WT/BISD/2018  
 
20 December 2019  
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WTO BISD  
2018 
 
 
BASIC INSTRUMENTS AN D SELECTED DOCUMENTS  
OF THE WORLD TRADE O RGANIZATION  
 
2018 
 
Compilation by the WTO Secretariat  
  WT/BISD/2018  
 
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  TABLE OF CONTENTS  
WTO – BISD 201 8 
Table of Contents  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  2 
Preface ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  3 
WTO Members and Observers  ................................ ................................ ..........................  4 
Chairpersons of WTO Bodies  ................................ ................................ ............................  6 
Decisions and Reports  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 8 
Council for Trade in Goods ................................ ................................ ...........................  8 
Template for Notifying Changes to an Existing  Regional Trade Agreement  (RTA)  
Adopted by the Council for Trade in Goods on 12  November  2018 ..................  8 
Committee on Agriculture  ................................ ................................ .................. 10 
Report on the First Triennial Review of the Ministerial Decision  of 
19 December  2015 on Export Competition  ................................ .................. 10 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  ................................ ........................... 12 
Eighth Triennial Review of the Operation and Implementation of the  
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade under Article  15.4 ......................... 12 
Council for Trade in Services ................................ ................................ ....................... 44 
Template for Notifying Changes to an Existing Regional Trade Agreement  
Adopted by the Council for Trade in Services on 12  October  2018........................... 44 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration  ................................ ........................ 46 
Abstract of the Report Adopted by the General Coun cil on 13  November  2018 ......... 46 
Committee on Trade and Development  ................................ ................................ ........ 50 
Template for Notifying Changes to an Existing Regional Trade Agreement  
Adopted by the Committee on Trade and Development on 21  November  2018 ......... 50 
Committees under the Plurilateral Trade Agreements  ................................ ..................... 52 
Committee on Government Procurement  ................................ ............................. 52 
Accession of Australia to the Agreement on Government Procurement  
Decision o f the Committee of 17  October  2018 ................................ ............ 52 
Waivers  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 54 
WTO Dispute Settlement Reports, and Arbitration Awards and Decisions  .......................... 56 
Other Decisions, Reports and Selected Documents Not Reproduced  ..............................  58 
  WT/BISD/2018  
 
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  PREFACE  
 
 
Basic Instruments and Selected Documents (BISD) is an annual publication compiling  basic 
information on the WTO and key WTO documents from a given calendar year.  
 
The initial sections list WTO Members and observers, and the Chairpersons of WTO  bodies appointed 
in the year in question. The middle sections reproduce key WTO legal instruments, decisions and 
reports issued by  WTO bodies in the relevant calendar year. Th e final sections list other 
WTO decisions, reports and selected WTO documents for the year in question, by title and document 
symbol, without reproducing the text.  
 
Hyperlinks in the electronic version allow readers direct access to the relevant WTO docume nts. 
Editorial notes are marked with a ¶.  
 
The present BISD follows a long -established GATT and WTO tradition. A total of 47 volumes1of 
GATT  BISDs were published between 1952 and 1998, compiling key GATT -related information and 
documents on a mostly annual basis during the 1947 -1995 period. Following this tradition, 
the WTO Secretariat published 12 volumes of WTO BISDs, covering its first 11 years (1995 -2006). 
After a decade, the WTO BISD was continued with the 2017 edition.2 
 
BISDs serve a purely informative purpose . The editorial choices have no implications as to the legal 
status of specific WTO  documents , and the texts reproduced have no official status in the form in 
which they are published here.  This BISD has been prepared by the WTO Secretariat under its own 
responsibility, and it is without prejudice to the positions of Members or to their rights and 
obligations. The terms used in this BISD and in the texts reproduced or referenced therein do not 
constitute or imply an expression of opinion by the WTO Secretariat concerning the status of any 
territory, or the delimitation of its frontiers.  
 
 
 
 
 
  
                                                
1 Supplements 1 -42 as well as Supplements I -IV, with Supplement I existing in both original and revised 
form.  
2 GATT BISDs  are referenced as follows: BISD #S/# , where #S indicates the Supplement (i.e. Volume) 
number, and the second # indicates the page numb er. For example, GATT BISD 27S/25 refers to page 25 in 
Supplement 27 of the GATT BISD. Likewise, GATT BISD IIS/1 refers to page 1 in Supplement II of the GATT  BISD.  
In a similar fashion, WTO BISDs for the period 1995 -2006 may be referenced as follows: WTO BISD #S/# . 
For example, WTO BISD 5S/1 refers to page 1 of Supplement 5 of the WTO BISD.  
Later volumes of the WTO BISD , which do not carry a supplement number, should be referenced as 
follows: WTO BISD yyyy/# , where yyyy indicates the calendar year covered by the volume in question, and # 
indicates the page number. For example, page 5 in the present volume, covering 2018, should be referenced as 
WTO BISD 2018/5.  WT/BISD/2018  
 
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  WTO M EMBERS AND OBSERVERS  
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 20 18 
MEMBERS (164)  
 
Afghanistan  
Albania  
Angola  
Antigua and Barbuda  
Argentina  
Armenia  
Australia  
Austria  
Bahrain, Kingdom of  
Bangladesh  
Barbados  
Belgium  
Belize  
Benin  
Bolivia, Plurinational  
State of  
Botswana  
Brazil  
Brunei Darussalam  
Bulgaria  
Burkina Faso  
Burundi  
Cabo Verde  
Cambodia  
Cameroon  
Canada  
Central African Republic  
Chad 
Chile 
China  
Colombia  
Congo  
Costa Rica  
Côte d’Ivoire  
Croatia  
Cuba 
Cyprus  
Czech Republic  
Democratic Republic of  
the Congo  
Denmark  
Djibouti  
Dominica  
Dominican Republic  
Ecuador  
Egypt  
El Salvador  
Estonia  
Eswatini1 
European Union  
Fiji 
                                                
1 Formerly Swaziland.  
2 As of February 2019:  North Macedonia.  Finland  
France  
Gabon  
The Gambia  
Georgia  
Germany  
Ghana  
Greece  
Grenada  
Guatemala  
Guinea -Bissau  
Guinea, Republic of  
Guyana  
Haiti 
Honduras  
Hong Kong, China  
Hungary  
Iceland  
India 
Indonesia  
Ireland  
Israel  
Italy 
Jamaica  
Japan  
Jordan  
Kazakhstan  
Kenya  
Korea, Republic of  
Kuwait, the State of  
Kyrgyz Republic  
Lao People's Democratic 
Republic  
Latvia  
Lesotho  
Liberia  
Liechtenstein  
Lithuania  
Luxembourg  
Macao, China  
Madagascar  
Malawi  
Malaysia  
Maldives  
Mali 
Malta  
Mauritania  
Mauritius  
Mexico  
Moldova, Republic of  
Mongolia  Montenegro  
Morocco  
Mozambique  
Myanmar  
Namibia  
Nepal  
Netherlands  
New Zealand  
Nicaragua  
Niger  
Nigeria  
Norway  
Oman  
Pakistan  
Panama  
Papua New Guinea  
Paraguay  
Peru 
Philippines  
Poland  
Portugal  
Qatar  
Romania  
Russian Federation  
Rwanda  
Saint Kitts and Nevis  
Saint Lucia  
Saint Vincent and the  
Grenadines  
Samoa  
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  
Senegal  
Seychelles  
Sierra Leone  
Singapore  
Slovak Republic  
Slovenia  
Solomon Islands  
South Africa  
Spain  
Sri Lanka  
Suriname  
Sweden  
Switzerland  
Chinese Taipei  
Tanzania  
Thailand  
The former Yugoslav 
Republic of Macedonia2 
Togo 
Tonga  WT/BISD/2018  
 
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  Trinidad and Tobago  
Tunisia  
Turkey  
Uganda  
Ukraine  
United Arab Emirates  United Kingdom  
United States of America  
Uruguay  
Vanuatu  
Venezuela, Bolivarian 
Republic of  Viet Nam  
Yemen  
Zambia  
Zimbabwe  
 
 
 
 
OBSERVERS (23)
Algeria  
Andorra  
Azerbaijan  
Bahamas  
Belarus  
Bhutan  
Bosnia and Herzegovina  
Comoros  Equatorial Guinea  
Ethiopia  
Holy See  
Iran 
Iraq 
Lebanese Republic  
Libya  
Sao Tomé and Principe  Serbia  
Somalia  
South Sudan  
Sudan  
Syrian Arab Republic  
Timor -Leste  
Uzbekistan  
 
 
  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 CHAIRPERSONS  OF WTO BODIES  
Appointed in 2018 
General Council  Mr Junichi Ihara (Japan)  
Dispute Settlement Body  Ms Sunanta Kangvalkulkij (Thailand)  
Trade Policy Review Body  Mr Eloi Laouru (Benin)  
  
Council for Trade in Goods  Mr Stephen De Boer (Canada)  
- Committee on Agriculture  Ms Debora Cumes Mariscal (Guatemala)  
- Committee on Anti -Dumping Practices  Ms Karine Mahjoubi Erikstein (Norway ) 
- Committee on Customs Valuation  Mr Yuichiro Okumura (Japan)  
- Committee on Import Licensing  Ms Lorena Rivera (Colombia)  
- Committee on Market Access  Ms Zs ófia Tvarusk ó (Hungary)  
- Committee on Rules of Origin  Ms Thembekile M langeni (South Africa)  
- Committee on Safeguards  Mr Hyouk Woo Kwon (Korea)  
- Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Measures   
Ms Noncedo Vutula (South Africa)  
- Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing 
Measures  Mr Pedro Negueloaetcheverry (Argentina)  and 
Mr Luis Adolfo Fernández (Costa Rica)  
- Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Ms Kate Swan (New Zealand)  
- Committee on Trade -Related Investment 
Measures   
Ms Carrie I -Jen Wu (Chinese Taipei)  
- Working Party on State Trading Enterprises  Mr Antonius Yudi Triantoro (Indonesia)  
- Committee of Participants on the Expansion of 
Trade in Information Technology Products  Mr Muhammad Nur Hadri Bin Sopri 
(Singapore)  
 
- Committee on Trade Facilitation  Ms Dalia Kadišiene (Lithuania ) 
  
Council for Trade in Services  Mr Alfredo Suescum (Panama)  
- Committee on Specific Commitments  Mr Nurbek Maksutov  (Kyrgyz Republic ) 
- Committee on Trade in Financial Services  Mr Jean-Marc van Dril (Switzerland)  
- Working Party on GATS Rules  Mr Felipe Henriquez (Chile)   
- Working Party on Domestic Regulation  Mr Henning Envall (Sweden)  
  
Council for Trade -Relates Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights   
Mr Walter Werner (Germany)  
  
Committee on Balance -of-Payments Restrictions  Mr Claudio de la Puente (Peru)  
Committee on Budget, Finance and 
Administration   
Mr Juan Aguirre (Paraguay)  
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  Mr Julian Braithwaite (United Kingdom)  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 Committee on Trade and Development  Mr Diego Aulestia  (Ecuador)  
- Dedicated Session of the Committee on Trade 
and Development   
Mr Diego Aulestia (Ecuador)  
- Sub-Committee on Least -Developed Countries  Ms Monique Van Daalen (Netherlands)  
Committee on Trade and Environment  Ms Sondang Angraini  (Indonesia)  
Ms Irene Young (Hong Kong, China)  
Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance  Mr Mohammad Haqjo (Afghanistan)  
Working Group on Trade and Transfer of 
Technology   
Ms Sabine Möller (Namibia)  
  
Trade Negotiations Committee  Mr Roberto Azevêdo (Director -General)  
- Committee on Trade and Development  
in Special Session   
Ms Tan Yee Woan (Singapore)  
- Committee on Trade and Environment  
in Special Session   
Mr Syed Tauqir Shah (Pakistan)  
- Committee on Agriculture  in Special Session  Mr John Ronald Dipchandra Ford (Guyana)  
- Council for Trade in Services  in Special Session  Ms Zhanar Aitzhanova (Kazakhstan)  
- Council for TRIPS  in Special Session  Mr Dacio Castillo (Honduras)  
- Dispute Settlement Body  in Special Session  Mr Coly Seck (Senegal)  
- Negotiating Group on Market Access  Mr Didier Chambovey (Switzerland)  
- Negotiating Group on Rules  Mr Roberto Zapata (Mexico)  
  
Plurilateral Trade Agreements   
- Committee on Government Procurement  Mr Carlos Vanderloo (Canada)  
- Committee on Trade in Civil Aircraft  Mr Hsiao -Yin Wu (Chinese Taipei)  
 
  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 DECISIONS AND REPORTS  
 
 
 
COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS  
 
 
 
TEMPLATE FOR NOTIFYIN G CHANGES TO AN EXIS TING  
REGIONAL TRADE AGREE MENT  (RTA)  
 
ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL FOR TRAD E IN GOODS ON 12  NOVEMBER  2018 
(G/L/1295 ) 
 
 
 
At its meeting of 12  November  2018, the Council for Trade in Goods adopted the template 
reproduced in the Annex to this document, to be used for notifications of changes to existing RTAs. 
This template was considered and adopted by the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) 
at its 89th Session, on 19  June 2018, and contained in document  WT/REG/28 . 
 
 
 
  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 ANNEX  
 
NOTIFICATION OF CHAN GES AFFECTING THE IMPLEM ENTATION  
OF A REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENT  
 
Addendum  
 
The following communication, dated      , has been received from the Delegation(s) of 
      and      . 
 
 
1. Member(s) notifying:       
2. Date of notification:       
3. Notification pursuant to:  
[X] Paragraph 14 of the Trans parency Mechanism for Regional Trade Agreements 
(WT/L/671 ) 
4. Changes affect:  
[ ]     goods  
[ ]     services  
[ ]     both  
5. Original RTA being modified:  
6. WTO document reference of original notification of RTA:  
7. Parties to the Agreement:       
8. Date of adoption:       
9. Date(s) of entry into Force/provisional application:       
10. Brief description of changes:       
11. Text and related schedules, annexes and protocols are:  
[  ] submitted to the WTO Secretariat (electronic format)  
[  ] available from the following official Internet link(s):       
 
 
  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 COMMITTEE ON AGRICUL TURE  
 
 
REPORT ON THE FIRST T RIENNIAL REVIEW  
OF THE MINISTERIAL D ECISION  OF 19  DECEMBER  2015  
ON EXPORT COMPETITIO N 
(G/AG/28 ) 
 
 
1. Paragraph 5 of the Ministerial Decision on Export Competition adopted on 19 December 20151 
(the Ministerial  Decision) provides that: "The regular sessions of the Committee on Agriculture shall 
review every three years the disciplines contained in this Decision, with the aim of enhancing 
disciplines to ens ure that no circumvention threatens export subsidy elimination commitments and 
to prevent non -commercial transactions from being used to circumvent such commitments."  
 
2. The Committee held its first discussion on the triennial review of the Ministerial De cision pursuant 
to its paragraph 5 at its informal meeting on 20 February 2018 .2 
 
3. The Chairperson noted that the triennial review was an opportunity to assess whether the 
disciplines contained in the Ministerial Decision as well as the way their impleme ntation was 
monitored3 could be enhanced " to ensure that no circumvention threatens export subsidy elimination 
commitments and to prevent non -commercial transactions from being used to circumvent such  
commitments ". 
 
4. The Chairperson invited Members to ex press their views based on the experience acquired in the 
Committee on Agriculture, including on the provisions of the Ministerial Decision; the content of the 
Questionnaire annexed to the Ministerial Decision, and the process followed thus far for the ann ual 
dedicated discussion.  
 
5. Several Members considered that the Nairobi outcome on export competition was still "unfinished 
business" and supported the aim of enhancing the disciplines contained in the Ministerial Decision 
with regards to export credits,  export credit guarantees or insurance programmes, agricultural 
exporting state trading enterprises as well as international food aid.  
 
6. Several Members also stressed the importance of implementing the commitments made in Nairobi 
to eliminate the remaini ng scheduled export subsidies entitlements. These delegations called for 
enhanced transparency on the steps being undertaken by the relevant Members to implement the 
Ministerial Decision.  
 
7. Several Members commended the review process established for the  June dedicated discussion 
on export competition which provided Members with the opportunity to discuss in detail the replies 
to the questionnaire. One Member noted that this process could be further developed and possibly 
be used in other areas of the Com mittee's work.  
 
8. All the interveners stressed the need to improve the rate of replies to the questionnaire to ensure 
an effective monitoring mechanism through the June dedicated discussion exercise and encouraged 
all Members to reply to the questionnaire . One delegation also suggested including data on the use 
of article 9.4 export subsidies in the Secretariat's background document.  
 
9. The Committee held its second informal meeting on the review of the Ministerial Decision on 
11 June 2018. The Chairperson's report did not attract any additional comment by Members and it 
was therefore suggested to conclude the first triennial review of the Ministerial Decision at the 
September 2018 meeting of the Committee on Agriculture.4 
 
10. This report was ad opted by the Committee on Agriculture on 26  September  2018.  
                                                
1 Document WT/MIN(15)/45  - WT/L/980  dated 21 December 2015.  
2 See summary report in document G/AG/R/87  (section 2.5.2) dated 23 May 2018.  
3 See Annex.  
4 See summary repo rt in document G/AG/R/88  (section 3.3.2) dated 18 July 2018.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 ANNEX  
SHORT DESCRIPTION – IMPLEMENTATION OF T HE MINISTERIAL DECIS ION 2016 -2018 
1. The first, second and third annual dedicated discussions on export competition held in accordance 
with the Ministe rial Decision took place respectively on 7  June 2016, 7 June 2017 and 11 June 2018 
at the regular meetings of the Committee on Agriculture.1 
2. These dedicated discussions were based on annual background documents by the Secretariat2 
compiling information from Members' relevant notifications along with responses to the export 
competition questionnaire circulated by the Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture.3 
The background documents by the Secretariat were updated after each of the dedicated 
discussio ns.4 
3. During these dedicated discussions, Members exchanged questions and responses on specific 
measures.5 Members also circulated submissions to contribute to these discussions.6 
4. Members with export subsidies reduction commitments had the opportunity to update other 
Members about the progress in the elimination of their scheduled export subsidies entitlements 
pursuant to the Ministerial Decision at each regular meeting of the Co mmittee on Agriculture under 
the item on the implementation of Ministerial outcomes.  
5. In addition to the annual dedicated discussions on export competition, Paragraph  32 of the 
Ministerial Decision provides that: "Members agree to review the provisions o n international food aid 
contained in the preceding paragraphs within the regular Committee on Agriculture monitoring of 
the implementation of the Marrakesh Ministerial Decision of April 1994 on Measures Concerning the 
Possible Negative Effects of the Refo rm Programme on Least -developed and net food -importing 
developing countries." This review was added accordingly to the annual monitoring exercise on the 
follow -up to the Marrakesh NFIDC Decision under Article  16.2 of the Agreement on Agriculture.7 
 
                                                
1 See summary r eports of relevant meetings in documents G/AG/R/81  (section 3.1) dated 8  August 2016, 
G/AG/R/85  (section 2.1) dated 28 July 2017 and G/AG/R/88  (section 3.1) dated 18 July 2018.  
2 Documents G/AG/W/125/Rev.4  and addenda dated 11 May 2016, G/AG/W/125/Rev.6  and addenda 
dated 10 May 2017 and G/AG/W/125/Rev.8  and addenda dated 24 April 2018.  
3 The questionnaires circulated respectively on 20 January 2016, 31 October 2016 and 16 November 2017 
reflected the elements contained in the Annex to the Ministerial Decision.  
4 Documents G/AG/W/125/Rev.5  and addenda dated 26 July 2016, G/AG/W/125/Rev.7  and addenda 
dated 27 September 2017 and G/AG/W/12 5/Rev.9  and addenda dated 24 July 2018.  
5 See documents G/AG/W/155  dated 10  August 2016, G/AG/W/162  dated 24 May 2017, G/AG/W/166  
dated 24 July 2017, G/AG/W/176  dated 29 May 2018 and G/AG/W/182  dated 18 July 2018.  
6 Documents G/AG/W/153  dated 31 May 2016, G/AG/W/164  dated 2 June 2017 and G/AG/W/180  dated 
7 June 2018.  
7 See summary reports of relevant meetings in document G/AG/R/83  (section 2.1.3) 
dated  22 December  2016, and document G/AG/R/87  (section 2.2.3) dated 23 May 2018.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 COMMITTEE ON TECHNIC AL BARRIERS TO TRADE  
EIGHTH TRIENNIAL REV IEW OF THE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION  
OF THE AGREEMENT ON TECHNICAL BARRIERS  TO TRADE  
UNDER ARTICLE  15.4 
(G/TBT/41 ) 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION  
 
The Eighth Triennial Review is being carried out in 2018 in accordance with the mandate under 
Article 15.4 of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement).1 It was concluded 
on 15 November 2018.2 The Committee's previous seven triennial reviews were completed in 1997, 
2000, 2003, 2006, 20 09, 2012 and 2015.3 During the review period (November 2015 – November 
2018), the Committee has undertaken work to follow up on specific decisions and recommendations 
agreed in previous reviews.4  
Members recognize that the full implementation of the Committee's existing decisions and 
recommendations is a process that may span over several reviews. In this regard, Members reiterate 
the importance of following up on previously agreed decisions and re commendations as contained 
in G/TBT/1/Rev.13 . 
 
