
oftechnical regulations, theestablishment ofnational standardizing bodies, regulatory bodies, orbodies
fortheassessment ofconformity, themethods bywhich technical regulations ofother Members couldG/TBT/5
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bestbemet,theparticipation intheinternational standardizing bodies, andtheaccess tosystems for
conformity assessment, withaviewtoincreasing theeffectiveness oftheAgreement.
31. Inorder toenhance theimplementation ofArticle 11,theCommittee recalled itsdecisions
made ontechnical assistance (G/TBT/1/Rev.4), andagreed tothefollowing:
(a) Members areinvited, onavoluntary basis, toexchange information regarding the
implementation ofArticle 11,including tocommunicate totheCommittee annually
anyinformationconcerningtheirnationalandregionaltechnicalassistanceprogrammes;
and
(b) Members thatrequire technical assistance areinvited toinform theCommittee ofany
difficulties theyencounter intheimplementation andoperation oftheAgreement, and
thekindoftechnical assistance theymayneed. Other Members areinvited tocontribute
tothetechnical assistance process bysharing theirexperience intheimplementation
andoperation oftheAgreement.
H. Special andDifferential Treatment under Article 12
32. TheCommittee noted thattheprimary objective oftheReview wastodetermine howthe
Agreement hadoperated andhowithadbeenimplemented; thiswasparticularly thecasewithrespect
tothespecial development, financial andtradeneeds ofdeveloping country Members inorder toensure
thatMembers could honour their commitments andthereby facilitate theimplementation ofthe
Agreement.
33. With theviewtooperationalize andimplement theprovisions ofArticle 12,theCommittee
agreed tothefollowing:
(a) Members areinvited, onavoluntary basis, toexchange information onthe
implementation ofArticle 12,including information related toArticles 12.2, 12.3,
12.5, 12.6, 12.7and12.9. Members areinvited, onavoluntary basis, toexchange
information onanyspecific problems theyfaceinrelation totheoperation ofArticle 12;
and
(b) theCommittee willconsider including thefollowing matters initsfuture programme
ofwork, which could betaken upduring thenextthree years andreviewed during
theSecond Triennial Review oftheAgreement:
(i) Theuseofmeasures toengender capacity building indeveloping country
Members, including theconsideration ofmeasures relevant totransfer of
technology tothese countries, forthepurpose ofpreparation andadoption of
technical regulations, standards orconformity assessment procedures, taking
intoaccount theirspecial development, financial andtrade needs;
(ii) thepreparation ofastudy bytheSecretariat toestablish thestateofknowledge
concerning thetechnical barriers tothemarket access ofdeveloping country
suppliers, especially small andmedium sized enterprises (SMEs), asaresult
ofstandards, technical regulations andconformity assessment procedures;
(iii) inviting representatives ofrelevant international standardizing bodies and
international systems forconformity assessment procedures tomake written
andoralpresentations totheCommittee withaviewtoassessing whether andG/TBT/5
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howaccount istaken ofthespecial problems ofdeveloping countries insuch
bodies andsystems. TheSecretariat willcirculate acompendium ofthewritten
contributions bytherelevant organisations; and
(iv) theencouragement oftheorganization ofinternational meetings relevant to
theprovisions oftheAgreement intheterritories ofdeveloping country
Members togivegreater representative participation bysuchMembers tothe
deliberations andrecommendations ofsuchinternational meetings, andthe
electronic dissemination ofinformation.
I. Other elements
34. Annex 1oftheAgreement makes reference totheterms presented inthesixthedition ofthe
ISO/IEC Guide 2:1991. TheCommittee noted thatsince theconclusion oftheUruguay Round
Negotiation, ISO/IEC Guide 2hadbeenupdated. Inthisregard, theCommittee agreed toapprise
itself ofthelatest revision oftheGuide.
35. TheCommittee noted theReport oftheCommittee onTrade andEnvironment totheSingapore
Ministerial Conference (WT/CTE/1) regarding item3(B)ontherelationship between theprovisions
ofthemultilateral trading system andrequirements forenvironmental purposes relating toproducts,
including standards andtechnical regulations, packaging, labelling andrecycling. TheCommittee noted
thediscussions onthese issues intheCTE, including theconcerns expressed about theimportance
ofensuring thetransparency ofsuchmeasures, andthattheyshould notbecome disguised restrictions
totrade.G/TBT/5
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WORLD TRADE G/TBT/Notif.97.
1997
ORGANIZATION
(97-0000)
Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
NOTIFICATION
Thefollowing notification isbeing circulated inaccordance withArticle 10.6.
1. Member toAgreement notifying:
Ifapplicable, name oflocalgovernment involved (Articles 3.2and7.2):
2. Agency responsible:
Agency orauthority designated tohandle comments regarding thenotification shallbe
indicated ifdifferent from above:
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [],2.10.1 [],5.6.2 [],5.7.1 [],other:
4. Products covered (HSorCCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICSnumbers maybeprovided inaddition, where applicable):
5. Title, number ofpages andlanguage(s) ofthenotified document:
6. Description ofcontent:
7. Objective andrationale, including thenature ofurgent problems where applicable:
8. Relevant documents:
9. Proposed dateofadoption:
Proposed dateofentry intoforce:
10. Final dateforcomments:
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point []oraddress, e-mail andtelefax number
ofother body: