RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/ACC/SAU/16
20May1997
ORGANIZATION(97-2072)
Original: English
ACCESSION OFSAUDI ARABIA
Questions andReplies
concerning therevised Draft ICCP Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines
Thefollowing document contains additional questions andreplies submitted bySaudi Arabia
concerning therevised Draft ICCP Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines.
_______________WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page2
1. Introduction
Question 1.
TheICCP product listisnotintended tobeexhaustive andmore products maybeadded ata
future date. Could Saudi Arabia indicate whether ornotitwillprovide acomment period for
domestic andforeign suppliers withrespect toproposed additions tothelist?
Answer:
Asforpossible future changes totheprogramme, Saudi Arabia will,afterbecoming afull
Member ofWTO, provide adequate notification inaccordance withtheapplicable WTO provisions.
Question 2.
Wesupport Saudi Arabia ’saccession totheWTO. Inthiscontext itwillbeimportant thatSaudi
Arabia ’sarrangements relating tostandards confirm toWTO requirements. Wehaveconcerns
thattheInternational Conformity Certification Programme (ICCP) willconstitute anon-tariff
barrier totrade, andthataspects oftheProgramme donotconform toWTO rules.
Ourexpectation isthat, upon accession totheWTO, Saudi Arabia willabide byalltheWTO
rules thatarerelevant totheprocedures andoperations oftheICCP, without exception. These
rules include theprovisions oftheWTO Agreements onTechnical Barriers toTrade, the
ApplicationofSanitaryandPhytosanitaryMeasures,Pre-shipmentInspectionandImportLicensing
Procedures, aswellasArticles III,VIIIandXoftheGATT 1994. Wearekeentoseeprogress
towards suchasituation.
Wefully recognise Saudi Arabia ’sright tointroduce WTO consistent measures toprotect
consumers, although itwould strongly prefer thatSaudi Arabia abandon theICCP. Nevertheless,
wewelcome theopportunity tocomment onthelatest Draft Comprehensive Procedures and
Guidelines relating totheICCP.
Wealsolookforward toSaudi Arabia ’sdetailed explanation ontheextent towhich thecurrent
Draft takes intoaccount theconcerns previously expressed byWTO Members andthespecific
requirements oftherelevant parts oftheWTO Agreement. Itwould beuseful ifSaudi Arabia
could specifically address these twopoints insome detail during forthcoming discussions onthe
ICCP.
Onageneral level, weassume thatSaudi Arabia isprepared togiveunqualified commitments
initsProtocol ofAccession thatitsstandards, conformity assessment procedures, sanitary and
phytosanitary arrangements, andpre-shipment inspection arrangements willbeoperated ina
manner infullconformity withtherelevant WTO provisions.
Answer:
Saudi Arabia highly appreciates thisMember ’ssupport foritsaccession totheWTO. Inthis
respect,SaudiArabiareiterateswhathasbeenconfirmedonmanyoccasionsthatICCPhasbeendesigned
tobeconsistent withvarious WTO instruments. Saudi Arabia isfurthermore fullycommitted tothe
continued andunqualified compliance oftheICCP withallWTO provisions andprinciples without
exception upon becoming aWTO Member. Ever since itsaccession application, tensofquestions
have been raised byseveral WTO Members citing specific articles andprovisions against which
consistency isquestioned. Saudi Arabia hasreplied offering fullclarifications andjustifications.WT/ACC/SAU/16
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Inaddition, thenewdraft ICCP Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines havebeenrefined and
streamlined asamanifestation ofSaudi Arabia 'sefforts forfullharmonization withWTO provisions.
TheWTO Agreement onPre-shipment Inspection (PSI)recognizes andhonours theindisputable
rightofcountries tomandate PSIprogrammes "foraslongandinsoforasitisnecessary toverify
thequality ...ofgoods" (under ICCP quality isidentified asconformity toSaudi standards). There
arenoprovisions whatsoever within thePSIAgreement thatrestrict theuseofPSIbyinspection bodies
contractedbyCentralGovernmentBodies,regardlessofanyexistingconformityassessmentorassurance
procedures. Itfollows thatPSIAgreement facilitates theapplication ofPSIoverandabove allother
measures.