1 GOOD REGULATORY PRAC TICE 
 
Good Regulatory Practice (GRP)  can contribute to the improved and 
effective implementation of the substantive obligations under the TBT 
Agreement. Effective implementation through best practices is seen as 
an important means of avoiding unnecessary obs tacles to trade. 
Institutionalizing the various mechanisms, processes and procedures of 
GRP through laws, regulations and guidance, as well as through the 
creation and designation of institutions within Member governments to 
oversee regulatory processes, i s seen as a means of giving effect to GRP. 
Effective internal policy coordination, including among regulators, 
standardizing bodies and trade officials implementing the TBT 
Agreement, is stressed. Additionally, regulatory cooperation between 
Members is an effective means of disseminating GRP.  
 
G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , p. 6  
 
1.1 Exchange of experiences  
 
1.1 During the review period, most of the Committee's exchange of experiences took place in the 
context of thematic sessions on Good Regulatory Practice (GRP), held on 8 March 20165 and 
                                                
1 Article 15.4 of the TBT Agreement states:  "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, th e Committee shall 
review the operation and implementation of this Agreement, including the provisions relating to transparency, 
with a view to recommending an adjustment of the rights and obligations of this Agreement where necessary to 
ensure mutual econo mic 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 fo r amendments to the text of this Agreement to the 
Council for Trade in Goods".  
2 A list of submissions circulated in the TBT Committee relevant to the topics under review is contained in 
the Annex to this document (p. 26). 
3 Reports of these triennial reviews are contained in: G/TBT/5 ; G/TBT/9 ; G/TBT/13 ; G/TBT/19 ; G/TBT/26 ; 
G/TBT/32 ; and G/TBT/37 . 
4 A compilation of the TBT Committee's Decisions and Recommendations adopted since January  1995 is 
contained in document G/TBT/1/Rev.13 . This document also contains the Committee's Rules of Procedure, 
including Guidel ines for Observer Status for Governments and International Intergovernmental Organizations.  
5 G/TBT/GEN/191 . WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 28 March 2017.6 The topic of GRP was also discussed in the contexts of regulatory cooperation 
between Members (Section 2), conformity assessment procedures (Section 4), transparency 
(Section  6), and technical assistance (Section 7). The Committee also undertook discussio ns during 
this period to advance the mandate from the Sixth Triennial Review to find a way forward on the 
non-exhaustive list of voluntary mechanisms and related principles of GRP (the "non -exhaustive 
list") to guide Members in the efficient and effective implementation of the TBT Agreement across 
the regulatory lifecycle.7 
1.2 In the discussions, several Members provided examples of the benefits of GRP . 
The Philippines  explained that GRP helps ensure the design of high -quality and cost -effective 
regulation s that are also compatible with open trade. It also contributes to the establishment of a 
common and predictable framework for regulatory intervention which in turn facilitates global 
regulatory cooperation and harmonization. The ASEAN8 Good Regulatory Pra ctice Guide of 2009 
assists ASEAN governments to this effect.9 Canada  noted that a focus on small businesses in targeted 
administrative burden -reduction initiatives ("the small business lens") contributes to reducing 
regulatory costs without compromising o ther important social objectives.10  
1.3 Specifically on the topics of internal coordination  and transparency and consultation , 
South Africa  recalled the importance of establishing domestic administrative mechanisms to facilitate 
cooperation and coordinatio n between competent authorities and coordination with other 
stakeholders. In this respect, South Africa highlighted the use of domestic TBT committees to assist 
with the effective implementation and operation of the TBT Agreement.11 The European Union  
descr ibed the EU Better Regulation Portal which aims to further open up policy -making by enabling 
stakeholders and citizens to express their views throughout the entire life cycle of a policy.12 
The Republic of Korea  noted that efforts on regulatory reform and r ationalization of technical 
regulations have eased burdens on ministries, and that its Regulatory Information System improves 
efficiency by reducing time for information exchange between agencies.13 China  described its Trade 
Policy Compliance Mechanism , and  explained that numerous laws and regulations were amended 
and optimized; more than 1,000 policies by the central and local governments were reviewed by the 
end of 2015.14 
1.4 A discussion specific to the topic of regulatory impact assessment  (RIA) also too k place. 
Australia  described implementation of best practice in RIA, in particular on transparency and public 
consultation. Public consultation informs all elements of a Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS), helps 
identify viable policy alternatives, confirms  the accuracy of data, ensures that there are no 
unintended consequences and helps increase understanding amongst affected stakeholders .15 The 
European Union  explained how trade impacts and TBT Agreement obligations are taken into account 
in the preparation  of RIAs in the EU, in the context of the "Policy Cycle" of the Better Regulation 
agenda.16 The Republic of Korea  presented the use of "Technical Regulatory Impact Assessment" in 
Korea, which aims to improve not only the quality of regulation but also helps strengthen 
coordination among related ministries.17 The Philippines  said it was in the process of creating an 
oversight body to review RIAs or RIS formulated by different regulatory agencies.18 
1.5 The United States  explained that its use of RIAs is based on a requirement set out in two 
Executive Orders for "economically significant" regulations , and that agencies ha ve an obligation to 
consider trade impacts in RIAs. The US highlighted  characteristics of good RIAs: they are 
transparent, clear, have a logical structure; use good science; are well documented; and include a 
                                                
6 G/TBT/GEN/214 . 
7 Relevant documen ts concerning the "non -exhaustive list" ( JOB/TBT/119/Rev.1 ) are cont ained in: 
G/TBT/GEN/192 ; G/TBT/M/68 , paras. 2.349 – 2.350; and, G/TBT/M/74 , paras 2.269 – 2.292.  
8 Association of Southeast Asian Nations.  
9 G/TBT/GEN/214 , paras. 1 -2; and RD/TBT/210 . 
10 G/TBT/GEN/214 , para. 3; and RD/TBT/211 . 
11 G/TBT/W/452 , paras. 2.1 -2.3. 
12 G/TBT/GEN/214 , para. 5; and RD/TBT/213 . 
13 G/TBT/GEN/214 , para. 4; and RD/TBT/212 . 
14 G/TBT/GEN/191 , para. 5; and RD/TBT/139 . 
15 G/TBT/GEN/191 , para. 3; and RD/TBT/135 . 
16 G/TBT/GEN/191 , para. 6; and RD/TBT/140 . 
17 G/TBT/GEN/191 , para. 1; and RD/TBT/131 . 
18 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.7; and https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/6_Philippines_e.pdf . 
 WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 discussion of sources and the magnitude of unce rtainty .19 Brazil  noted that RIAs should be applied 
ex ante  and ex post  and highlighted the benefits of RIAs for reducing unnecessary regulatory 
burdens. However, developing and least developed Members (LDCs) face challenges in applying RIAs 
due to lack of available data and structured databases, and in this respect information sharing on 
RIA is beneficial for both transparency purposes and as an effective form of technical assistance.20 
1.1.1  Other information  
 
1.6 Observers  also provided relevant information. The OECD21 noted that about two thirds of its 
members report that they assess trade impacts as part their RIA processes, although this is not 
without challenges .22 Other relevant updates were provided by ARSO23, OECD24, SADC25, and 
UNECE .26 
1.2 Recommendations  
 
1.7 Building on this exchange as well as on previous decisions and recommendations of the 
Committee, and with a view to furthering its work in the area of GRP, the Committee  agrees:  
a. to continue to exchange information  on mechanisms of GRP adopted by WTO Members 
that facilitate the implementation of the TBT Agreement and, in this vein:  
i. to dedicate , unless otherwise agreed, the first thematic session of the TBT Committee 
each year to the topic of GRP;  
ii. to hold a thematic se ssion on the role and function of domestic committees, and other 
administrative mechanisms, that facilitate internal coordination on TBT;  
b. to encourage  those Members that conduct RIA or similar initiatives as part of their 
regulatory process to provide, to  the extent feasible, a hyperlink to the studies ( ex ante ) 
in the pertinent notification to the TBT Committee, as well as to notify on a regular basis 
or publish on a publicly accessible website the subsequent related assessments ( ex post ) 
in the national language27; 
2 REGULATORY COOPERATI ON BETWEEN MEMBERS  
 
"The Committee notes that regulatory cooperation between Members is 
an effective means of disseminating GRP. It can also build confidence 
between trading partners through enhancing mutual understanding of 
regulatory systems, thereby supporting efforts that aim at removing 
unnecessary barriers to trade. A fundamental component to regulatory 
cooperation is the promotion of dialogue between Members, including at 
senior level. A wide variety of  approaches can be employed by regulators 
to collaborate with each other – from information sharing to negotiating 
specific agreements."  
 
G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , p. 9 
 
                                                
19 G/TBT/GEN/191 , para. 4; and RD/TBT/136 . 
20 G/TBT/W/461/Rev.1 , paras. 2.4-2.8. 
21 Organisation for Economic Co -operation and Development.  
22 G/TBT/GEN/191 , para. 2; RD/TBT/134  and RD/TBT /133. 
23 African Organization for Standardisation ( G/TBT/GEN/200 ; G/TBT/GEN/219 ; G/TBT/GEN/239 ; and 
RD/TBT/142 ). 
24 G/TBT/GEN/208 . 
25 Southern African Development Community ( G/TBT/GEN/189 ). 
26 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ( G/TBT/GEN/187 ; G/TBT/GEN/201 ; G/TBT/GEN/224 ; 
G/TBT/GEN/234 ; G/TBT/GEN/245 ; and G/TBT/GEN/247 ). 
27 In line with a previous recommendation by the TBT Committee, for ex ante  RIAs, this info rmation could 
be made available through a hyperlink to the assessment in Box 8 of the notification template or by including 
the assessment in the draft measure itself ( G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Section 5.6.2.1.d. on p.35).  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 2.1 Exchange of experiences  
 
2.1 During the review period, most of the Committee's exchange of experiences took place in the 
context of two thematic sessions on regul atory cooperation between Members, held on 14  June 2016 
(energy efficiency), and on 9 November 2016 (food (nutrition) labelling).28 
2.1.1  Energy efficiency  
 
2.2 Members described a range of national schemes and programmes  related to energy 
efficiency. Australia  described its experience in applying minimum energy performance standards 
(MEPS) through the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) programme.29 Canada  said its energy 
efficiency regulations cover a wide range of product c ategories and include references to mandatory 
MEPS, which are  viewed as a cost -effective way of reducing energy consumption and Greenhouse 
Gas (GHG) emissions and have been particularly effective in removing the least -efficient products 
from the marketplac e.30 
2.3 China  presented its national mandatory energy efficiency standards, based on minimum 
allowable values for energy efficiency (so as to phase out low efficiency products), energy efficiency 
grades (labelling programmes to inform the consumer) and an index for evaluating energy -saving 
products (a certification scheme).31 The European Union  introduced its energy efficiency policies, 
which include product energy performance ("eco -design") requirements (to "push" the market by 
allowing only products that m eet minimum requirements for energy efficiency thus influencing the 
supply side) and energy labelling (to "pull" the market by influencing the demand side). EU 
harmonization avoids fragmentation of rules within the Single Market.32  
2.4 Japan  explained its "Top Runner Programme" which develops standards that promote high 
energy efficiency for a wide array of products . By evaluating manufactures' and importers' 
achievements based on a weighted average of products, the programme also ensures diversity of 
produ cts in the market and makes it possible to promote innovations.33 The Republic of Korea  
presented its range of voluntary and mandatory energy efficiency programmes, energy labelling 
schemes, and highlighted the importance of addressing network standby energ y consumption.34 
2.5 Mexico  outlined its process for developing energy efficiency regulation, and explained that it 
opted for a mandatory approach taking into account several issues including its consumer culture.35 
Singapore  introduced the work of its natio nal standards body SPRING (now known as Enterprise 
Singapore) to bring together industry, regulators, academia and consumers to identify, develop and 
promote energy efficiency standards, which are used by regulators to define: best practices in energy 
mana gement systems (ISO 50001); minimum energy performance of equipment used in buildings; 
test methods for home appliances; and, the Green Mark Assessment Criteria to speed up the pace 
of green building development.36  
2.6 South Africa  presented its national standard for Energy Efficient Measurement and Verification 
(M&V) (SANS 50010:2011) linked to tax incentives for energy efficiency, and supported by an 
accreditation programme for Energy Efficient  M&V bodies under SANAS.37, 38 The United States  
presented Energy Star, a global voluntary energy efficiency labelling programme managed by the 
EPA39, relying on performance specifications, testing and verification. It was noted that the EPA 
product specification development cycle is elaborate, transparent and provides opportunity for 
                                                
28 G/TBT/GEN/198 ; and G/TBT/GEN/205 . 
29 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.3.  
30 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.18.  
31 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.4; and RD/TBT/144 . 
32 G/TBT/GE N/198 , para. 1.17; and RD/TBT/162 . 
33 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.16; and RD/TBT/143 . 
34 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.19; and RD/TBT/153 . 
35 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.20; and RD/TBT/154 . 
36 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.6; and RD/TBT/160 . 
37 South African National Accreditation System.  
38 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.10; and RD/TBT/146 . 
39 Environmental Protection Agency.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 international input. All Energy Star products need to be third -party certified before they can carry 
the label.40 
2.7 Members and Observers also emphasized the importance of standards . Australia  
highlighted the role of ISO41 and IEC42 in developing and managing energy efficiency standards for 
a number of products.43 China  encouraged Members to adopt ISO and IEC testing methods, to 
promote mutual recognition of laboratory test results and the applica tion of QR code electronic 
labels, and also to promote capacity building on energy efficiency standards in developing 
Members.44 The IEC emphasized the opportunity to reduce global electricity consumption by 
increasing efficiency of electrical motors, and e xplained that IEC 60034 -30 indicates three energy 
efficiency classes for cage -motors.45 UNECE  presented the three agreements administered by 
WP.2946 to support energy efficiency of vehicles.47 
2.8 A number of invited speakers addressed the topic of voluntary versus mandatory 
approaches . For instance, a representative of Schneider Electric , sharing experience as Chair of 
the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 3948, said the global regulatory and standards landscape for energy efficiency 
of data centres is complex, and voluntary p rogrammes allow for consumer choice and deliver 
results.49 On a similar note, the Consumer Technology Association  called for flexible and 
innovation -friendly approaches to energy efficiency regulation in the technology industry, and said 
that voluntary appr oaches are preferred to mandatory regulation based on minimum energy 
performance standards.50 AHAM51 highlighted the different benefits arising from the use of 
international, regional or industry standards for energy efficiency.52 
2.9 More generally on cooper ation between Members , Canada  said that regulatory cooperation 
works best when it is collaborative; in other words, driven by consumers having similar preferences, 
stakeholders having similar concerns, and regulators with mutual interests. Canada also expl ained 
that Canada -US Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) has taken up work to address gaps in the 
alignment of energy efficiency standards between Canada and the US identified by industry, which 
are increasing costs for business and creating consumer conf usion.53 Mexico  described Pan -American 
efforts to harmonize energy efficiency labelling requirements in light of the challenge of product 
comparability in terms of energy consumption.54 The United States  described its cooperation in 
various fora aimed at sup porting good policy development in the field of energy efficiency, including: 
the IEA -4E55 initiative, the SEAD56 and work in national and international standardizing bodies.57 
2.10 Invited speakers also highlighted the benefits of cooperation . IEA58 noted that cooperation 
on energy efficiency regulation is important to reduce costs of energy -efficient appliances for 
consumers.59 ILAC60/IAF61 explained the benefits of its multilateral mutual recognition arrangements 
– for government, business and consume rs – in supporting organizations and products to 
demonstrate improvements of environmental and energy performance.62 
                                                
40 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.21; and RD/TBT/152 . 
41 International Organization for Standardization.  
42 International Electrotechnical Commission.  
43 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.3.  
44 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.4; and RD/TBT/144 . 
45 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.8; and RD/TBT/145 . 
46 UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations.  
47 G/TBT/ GEN/198 , para. 1.9; and RD/TBT/150 . 
48 Subcommittee on Sustainability for an d by Information Technology.  
49 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.7; and RD/TBT/148 . 
50 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.11; and RD/TBT/149 . 
51 Association of Home Appliances Manufacturers.  
52 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.5; and RD/TBT/147 . 
53 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.18.  
54 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.20; and RD/TBT/154 . 
55 Energy Efficient End -use Equipment  
56 Super -Efficient Equipment and Appliance Deployment Initiative.  
57 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.15; and RD/TBT/151 . 
58 International Energy Agency.  
59 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.2; and RD/TBT/161 . 
60 International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation.  
61 International Acc reditation Forum.  
62 G/TBT/GEN/198 , para. 1.12; and RD/TBT/155 . WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 2.1.1  Food (nutrition) labelling  
 
2.11 Regarding the objective of protecting human health , the United States  highlighted the 
significant neg ative consequences of childhood obesity, the factors that influence the food 
environment  for families and children , the positive contribution of the new US Nutrition Facts Label, 
and areas for future work in nutrition labelling.63 The WHO64 stated that nutri tion labelling is one 
part of a comprehensive approach and policy measures to promote healthy diet and prevent and 
control diet -related non -communicable diseases.65 
2.12 On the importance of harmonizing standards , Brazil  emphasized the need for balance in 
food labelling between, on the one hand, the right of consumers to receive pertinent information, 
and, on the other, allowing trade to take place . It was noted that Codex66 standards and the TBT 
and SPS Agreements could help  harmonize food labelling.67 In thi s regard, Costa Rica  described 
ongoing work of the CCFL68 electronic working group (eWG) on front -of-pack nutrition labelling. The 
eWG has two objectives: (i) to determine whether the Codex Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling 
provide adequate guidance on fron t-of-pack nutrition labelling; and (ii) the role of Codex in 
promoting harmonization of front -of-pack labelling implemented by various stakeholders.69 Codex 
presented its work on food labelling as related to  information on human nutrition, undertaken by the 
CCFL and the CCNFSDU.70, 71  
2.13 Specifically on labelling requirements , Canada  provided information on the Canadian Food 
Inspection Agency's on -line industry labelling tool designed to help domestic and foreign 
stakeholders determine if they require a particular label, such as the Nutrition Facts table.72 
The Philippines  presented the results of the APEC73 Survey on Packaging and Labelling Requirements 
on Pre -packaged Food Products, which aims to increase transparency and take stock of labelling and 
packaging requirements of APEC member economies .74 Chinese Taipei  explained its food labelling 
regulations and the nine elements that are required to be indic ated in Chinese and common symbols 
on the container or packaging of food and food raw materials.75 
2.14 Invited speakers also addressed the topic of labelling requirements. The Mexican Council of 
the Consumer Products Industry  presented Mexico's experience with front -of-pack labelling, and 
mentioned three lessons learned: (i) regulations have to be clear and comprehensive; (ii) front -of-
pack labelling has to be complemented with educational campaigns; and (iii) digital tools could 
provide multiple sources of  information and enable the design of smart labels. Mexico's intervention 
highlighted that the front-of-pack labelling should: (i) follow Codex Guidelines; (ii) be science -based; 
(iii) consult with consumers; and (iv) not constitute arbitrary or unjustifia ble discrimination or 
undermine intellectual property rights.76 Mondelēz International  explained that lack of harmonization 
in food labelling requirements adds costs for producers and consumers, and that keeping up to date 
with the changing landscape of foo d labelling requirements at the local, national and international 
level is a major challenge for the private sector.77 Guatemala  said that the non -harmonization of 
food labelling at the international level affected exports from developing countries in parti cular. It 
was difficult to comply with different labels in each country.  
2.15 A number of Members described recent developments . The United States  described the 
updated US Nutrition Facts Label. Recent work has been undertaken in light of: (i) improved scientific 
information on links between diet, health and chronic diseases; (ii) changes in the amount of foods 
consumed; and (iii) changes in priorit ies for dietary guidance (greater focus on calories and serving 
                                                
63 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.3; and RD/TBT/179 . 
64 World Health Organization.  
65 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.2; and RD/TBT/183 . 
66 Codex Alimentarius Commission.  
67 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.18; and RD/TBT/187 . 
68 Codex Committee on Food Labelling.  
69 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.7; and RD/TBT/188 . 
70 Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses.  
71 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.6; and RD/TBT/184 . 
72 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.15; and RD/TBT/181 . 
73 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.  
74 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.19; and RD/TBT/192 . 
75 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.11 . 
76 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.16; and RD/TBT/191 . 
77 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.17; and RD/TBT/189 . WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 18 - 
 sizes).78 Canada  explained that changes to the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations are being 
proposed in order to incorporate scientific updates and to harmonize with the US system, including 
with respect to the list of nutrients to be declared and the basis for Daily Values.79  
2.16 The European Union  reported on the recently adopted EU legal framework for food labelling 
which  sets out principles, objectives and provisions governing food informat ion to consumers, and 
which for the first time includes a mandatory nutrition declaration.80 Chile presented its new 
regulations on nutritional labelling, which include three main elements: (i)  restrictions of marketing 
of food products to children under 14 ; (ii) restrictions of marketing or sale in school environments; 
and (iii)  the use of front -of-package warning labels .81 Switzerland  described changes to its legal 
framework for mandatory food labelling, including that within four years all pre -packaged foo d would 
be required to have a nutrition declaration indicating amounts of certain nutrients.82 
2.1.3  Other information  
 
2.17 Observers  also provided relevant information. Updates were provided by ARSO83, CODEX84, 
IEC85, OECD86 and UNECE .87 
2.2 Recommendations  
 
2.18 Building on this exchange as well as on previous decisions and recommendations of the 
Committee, and with a view to furthering its work and raising awareness of the importance of 
regulatory cooperation between Members, the Committee  agrees:  
a. to continue its information exchange in the area of regulatory cooperation between 
Members, based on topics identified by them.  
3 Technical Regulations  
 
3.1 Exchange of Experiences  
 
3.1 European Union  emphasized that mandatory marking and labellin g requirements affect a 
very large portion of global trade, and that these are becoming increasingly complex. It was 
suggested that the Committee discuss practical aspects of compliance with mandatory marking and 
labelling requirements affecting imported p roducts, and promote measures and practices that enable 
producers to fulfil the legitimate objectives pursued by mandatory marking and labelling 
requirements in the least costly and burdensome way possible, thereby facilitating trade.88 
3.2 Recommendations  
 
3.2 With a view to furthering its work in the area of mandatory marking and labelling 
requirements, the Committee  agrees:  
a. to hold a discussion of how to facilitate compliance with mandatory marking and 
labelling requirements on products, and consider the need for further work in the 
Committee on this topic, including on a sectoral basis, as appropriate.  
                                                
78 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.10; and RD/TBT/167 . 
79 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1 .12; and RD/TBT/180 . 
80 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.20; and RD/TBT/190 . 
81 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.13; and RD/TBT/193 . 
82 G/TBT/GEN/205 , para. 1.14; and RD/TBT/182 . 
83 G/TBT/GEN/200 ; G/TBT/GEN/219 ; and G/TBT/GEN/239 . 
84 RD/TBT/184 . 
85 RD/TBT/145 . 
86 G/TBT/GEN/208  and RD/TBT/194 . 
87 G/TBT/GEN/207 ; G/TBT/GEN/224  and RD/TBT/150 . 
88 G/TBT/W/534 . WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 4 CONFORMITY ASSESSMEN T PROCEDURES  
 
"Five articles of the TBT Agreement address conformity assessment 
procedures, and establish obligations of a substantive and procedural 
nature. Articles 5 and 6 contain disciplines applying to central 
government bodies. Articles 7, 8 and 9 relate to conformity assessment 
procedures of local government bodies, non -governmental bodies and 
international and regional  systems. The definition of a conformity 
assessment procedure is contained in Annex 1, Paragraph 3 of the 
Agreement."  
 
G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Section 3, para. 3.1  
 
4.1 Exchange of experiences  
 
4.1 During the review period, most of the Committee's exchange of experiences took place in the 
context of three thematic sessions held on the topics of conformity assessment procedures and risk 
assessment. These sessions were held on 10  March  201689, 28 March 201790 and 13  June 2017.91 
The topic of conformity assessment procedures was also discussed in the context of regulatory 
cooperation betw een Members (Section 2).  
4.1.1  Approaches to conformity assessment  
 
4.2 Members discussed factors that influence the choice and design  of conformity assessment 
procedures. For example, Canada  described its use of different types of conformity assessment 
procedures depending on the levels of risk associated with products (low, medium and high risk).92 
The European Union  emphasized proportionality and recognition (or lack thereof) as two 
inter-related trade aspects of conformity assessment, and said it follows a risk -based approach to 
conformity assessment that ensures consistency within a given product category.93 The EU explained 
that Decision 768/2008 sets out criteria for selecting procedures i n proportion to the level of risk 
and safety required. EU experience showed that GRP helps inform and determine the choice of 
conformity assessment procedures and that any type of conformity assessment procedure requires 
an adequate level of post -market su rveillance.94 The European Union also emphasized that risk 
assessment (see Section 4.1.4 below) is a crucial factor for the choice and design of appropriate 
conformity assessment procedures.95 The United States  stressed that the TBT Agreement maintains 
neutr ality with respect to approaches to conformity assessment, as demonstrated in the Indicative 
List of Approaches to Facilitate the Results of Conformity Assessment, and that this is important 
given the dynamic nature of risk, including in areas like the "In ternet of Things" and 3D printing.96 
The United States suggested the Committee discuss the development of National Quality 
Infrastructure (NQI), use of accreditation as a trade facilitative tool, and national and regional 
implementation of conformity assess ment.97 
4.3 The European Union  suggested that the Committee initiate work to develop recommendations 
or practical guidelines to support regulators in the choice and design of appropriate and 
proportionate conformity assessment procedures, and exchange of in formation and experiences on 
market surveillance (post -market controls).98  
4.4 South Africa  suggested that the Committee consider the topic of "Certificates of Free Sale" 
requirements which, South Africa says, create challenges for exporters. South Africa explained that 
a Certificate of Free Sale is a document which states that a specific product meets the domestic 
                                                
89 G/TBT/GEN/190 . 
90 G/TBT/GEN/213 . A revised Secretariat note on the TBT Committee's work on conformity assessment 
procedures was circulated on 22 March 2017 ( JOB/TBT/224 ). 
91 G/TBT/GEN/226 . 
92 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 5; and RD/TBT/127 . 
93 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 9; and RD/TBT/138 . 
94 G/TBT/GEN/226 , para. 1; and RD/TBT/222 . 
95 G/TBT/W/462 , paras 2.2 and 2.4.  
96 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 7; and RD/TBT/129 .  
97 G/TBT/W/531 . 
98 G/TBT/W/462 . WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 20 - 
 regulatory requirements of the exporting  Member and that the product is freely available for 
purchasing in the exporting Member's domestic marke t.99 
4.1.2  Use of relevant international standards, guides or recommendations  
 
4.5 Members and Observers discussed the use of relevant international standards, guides 
and recommendations . For example, Mexico  introduced a pilot project on safety requirements of 
electric products with regulation based on ISO/IEC 17067:2013. While national variations are 
sometimes needed, international schemes such as those of the ISO/IEC system are used for 
certification.100 The ISO stressed the importance of common international standards, guides and 
recommendations as the basis for conformity assessment procedures to facilitate international trade 
and noted that the ISO/CASCO101 toolbox includes a risk -based set of conformity asse ssment 
standards for the operation of conformity assessment bodies (CABs), accreditation bodies and peer 
evaluation.102 The IEC explained that membership in the IEC Global Conformity Assessment Systems 
is open to all qualifying certification bodies and labor atories and that the systems are based on 
predefined and common operational rules and peer assessments.103 
4.1.3  Facilitating the recognition of conformity assessment results  
 
4.6 Members discussed approaches used in certain sectors . Japan  introduced two exa mples of 
sectoral international schemes that facilitate the acceptance of test results in other Members: the 
IECEE CB Scheme104 and the OECD principles of Good Laboratory Practice. Both schemes help reduce 
duplicative testing and save government and industry  resources.105 Singapore  (on behalf of ASEAN) 
explained that ASEAN has put in place mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) and harmonized 
regulatory regimes in three sectors: Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) (based on IECEE CB 
scheme); pharmaceuticals  (based on Pharmaceutical Inspection Co -operation Scheme – PIC/S); and 
cosmetics. ASEAN's work on the acceptance and recognition of conformity assessment results has 
facilitated the flow of goods within the region and led to reduced costs for traders and f aster 
time-to-market for goods.106 Switzerland  provided another example of a free trade agreement (FTA) 
in a specific sector: the China -Switzerland FTA which includes a side -agreement that uses the 
OIML107 standards to mutually recognize test results and reduc e costs of conformity assessment 
procedures for weighing instruments.108 
4.7 There was also discussion on the use of MRAs , as well as alternative approaches. China  
described the China -New Zealand FTA, China's first FTA negotiated with a developed Member. The 
FTA includes an "Agreement between China and New Zealand on Cooperation in the Field of 
Conformity Assessment in relation to Electrical and Electronic Equipment  and Components" 
(EEE MRA). The EEE MRA seeks to reduce compliance costs and facilitate trade while assisting 
regulators in managing risks related to electrical safety and electromagnetic compatibility as well as 
reducing language barriers. China emphasize d the importance of MRAs based on equality and mutual 
benefit.109 The European Union  described the EU approach to conformity assessment in FTAs as 
including: a joint commitment to choose the least -burdensome procedure on basis of risk 
assessment and GRP prin ciples to ensure fitness for purpose; the reference to existing multilateral 
schemes (e.g. ILAC, IAF) where positive assurance of conformity is required; sector -specific 
provisions such as use of UNECE -type approval certificates for motor vehicles or suppl ier's 
declaration of conformity (SDoC) for some sectors, e.g. electronics; and, where appropriate, 
integration of existing bilateral MRAs into FTAs. While MRAs provide a one -stop shop for 
                                                
99 G/TBT/W/453 . 
100 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 11; and RD/TBT/137 .  
101 ISO Committee on Conformity Assessment.  
102 G/TBT/GEN/213 , para. 2; and RD/TBT/209 .  
103 G/TBT/GEN/213 , para. 1; and RD/TBT/203 .  
104 IEC System of Conformity Assessment Schemes for Electrotechnical Equipment  and Components, 
Certification Body scheme.  
105 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 4; an d RD/TBT/126 .  
106 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 6; and RD/TBT/128 . 
107 International Organization for Legal Metrology.  
108 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 8; and RD/TBT/130 .  
109 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 10; and RD/TBT/132 .  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 21 - 
 manufacturers, they entail high administrative burdens and limit inc entives for regulatory 
convergence by freezing the status quo.110 
4.8 Chinese Taipei  noted that there are limits to the effectiveness of MRAs as they tend to be 
costly, time -consuming, rigid and limited in scope. Allowing participation of CABs on a national 
treatment basis is more time and cost effective and mitigates issues of rigidity and obsolescence, 
particularly when there is the possibility for expansion of scope.111 Canada  preferred national 
treatment of CABs providing for recognition (including designat ion, registration, approval, licensing 
and notification) of foreign CABs on conditions no less favourable than those applied domestically, 
citing the example of Article 8.6 of the Trans -Pacific Partnership (TPP). In terms of other approaches, 
Canada encour ages the use of voluntary Multilateral Accreditation Arrangements (MLAs) and noted 
that MRAs are harder to negotiate, implement, and benefits difficult to measure, although they can 
be useful for certain sectors, such as telecoms.112 Mexico  reported on a pro gramme for international 
cooperation to improve implementation of MRAs. In this respect, COMENOR113 cooperates with 
several CABs and laboratories worldwide to recognize test results and help foreign manufacturers 
obtain the Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM) mark.114 
4.9 There was also discussion on the use of accreditation . For example, Australia  highlighted the 
importance of ILAC MRA115 and IAF MLA116, which create a strategic framework to support 
international trade. However, Australia questioned whether a "peer evalu ation" process every four 
years is sufficient to maintain confidence in the results produced under the ILAC MRA and IAF MLA, 
and whether the participation of a professional independent evaluator could help towards objectivity 
and impartiality in this proce ss.117 Canada  and the European Union  (including the EA118) jointly 
presented the bilateral "Protocol on the mutual acceptance of the results of conformity assessment", 
part of the Canada -EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The Protocol relies  
heavily on accreditation to build confidence between Canadian and EU regulators so as to facilitate 
the mutual acceptance of test results and product certifications by Canadian and EU -recognized 
CABs.119  
4.10 Further on the topic of accreditation, the United States  presented the TBT Chapter of NAFTA120 
as an example of a mechanism that enables recognition of CABs of NAFTA parties through 
accreditation.121 Indonesia  explained that for mandatory SNI122, conformity assessment activities 
have to be performed by CABs accredited by the Indonesian Accreditation Body (KAN123), and 
designated by the respective regulators (who have full responsibility for ensuring conformity with 
their requirements). The recognition of competency of foreign CABs occurs through bilateral or 
multilateral recognition agreements following a reciprocal principle.124 South Africa  explained how 
SADCA125 helps facilitate national, regional and international recognition and acceptance of 
conformity assessment results through SANAS126, MAURITAS127 and SADC AS.128 Attention was also 
drawn to AFRAC129 which aims at raising awareness and building capacity on accreditation in Africa 
with a view to expanding the AFRAC MRA.130 
                                                
110 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 9; and RD/TBT/138 .  
111 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 1; and RD/TBT/123 . 
112 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 5; and RD/TBT/127 .  
113 Consejo Mexicano de Normalización y Evaluació n de la Conformidad (Mexican Council for 
Standardization and Conformity Assessment).  
114 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 11; and RD/TBT/137 .  
115 International La boratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement.  
116 International Accreditation Forum Multilateral Recognition Arrangement.  
117 G/TBT/GEN/213 , para. 3; and RD/TBT/204 . 
118 European Accreditation ( RD/TBT/206 ). 
119 G/TBT/GEN/213 , paras. 4 -5; and RD/TBT/205 .  
120 North American Free Trade Agreement.  
121 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 7; and RD/TBT/129 .  
122 Standar Nasional Indonesia  
123 Komite Akreditasi Nasional.  
124 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 2; and RD/TBT/124 . 
125 Southern African Development Community Cooperation in Accreditation.  
126 South African National Accreditation System.  
127 Mauritius Accreditation System.  
128 SADC Accreditation Service.  
129 African Accreditation Cooperation.  
130 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 3; and RD/TBT/125 . WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 22 - 
 4.11 Members also discussed developments in regional trade agreements  relating to the 
recognit ion and acceptance of conformity assessment results: Canada131; China132; the 
European  Union133; South Africa134; Singapore (on behalf of ASEAN)135; Switzerland136; 
Chinese  Taipei137; the United States138; and jointly Canada and the European Union.139 
4.1.4  Risk assessment  
 
4.12 Risk assessment is a cross -cutting topic with relevance to different aspects of the work of the 
TBT Committee. A number of issues were discussed including how the level of risk  influences the 
choice of conformity assessment procedure, and different s ectoral examples. Chinese Taipei  
emphasized the relevance of risk assessment to conformity assessment procedures, technical 
regulations, and standards.140 
4.13 For example, with respect to how the  level of risk influences the choice of conformity 
assessment procedure, the European Union  noted that the basic principles underpinning risk 
assessment in the EU are proportionality and the precautionary principle. Two elements are 
important: (i) determining what level of risk is deemed unacceptable, which entails a  political 
decision; and (ii) the scientific assessment of the risk. Risk assessment forms part of impact 
assessment in the EU, which is carried out for Commission initiatives likely to have significant 
economic, social, and environmental impacts.141 Indones ia explained that it assigns risk assessment 
scores to a number of different electrical and electronic products, ranging from medium to high and 
suggested that the Committee explore an internationally accepted definition on high - and low -risk 
products as M embers sometimes assess the risk of the same product differently.142 Chinese Taipei  
noted that it uses different conformity assessment procedures depending on the risk of the product. 
The results of risk assessment may change overtime due to varying percepti ons of risk factors in 
light of evolving societal concerns, and it is therefore crucial to identify the key factors that contribute 
to risks and to incorporate them into the assessment.143  
4.14 A number of other sectoral examples  were raised. For example, t he United States  noted 
that the FDA144 has the mission of protecting public health from various food safety and nutrition 
risks. The FDA mandated trans fats labelling in 2003, and revoked the "generally recognized as safe" 
(GRAS) status of partially hydrogen ated oils in 2015. The FDA also issued a Draft Voluntary Guidance 
on Sodium Reduction Targets, and updated the Nutrition Facts Label to ensure that consumers have 
information to make healthy choices.145 In the area of cybersecurity, China  highlighted serious  and 
growing cybersecurity risks facing industrial control systems (ICS). China's Electronic Technology 
Information Research Institute engaged in risk assessment for ICS and sought to increase 
cooperation with other Members in the areas of standards develo pment and information and 
technical exchange.146 The United States  presented the United States Cybersecurity Framework, 
developed by NIST147 in collaboration with the private sector, technology experts and government 
agencies. The Cybersecurity Framework is no t a particular set of standards or regulatory 
requirements, but rather a living document that incorporates effective standards that are being 
applied by industry, with an emphasis on the use of international standards.148  
                                                
131 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 5; and RD/TBT/127 .  
132 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 10; and RD/TBT/132 .  
133 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 9; and RD/TBT/138 .  
134 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 3; and RD/TBT/125 . 
135 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 6; and RD/TBT/128 . 
136 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 8; and RD/TBT/130 .  
137 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 1; and RD/TBT/123 . 
138 G/TBT/GEN/190 , para. 7; and RD/TBT/129 .  
139 G/TBT/GEN/213 , para. 4 -5; RD/TBT/205 ; and RD/TBT/206 .  
140 G/TBT/W/530 . 
141 G/TBT/GEN/226 , para. 1; and RD/TBT/222 . 
142 G/TBT/GEN/226 , para. 3; and RD/TBT/228 .  
143 G/TBT/GEN/226 , para. 2; and RD/TBT/227 . 
144 Food and Drug Administration.  
145 G/TBT/GEN/226 , para. 4; and RD/TBT/221 . 
146 G/TBT/GEN/226 , para. 5; and RD/TBT/220 .  
147 National Institute of Standa rds and Technology.  
148 G/TBT/GEN/226 , para. 6.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 23 - 
 4.1.5  Other information  
 
4.15 The Philippines  presented the results of a business survey that identify conformity assessment 
procedures and technical requirements as the two types of non -tariff barriers that are most 
burdensome for Philippines' exporters.149  
4.16 Observers  also provided  relevant information. For instance, information on the trade effects 
of conformity assessment procedures was provided by the OECD150 and the ITC.151 Other relevant 
updates were provided by ARSO152, BIPM153, CROSQ154, IEC155, OIML156, SADC157, UNECE158 and 
UNIDO .159 
4.2 Recom mendations  
 
4.17 Building on this exchange as well as on previous decisions and recommendations of the 
Committee, in particular the mandate from the Fifth Triennial Review160, and with a view to furthering 
its work in the area of conformity assessment procedures, the Committee  agrees:  
a. to continue to exchange information  in respect of the three areas of work identified in 
previous reviews (namely: Approaches to conformity asses sment; Use of relevant 
international standards, guides or recommendations; and Facilitating the recognition of 
conformity assessment results)161; 
b. with respect to "Approaches to conformity assessment" to initiate work  on developing 
non-prescriptive practical guidelines162 to support regulators in the choice and design 
of appropriate and proportionate conformity assessment procedures, including, but not 
limited to, the following areas:  
i. criteria related to risk assessment and other relevant factors, including for 
identification of lower and higher risk products;  
ii. the range of approaches to conformity assessment available to regulators within 
different regulatory frameworks;  
iii. elements of conformity assessment that regulators can use in designing 
appropriate procedure s; 
iv. legal and administrative frameworks that enable regulators to confidently rely on 
a particular conformity assessment regime (for example, SDoC may need to be 
supported by appropriate product recall, product liability laws and consumer 
protection legisla tion);  
c. in parallel to the above work, to hold thematic sessions on:  
i. risk assessment, including: categorization of risks, and methods of risk 
assessment;  
                                                
149 G/TBT/GEN/204 , para. 1.5; and RD/TBT/178 . 
150 G/TBT/GEN/213 , para. 6; G/TBT/GEN/208 ; and RD/TBT/207 . 
151 International Trade Center ( G/TBT/GEN/213 , para. 7; and RD/TBT/208 ). 
152 G/TBT/GEN/200 ; G/TBT/GEN/219 ; G/TBT/GEN/239 ; RD/TBT/164 ; and RD/TBT/233 . 
153 International Bureau of Weights and Measures ( G/TBT/GEN/188 ; G/TBT/GEN/202 ; G/TBT/GEN/216 ; 
G/TBT/GEN/231 ; RD/TBT/214 ; and RD/TBT/231 ). 
154 CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality ( G/TBT/GEN/209 ; and RD/TBT/195 ). 
155 RD/TBT/165 ; RD/TBT/196 ; and RD/TBT/203 . 
156 G/TBT/GEN/186 ; G/TBT/GEN/211 ; and G/TBT/GEN/232 . 
157 G/TBT/GEN/189 ; and RD/TBT/122 . 
158 G/TBT/GEN/201 ; and RD/TBT/237 . 
159 United Nations Industrial Development Organization ( G/TBT/GEN/225 ; G/TBT/GEN/235 ; and 
G/TBT/GEN/246 ). 
160 G/TBT/26 , para. 19(c).  
161 G/TBT/19 , para. 46; and G/TBT/32 , para. 5. 
162 The guidelines would need to remain neutral in respect of the range of approaches that exist.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 24 - 
 ii. post market controls (e.g. market surveillance) and other pre -market controls;  
iii. "Certificates of Free Sale", without prejudice to their use by Members, including 
on: the range of appropriate and less trade restrictive available alternatives; 
related challenges faced by regulators and exporters, including with respect to 
producing certificates when they are  not in use in the exporting market; and how 
these apply to re -exports;  
iv. the development of National Quality Infrastructure (NQI), including metrology, 
standardization, conformity assessment, and accreditation, and its use by 
regulators;  
v. the use of intern ational and/or regional systems for conformity assessment by 
regulators in both national and regional regulatory regimes; and,  
vi. case studies of practical examples of how Members arrive at the acceptance of 
conformity assessment results (including by using t he approaches mentioned in 
the Committee's "Indicative List"163).  
5 STANDARDS  
 
The provisions concerning the preparation, adoption and application of 
standards  are contained in Article 4 of the TBT Agreement and in the 
Code of Good Practice for the Preparat ion, Adoption and Application of 
Standards (the "Code of Good Practice"). In addition, Articles 2.4, 2.5, 
5.4, and Paragraph F of Annex 3 of the Agreement promote the use of 
relevant international standards, guides and recommendations as a basis 
for standa rds, technical regulations and conformity assessment 
procedures. Articles 2.6, 5.5 and Paragraph G of Annex 3 emphasize the 
importance of Members' participation in international standardization 
activities related to products for which they have either adop ted, or 
expect to adopt, technical regulations.  
 