However,ICCPonlyusesPSIasatoolofconformityassessmentsubjecttothetestofconfidence
conveyedbytherespectiveproductsregardingtheassuranceofconformity.Consequently,PSIisapplied
neither arbitrarily noracross theboard, butvaries withthestatus oftheparticular product vis-à-vis
theprogramme,rangingfromfullPSIandPST(pre-shipmenttesting)forunknown/unregisteredproducts,
toPSIplusoccasional PSTforregistered products, tooccasional random PSIonlyfortypeapproved
products. Infact,Saudi Arabia 'sapplication oftheICCP islessrestrictive totrade thanallowed by
PSIAgreement andimplemented byallWTO countries thathaveopted tomandate PSIprogrammes.
Consequently, ICCP cannotbeconsidered asanon-tariff barrier totrade.
Question 3.
Werecall theInternational Conformity Certification Programme wasdiscussed attheNovember
1996 informal meeting oftheWorking Party ontheAccession oftheKingdom ofSaudi Arabia.
Atthattimethere wasdiscussion concerning consistency oftheprogramme withvarious WTO
instrumentsincludingtheWTOAgreementonTechnicalBarrierstoTrade(TBT),WTOAgreement
onPre-shipment Inspection (PSI), andGATT Articles III(National Treatment), VII(valuation
forcustoms purposes), VIII(fees connected withimportation), X(transparency). Itwould be
helpful iftheSaudi delegation could summarise theextent towhich thecurrent document takes
intoaccount theconcerns raised during thelastinformal meeting oftheWorking Party about
theWTO compatibility ofaspects oftheprogramme.
Answer:
Saudi Arabia hasconfirmed onmany occasions thatICCP hasbeendesigned tobeconsistent
withvarious WTO instruments. Saudi Arabia isfurthermore fullycommitted tothecontinued and
unqualified compliance oftheICCP withallWTO provisions andprinciples upon becoming aWTO
Member. Eversince itsaccession application, questions havebeenraised byseveral WTO Members
citing specific articles andprovisions against which consistency isquestioned. Saudi Arabia hasreplied
offering fullclarifications andjustifications.
Inaddition, thenewICCP Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines havebeenrefined and
streamlined asamanifestation ofSaudi Arabia 'sefforts forfullharmonization withWTO.
TheWTO Agreement onPre-shipment Inspection (PSI)recognizes andhonours theindisputable
rightofcountries tomandate PSIprogrammes "foraslongandinsoforasitisnecessary toverify
thequality ...ofgoods" (under ICCP quality isidentified asconformity toSaudi standards). There
arenoprovisions whatsoever within thePSIAgreement thatrestrict theuseofPSIbyinspection bodies
contractedbyCentralGovernmentBodies,regardlessofanyexistingconformityassessmentorassurance
procedures. Itfollows thatPSIAgreement facilitates theapplication ofPSIoverandabove allother
measures.WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page4
However,ICCPonlyusesPSIasatoolofconformityassessmentsubjecttothetestofconfidence
conveyedbytherespectiveproductsregardingtheassuranceofconformity.Consequently,PSIisapplied
neither arbitrarily noracross theboard, butvaries withthestatus oftheparticular product vis-à-vis
theprogramme,rangingfromfullPSIandPST(pre-shipmenttesting)forunknown/unregisteredproducts,
toPSIplusoccasional PSTforregistered products, tooccasional random PSIonlyfortypeapproved
products. Infact,Saudi Arabia 'sapplication oftheICCP islessrestrictive totrade thanallowed by
PSIAgreement andimplemented byallWTO countries thathaveopted tomandate PSIprogrammes.
Question 4.
Wewould appreciate clarification ofthefollowing comment contained intheintroduction. 'The
ICCP applies to76categories ofproducts exported toSaudi Arabia. Thelistisnotintended to
beexhaustive andmore products maybeadded atafuture date... '.Webelieve thatifchange
istobeafeature oftheICCP, assurance willbeimportant toensure suppliers retain confidence
inthemarket.
(i) What willbetheprocess fordeciding anynewproducts tobeadded tothelistofregulated
goods?