G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Section 4, para 4.1  
 
5.1 Exchange of experiences  
 
5.1 During the review period, most of the Committee's exchange of experiences took place in the 
context of a thematic session on standards, held on 14 June 2016164, and in the context of the Eighth 
Special Meeting on Procedures for Information E xchange, held on 8 November  2016.165 The topic of 
standards was also discussed in the context of regulatory cooperation between Members (Section  2). 
5.1.1  Use of standards in regulation  
 
5.2 The United States  presented the revised US Office of Management and  Budget's (OMB) 
Circular A -119 that sets policy on how agencies should choose and incorporate standards by 
reference in Federal technical regulations, and on the review of regulations incorporating standards 
by reference.166 The European Union  explained that  regulations under the EU's New Approach make 
indirect reference to harmonized European standards (CEN167, CENELEC168 and ETSI169), which 
avoids having to amend legislation each time a standard is revised.170 Australia  described 
collaboration between the Australia n Department of Industry, Innovation and Science and national 
standardizing bodies to improve regulatory outcomes, and the importance of promoting coordination 
                                                
163 The "Indicative List" refers to the Indicative List of Approaches to Facilitate the Acceptance of the 
Results of Conformity Assessment:  Annex 1 of G/TBT/1/Rev.13  (p.52).  
164 G/TBT/GEN/199 . 
165 G/TBT/GEN/206 , para. 5. A summary report is contained in Section 3 of the Annex to G/TBT/M/70 . 
166 G/TBT/GEN/199 , para. 1.2.  
167 European Committee for Standardization.  
168 European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization.  
169 European Telecommunications Standards Institute.  
170 G/TBT/GEN/199 , para. 1.3; and RD/TBT/15 7.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 25 - 
 and harmonization across all jurisdictional levels.171 Canada  noted the benefits of incorporating 
standards by reference, and potential challenges if references to standards are not precise.172 
5.3 Invited speakers also addressed the use of standards in regulation. ASTM International  
emphasized the need for standards to evolve so as to remain relevant fo r regulators, and said that 
6,900 ASTM standards have been cited by 75 nations, and that ASTM International has entered into 
95 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with standardizing bodies from developing countries.173 
CEN/CENELEC  explained the relationship b etween European Standards organizations (CEN, CENELEC 
and ETSI) and their international counterparts (ISO, IEC and ITU174) and stressed the objective of 
promoting coherence and avoiding duplication, and providing one single entry point for EU 
stakeholders to  participate in national, regional and international standardization.175 
5.1.2  Transparency in standard -setting  
 
5.4 Japan  described how the Japanese Industrial Standards Committee implements certain 
recommendations from the Seventh Triennial Review176 on transparency in standard setting, in 
particular with respect to notification of the specific website addresses where its wor k programmes 
are published, and sharing information about the publication of a notice announcing the period for 
commenting on a draft standard.177  
5.5 The WTO -ISO Standards Information Gateway was launched (replacing the ISO/IEC 
Information Centre) in Novem ber 2016.178 This website provides information about: standardizing 
bodies that have accepted or withdrawn from the Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption 
and Application of Standards; the work programmes these bodies must publish at least every  six 
months; and the templates for notification of this information to the WTO -ISO Standards Information 
Gateway.179 
5.1.3  Other information  
 
5.6 Canada  highlighted the importance of the gender perspective in the development of standards 
and technical regulations.180  
5.7 Observers  also provided relevant information. Updates were provided by ARSO181, BIPM182, 
CODEX183, CROSQ184, IEC185, ISO186, OIML187, SADC188, WHO189 and UNECE .190 
                                                
171 G/TBT/GEN/199 , para. 1.6; and RD/TBT/159 .  
172 G/TBT/W/529 . 
173 G/TBT/GEN/199 , para. 1.4; and RD/TBT/156 . 
174 International Telecommunications Union.  
175 G/TBT/GEN/199 , para. 1.5; and RD/TBT/158 .  
176 G/TBT/37 , para. 4.10.b.  
177 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 3.2; and RD/TBT/202 . 
178 https://tbtcode.iso.org/ ; G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, Section 3.2.  
179 G/TBT/37 , para. 4.10.b; and https://tbtcode.iso.org/sites/wto -tbt/home.html .  
180 G/TBT/W/532 . 
181 G/TBT/GEN/200 ; G/TBT/GEN/219 ; G/TBT/GEN/239 ; RD/TBT/164 ; and RD/TBT/233 . 
182 G/TBT/GEN/202 ; G/TBT/GEN/231 ; and RD/TBT/214 . 
183 G/TBT/GEN/197 ; G/TBT/GEN/223 ; G/TBT/GEN/233 ; G/TBT/GEN/238 ; RD/TBT/163 ; RD/TBT/184 ; 
RD/TBT/215 ; RD/TBT/216 ; RD/TBT/226 ; RD/TBT/232 ; and RD/TBT /243. 
184 G/TBT/GEN/209 . 
185 G/TBT/GEN/230 ; RD/TBT/165 ; RD/TBT/203 ; and RD/TBT/224 . 
186 RD/TBT/209 . 
187 G/TBT/GEN/203 ; and G/TBT/GEN/232 . 
188 G/TBT/GEN/189 ; and RD/TBT/122 . 
189 G/TBT/GEN/195 ; G/TBT/GEN/222 ; G/TBT/GEN/229 ; RD/TBT/183 ; and RD/TBT/236 . 
190 G/TBT/GEN/187 ; G/TBT/GEN/224 ; G/TBT/GEN/237 ; G/TBT/GEN/245 ; and G/TBT/GEN/247 . WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 26 - 
 5.2 Recommendations  
 
5.8 Building on this exchange as well as on previous decisions and recommendations of the 
Committee, and with a view to furthering its work in the area of standards, the Committee  agrees:  
a. to hold a thematic session on incorporating standards by reference in regulations with 
a view to discussing and possibly collecting best practices and which would take into 
account existing guidelines and policy considerations on referencing standards; and,  
b. to hold a workshop on the role of gender in the development of standards.  
6 TRANSPARENCY  
 
"The TBT Agreement contains transparency  provisions in: Articles 2 and 
3 (technical regulations); Articles 5, 7, 8 and 9 (conformity assessment 
procedures); Annex 3, parag raphs J, L, M, N, O & P (standards); and 
Articles 10 (general transparency provisions) and 15 (final provisions). A 
number of decisions and recommendations have been made with a view 
to facilitating access to information and further improving the 
implement ation of transparency procedures under the Agreement."  
 
G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Section 5, para. 5.1, p. 20 (emphasis added)  
 
 
6.1 Exchange of experiences  
 
6.1 During the review period, most of the Committee's exchange of experiences took place in the 
context of its Eighth Special Meeting on Procedures for Information Exchange held on 8 
November  2016.191 In the Committee's discussions on transparency, three areas were discussed in 
particular: (i ) online tools; (ii) functioning of enquiry points; and, (iii) notifications of technical 
regulations and conformity assessment procedures. The topic of transparency was also discussed in 
the context of technical assistance (Section 6).  
6.2 Members contin ued to submit an increasing number of TBT notifications during the review 
period (Chart  1). During the review period, 11 Members submitted their first Statement on 
Implementation and Administration of the TBT Agreement under Article 15.2 of the TBT Agreeme nt 
(15.2 Statement) and 8 Members submitted revisions to their statements.192 
 
                                                
191 G/TBT/GEN/206 . A summary report is conta ined in the Annex to G/TBT/M/70 . 
192 Figures as of 15 November 2018.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 27 - 
 Chart 1: Total TBT notifications per Triennial Review period193 
 
 
 
 
6.1.1  Online tools  
 
6.3 The Committee  launched ePing, the global alert mechanism for TBT and SPS notifications 
developed jointly by the WTO, UNDESA194 and ITC, at the Eighth Special Meeting on Procedures for 
Information Exchange on 8 November 2016.195 
6.4 Members discussed their experiences utilising ePing and leveraging online tools and 
technology to inv olve stakeholders in the process of gathering, disseminating, tracking and 
responding to TBT notifications.196 Uganda  shared its experience in piloting and implementing ePing 
at the national level, lessons learned, and steps taken to promote ePing including through meetings 
of the national TBT/SPS Committee.197 Australia  highlighted the benefits of ePing in terms of 
transparency, consultation and accountability, and its efforts to promote ePing using different tools 
and events.198 Canada  noted the user -friendly interface of ePing, and found the email alert and 
search filters particularly useful.199 South Africa  said ePing is an indispensable tool that facilitates 
public awareness and the identification of potential technical barriers in dra ft measures at an early 
stage.200 
6.5 Korea  shared its KNOWTBT201, a comprehensive portal for supporting stakeholders to track 
and respond to TBT notifications.202 The European Union  presented its TBT web platform (EC -TBT 
website), its functioning and how it is promoted to stakeholders.203 The Philippines  introduced the 
                                                
193 Figure s as of 15 November 2018.  
194 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.  
195 www.epingalert.org ; G/TBT/GEN/206 , para. 2; G/TBT/M/70 , para. 1.1; and 
https://www.wto.org/engli sh/tratop_e/tbt_e/1_eping_e.pdf .  
196 G/TBT/GEN/206 , para. 3; and G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.1. 
197 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.3; and https://www.wto.or g/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/2 -Uganda_e.pdf . 
198 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.5; https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/4_Australia_e.pdf ; and 
G/TBT/W/537 . 
199 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.23. 
200 G/TBT/W/452 . 
201 Korean Network on World TBT.  
202 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.4; and https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt _e/3_Korea_e.pdf . 
203 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.6; and https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/  
5_EU_Stakeholders_e.pdf . 
17362011 209526534645583863597687
010002000300040005000600070008000Total number of notifications (new, addenda, 
corrigenda, revisions)WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 28 - 
 web-based portal, the "Philippine National Trade Repository" that enables access to information and 
facilitates compliance with regulations; using examples it was shown how technology facilitates 
transparency in the area of regulation.204 The United States  presented its web -based platform "Notify 
US", and underlined the extensive use of the alert service by US stakeholders.205 
6.6 Members discussed their experiences using the TBT Notification Submission System 
(TBT NSS), the online platform for Members to prepare and submit TBT notifications to the WTO.206 
Canada  emphasized the value and reliability of the TBT NSS, and its benefits for faster processing 
of notifications by the Secretariat which in turn give s Members more time to become informed and 
for interested parties to submit comments.207 The United States  highlighted the benefits of the 
TBT NSS, and noted that the system facilitates coordination between agencies before notifying.208 
The European Union  said that while the NSS works well, there are challenges such as with respect 
to submission of texts that are too long or contain many images, and during periods of closure of 
the WTO.209 Kenya  welcomed the faster and reliable TBT NSS, and said that its use ease s 
coordination and reduces delays in the submission of notifications.210 Trinidad and Tobago  said the 
TBT NSS helps avoid delays in the submission of notifications related to coordination.211 
6.7 The Committee  launched the modernized TBT Information Management  System (TBT IMS) in 
March 2017.212 Brazil  highlighted that the TBT search tool lacks valuable information that is included 
in the corresponding SPS search tool, especially with respect to the status of the specific trade 
concerns (STCs) raised in the Commit tee. Therefore, Brazil suggested adding four columns to the 
TBT STCs search tool in the TBT IMS.213 
6.1.2  Functioning of enquiry points  
 
6.8 Members shared experiences on the role of enquiry points in facilitating internal coordination 
and the handling, accepting, and transmitting of comments, and exploring ways to improve their 
functioning.214 The Secretariat presented the WTO TBT Enquiry Point Guide at the 14 -15 November 
2018 Committee meeting.215 
6.9 The European Union  presented the TBT notificat ion procedure within the EU and recalled EU 
member States' obligations when notifying new national technical regulations.216 Chinese Taipei  
explained how its TBT enquiry point enhances coordination with and amongst regulators, through 
preparatory work before  TBT Committee meetings and the delivery of seminars on transparency.217 
In order to overcome resistance to notify from regulators, Chinese Taipei provided its regulators 
with examples of similar notifications made by other Members to help persuade them of t he necessity 
to notify.218  
6.10 Switzerland  established a unit within its administration to assess TBT and trade relevance of 
all legislative projects and to ensure notifications take place.219 South Africa  explained that it 
coordinates through a domestic TBT  committee that brings regulators and quality infrastructure 
bodies together to discuss the annotated draft agenda in advance of TBT Committee meetings; this 
was also an opportunity to emphasize to regulators the importance of notifying.220 A list of contact  
persons in different regulatory departments, including at the divisional level within each department, 
                                                
204 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.7; and https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/6_Philippines_e.pdf . 
205 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.8; and https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/7_US_e.pdf . 
206 www.nss.wto.org/tbtmembers : for more information and access please contact tbtnss@wt o.org; and 
G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.27. 
207 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.28.  
208 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.29.  
209 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.30.  
210 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.31. 
211 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.26.  
212 www.tbtims.wto.org ; and G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.2.  
213 G/TBT/W/461 , paras. 3.1 -3.4. 
214 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, Section 2.  
215 G/TBT/37 , para. 5.12.a.ii.  
216 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 2.2; and https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/8_EU_EP_e.pdf . 
217 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 2.3.  
218 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 2.1 2. 
219 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 2.4. 
220 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 2.10. See related discussion in para. 1.3. WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 29 - 
 should be maintained to facilitate coordination.221 TBT enquiry point officials have a wide range of 
backgrounds, from lawyers to librarians to administra tors.222 
6.11 Uganda  highlighted the challenge of empowering notification authorities and enquiry points to 
be able to identify draft regulations that meet notification requirements.223 Canada  underscored the 
importance for trading partners of the work of enqu iry points in collecting and disseminating 
information, and in handling comments, and explained Canada's internal process for handling 
comments.224 Senegal  mentioned the difficulty of coordination between enquiry points and 
notification authorities.225 
6.12 The United States  explained that its enquiry point and notification authority are the same 
entity, which avoids coordination problems. The US enquiry point is essentially a facilitator of 
communications, making information available to both industry and gove rnment, ensuring 
notifications are submitted, and handling comments. USTR coordinates with industry to develop 
positions for WTO TBT Committee or for bilateral engagements based on information received from 
the US enquiry point.226 Trinidad and Tobago  explai ned that its enquiry point is housed at the Bureau 
of Standards. The enquiry point is tasked with preparing notifications, which are sent to the WTO 
through its notification authority, the Ministry of Trade and Industry.227 
6.13 The United States  stressed th e importance of Members regularly updating their enquiry point 
contact information, including email addresses, fax numbers and website URLs. It was suggested 
that Members validate the accuracy and availability of their enquiry point contact information.228 
6.14 New Zealand  encouraged the sharing of information amongst Members about the effective 
operation of enquiry points  to reduce the burden of establishing and operating enquiry points in 
developing Members. This could also be useful for Members which submit a limited number of 
notifications. New Zealand suggested discussion of good practices for domestic coordination and 
engagement with regulators to reinforce the transparency obligations in the TBT Agreement and 
ensure all relevant measures are notifi ed in accordance with the Agreement .229 
6.1.3  Submission of notifications  
 
6.15 Brazil  identified challenges related to situations where a Member considers it difficult to 
establish – or foresee – whether a draft technical regulation falls under the TBT and/ or the SPS 
Agreement.230 The United States  presented a paper analysing WTO Members' TBT notifications and 
their links to trade in goods, and highlighted that over 92% of global goods exports can be linked to 
TBT notifications.231 The paper reviewed notificatio n patterns by Members, and highlighted certain 
information that is routinely missing from Members' notifications but that is particularly important 
to traders: products affected; date of entry into force; and whether the measure is in accordance 
with inter national standards, guides or recommendations.232 Japan  underscored the significance of 
information provided in Box 8 of the notification format ("relevant documents"), and the need to 
improve access to the relevant documents through information technology  (websites).233 
Australia  emphasized that including keywords in TBT notifications could help further identify the 
goods and/or types of measures covered by a notification .234 
                                                
221 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 2.5. 
222 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 2.18.  
223 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 2.7.  
224 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 2.11.  
225 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.24. 
226 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, paras. 1.15 and 1.25.  
227 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.26. 
228 G/TBT/W/451 . 
229 G/TBT/W/463 . See related discussion in para.  1.3. 
230 G/TBT/W/460/Rev.1 . 
231 G/TBT/GEN/215  and G/TBT/M/71 , para. 2.332.  
232 G/TBT/W/464 . 
233 G/TBT/W/528 . 
234 G/TBT/W/537 . WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 30 - 
 6.1.4  Texts of notified technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures  
 
6.16 With respect to access to full texts  of notified measures, Trinidad and Tobago , Uganda  and 
the United States  said that although they include a link to the full text of draft measures (or provide 
the full text to the Secretariat for posting on the WTO website) when submitting notifications, their 
enquiry points are nevertheless frequently asked to send the full t ext separately.235 The 
United  States  noted that Members sometimes cite international standards which are copyright 
protected and suggested that in such cases Members could add a note to that effect, provide the 
name of the standard, and, where possible, prov ide a link to where it can be purchased.236 
6.17 With respect to the adopted final text , the United States  highlighted the importance of 
providing information on whether proposed technical regulations and/or conformity assessment 
procedures have entered into  force.237 Australia  suggested changes to the addendum notification 
template to enhance transparency for the private sector and assist Members in notifying the adoption 
of measures.238 The United States  emphasized the benefits for traders and Members of sharin g 
information on Members' websites where final technical regulations, as well as applicable conformity 
assessment procedures, can be freely accessed.239 
6.1.5  Handling of comments  
 
6.18 Switzerland  highlighted the benefits of disseminating comments received on notified measures 
and replies thereto, on a voluntary basis, such as improving transparency and efficiency, and 
facilitating the preparation of Committee meetings and coordination between Memb ers.240 
6.2 Recommendations  
 
6.19 Building on this exchange as well as on previous decisions and recommendations of the 
Committee, and with a view to furthering its work in the area of transparency, the Committee  
agrees:  
a. with respect to functioning of enquiry points : 
i. to encourage  Members t o validate the contact information of their enquiry points 
as contained in the TBT IMS241 to improve the accuracy and availability of this 
information. Members are encouraged to either inform the Secretariat that the 
current information is correct, or to pro vide the Secretariat with updated 
information, by the March 2019 Committee meeting;  
ii. to discuss  in the context of the Ninth Special Meeting on Procedures for 
Information Exchange: how ePing can facilitate the work of enquiry points; 
linkages between ePing a nd domestic registers of central regulatory planning or 
action, or other "early warning systems"; and the private sector's use of ePing.  
b. with respect to domestic coordination : 
i. to discuss  good practices for domestic coordination and engagement with 
regulato rs, including sharing information about how Members effectively 
communicate with regulatory agencies to ensure that all relevant notifications are 
made.  
                                                
235 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, paras. 1.11, 1.12, and 1.16. 
236 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.12.  
237 G/TBT/W/464 . 
238 G/TBT/W/537 . 
239 G/TBT/W/535 . 
240 G/TBT/W/536 . 
241 http://tbtims.wto.org/en/NationalEnquiryPoints/Search . WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 31 - 
 c. with respect to use of online tools : 
i. to discuss  how to improve the TBT IMS in order to best reflect the  status of STCs 
raised in the TBT Committee with a view to modify its format accordingly before 
the next Triennial Review.  
d. with respect to the submission of notifications : 
i. to exchange information , for the purposes of enhancing predictability and 
transpare ncy, on practices used in situations where a Member considers it is 
difficult to establish whether a draft technical regulation or conformity assessment 
procedure may fall under the TBT and/or the SPS Agreement. This exchange may 
be organized as an informa tion session in cooperation with the SPS Committee;  
ii. to encourage  Members to provide maximum specific information on the products 
potentially impacted by notified measures (in Box 4 of the notification format). In 
this connection, to hold an initial discus sion on how to improve – and what 
challenges exist for – the identification of products including with respect to the 
use of ICS and/or HS codes and/or product names where precise codes do not 
apply;  
iii. to discuss  challenges in identifying deviations from re levant international 
standards, guides or recommendations;  
iv. to encourage  Members, where possible, to provide a website address giving 
access to the text of the "relevant documents" in Box 8 of the notification format; 
and 
v. to consider , in light of the above,  the need to review and update the Committee's 
Format and Guidelines for New Notification242. Consideration could also, at that 
point, be given to the development of a keyword list and mechanism for assigning 
relevant keywords for TBT notifications.  
e. with re spect to adopted final texts : 
i. to recommend  Members to notify the adopted final text of technical regulations 
and conformity assessment procedures243; 
ii. to modify  the existing addenda notification template244 or to develop a new 
addenda template specific to adopted final texts so as to provide Members with 
the ability to indicate when  the measure entered – or will enter – into force and 
provide information on where  the final text can be obtained, including website 
address245;  
iii. to endeavour  to provide the Secretariat, to the extent possible before the 
June 2019 TBT Committee meeting, with up -to-date website information for 
where adopted final texts of technical regulations, as well as applicable conformity 
assessment procedures,  can normally be accessed; and  
iv. to request  the Secretariat to maintain an up -to-date and readily available list of 
such websites, based on information from Members and within the limits of its 
resources, and to publish the list annually in the Annual Review  of the 
Implementation and Operation of the TBT Agreement . 
                                                
242 G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Annex 3.2, pp. 58 -61.  
243 Circulated as an addendum to the original notification in line with G/TBT/35 . 
244 G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Annex 3.3, p. 62; and G/TBT/35 . 
245 G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Section 5.6.2.1, p. 35; and G/TBT/35 . WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 32 - 
 f. with respect to the handling of comments : 
i. to reiterate  previous recommendations246 to encourage  Members to disseminate 
comments received on notified draft measures and substantive replies, on a 
voluntary basis; and  
ii. to discuss , in the context of the Ninth Special Meeting on Procedures for 
Information Exchange, the dissemination of comments received o n notified draft 
measures and substantive replies on a voluntary basis, possibly via existing online 
tools such as ePing.  
7 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  
 
Provisions on technical assistance are contained in Article 11 of the TBT 
Agreement. Technical assistance has been considered an area of priority 
work for the Committee since its establishment; it figures on the agenda 
of the Committee on a permanent basis. Members have regularly, on a 
voluntary basis, exchanged experiences and information on technical 
assistance in order to enhance the implementation of Article 11 of the 
TBT Agreement.  
 
G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Section 6, para. 6.1, p. 43  
 
7.1 Exchange of experiences  
 
7.1 During the review period, most of the Committee's exchange of experiences took place in the 
context of a thematic session on technical assistance, held on 9 November 2016247, and in the 
context of the Eighth Special Meeting on Procedures for Information Exchange, held on 
8 November  2016.248  
7.2 Indonesia  described an MoU between the BSN249 and the IAPMO250 on standardization of 
plumbing, signed in 2003 and extended u ntil 2017. The MOU addresses consumer needs for safe 
and effective plumbing systems in Indonesia's growing building and construction market.251 
7.3 The European Union  presented the ACP -EU TBT Program252 which aims at: enhancing the 
capacity of ACP regional and continental quality infrastructure institutions; supporting the capacity 
of ACP economic operators to comply with technical regulations, standards and conformity 
assessment procedures; and dissemin ating results and experiences.253 
7.4 The United States  explained how the Standards Alliance supports developing Members in 
implementing the TBT Agreement254, and highlighted examples of assistance to TBT enquiry points 
and notification authorities in Africa.255 The United States also introduced five different TBT capacity 
building programmes offered by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).256 Invited speakers also 
provided information on capacity building projects. The Grocery Manufacturers Association  presente d 
two different APEC capacity building projects: the Food Safety Cooperation Forum (FSCF); and the 
Partnership Training Institute Network (PTIN).257 
                                                
246 G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Section 5.3.1.9, p. 28.  
247 G/TBT/GEN/204 . 
248 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex.  
249 National Standardization Agency of Indonesia.  
250 International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.  
251 G/TBT/GEN/204 , para 1.4; and RD/TBT/177 . 
252 African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States -EU TBT Program  
253 G/TBT/GEN/204 , para. 1.8; and RD/TBT/174 . 
254 G/TBT/GEN/204 , para. 1.3; and RD/TBT/172 . 
255 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 2.15; RD/TBT/176 ; and https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/  
tbt_e/9_US_SA_e.pdf . 
256 G/TBT/GEN/204 , para. 1.7; and RD/TBT/171 . 
257 G/TBT/GEN/204 , para. 1.6; and RD/TBT/173 . WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 33 - 
 7.5 The Secretariat  described the Aid -for-Trade initiative, and the benefits of improving the 
tracking and mo nitoring of TBT -related activities and support under Aid for Trade were discussed.258 
The EIF259 presented its work in the area of standards; the EIF Trust Fund is supporting at least 10 
projects with standards -related elements, including one standards -specifi c project in Lao PDR.260 
7.6 The Philippines  encouraged a discussion of a Standards and Trade Development Facility 
(STDF)  counterpart for TBT. An STDF for TBT could be aimed at: increasing awareness of TBT; 
mobilizing resources; strengthening collaboration; identifying and disseminating good practices; and 
providing support and funding for the development and implementation of projects that promote 
compliance with TBT standards and requirements.261 The Philippines  further suggested that 
replicating the STDF in the TBT area could assist Members in advocating TBT principles such as 
GRP.262 The Philippines , Mauritius  and Uganda  highlighted the benefits and successes of STDF in the 
SPS area, and encouraged Members to revisit a TBT -related technical assistance and 
capacity -building funding facility.263 
7.1.1  Technical assistance on transparency  
 
7.7 The United States  presented the t echnical assistance that it provided through the Standards 
Alliance to build capacity of TBT enquiry points and notification authorities of African Members, 
including the development of action plans.264 Kenya  said that technical assistance from the 
Standards  Alliance supports development of a notification alert system similar to ePing. Malawi  noted 
that technical assistance from the Standards Alliance has demonstrated that an enquiry point can 
be effectively run by relatively few people, an important point fo r a smaller economy like Malawi.265  
7.8 Canada  described a planned capacity building activity with Trinidad and Tobago, consisting of 
representatives visiting the Canadian notification authority and enquiry point to observe operations 
in order to boost tran sparency and the application of good regulatory practices.266 
7.9 Uganda  underlined gaps in the capacity of small and medium -sized enterprises (SMEs) to 
analyse the technical texts referenced in notifications, and suggested helping SMEs to build their 
capaci ty in this respect.267 To ease the burdens that SMEs face in reacting to notifications, Australia  
suggested including ePing in training programmes to increase awareness, and to use industry 
associations to analyse trade barriers on behalf of SMEs.268 CROSQ  and ITC provided relevant 
information in this regard.269 
                                                
258 G/TBT/GEN/204 , para. 1.1; and RD/TBT/170/Rev.1 . 
259 Enhanced Integrated Framework.  
260 G/TBT/GEN/204 , para. 1.2; and RD/TBT/186 . 
261 G/TBT/GEN/204 , para. 1.5; and RD/TBT/178 . 
262 G/TBT/GEN/214 , paras. 1 and 2; and RD/TBT/210 .  
263 G/TBT/W/538/Rev.1 . 
264 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 2.15; RD/TBT/176 ; and https://www.wto.org/english/  
tratop_e/tbt_e/9_US_SA_e.pdf . 
265 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 2.21.  
266 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 2.22.  
267 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.20. 
268 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, para. 1.21. 
269 G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, paras. 1.19 and 1.22.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 7.1.2  Other information  
 
7.10 The Secretariat  provided information on its TBT technical assistance activities.270 In addition, 
information was provided on relevant contributions made by the TBT Secretariat to the Aid -for-Trade 
Global Review in 2017, including on quality infrastructure and ePing.271 
7.11 Observers  also provided relevant information. Updates were provide d by ARSO272, BIPM273, 
CODEX274, CROSQ275, IEC276, ISO277, OECD278, OIML279, SADC280, UNECE281 and UNIDO .282  
7.2 Recommendations  
 
7.12 Building on this exchange as well as on previous decisions and recommendations of the 
Committee, and with a view to furthering its work in the  area of technical assistance, the Committee  
agrees:  
a. to encourage  Members to continue providing and exchanging experiences on technical 
assistance, including on how to improve donor coordination;  
b. to request  the Secretariat to provide a presentation on the feasibility, including challenges 
and options, of expanding the present STDF to encompass measures covered by the 
TBT Agreement, or setting up a separate and dedicated TBT development facility; and,  
c. to develop  a good practice guide on how to prepare a comment on a WTO notified technical 
regulation or conformity assessment procedure.  
                                                
270 G/TBT/38/Rev.1 , Section 5 (for 2015); G/TBT/39/Rev.1 , Section 5 (for 2017); G/TBT/GEN/220  (for 
2017); and G/TBT/GEN/221  (para. 5.1 on the 2016 -2017 biennium).  
271 G/TBT/GEN/228 . 
272 G/TBT/GEN/193 ; G/TBT/GEN/200 ; G/TBT/GEN/219;  G/TBT/GEN/239 ; RD/TBT/142 ; RD/TBT/164 ; and 
RD/TBT/233 . 
273 G/TBT/GEN/188 ; G/TBT/GEN/202 ; G/TBT/GEN/216 ; G/TBT/GEN/231 ; RD/TBT/214 ; RD/TBT/230 ; and 
RD/TBT/231 . 
274 G/TBT/GEN/223 ; G/TBT/GEN/233 ; G/TBT/GEN/244 ; RD/TBT/163 ; RD/TBT/215 ; RD/TBT/232 ; and  
RD/TBT/243 . 
275 G/TBT/GEN/209 ; and RD/TBT/195 . 
276 G/TBT/GEN/210 ; G/TBT/GEN/218 ; G/TBT/GEN/230 ; RD/TBT/165 ; RD/TBT/196 ; RD/TBT/224 ; and 
RD/TBT/235 . 
277 G/TBT/GEN/217 . 
278 RD/TBT/194 . 
279 G/TBT/GEN/186 ; G/TBT/GEN/196 ; G/TBT/GEN/203 ; G/TBT/GEN/211 ; and G/TBT/GEN/232 . 
280 G/TBT/GEN/189 ; and RD/TBT/122 . 
281 G/TBT/GEN/187 ; G/TBT/GEN/194 ; G/TBT/GEN/20 1; G/TBT/GEN/224 ; G/TBT/GEN/234 ; 
G/TBT/GEN/245 ; and G/TBT/GEN/247 . 
282 G/TBT/GEN/225 ; and G/TBT/GEN/246 . WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 35 - 
 8 OPERATION OF THE COM MITTEE  
 
Operation of the Committee.  Pursuant to Article 13 of the TBT 
Agreement, the TBT Committee was established with the purpose of: 
"affording Members the opportunity of consulting on any matters relating 
to the operation of this Agreement or the furtherance of its objectives, 
and shall  carry out such responsibilities as assigned to it under this 
Agreement or by the Members". Since its first meeting, Members have 
used the TBT Committee as a forum to discuss issues related to specific 
measures (technical regulations, standards or conformi ty assessment 
procedures) maintained by other Members. These are referred to as 
"specific trade concerns" (STCs) and relate normally to proposed draft 
measures notified to the TBT Committee or to the implementation of 
existing measures. The Committee also holds thematic sessions that 
address cross -cutting issues related to the implementation and operation 
of the TBT Agreement.  
 
G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , para. 8.1, p. 49.  
 
8.1 Exchange of experiences  
 
8.1 During the review period the Committee held nine regular meetings, from March 2016 to 
November 2018.283 A total of 80 new specific trade concerns (STCs) were raised in the review period, 
whilst over the same period, 454 previously raised STCs were also discussed (Chart 2).284 Back to 
back with the regular meetings, the Committee also held thematic sessions th at addressed the 
following cross -cutting issues related to the operation and implementation of the TBT Agreement: 
good regulatory practice285, regulatory cooperation between Members286, standards287, conformity 
assessment procedures288, transparency (the Committee 's Eighth Special Meeting on Procedures for 
Information Exchange)289, technical assistance290, and the operation of the Committee.  
                                                
283 G/TBT/M/68 , G/TBT/M/69 , G/TBT/M/70 , G/TBT/M/71 , G/TBT/M/72 , G/TBT/M/73 , G/TBT/M/74 , 
G/TBT/M/75 , and G/TBT/M/76  to be issued.  
284 Detailed information on these STCs is available on the TBT IMS ( http://tbtims.wto.org/ ). 
285 G/TBT/GEN/191 ; and G/TBT/GEN/214 . 
286 G/TBT/GEN/198 ; and G/TBT/GEN/205 . 
287 G/TBT/GEN/199 ; and G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, Section 3.  
288 G/TBT/GEN/190 ; G/TBT/GEN/213 ; and G/TBT/GEN/226 . 
289 G/TBT/GEN/206 ; and G/TBT/M/70 , Annex, Sections 1 -2. 
290 G/TBT/GEN/204 . WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 36 - 
 Chart 2: STCs per triennial review period291 
 
 
 
8.2 Recommendations  
 
8.2 Building on this experience as well as on previous decisions and recommendations of the 
Committee, the Committee  agrees:  
a. with respect to thematic sessions , building on the valuable experiences gained in the 
context of thematic sessions since 2012292: 
i. to continue to hold thematic sessions in conjunction with its regular meetings during 
2019 to 2021, with a view to further deepening the Committee's exchange of 
experiences on specific topics;  
ii. to encourage  a more balanced representation of speakers in thematic se ssions, from 
all regions in the world including developing and least developed Members (LDCs). In 
this respect, to request  the Secretariat to explore the use of WTO technical assistance 
funding to support participation of speakers from LDCs, and to conside r other ways of 
facilitating engagement (e.g. streaming);  
iii. for planning purposes, no later than the last meeting of the year, normally in 
November, the TBT Committee will confirm  the specific topics to be discussed at the 
thematic sessions that would take p lace during the following year;  
iv. to hold the following thematic sessions293:  
                                                
291 Figures as of 15 November 2018.  
292 In the Sixth Triennial  Review, Members agreed on the need to focus and deepen their work and decided 
to dedicate time to thematic sessions in response to the specific decisions and recommendations in the triennial 
review reports, in order to press for greater progress on these issues. This recommendation was reiterated in 
the Seventh Triennial Review ( G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Section 8.1.1, p.50).  
293 This listing provided below is flexible. Members may agree to include other matters for discussion, or 
they may agree to otherwise adapt this work programme to reflect unforeseen developments. The Committee 
will organize these thematic sessions based on proposals from Members.  
21 31 50 50105 107 12680105676 96210319313454
3187126146315426 439534
0100200300400500600
New STCs Previously raised STCsWT/BISD /2018  
 
- 37 - 
 • March 2019: good regulatory practice294 and conformity assessment 
procedures295; 
• June 2019: transparency296, including the Ninth Special Meeting on Procedures 
for Information Exchange297; 
• November 2019: conformity assessment procedures298 and standards299; 
• March 2020: good regulatory practice300 and conformity assessment 
procedures301; 
• June 2020: transparency302 and technical regulations303; 
• November 2020: conformity assessment procedures304 and one additional topic 
to be defined in November 2019;  
• in 2021, Members will continue to hold thematic sessions on topics to be defined 
in November 2020;  
b. with respect to specific trade concerns :  
i. to adjust,  on a trial basis305, the procedures306 for the incl usion of specific trade 
concerns in the annotated draft agenda of the Committee as follows:  
• Members wishing to propose the inclusion of a specific trade concern in the 
annotated draft agenda should directly inform both the Secretariat and the 
Member(s) inv olved of their intention to do so no less than twenty calendar days  
prior to the convening of the TBT Committee meeting;  
• the annotated draft agenda issued by the Secretariat in advance of each 
Committee meeting will include all specific trade concerns communicated by 
Members to the Secretariat; it will indicate (to the extent such information has 
been communicated to the Sec retariat) which concerns are being raised for the 
first time and which have been previously raised, as well as which concerns relate 
to proposed  technical regulations or conformity assessment procedures, and 
which concerns relate to final technical regulat ions or conformity assessment 
procedures. It should be circulated no less than fifteen calendar days  before the 
meeting;  
                                                
294 See para. 1.7.a.ii  (domestic committees, and other administrative mechanisms, to facilitate internal 
coordination on TBT).  
295 See paras. 4.17.c.i (risk assessment) and 4.17.c.ii (market surveillance and other pre -market and 
post-market controls).  
296 See para. 0 
297 Pursuant to the 1995 decision to hold regular meetings of perso ns responsible for information exchange 
(G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Section 5.8.1,  p. 42).  
298 See para. 4.17.c.iv (National Quality Infrastructure).  
299 See para. 5.8.a (incorporating standards by reference in regulations).  
300 See para. 0 
301 See para. 0 
302 See para. 0 
303 See para. 3.2.  
304 See para. 0 
305 This adjustment will be valid for the March and June 2019 Committee meetings. After the June 2019 
meeting, the Committee will revert to the original procedures unless there is agreement to apply the adjusted 
procedures on a permanent basis, or to pursue a nother course of action.  
306 G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Section 8.1.1.a, sub -paragr aphs (i - iv), p. 50. The procedures in sub -paragraphs (i) 
and (ii) of G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Section 8.1.1.a, are replaced by the trial procedures set out in the two bullets below. 
The procedures in sub -paragraphs (iii) and (iv) of G/TBT/1/Rev.13 , Section 8.1.1.a, remain unchanged and 
continue to apply.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 38 - 
 ii. to continue discussions with a view to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the 
Committee's consideration of specific trade co ncerns;  
c. with respect to Observers : 
i. to ensure  timely consideration of requests for observer status; and  
ii. to discuss  best practices for  observers' participation in meetings of the TBT Committee.  
 