(ii) How willexporters beinformed ofchanges?
Answer:
(i) Thepriorities thatthevarious government regulating agencies setforprotection oftheSaudi
consumer against safety hazards andhealth anddeceptive practices risks, aswellastheprotection of
theenvironment,arethedeterminingfactorsforexpansionoftheprogrammeandforadditionofproducts
totheregulated products listinthefuture. Theorder ofpriorities ishighly influenced bythelevel
ofsusceptibility andactual exposure ofconsumers tothedifferent hazards andrisksinthemarket-place,
andtheextent towhich unregulated imported products comply withSaudi standards onavoluntary
basis.
(ii) Asforpossible future changes totheprogramme, Saudi Arabia will,afterbecoming afull
member ofWTO, provide adequate notification inaccordance withtheapplicable WTO provisions.
Question 5.
Wewould appreciate clarification ofthefollowing comment contained intheintroduction. 'A
wide listoflaboratories approved tocarry outtesting isavailable. Expansion ofthisapproved
listhasbeen facilitated bytheinclusion oflaboratories nominated byvarious countries under
their government 'sfullresponsibility. Could theSaudi delegation confirm thatitisnotintended
tohave governments acting asquasi guarantors forcommercially runtesting laboratories?
Answer:
Onthesubject ofapproval oflaboratories, forcountries thathave Nationally Recognized
Laboratory Accreditation Bodies, ICCP canapprove those laboratories based ontheircompliance with
ISOGuide 25without theneedforinvolvement oftheirrespective governments. Incaseofabsence
ofNational Accreditation Bodies, ICCP canonlyapprove laboratories based onSASO 'sownevaluation
ofthose laboratories along ISOGuides, oronthebasis ofguarantee oftheirperformance bythe
respective governments thatnominated them. Governments willnotbeexpected toactasguarantors
forcommercial laboratories orforlaboratories theyhavenotnominated.WT/ACC/SAU/16
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3. Procedures forProduct Compliance
B. Registration andPre-shipment Inspection
Question 6.
TheRegistration procedure remains difficult tounderstand bothinterms ofthepurpose andhow
itoperates. Some clear explanation would beappreciated.
Secondly, istheregistration phase anecessary condition ofseeking typeapproval orcana
manufacturer seekimmediate typeapproval forhisproduct ?
Answer:
Thepurpose ofRegistration istofacilitate demonstration bytheexporter ofthecompliance
ofhisproducts totheminimum requirements critical toSaudi Arabia. Initially, minimum requirements
aregeneral compliance withinternational orgeneric standards encompassed within Saudi standards.
Theexporter submits aself-declaration ofthestandards hecomplies with. Thedeclaration isanalyzed
against Saudi Arabian national deviations andtheexporter isinformed ofthestepstobetaken tomeet
thespecified criteria. Theextent offullandcontinued compliance withtheSaudi specific standards
istracked through discrepancy reports resulting frominspection ofconsignments without disrupting
flowoftrade.
Inprinciple, exporters arenotprecluded fromseeking direct typeapproval oftheirproducts.
Inpractical terms, however, theinitial steps fortypeapproval ofunregistered products areidentical
toRegistration procedures.
Question 7.
Could Saudi Arabia giveadditional information onthedifference between Registration andthe
firststeps which have tobefulfilled fortypeapproval licence (application forlicence )and
pre-shipment compliance verification (request forcertification)?
Answer:
There isnodifference between Registration andthefirststeps towards Type Approval. The
draftICCP Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines areintended toprovide basic information on
thestepsrequiredandthedifferencesbetweenRegistration,TypeApprovalandPre-shipmentCompliance
Verification. Additional information onRegistration andTypeApproval ismade available uponrequest
orapplication from theRegional Licensing Centres.
Question 8.
Wenotetheremoval ofthereference tounderstated shipment values thatwaspresent intheICCP
Guidelines previously (Reply toQuestion 88ofWT/ACC/SAU/13/Add.1).
CanSaudi Arabia provide anyassurance thatitwillnothaverecourse topre-shipment inspection
forthedetermination ofcustoms value inthefuture?