 
 
  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 39 - 
 ANNEX: SUBMISSIONS F ROM MEMBERS BY TOPIC  (NOV. 2015 – NOV. 2018)1 
 
Member  Symbol  Date Title 
Good Regulatory Practice  
United States  JOB/TBT/269  22 October 2018  Comments from the United States 
on JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
European Union  JOB/TBT/266  22 October 2018  Comments from the European 
Union on JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
South Africa  JOB/TBT/265  22 October 2018  Comments from South Africa on 
JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
Mexico  JOB/TBT/259  19 September 2018  Comments from Mexico on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Colombia  JOB/TBT/258  18 September 2018  Comments from Colombia on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Brazil  JOB/TBT/257  18 September 2018  Comments from Brazil on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Korea  JOB/TBT/256  18 September 2018  Comments from Korea on 
JOB/TBT/248  
United States  JOB/TBT/255  17 September 2018  Comments from United States on 
JOB/TBT/248  
European Union  JOB/TBT/254  17 September 2018  Comments from European Union 
on JOB/TBT/248  
Uganda  JOB/TBT/251/Rev.1  14 September 2018  Comments from Uganda on 
JOB/TBT/248  
South Africa  JOB/TBT/250  12 September 2018  Comments from South Africa on 
JOB/TBT/248  
New Zealand  JOB/TBT/249  3 September 2018  Comments from New Zealand on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Brazil  G/TBT/W/461/Rev.1  5 June 2018  Operation of the Committee – 
Good Regula tory Practices – 
Conformity Assessment 
Procedures - Transparency - 
Eighth Triennial Review  
New Zealand  G/TBT/W/463  13 March 2018  Domestic coordination of 
information relevant to 
Notifications - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
South Africa  G/TBT/W/452  24 October 2017  Operation of the Committee – 
Good Regulatory Pra ctice – 
Transparency - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
Regulatory Cooperation Between Members  
Singapore  JOB/TBT/268  22 October 2018  Comments from Singapore on 
JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
European Union  JOB/TBT/266  22 October 2018  Comments from the European 
Union on JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
Guatemala  JOB/TBT/260  19 September 2018  Comments from Guatemala on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Mexico  JOB/TBT/259  19 September 2018  Comments from Mexico on 
JOB/TBT/248  
United States  JOB/TBT/255  17 September 2018  Comments from United States on 
JOB/TBT/248  
European Union  JOB/TBT/254  17 September 2018  Comments from European Union 
on JOB/TBT/248  
                                                
1 Submissions are arranged by subject, in reverse chronological order. Should a submission be relev ant 
to more than one topic it will appear more than once. More general information, such as the reports provided by 
the Chairperson on thematic sessions or information provided by Observers, is not included in this list.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 40 - 
 Member  Symbol  Date Title 
Technical Regulations  
United States  JOB/TBT/269  22 October 2018  Comments from the United States 
on JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
Singapore  JOB/TBT/268  22 October 2018  Comments from Singapore on 
JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
European Union  JOB/TBT/266  22 October 2018  Comments from the European 
Union on JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
Brazil  JOB/TBT/257  18 September 2018  Comments from Brazil on 
JOB/TBT/248  
United States  JOB/TBT/255  17 September 2018  Comments from United States on 
JOB/TBT/248  
European Union  G/TBT/W/534  6 June 2018  Mandatory Marking and Labelling 
Requirements on Imported 
Products: Practical Compliance 
Issues - Eighth Triennial Review  
Conformity Assessment Procedures  
United States  JOB/TBT/269  22 October 2018  Comments from the United States 
on JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
Singapore  JOB/TBT/268  22 October 2018  Comments from Singapore on 
JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
European Union  JOB/TBT/266  22 October 2018  Comments from the European 
Union on JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
Egypt  JOB/TBT/263  18 October 2018  Comments from Egypt on 
JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
Colombia  JOB/TBT/258  18 September 2018  Comments from Colombia on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Brazil  JOB/TBT/257  18 September 2018  Comments from Brazil on 
JOB/TBT/248  
United States  JOB/TBT/255  17 September 2018  Comments from United States on 
JOB/TBT/248  
European Union  JOB/TBT/254  17 September 2018  Comments from European Union 
on JOB/TBT/248  
Australia  JOB/TBT/252  14 September 2018  Comments from Australia on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Uganda  JOB/TBT/251/Rev.1  14 September 2018  Comments from Uganda on 
JOB/TBT/248  
South Africa  JOB/TBT/250  12 September 2018  Comments from South Africa on 
JOB/TBT/248  
New Zealand  JOB/TBT/249  3 September 2018  Comments from New Zealand on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Brazil  G/TBT/W/461/Rev.1  5 June 2018  Operation of the Committee – 
Good Regulatory Practices – 
Conformity Assessment 
Procedures - Transparency - 
Eighth Triennial Review  
Brazil  G/TBT/W/533  5 June 2018  Conformity Assessment 
Procedures - Operation of the 
Committee - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
United States  G/TBT/W/531  5 June 2018  Approaches to Conformity 
Assessment - Eighth Trienni al 
Review  
Chinese Taipei  G/TBT/W/530  29 May 2018  Proposal on a holistic a pproach to 
Risk Assessment - Eighth 
Triennial Review  
Uganda  JOB/TBT/245  20 March 2018  Comments by Uganda on 
G/TBT/W/462  - Eighth Triennial 
Review  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 41 - 
 Member  Symbol  Date Title 
European Union  G/TBT/W/462  9 March 2018  Approaches to Conformity 
Assessment - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
South Africa  G/TBT/W/453  25 October 2017  Certificates of Free Sale: 
Compli ance with the Provisions of 
the WTO Agreement on Technical 
Barriers to Trade - Eighth 
Triennial Review  
Standards  
Canada  JOB/TBT/267  22 October 2018  Comments from Canada on 
JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
South Africa  JOB/TBT/265  22 October 2018  Comments from South Africa on 
JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
Japan  JOB/TBT/264  19 October 2018  Comments from Japan on 
JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
United States  JOB/TBT/255  17 September 2018  Comments from United States on 
JOB/TBT/248  
European Union  JOB/TBT/254  17 September 2018  Comments from European Union 
on JOB/TBT/248  
Japan  JOB/TBT/253  14 September 2018  Comments from Japan on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Canada  G/TBT/W/532  5 June 2018  Standards and Technical 
Regulations: A Gender -Based 
Discussion - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
Chinese Taipei  G/TBT/W/530  29 May 20 18 Proposal on a holistic approach to 
Risk Assessment - Eighth 
Triennial Review  
Canada  G/TBT/W/529  24 May 2018  Incorporation of standards by 
reference - Eighth Tri ennial 
Review  
South Africa  G/TBT/W/452  24 October 2017  Operation of the Committee – 
Good Regulatory Pra ctice – 
Transparency - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
Transparency  
United States  JOB/TBT/269  22 October 2018  Comments from the United States 
on JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
European Union  JOB/TBT/266  22 October 2018  Comments from the European 
Union on JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
South Africa  JOB/TBT/265  22 October 2018  Comments from South Africa on 
JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
Colombia  JOB/TBT/258  18 September 2018  Comments from Colombia on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Brazil  JOB/TBT/257  18 September 2018  Comments from Brazil on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Korea  JOB/TBT/256  18 September 2018  Comments from Korea on 
JOB/TBT/248  
United States  JOB/TBT/255  17 September 2018  Comments from United States on 
JOB/TBT/248  
European Union  JOB/TBT/254  17 September 2018  Comments from European Union 
on JOB/TBT/248  
Japan  JOB/TBT/253  14 September 2018  Comments from Japan on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Australia  JOB/TBT/252  14 September 2018  Comments from Australia on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Uganda  JOB/TBT/251/Rev.1  14 September 2018  Comments from Uganda on 
JOB/TBT/248  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 42 - 
 Member  Symbol  Date Title 
Australia  G/TBT/W/537  8 June 2018  Transparency - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
Switzerland  G/TBT/W/536  8 June 2018  Transparency – Handling of 
comments - Publication of 
comments on notified measures 
and replies thereto - Eighth 
Triennial Review  
United States  G/TBT/W/535  6 June 2018  Transparency: List of Member 
Websites on adopted technical 
Regulations - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
Brazil  G/TBT/W/461/Rev.1  5 June 2018  Operation of the Committee – 
Good Regula tory Practices – 
Conformity Assessment 
Procedures - Transparency - 
Eighth Triennial Review  
Brazil  G/TBT/W/460/Rev.1  5 June 2018  Notification Procedures under the 
TBT Committee - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
Japan  G/TBT/W/528  9 May 2018  Effective use of the notification 
format - Eighth Triennial Review  
Uganda  JOB/TBT/246  20 March 2018  Comments by Uganda on 
G/TBT/W/464  - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
United States  G/TBT/W/464  16 March 2018  Improving information in 
Notifications - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
New Zealand  G/TBT/W/463  13 March 2018  Domestic coordination of 
information relevant to 
Notifications - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
South Africa  G/TBT/W/452  24 Octob er 2017  Operation of the Committee – 
Good Regulatory Practice – 
Transparency - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
United States  G/TBT/W/451  18 October 2017  Transparency - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
Technical Assistance  
United States  JOB/TBT/255  17 September 2018  Comments from United States on 
JOB/TBT/248  
European Union  JOB/TBT/254  17 September 2018  Comments from European Union 
on JOB/TBT/248  
Uganda  JOB/TBT/251/Rev.1  14 September 2018  Comments from Uganda on 
JOB/TBT/248  
The Philippines, 
Mauritius and 
Uganda  G/TBT/W/538/Rev.1  8 June 2018  Technical Assistance - Eighth 
Triennial Review  
Operation of the Committee  
European Union  JOB/TBT/266  22 October 2018  Comments from the European 
Union on JOB/TBT/248/Rev.1  
United States  JOB/TBT/255  17 September 2018  Comments from United States on 
JOB/TBT/248  
European Union  JOB/TBT/254  17 September 2018  Comments from European Union 
on JOB/TBT/248  
Japan  JOB/TBT/253  14 September 2018  Comments from Japan on 
JOB/TBT/248  
Australia  JOB/TBT/252  14 September 2018  Comments from Australia on 
JOB/TBT/248  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 43 - 
 Member  Symbol  Date Title 
South Africa  JOB/TBT/250  12 September 2018  Comments from South Africa on 
JOB/TBT/248  
New Zealand  JOB/TBT/249  3 September 2018  Comments from New Zealand on 
JOB/TBT/248  
United States  G/TBT/W/539  8 June 2018  Operation of the Committee: best 
practices for Observers - Eighth 
Triennial Review  
Brazil  G/TBT/W/461/Rev.1  5 June 2018  Operation of the Committee – 
Good Regula tory Practices – 
Conformity Assessment 
Procedures - Transparency - 
Eighth Triennial Review  
Brazil  G/TBT/W/533  5 June 2018  Conformity Assessment 
Procedures - Operation of the 
Committee - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
South Africa  G/TBT/W/452  24 October 2017  Operation of the Committee – 
Good Regulatory Practice – 
Transparency - Eighth Triennial 
Review  
 
  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 44 - 
 COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN  SERVICES  
 
 
 
TEMPLATE FOR NOTIFYING CHANGES TO  AN EXISTING REGIONA L TRADE AGREEMENT  
 
ADOPTED BY THE COUNC IL FOR TRADE IN SERV ICES ON 12  OCTOBER  2018 
(S/L/418 ) 
 
 
 
The Council for Trade in Services,  
 
 Having regard  to paragraph 14 of the Transparency Mechanism for Regional Trade Agreements 
(WT/L/671 ), 
 
 Having regard  to the proposal by the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements regarding a 
template for notifying changes to an existing regional trade agreement (RTA), contained in document 
(WT/REG/28 ), 
 
 Considering  that the nature of this proposal is procedural and its implementation will not entail 
any change in Members' legal rights and obligations,  
 
 Decides  as follows,  
 
 Notifications of changes to an existing agreement referred to in paragraph 1 of Article V 
(Economic Integration) of the GATS may be made pursuant to the template for notifying changes to 
an existing RTA proposed by the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements ( WT/REG/28 , 
dated  22 June 2018) and annexed to this Decision.  
 
 
 
  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 45 - 
 ANNEX  
 
NOTIFICATION OF CHAN GES AFFECTING THE IM PLEMENTATION  
OF A REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENT  
 
Addendum  
 
The following communication, dated      , has been received from the Delegation(s) of 
      and      . 
 
 
1. Member(s) notifying:       
2. Date of notificatio n:       
3. Notification pursuant to:  
[X] Paragraph 14 of the Transparency Mechanism for Regional Trade Agreements 
(WT/L/671 ) 
4. Changes affect:  
[ ]     goods  
[ ]     services  
[ ]     both  
5. Original RTA being modified:  
6. WTO document reference of original notification of RTA:  
7. Parties to the Agreement:       
8. Date of adoption:       
9. Date(s) of entry into Force/provisional application:       
10. Brief description of changes:       
11. Text and related schedules, annexes and protocols are:  
[  ] submitted to the WTO Secretariat (electronic format)  
[  ] available from the following official Internet link(s):       
 
 WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 46 - 
 COMMITTEE ON BUDGET,  FINANCE AND ADMINIS TRATION  
ABSTRACT OF THE REPO RT ADOPTED BY THE GE NERAL COUNCIL ON 13  NOVEMBER  2018 
(Extract from WT/BFA/1 76) 
 
 
 
The Director -General is authorized to make budgetary expenditu res of the Secretariat of the 
World Trade Organization for 201 9 (CHF 189,624,000 , rounded ), and for the Appellate B ody and its 
Secretariat for 201 9 (CHF 7,580,000 , rounded ) amounting to a rounded total of CHF 197,204,000.  
 
This expenditure is to be financed by contributions amounting to CHF 195,500,000 and 
miscellaneo us income estimated at CHF 1,704,0 00, rounded . 
 
The contributions of the Members shall be assessed in accordance with the attached scale of 
contributions. Contributions from Members in r espect of the 201 9 budget are considered as due and 
payable in full as at 1  January 201 9. 
 
SCALE OF CONTRIBUTIONS FOR 201 9 
(Minimum contribution of 0.015%)  
 
Member  CHF % 
Afghanistan  46,920  0.024%  
Albania  41,055  0.021%  
Angola  428,145  0.219%  
Antigua and Barbuda  29,325  0.015%  
Argentina  733,125  0.375%  
Armenia  37,145  0.019%  
Australia  2,594,285  1.327%  
Austria  1,911,990  0.978%  
Bahrain, Kingdom of  246,330  0.126%  
Bangladesh  338,215  0.173%  
Barbados  29,325  0.015%  
Belgium  3,646,075  1.865%  
Belize  29,325  0.015%  
Benin  29,325  0.015%  
Bolivia, Plurinational State of  103,615  0.053%  
Botswana  74,290  0.038%  
Brazil  2,394,875  1.225%  
Brunei Darussalam  72,335  0.037%  
Bulgaria  310,845  0.159%  
Burkina Faso  33,235  0.017%  
Burundi  29,325  0.015%  
Cabo Verde  29,325  0.015%  
Cambodia  105,570  0.054%  
Cameroon  70,380  0.036%  
Canada  4,922,690  2.518%  
Central African Republic  29,325  0.015%  
Chad 39,100  0.020%  
Chile 731,170  0.374%  
China  19,737,680  10.096%  
Colombia  563,040  0.288%  
Congo  78,200  0.040%  
Costa Rica  152,490  0.078%  
Côte d'Ivoire  109,480  0.056%  
Croatia  220,915  0.113%  
Cuba 136,850  0.070%  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 47 - 
 Member  CHF % 
Cyprus  121,210  0.062%  
Czech Republic  1,388,050  0.710%  
Democratic Republic of the Congo  105,570  0.054%  
Denmark  1,517,080  0.776%  
Djibouti  29,325  0.015%  
Dominica  29,325  0.015%  
Dominican Republic  164,220  0.084%  
Ecuador  228,735  0.117%  
Egypt  496,570  0.254%  
El Salvador  78,200  0.040%  
Estonia  175,950  0.090%  
Eswatini¶ 29,325  0.015%  
European Union1 0  0.000%  
Fiji 29,325  0.015%  
Finland  877,795  0.449%  
France  7,440,730  3.806%  
Gabon  60,605  0.031%  
The Gambia  29,325  0.015%  
Georgia  70,380  0.036%  
Germany  13,882,455  7.101%  
Ghana  166,175  0.085%  
Greece  608,005  0.311%  
Grenada  29,325  0.015%  
Guatemala  146,625  0.075%  
Guinea  29,325  0.015%  
Guinea -Bissau  29,325  0.015%  
Guyana  29,325  0.015%  
Haiti 29,325  0.015%  
Honduras  76,245  0.039%  
Hong Kong, China  5,427,080  2.776%  
Hungary  991,185  0.507%  
Iceland  76,245  0.039%  
India 4,445,670  2.274%  
Indonesia  1,722,355  0.881%  
Ireland  2,361,640  1.208%  
Israel  842,605  0.431%  
Italy 5,096,685  2.607%  
Jamaica  52,785  0.027%  
Japan  7,896,245  4.039%  
Jordan  168,130  0.086%  
Kazakhstan  570,860  0.292%  
Kenya  127,075  0.065%  
Korea, Republic of  5,777,025  2.955%  
Kuwait, the State of  645,150  0.330%  
Kyrgyz Republic  41,055  0.021%  
Lao People's Democratic Republic  37,145  0.019%  
Latvia  160,310  0.082%  
Lesotho  29,325  0.015%  
Liberia  29,325  0.015%  
Liechtenstein  64,515  0.033%  
Lithuania  316,710  0.162%  
Luxembourg  930,580  0.476%  
                                                
¶ Formerly Swaziland.  
1 The Europea n Union is not subject to contributions. However, its 28 members are assessed individually. 
The total share of members of the European Union represents 33.6% of the total assessed contributions of 2019.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 48 - 
 Member  CHF % 
Macao, China  256,105  0.131%  
Madagascar  31,280  0.016%  
Malawi  29,325  0.015%  
Malaysia  1,966,730  1.006%  
Maldives  29,325  0.015%  
Mali 31,280  0.016%  
Malta  136,850  0.070%  
Mauritania  29,325  0.015%  
Mauritius  58,650  0.030%  
Mexico  3,720,365  1.903%  
Moldova, Republic of  37,145  0.019%  
Mongolia  54,740  0.028%  
Montenegro  29,325  0.015%  
Morocco  353,855  0.181%  
Mozambique  70,380  0.036%  
Myanmar  115,345  0.059%  
Namibia  50,830  0.026%  
Nepal  44,965  0.023%  
Netherlands  5,745,745  2.939%  
New Zealand  459,425  0.235%  
Nicaragua  54,740  0.028%  
Niger  29,325  0.015%  
Nigeria  656,880  0.336%  
Norway  1,411,510  0.722%  
Oman  383,180  0.196%  
Pakistan  346,035  0.177%  
Panama  263,925  0.135%  
Papua New Guinea  62,560  0.032%  
Paraguay  111,435  0.057%  
Peru 418,370  0.214%  
Philippines  719,440  0.368%  
Poland  2,142,680  1.096%  
Portugal  772,225  0.395%  
Qatar  793,730  0.406%  
Romania  688,160  0.352%  
Russian Federation  3,937,370  2.014%  
Rwanda  29,325  0.015%  
Saint Kitts and Nevis  29,325  0.015%  
Saint Lucia  29,325  0.015%  
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  29,325  0.015%  
Samoa  29,325  0.015%  
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of  2,326,450  1.190%  
Senegal  46,920  0.024%  
Seychelles  29,325  0.015%  
Sierra Leone  29,325  0.015%  
Singapore  4,774,110  2.442%  
Slovak Republic  768,315  0.393%  
Slovenia  303,025  0.155%  
Solomon Islands  29,325  0.015%  
South Africa  973,590  0.498%  
Spain  3,663,670  1.874%  
Sri Lanka  173,995  0.089%  
Suriname  29,325  0.015%  
Sweden  2,068,390  1.058%  
Switzerland  3,710,590  1.898%  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 49 - 
 Member  CHF % 
Chinese Taipei  3,384,105  1.731%  
Tajikistan  29,325  0.015%  
Tanzania  95,795  0.049%  
Thailand  2,404,650  1.230%  
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia¶ 52,785  0.027%  
Togo 29,325  0.015%  
Tonga  29,325  0.015%  
Trinidad and Tobago  117,300  0.060%  
Tunisia  199,410  0.102%  
Turkey  2,011,695  1.029%  
Uganda  54,740  0.028%  
Ukraine  627,555  0.321%  
United Arab Emirates  3,071,305  1.571%  
United Kingdom  7,446,595  3.809%  
United States of America  22,660,405  11.591%  
Uruguay  144,670  0.074%  
Vanuatu  29,325  0.015%  
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of  570,860  0.292%  
Viet Nam  1,401,735  0.717%  
Yemen  89,930  0.046%  
Zambia  86,020  0.044%  
Zimbabwe  54,740  0.028%  
TOTAL  195,500,000  100.000%  
 
 
 
  
  
                                                
¶ In February 2019, the former Yugoslav Republic of M acedonia notified the WTO of its new name: 
North  Macedonia.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 50 - 
 COMMITTEE ON TRADE A ND DEVELOPMENT  
 
 
 
TEMPLATE FOR NOTIFYI NG CHANGES TO AN EXI STING REGIONAL TRADE  AGREEMENT  
 
ADOPTED BY THE COMMI TTEE ON TRADE AND DEVELO PMENT ON 21  NOVEMBER  2018 
(WT/COMTD/ 98) 
 
 
 
At its 107th Session, on 21 November 2018, the Committee on Trade and Development 
adopted the template reproduced in the Annex to this document, to be used for notifications of 
changes to all existing regional trade agreements.  
 
The template was proposed by the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements in document 
WT/REG/28 . The nature of this proposal is procedural and its implementation would not entail any 
change in Members' legal rights and obligations.  
 
 
 
  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 51 - 
 ANNEX  
 
NOTIFICATION OF CHAN GES AFFECTING THE IM PLEMENTATION  
OF A REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENT  
 
Addendum  
 
The following communication, dated      , has been received from the Delegation(s) of 
      and      . 
 
 
1. Member(s) notifying:       
2. Date of notification:       
3. Notification pursuant to:  
[X] Paragraph 14 of the Transparency Mechanism for Regional Trade Agreements 
(WT/L/671 ) 
4. Changes affect:  
[ ]     goods  
[ ]     services  
[ ]     both  
5. Original RTA being modified:  
6. WTO document reference of original notification of RTA:  
7. Parties to the Agreement:       
8. Date of adoption:       
9. Date(s) of entry into Force/provisional application:       
10. Brief description of changes:       
11. Text and related schedules, annexes and protocols are:  
[  ] submitted to the WTO Secretariat (electronic format)  
[  ] available from the following official Internet link(s):       
 
 
  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 52 - 
 COMMITTEES UNDER THE  PLURILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENTS  
 
 
 
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNM ENT PROCUREMENT  
 
 
 
ACCESSION OF AUSTRAL IA TO THE AGREEMENT ON GOVERNMENT PROCUR EMENT  
 
DECISION OF THE COMM ITTEE OF 17  OCTOBER  2018 
(Extract from GPA/CD/1 ) 
 
The Committee on Government Procurement,  
 
Having regard  to Article X XIV:2 of the Agreement on Government Procurement done at 
Marrakesh on 15 April 1994 (the "1994 Agreement"), and Article XXII:2 of the 1994 Agreement on 
Government Procurement as amended by the Protocol Amending the Agreement on Government 
Procurement, done  at Geneva on 30 March 2012 (the "amended Agreement")1; 
 
Having regard  to the decision of the Committee on Government Procurement on adoption of 
the text of the Protocol Amending the Agreement on Government Procurement, taken on 30 March 
2012 (Appendix 1 t o GPA/113  of 2 April 2012), and in particular its paragraphs 3 and 4;  
 
Considering  Australia's application for accession to the Agreement on Government 
Procurement, contained in document GPA/129  of 2 June 2015, the consultations held with the Parties 
to the Agreement on Government Procurement, and the additional documentation submitted by 
Australia and Parties in pursuance thereof;  
 
Decides  as follows:  
 
1. In accordance with the provisions of Article XXIV:2 of the 1994 Agreement and Article XXII:2 
of the amended Agreement, Australia may accede to the Agreement on Government Procurement 
on the terms of this decision including its attachments.  
 
2. Austral ia shall submit its instrument of accession within twelve months of the date of this 
decision unless the period for submission of the instrument is extended by the Committee.  
 
3. The Agreement on Government Procurement shall enter into force for Australia on the thirtieth 
day following the date of its accession, i.e. the date on which Australia's instrument of accession 
reproducing the terms of this decision, including its Attachment A, has been received by the Director - 
General.  
 
4. Pursuant to paragraph 4 of the decision of the Committee on Government Procurement on 
adoption of the text of the Protocol Amending the Agreement on Government Procurement, taken 
on 30 March 2012 (Appendix 1 to GPA/113  of 2 April 2012), Australia shall be bound by the said 
Protocol from the date of entry into force of the Agreement on Government Procurement for it.  
 
5. Australia shall provide access to all Parties to the Agreement on Government Procurement to 
the procurement that it covers under Appendix I as set out in Attachment A to this decision, from 
the date of entry into force  of the Agreement on Government Procurement for it. From such date, 
the terms set out in Attachment A shall become an integral part of the Agreement on Government 
Procurement.  
 
                                                
1 The 1994 Agreement and the amended Agreement are hereafter referred to together as the 
"Agreement  on Government Procurement".  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 53 - 
 6. The Appendix I Annexes of the  European  Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and No rway under the 
amended Agreement will apply subject to the terms set out in Attachment B to this Decision, from 
the date of entry into force of the Agreement on Government Procurement for Australia. From such 
date, the terms set out in Attachment B shall b ecome an integral part of the Agreement on 
Government Procurement.  
 
7. Switzerland's Appendix I Annexes to the 1994 Agreement shall apply as between Australia 
and Switzerland from the date of entry into force of the Agreement on Government Procurement for 
Australia until the Protocol Amending the Agreement on Government Procurement, done at Geneva 
on 30 March 2012, has entered into force for Switzerland. The Appendix I Annexes of Switzerland 
under the amended Agreement will apply subject to the terms set ou t in Attachment C to this 
Decision, from the date on which the Agreement on Government Procurement has entered into force 
for Australia and, in addition, the said Protocol has entered into force for Switzerland. From such 
date, the terms set out in Attachm ent C shall become an integral part of the Agreement on 
Government Procurement.  
 
 
 
 
  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 54 - 
 WAIVERS 
 In 2018 , the General Council granted the following waivers from obligations under the WTO 
Agreements.  
 
MEMBER(S)  TYPE  DECISION OF  EXPIRY  DOCUMENT(S)  
China  Introduction of 
Harmonized 
System 2002 
Changes into 
WTO Schedules 
of Tariff 
Concessions  12 December 
2018 
 31 December 
2019 WT/L/1 048 
Argentina;  Brazil;  China;  
Dominican Republic;  
European  Union;  Malaysia;  
Philippines;  Thailand  Introduction of 
Harmonized 
System 2007 
Changes into 
WTO Schedules 
of Tariff 
Concessions  12 December 
2018 31 December 
2019 WT/L/10 49 
Argentina;  Austral ia;  
Brazil;  Canada;  China;  
Colombia;  Costa  Rica;  
Dominican  Republic;  
El Salvador;  European 
Union;  Guatemala;    
Hong Kong, China;  India;  
Kazakhstan1;  Korea, 
Republic of;  Macao, China;  
Malaysia;  Mexico;  
New Zealand;  Norway;  
Philippines;  
Russian  Federation2;  
Singapore;  Switzerland;  
Thailand;  The Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu ;  
United States  Introduction of 
Harmonized 
System 2012 
Changes into 
WTO Schedules 
of Tariff 
Concessions  12 December 
2018 31 Decembe r 
2019 WT/L/1 050 
Argentina;  Brazil;  Canada;  
Colombia;  Costa Rica; 
China;  Dominican Republic;  
El Salvador;  European 
Union;  Guatemala;  
Honduras;  Hong  Kong, 
China;  India;  Israel;  
Kazakhstan;  Korea, 
Republic of;  Macao, China;  
Montenegro;  New Zealand;  
Norway;  Pakistan;  
Paraguay;  Russian 
Federation;  Switzerland;  
Thailand;  The Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwan, 
Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu ;  
United States;  Uruguay  Introduction of 
Harmonized 
System 2017 
Changes into 
WTO Schedules 
of Concessions  12 December 
2018 31 December 
2019 WT/L/10 51 
                                                
1 As Kazakhstan became a WTO Member on 30 November 2015 and assumed WTO rights and obligations 
on that date, the suspension of the application of the provisions of Article II for Kazakhstan will begin as of that 
date and not from its date of implementation of the HS2012 changes.  
2 As the Russian Federation became a WTO Mem ber on 22 August 2012 and assumed WTO rights and 
obligations on that date, the suspension of the application of the provisions of Article II for the Russian Federation 
will begin as of that date and not from its date of implementation of the HS2012 changes . WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 55 - 
 MEMBER(S)  TYPE  DECISION OF  EXPIRY  DOCUMENT(S)  
Australia; Botswana; Brazil; 
Cambodia; Canad a; the 
European Union; Guyana; 
India; Japan; Kazakhstan; 
Republic of Korea; Malaysia; 
Mauritius; Montenegro; 
Namibia; Norway; Panama; 
Russian Federation; Sierra 
Leone; Singapore; South 
Africa; Sri Lanka; 
Switzerland; the Separate 
Customs Territory of Taiwa n, 
Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; 
Thailand; Turkey; Ukraine; 
and the United States.  Kimberley 
Process  
Certification 
Scheme for  
rough 
diamonds  26 July 2018  31 December 
2024 WT/L/1039  
 
For a list of waivers granted by the General Council in 201 8, as well as waivers previously granted 
and still in force in 201 8, see WT/GC/W /762. 
  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 56 - 
 WTO DISPUTE SETTLEME NT REPORTS , AND ARBITRATION AWA RDS AND DECISIONS  
2018 
The table below lists all the panel and Appellate Body reports adopted in 201 8 as well as 
arbitration awards and decisions circulated in 201 8. The full texts of the panel and  Appellate Body 
reports as well as the arbitration awards and decisions are published by the WTO in the  WT/DS/  
series. The reports are also published by the Cambridge University Press in the Dispute Settlement 
Reports (DSR) series.  
 
SHORT TITLE  REPORTS, AWARDS AND DECISIONS  
Australia – Tobacco Plain Packaging 
(Indonesia)  Panel Report, Australia – Certain Measures 
concerning Trademarks, Geographical 
Indications and other Plain Packaging 
Requirements applicable to Tobacco Products 
and Packaging , WT/DS467/R , Add.1  and 
Suppl.1 , adopted 27 August 2018  
China – Broiler Products (Article 21.5 – US) Panel Report, China − Anti-Dumping and 
Countervailing Duty Measures on Broiler 
Products from the United States – Recourse to 
Article 21.5 of the DSU by the United States , 
WT/DS427/RW  and Add.1, adopted 28 February 
2018 
EC and certain member States – Large Civil 
Aircraft (Article 21.5 – US) Appellate Body Report, European Communities 
and Certain Member States – Measures 
Affecting Trade in Large Civil Aircraft  – Recourse 
to Article 21.5 of the DSU by the United States , 
WT/DS316/AB/R W and Add.1 , adopted 28 May 
2018 
EC and certain member States – Large Civil 
Aircraft (Article 21.5 – US) Panel Report, European Communities and 
Certain Member States – Measures Affecting 
Trade in Large Civil Aircraft  – Recourse to Article 
21.5 of the DSU by the United States , 
WT/DS316/RW  and Add.1 , adopted 28 May 
2018, as modified by Appellate Body Report 
WT/DS316/AB/RW   and Add.1  
EU – Biodiesel (Indonesia)  Panel Report, European Union – Anti-Dumping 
Measures on Biodiesel from Indonesia , 
WT/DS480/R  and Add.1 , adopted 28 February 
2018 
EU – PET (Pakistan)  Appellate Body Report, European Union – 
Countervailing Measures on Certain 
Polyethylene Terephthalate  from Pakistan , 
WT/DS486/AB/R  and Add.1 , adopted 28 May 
2018 
EU – PET (Pakistan)  Panel Report, European Union – Countervailing 
Measures on Certain Polyethylene 
Terephthalate  from Pakistan , WT/DS486/R , 
Add.1  and Corr.1 , adopted 28 May 2018, as 
modified by Appellate Body Repor t 
WT/DS486/AB/R  
Indonesia – Iron or Steel Products  Appellate Body Repor t, Indonesia – Safeguard 
on Certain Iron or Steel Products , 
WT/DS490/AB/ R, WT/DS496/AB/R , and Add.1 , 
adopted 27 August 2018  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 SHORT TITLE  REPORTS, AWARDS AND DECISIONS  
Indonesia – Iron or Steel Products  Panel Report, Indonesia – Safeguard on Certa in 
Iron or Steel Products , WT/DS490/R , 
WT/DS496/R , and Add.1 , adopted 27 August 
2018, as modified by Appellate Body Report 
WT/DS490/AB/R , WT/DS496/AB/R , and Add.1  
Russia – Commercial Vehicles  Appellate Body Report,  Russia – Anti-Dumping 
Duties on Light Commercial Vehicles from 
Germany and Italy , WT/DS479/AB/R  and 
Add.1 , adopted 9 April 2018  
Russia – Commercial Vehicles  Panel Report, Russia – Anti-Dumping Duties on 
Light Commercial Vehicles from Germany and 
Italy, WT/DS479/R  and Add.1 , adopted 9 April 
2018, as modified by Appellate Body Report 
WT/DS479/AB/R  and Add.1  
US – Anti-Dumping Methodologies (China) 
(Article 21.3(c))  Award of the Arbitrator, United States – Certain 
Methodologies  and Their Application to Anti -
Dumping Proceedings Involving China – 
Arbitration under Article 21.3(c) of the DSU, 
WT/DS471/RPT , 19 January 2018  
US – Coated Paper (Indonesia)  Panel Report, United States – Anti-Dumping 
and Countervailing Measures on Certain Coated 
Paper from Indonesia , WT/DS491/R  and Add.1 , 
adopted 22 January 2018  
US – OCTG (Korea)  Panel Report, United States – Anti-Dumping 
Measures on Certain Oil Country Tubular Goods 
from Korea , WT/DS488/R  and Add.1 , adopted 
12 January 2018  
 
 
 
  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 OTHER DECISIONS , REPORTS  AND SELECTED DOCUMENTS  
NOT REPRODUCED* 
 
 
General Council  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ .......................  WT/GC /200 
Implementation of the Bali, Nairobi and Buenos Aires Outcomes,  
State ments by the Chairman  ................................ ...... WT/GC/M/171 , Item 2 – JOB/GC/173 , 
WT/GC/M/172 , Item 2 – JOB/GC/187 , 
WT/GC/M/173 , Item 2 – JOB/GC/196 , 
WT/GC/M/174 , Item 2 – JOB/GC/202 , 
and WT/GC/M/175 , Item 2 – JOB/GC/210  
Minutes of the Meetings o f 7 March, 8 May, 26, July, 18 October  
and 12 December 2018  ................................ .............  WT/GC/M/171 , 172, 173, 174 and 175 
Waivers , 2018 , Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ...........................  WT/GC/W/ 762 
Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, Review of Progress,  
Repor t by the Chairman  ................................ ................................ ..............  WT/GC/W/756  
 
 
Dispute Settlement Body  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ .......................  WT/DSB/ 76 
Indicative List of Governmental  and 
Non-governmental Panelists  ................................ .... WT/DSB/44/Rev.42 , Rev.43  and Rev.44  
 
 
Trade Policy Review Body  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ .....................  WT/TPR/426  
Overview of Developments in the International Trading Environment , 
Annual Report by the Director -General,  
(Mid-October 2017 to Mid-October 2018)  ................................ .....................  WT/TPR/OV/21  
 
 
Trade Policy Reviews  
Armenia  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... WT/TPR/M/ 379 
See also  WT/TPR/G/3 79 and WT/TPR/S/3 79 
China ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... WT/TPR/M/ 375 
See also WT/TPR/G/3 75 and WT/TPR/S/3 75 
Colombia  ................................ ................................ ................................ . WT/TPR/M/3 72 
See also WT/TPR/G/3 72 and WT/TPR/S/3 72 
Egypt  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... WT/TPR/M/3 67 
See also WT/TPR/G/3 67 and WT/TPR/S/3 67 
The Gambia  ................................ ................................ ..............................  WT/TPR/M/365  
See also WT/TPR/G/365  and WT/TPR/S/365  
                                                
* For most categories, the documents are listed in the alphabetical order of their titles.  
Notifications by the Director -General as WTO Depositary are not referenced. These depositary notifications 
are available in the WT/Let/  document series, and are compiled in relation to each WTO agreement in the Status 
of WTO Legal Instruments  publication.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 Guinea  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... WT/TPR/M/3 71 
See also WT/TPR/G/3 71 and WT/TPR/S/3 71 
Hong Kong, China  ................................ ................................ .....................  WT/TPR/M/ 380 
See also WT/TPR/G/380  and WT/TPR/S/380  
Israel ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... WT/TPR/M/ 376 
See also WT/TPR/G/376  and WT/TPR/S/376  
Malaysia  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. WT/TPR/M/366  
See also WT/TPR/G/3 66 and WT/TPR/S/3 66 
Mauritania  ................................ ................................ ................................  WT/TPR/M/371  
See also WT/TPR/G/371  and WT/TPR/S/371  
Montenegro  ................................ ................................ ..............................  WT/TPR/M/3 69 
See also WT/TPR/G/3 69 and WT/TPR/S/3 69 
Nepal ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... WT/TPR/M/ 381 
See also WT/TPR/G/381  and WT/TPR/S/381  
Norway  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... WT/TPR/M/3 73 
See also WT/TPR/G/3 73 and WT/TPR/S/3 73 
Philippines  ................................ ................................ ................................  WT/TPR/M/ 368 
See also WT/TPR/G/3 68 and WT/TPR/S/3 68 
Chinese Taipei  ................................ ................................ ..........................  WT/TPR/M/ 377 
See also WT/TPR/G/377  and WT/TPR/S/377  
United States  ................................ ................................ ............................  WT/TPR/M/ 382 
See also WT/TPR/G/382  and WT/TPR/S/382  
Uruguay ................................ ................................ ................................ ... WT/TPR/M/ 374 
See also WT/TPR/G/3 74 and WT/TPR/S/3 74 
Vanuatu  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... WT/TPR/M/ 378 
See also WT/TPR/G/3 78 and WT/TPR/S/3 78 
 
 
Council for Trade i n Goods  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ ........... G/L/1 282 and Add.1  
Updating of the Listing of Notification Obligations  
and the Compliance Therewith as Set Out in Annex  III 
of the Report of the Worki ng Group on  
Notification Obligations and Procedures ................................ ......................  G/L/223/Rev. 25 
Work Programme  on Electronic Commerce , Report s by the Chairperson  
of the Council for Trade in Goods to the General Council  ................................  G/C/60  and 64 
 
 
Committee on Agricu lture  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1 283 
Article 18.6, Review in the Committee on Agriculture  ...........................  G/AG/GEN/138/Rev.1  
Compliance with Notification  Obligations,  
Note by the Secretariat  .........................  G/AG/GEN/86/Rev.30 , Rev.31 , Rev.32  and Rev.33  
Export Subsidies , Export Credits, Export Credit Guarantees or Insurance Programmes, 
International Food Aid and Agricultural Exporting State Trading Enterprises , 
Background Document by the Secretariat  .............................  G/AG/W/125/Rev .8 and Rev.9 WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 60 - 
 Implementation of the Decision on Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the 
Reform Programme on Least Developed and Net Food -importing Developing Countries , 
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ...................... G/AG/W/42/Rev.19  and Add.1  
Improve ment of the Submission of Notifications, Documentation Guide,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................................ ..... G/AG/W/112/Rev.5  
List of Outstanding R esponses  to Questions Raised  
under the Review Process of the Committee on Agriculture  
Meetings during 2012 –2017 ................................ .........................  G/AG/W/177  and Rev.1  
Members' participation in the Normal Growth of World Trade in Agricultural Products , 
Article  18.5 of the Agreement on Agriculture , 
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ....................  G/AG/W/32/Rev.16  and Rev.17  
Proposed Process for the Review of the Operation  
of the Bali Decision on TRQ Administration, Note by the Secretariat  .................  G/AG/W/171  
 
 
Committee on Anti -Dumping Practices  
Annual Report (2018) ................................ ................................ ...... G/L/1270  – G/ADP/25  
 
 
Committee on Customs  Valuation* 
Annual Report of the Committee on Customs Valuation (2018) ................................  G/L/1 284 
Annual Report of the Independent Entity (2018)  ................................ ...................  G/L/1274  
Fourth review of the Agreement on Preshipment Inspection , 
Report by the Chairperson  ................................ ................................ ...............  G/L/1236  
Information on the Application of the Decisions on the Treatment of Interes t Charges in the 
Customs Value of Imported Goods and on the Valuation of Carrier Media Bearing Software 
for Data Processing Equipmen t, Note by the Secretariat  ........................  G/VAL/W/5/Rev. 29 
Notifications under Article 5 of the  Agreement  
on Pres hipment Inspection  ................................ ............  G/PSI/N/1/Rev. 3/Add.1  and Add.2  
Preshipment Inspection , Note by the Secretariat  .........................  G/VAL/W/63/Rev. 22 and 23 
Status of Notifications of National Legislation on Customs Valuation  
and Responses to the Checklist of Issues , 
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ....................  G/VAL/W/232/Rev .8 and Rev.9  
Twenty -fourth  Annual Review of the Implementation and Operation  
of the Agreement on Impl emen tation of Article VII of the GATT 1994  ...................  G/VAL/76 
 
 
Committee on Import Licensing  
Annual Report ( 2018) ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1 269 
Consolidated P aper of Written Questions and Replies Submitted to  
the C ommittee on Import Licensing Since 1995  ................................ ..............  G/LIC/W/51  
Twelfth Biennial Review of the Implementation and Operation  
of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures  ................................ ..............  G/LIC/27  
 
 
Committee on Market Access  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1 271 
Factual Report on the Status of Renegotiations under  Article XXVIII of the GATT  1994, 
Report by the Secretariat  ................................ .........  G/MA/W/123/Rev.2 , Rev.3 and Rev.4 
                                                
* Including iss ues relating to preshipment inspection.  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 61 - 
 Introduction  of Harmonized System 1996 Changes to Schedules of  Concessions  
of 64 Members Using the Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) Database , 
Periodic Report by the Secretariat  ................................ ........  JOB/MA/41/Rev.9  and Rev.10 
Introduction  of Harmonized System 2002 Changes to Schedules of Concessions  
Using the Consolidated  Tariff Schedules (CTS) Database,  
Periodic Report by the Secretariat  ................................ ...... JOB/MA/42/Rev.23  and Rev.24  
Introduction of Harmonized System 2007 Changes to Schedules of Concessions  
Using the Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) Database,  
Periodic Report by the Secretariat  ................................ ..... JOB/MA/104/Rev.18  and Rev.19  
Introduction  of Harmonized System 2012 Changes to Schedules of Concession s 
Using the Consolidated  Tariff Schedules (CTS) Database,  
Periodic Report by the Secretariat  ..............................  JOB/MA/129/Rev.3 , Rev.4  and Rev.5 
Notification of Quantitative Restrictions (QRs): A  Practical Guide, 
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ......................  JOB/MA/101/Rev.1  and Rev.2  
Situation of Sche dules of WTO Members, Note by the Secretariat  ..............  G/MA/W/23/Rev.14  
Status of Notifications under the Decision on Notification Procedures  
for Quantitative Restrictions (G/L/59/Rev.1),  
Report by the Secretariat  ................................ ...............................  G/MA/QR/6  and Rev.1  
Status of Submissions to the I ntegrated Data Base (IDB),  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ .........................  G/MA/IDB/2/Rev.47  and 48 
Transposition of Members' CTS files to the HS2017 Nomenclatu re: 
Notes on Methodology , Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ..............  JOB/MA/135  
 
 
Committee on Rules of Origin  
Annual Report (2018)  ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1 266 
Preferential  Rules of Origin  for Least -developed Countries, Rules of Origin  
Based on the Criterion of Change of Tariff Classification,  
Background Note by the Secretariat  ................................ .............................  G/RO/W/178  
Report (2018) of the Committee on Rules of Origin to the General Council  
on Preferential Rules of Origin for Least Developed Countries  ................................  G/RO/8 7 
Status  of Notifications of Preferential Rules of Origin for LDCs  
and Preferential Import Data, Note by the Secret ariat ...........................  G/RO/W/163/Rev.4  
Twenty Fourth Annual Review of the Implementat ion and Operation  
of the Agreement on Rules of Origin, Background Note by the Secretariat  ..............  G/RO/8 8 
Utilization Rates  under Preferential Trade Arrangements  
for Least Developed Countries under the LDC Duty Scheme,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................................ ..............  G/RO/W/179  
 
 
Committee on Safeguards  
Annual Report (2018)  ................................ ................................ ...... G/L/1275  – G/SG/190  
Request under Article 13.1(e) of the Agreement on Safeguards (Request from Thailand), 
Factual Report to the Council for Trad e in Goods by the Chairperson of the Committee  
on Safeguards  ..........................  G/L/1276  – G/SG/191 , G/L/1276/Add.1  – G/SG/191/Add.1  
 
 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1 280 
Annual Report on the Implementation of Article 6  of the Agreement  
on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures , 
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................................ ........  G/SPS/GEN/1618  
Annual Report on the Procedure to Monitor the Process  
of International Harmonization, Note by the Secretariat  ...........................  G/SPS/GEN/1617  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 62 - 
 Annual Report on the Use of the Procedure to Encourage and  Facilitate  
the Resolution of Specific Sanitary or Phytosanitary Issues  
Among Members in Accordance with Article 12.2 (G/SPS/61) , 
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................................ ........  G/SPS/GEN/1642  
Catalogue of Instruments Available to WTO Members to Manage SPS Issues  ...........  G/SPS/63  
Overview Regarding the Level of Implementation  
of the Transparency Provisions of the SPS Agreemen t, 
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ..............................  G/SPS/GEN/ 804/Rev. 11 
Recommended Procedures for Implementing  
the Tr ansparency Obligations  of the SPS Agreement (Article 7)  ....................  G/SPS/7/Rev.4  
Specific Trade Concerns, Note by the Secretariat  .............................  G/SPS/GEN/204/Re v.18 
Update s on the Standards and Trade Development Facility , 
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................  G/SPS/GEN/1607 , 1627 and 1653 
 
 
Committee on Subsidies  and Countervailing Measures  
Annex VII(b) of the Agreement on Subsidies a nd Countervailing Measures,  
Updating GNP per capita for Members listed in Annex VII(b)  
as Foreseen in Paragraph 10.1 of the Doha Ministerial Decisions  
and in Accordance with the Methodology in G/SCM/38 , 
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................................ ..... G/SCM/110/Add. 15 
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ .... G/L/1272  – G/SCM/152  
Notification Provisions under the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures , 
Background Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ..................  G/SCM/W/546/Re v.9 
 
 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/12 81 
Eighth Triennial Review of the Operation and Implementation  
of the Agr eement on Technical Barriers to Trade under Article 15.4  .....................  G/TBT/41  
Twenty -Fourth Annual Review of the Implementation  
and Operation of the TBT Agreement , Note by the Secretariat  .............................  G/TBT/42  
 
 
Committee on Trade Facilit ation  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/12 67 
 
 
Committee on Trade -Related Investment Measures  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ .....G/L/1273  – G/TRIMS/8  
Notifications under Article 6.2 of the TRIMs Agreement of Publications  
in which TRIMs May be Found ................................ .........................  G/TRIMS/N/2/Rev. 28 
 
 
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade in Information Technology 
Products  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ ........................  G/L/1278  
Status of Implementation , Note by the Secretariat  ........................  G/IT/1/Rev.57  and Rev.58  
Divergences of Classification: Possible  HS2007 Classification  
for the Remaining 22 "Attachment B" Items, 
Third and Fourth Suppl ement Notes by the Secretariat  ........  G/IT/W/40/Suppl .3 and Suppl.4  
 WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 63 - 
  
Working Party on State Trading Enterprises  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ ...... G/L/1268  – G/STR/21  
Status of Notifications  Submitted by WTO Members  
under Article XVII:4(a)  of the GATT  1994 and  
Paragraph  1 of the Understanding on the Interpretation  
of Article XVII of the GATT  1994 ................................ ............................  G/STR/19  and 20 
 
 
Council for Trade in Services  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ .............................  S/C/55 
Report s by the Chairman to the General Council,  
Work Programme on Electronic Commerce  ................................ .................... S/C/54 and 56 
 
 
Committee on Specific Commitments  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ .......................  S/CSC /24 
 
 
Committee on Trade in Financial Services  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ ........................  S/FIN/ 33 
 
 
Working Party on GATS Rules  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ .....................  S/WPGR/ 29 
 
 
Working Party on Domestic Regulation  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ .....................  S/WPDR/ 22 
 
 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ ............................  IP/C/81 
Annual Review of the Special Compulsory Licensing System , 
Report to the General Council  ................................ ................................ ...............  IP/C/82 
 
 
Other Regular WTO B odies  
 
 
Committee on Balance -of-Payments Restrictions  
Annual Report (2018)  ................................ ................................ ................  WT/BOP/R/1 16 
 
 
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration  
Annual Report (201 8) ................................ ................................ ...................  WT/BFA/1 77 
Reports of Meetings  (2018)  ................................ .. WT/BFA/171 , 172, 173, 174, 175 and 176 
 WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 64 - 
  
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements  
Annual Report (2018)  ................................ ................................ .....................  WT/REG/2 9 
Implementation  of the RTA Transparency Mechanism,  
Status of the Prep aration of Factual Presentations,  
Background Note by the Secretariat  ..............................  WT/R EG/W/129 , 132, 134 and 137 
List of RTAs which  Have Appeared in Factual Presentations  
and Have Not Yet Been Notified to the WTO  ...................  WT/REG/W/128 , 130, 133 and 136 
Regiona l Trade  Agreements Subject to Implementation Reports,  
Updated as of 13  March  2018 ................................ ................................ .. WT/REG/W/131  
Template for Notifying Changes to an Existing RTA,  
Proposal to the Council for Trade in Goods, the Council for Trade in Services  
and the Committee on Trade and Development  ................................ ...............  WT/REG/28  
 
 
Consideration  of RTAs  
Accession of Seychelles to the Southern Af rican Development Community Trade Protocol  
(Goods)  ................................ ................................ .............................  WT/REG368/M/1  
See also WT/REG368/  
Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between  Canada and the European Union 
(Goods and Services)  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/REG389/M/1  
See also WT/REG389/  
Free Trade Agreement between Costa Rica and Colombia  
(Goods and Services)  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/REG376/M/1  
See also WT/REG376/  
Cooperation and Customs Union Agreement between the European Union  
and the Republic of San Marino (Goods)  ................................ ................  WT/REG280/M/1  
See also WT/REG280/  
Economic Partnership Agreement between Côte d'Ivoire and the European Union  
(Goods)  ................................ ................................ .............................  WT/REG258/M/1  
See also WT/REG258/  
Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Ghana  
(Goods)  ................................ ................................ .............................  WT/REG 382/M/1 
See also WT/REG 382/ 
Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and Mongolia  
(Goods And Services)  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/REG373/M/1  
See also WT/REG373/  
Economic Partnership Agreement between the CARIFORUM States and the  European Union 
(Goods and Services)  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/REG255/M/1  
See also WT/REG255/  
Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Ukraine (Goods)  .....................  WT/REG388/M/1  
See also WT/REG388/  
Free Trade Agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)  
and the Republic of Korea (Services)  ................................ .....................  WT/REG287/M/1  
See also WT/REG287/  
Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and Malaysia (Goods)  .....................  WT/REG379/M/1  
See also WT/REG379/  
Free Trade Agreement between Turkey and the Republic of Moldova  
(Goods)  ................................ ................................ .............................  WT/REG378/M/1  WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 65 - 
 See also WT/REG378/  
Treaty on Accession of the Republic of Armenia to the Eurasian Economic Union  
(Goods and Services)  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/REG363/M/1  
See also WT/REG363/  
Treaty on Accession of the Kyrgyz Republic to the  Eurasian Economic Union  
(Goods and Services)  ................................ ................................ ..........  WT/REG366/M/1  
See also WT/REG366/  
Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union (Goods and Services)  .....................  WT/REG358/M/1  
See also WT/REG358/  
 
 
Committee on Trade and Development  
Annual Report (2018)  ................................ ................................ ................  WT/COMTD/97  
Annual Performance Report on Technical Assistance and Training ( 2017) ... WT/COMTD/W/235  
Notifications under the Enabling Clause, Implement ation of the Transparency Mechanism for 
Regional Trade Agreements, Status of the Preparation of Factual Presentations,  
Report by the Chairman  ................................ .................  WT/COMTD/W/233 , 236 and 240 
Notifications under the Transparency Mechan ism for Preferential Trade Agreements,  
Implementation of the Transparency Mechanism, Status of the Preparation of Factual 
Presentations, Report by the Chairman  .............................  WT/COMTD/W/234 , 237 and 241 
Special and Differential  Treatment Provisions in WTO Agreements  
and Decisions, Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................  WT/COMTD/W/239  
 
 
Consideration of RTAs  
Arab Mediterranean Free Trade Agreement (Agadir Agreement)  
between Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia (Goods)  ....... WT/COMTD/RTA/M/9 , Item B(ii)  
See also WT/COMTD/N/48  and WT/COMTD/RTA/11/  
Partial Scope Agreement between Panama and the Dominican Republic  
(Goods)  ................................ ................................ ...... WT/COMTD/RTA/M/9 , Item B(iii)  
See also WT/COMTD/N/49  and WT/COMTD/RTA/10/  
United States' Trade Preferences for Nepal  .........................  WT/COMTD/PTA/M/3 , Item B(ii)  
See also WT/COMTD/N/52  and WT/COMTD/PTA/3/  
 
 
Dedicated Session on Regional Trade Agreements  
Consideration of Regional Trade Agreements, Status of Work of the Dedicated Session,  
Status of the Preparation of Factual Presentations,  
Report by the Chairman  ................................ ................................ . WT/COMTD/RTA/W/2  
 
 
Sub-Committee on Least -Developed Countries  
Note by the Secretariat, Market Access for Products and Services  
of Export Interest to Least Developed Countries  ............................  WT/COMTD/LDC/W/66  
 
 WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 66 - 
 Aid-for-Trade Initiative  
Aid-for-Trade Work Programme, 2018 -2019, Supporting Economic Diversification  
and Empowerment for Inclusive, Sustainable Development  
through Aid for Trade  ................................ ................................ .. WT/COMTD/AFT/W/75  
Update on the Standards and Trade Development Facility,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................................  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/76  
Aid-for-Trade Monitoring Exercise, Supporting Economic Diversification  
and Empowerment for Inclusive, Sustainable Development through Aid for Trade,  
Background Note by the OECD  
and WTO Secretariats  ....................  WT/COMTD/AFT/W/77 , Add.1 , Add.2 , Add.3  and Add.4  
 
 
Committee on Trade and Environment  
Annual Report (2017)  ................................ ................................ .....................  WT/CTE/25  
Environmental Database for 2016, Note by the Secretar iat ............  WT/CTE/EDB/16  and Add.1  
Environmental Database for 2017 , Note by the Secretariat  ...........................  WT/CTE/EDB/17  
 
 
Working Group on Trade, Debt and Finance  
Annual Report (2018)  ................................ ................................ ................  WT/WGTDF/ 17 
Expert Group Meeting on Trade Finance on 26 March 2018 , 
Informal  Report by the Secretariat  ................................ ........................  WT/WGTDF/W/86  
Session on "Financial Inclusion  in Trade Finance: Reducing the Global Trade Finance Gap", 
Held on 9 October 2018 at the Annual Meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)  
and the World Bank , Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ..........  WT/WGTDF/W/ 88 
 
 
Working Group on Trade and Transfer of Technology  
Annual Report (2018)  ................................ ................................ ................  WT/WGTTT /20 
 
 
Accessions  
Annual Report by the Director -General (2018)  ..............  WT/ACC/3 3/Rev.1  – WT/GC/19 6/Rev.1  
List of WTO Accessions Working Party Chairpersons  ................................ ... WT/ACC/18/Rev.13  
 
 
Appellate Body  
Annual Report (2018)  ................................ ................................ .........................  WT/AB/ 29 
 
 
Trade Negotiations Committee  
Minutes of the Meeting on 28 November 2 017 ................................ .......................  TN/C/M/38  
Report of the Director -General at the Informal Trade Negotiati ons Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 5 March 2018  ................................ ..... WT/GC/M/171 , Item 1 and Annex 1  – JOB/GC/172  
Report of the Director -General at the Informal Trade Negotiation s Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 7 May 2018  ................................ ........  WT/GC/M /172, Item 1 and Annex 1 – JOB/GC/186  WT/BISD /2018  
 
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 Report of the Director -General at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 24 July 2018  ................................ ...... WT/GC/M/173 , Item 1 and Annex 1 – JOB/GC/ 195 
Report of the Director -General at the Informal  Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 16 October 2018  ................................  WT/GC/M/174 , Item 1 and Annex 1 – JOB/TNC/71  
Report of the Director -General at the Informal  Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting s 
on 10 December 2018  .............................  WT/GC/M/175 , Item 1 and Annex 1 – JOB/TNC/72  
 
 
Committee on Agriculture in Special Session  
Committee on Agriculture, Special Session, Compilation Document  .....................  JOB/AG/128  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal T rade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting on 7 May 2018  ...............  WT/GC/M/172 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal  Trade Negotiations Committee  and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting  on 24 July 2018 ............  WT/GC/M/173 , Annex 1  – JOB/AG/142  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal  Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 16  October 2018  ..........................  WT/GC/M/174 , Annex 1  – JOB/AG/146  – JOB/TNC/71  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal  Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 10 December 2018  .......................  WT/GC/M/175 , Annex 1  – JOB/AG/152  – JOB/TNC/72  
Summary Report of the Thirty -Eighth Formal Special Session  .............................  TN/AG/R/25  
 
 
Cotton  
 
 
Sub-Committee on Cotton  
Cotton, Background Papers by the Secretariat ....TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.8 , Add.1  and Add.2  – 
TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.8 , Add.1  and Add.2, 
and TN/AG/GEN/34/Rev.9 , Add.1  and Add.2  – 
TN/AG/SCC/GEN/13/Rev.9 , Add.1  and Add.2  
 
 
Director -General's  Consultative Framework Mechanism on Cotton  
Evolving Table on Cotton  Development  Assistance  ............  WT/CFMC/6/Rev.24  and Rev.25  
 
 
Committee on Trade and Development in Special Session  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Nego tiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 7 May 2018  ................................ .......................  WT/GC/M/172 , Annex 1  – TN/CTD/33  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting  on 24 July 2018 .............  WT/GC/M/173 , Annex 1  – TN/CTD/34  
Report by the Chairperson at th e Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting  on 16 October 2018  ...... WT/GC/M/174 , Annex 1  – JOB/TNC/71  
Report by  the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting s 
on 10 December 2018  ................................ ............  WT/GC/M/175 , Annex 1  – JOB/TNC/72  
 
 WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 68 - 
 Committee on Trade and Environment in Special Session  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotia tions Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  on 7 May 2018  ...............  WT/GC/M/172 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  on 24 July 2018  .............  WT/GC/M/173 , Annex 1  
 
 
Council for Trade in Services in Special Session  
Informal Summaries by the Chairperson  ................................ ........  JOB/SERV/281 , 283, 288 
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  on 7 May 2018  ...............  WT/GC/M/172 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting on 24 July 20 18 .............  WT/GC/M/173 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Ne gotiations Committee  and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting on 16 October 2018  ...... WT/GC/M/174 , Annex 1  – JOB/TNC/71  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations  Committee  and Informal Heads 
of Delegation Meetings  on 10 December 2018  ...........  WT/GC/M/175 , Annex 1  – JOB/TNC/72  
 
 
Council for Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights in Special Session  
Multilateral System of Notification and Registration of Geographical Indications  
for Wines and Spirits, Report by the Chairman  ................................ ...................  TN/IP/26  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting on 7 May 2018  ...............  WT/GC/M/172 , Annex  1 
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal  Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting on 24 July 2018  .............  WT/GC/M/173 , Annex 1  
 
 
Dispute Settlement Body in Special Session  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal  Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal  Heads of Delegation Meeting  on 7 May 2018  ...............  WT/GC/M/172 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal  Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal  Heads of Delegatio n Meeting  on 24 July 2018  .............  WT/GC/M/173 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson a t the Informal  Trade Negotiations Committee and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting  on 16 October 2018  ...... WT/GC/M/174 , Annex 1  – JOB/TNC/71  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal  Trade Negotiations Committee and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting s 
on 10 December 2018  ................................ ............  WT/GC/M/175 , Annex 1  – JOB/TNC/72  
 
 
Negotiating Group on Market Access  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committe e 
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 7 May 2018  ................................ .........................  WT/GC/M/172 , Annex 1  – TN/MA/32  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting  
on 24 July 2018  ................................ ........................  WT/GC/M/173 , Ann ex 1 – TN/MA/33  
 
 WT/BISD /2018  
 
- 69 - 
 Negotiating Group on Rules  
Fisheries Subsidies, Working Doc uments,  
Communication from the Chairperson  ..................  TN/RL/W/274/Rev.3 , Rev.4 , Rev.5 , Rev.6  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting on 7 May 2018  ...............  WT/GC/M/172 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotia tions Committee  
and Informal Heads of Delegation Meeting on 24 July 2018  .............  WT/GC/M/173 , Annex 1  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  and Informal  
Heads of Delegation Meeting on 16 October 2018  ...... WT/GC/M/174 , Annex 1  – JOB/TNC/71  
Report by the Chairperson at the Informal Trade Negotiations Committee  
and Informal  Heads of Delegation Meetings  
on 10 December 2018  ................................ ............  WT/GC/M/175 , Annex 1  – JOB/TNC/72  
 
 
Committees under the Plurilateral Trade Agreements  
 
Committee  on Government Procurement  
Annual Report  (2018)  ................................ ................................ .......................  GPA/AR/1  
Application for Accession of the United Kingdom to the Agreement on Government 
Procurement in Its Own Right ................................ ................................ ............  GPA/146  
Work Programme on Sustainable Procurement, Draft Final Report,  
Note by The Secretariat  ................................ ................................ .........  GPA/WPS/SP/13  
Work Programme on the Collection and Reporting of Statistical Data , 
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ......................  GPA/WPS/STAT/29  and Rev.1  
 
 
Committee on Trade in Civil Aircraft  
Annual Report  (2018)  ................................ ................................ ....... WT/L/1041  – TCA/14  
 
 
Other  
 
Informal Working Group on MSMEs  
Statement by the Informal Working Group on MSMEs  ................................ ........  INF/MSME/1  
Informal Working Group on MSMEs, 2018 Annual Report  ...............................  INF/MSME/R/7  
 
 
Relations with Other International Organizations  
Communication from the International Monetary Fund  ....................  WT/TF/IMF/72 , 73 and 74 
 
 
Information  
Membership  of the World Trade Organization  ................................ ...........  WT/INF/43/Rev.21  
Notice to Delegations, Default Method of Distribution of All WTO documents,  
Note by the Secretariat  ................................ ................................ ...............  WT/INF/212  
List of NGO Position Papers Received by the Secretariat is Circulated for  
the Information  of Members, Note by the secretariat ................................ ....... WT/INF/216  
 
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