Answer:
Saudi Arabia mayexercise itsWTO recognised righttoimplement PSIforcustoms valuation
atanytimeifitfinds themeasure tobeinitsbestinterest.WT/ACC/SAU/16
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C. Type Approval Licensing
Question 9.
Thedocument states thatamajor determining factor ofcompliance assurance maintenance is
theevaluation andapproval ofthemanufacturer ’squality control system. Does thismean only
ISO9000certification and,ifnot,what arethecriteria forevaluating thequality control system?
Answer:
Formanufacturers thathaveISO9000quality control certification oranyother equivalent or
internationally recognised quality control (QC)certification, theSaudi Arabian Standards Organization
(SASO) would onlyneedtoverify theexistence andvalidity ofsuchcertification. Inrarecases where
theexisting QCsystem isnotinternationally recognised, SASO would evaluate itbased onitsown
merits andwhether itachieves thesame objectives oftheinternational systems.
Question 10.
Thedocument states thatSASO licensing procedures “closely follow ”ISO/IEC Guide 28.Could
Saudi Arabia identify anypoints where theSASO licensing procedures donotfollow therelevant
ISO/ IECGuides?
Answer:
SASOcannotidentifyanypointswheretheSASOlicensingproceduresdonotfollowtherelevant
ISO/IEC Guides.
Question 11.
With respect tosurveillance, licensing surveillance iscomprised anannual repeat ofthefactory
inspection andlimited retest ofthetypeapproved product(s). Does thisalsoapply toISO9000
certified manufacturers?
Answer:
ForISO9000certified manufacturers, onlyverification ofexistence andvalidity ofsurveillance
arenecessary. Limited retesting oftypeapproved products maybenecessary. Retesting carried out
underanexistingtypeapprovalschemethatmeetstheSASOlicencerequirementsneednotbeduplicated.
Question 12.
Could Saudi Arabia define more clearly what ismeant by“process related products ”andthe
rationale formore frequent surveillance, sample selection andtesting.
Answer:
Process related products arethose inwhich natural variability oftherawmaterials requires
closer monitoring andcontrol forquality assurance purposes. Examples ofthiswould befound in
cigarettes, foodproducts, some jewellery, perfumes andcosmetics. Thefrequency ofsurveillance
willbedetermined byexperience oftheconsistency ofquality found.WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page7
Question 13.
According tothedraft text, theSaudi Government willrecognize thetests, quality marks, or
certificationsissuedbyapprovedinternationallyaccreditedconformityandtypetestinglaboratories
orinstitutions.
However, theterminology "Internationally accredited" maybeconstrued inmany different ways,
which leaves thepossibility ofconfusion andselective interpretation. Amore precise definition
ofsuchinternationally accredited laboratories orinstitutions should beclarified inadvance.
Inthisregard, werequest theSaudi Government torecognize thetests, quality marks and
certifications oftheKorea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS) which isaccredited in
accordance withISO/IEC Guide 25.
Answer:
Laboratories accredited bynationally recognized laboratory accreditation bodies thataccredit
inaccordance withISO/IEC Guide 25areprime candidates asinternationally accredited institutions.
Tests, quality marks andcertifications issued byLaboratories accredited byKOLAS are
recognised, subject toverification thattheaccreditation adheres toISOGuide 25.
Question 14.
TheType Approval Licensing option contains procedures thatappear tobeverystringent. With
theinformation supplied, itseems thattheconformity oftheproduct toSASO requirements is
established during thetypeapproval procedure andnotwiththedelivery ofthecertificate of
conformity (CoC). Isthere apossibility thatbothprocedures could bemerged intooneoperation
especially since thecertification willbecounter checked upon arrival inSaudi Arabia?
Answer:
Type approval licensing isanannual process thatcharacterizes theproduct ingeneral while
theCoCisassociated withindividual consignments. TheCoCprovides specific information unique
totheproducts included intheconsignment. Itisnotpossible todesign thetypeapproval certificate
insuchawaythatbyitselfitcanbeaccepted. TheGuidelines explain indetail thattheSASO Country
Office(SCO)hastoprovidetheCoCidentificationnumberandacopyofalldocumentsmustbeprovided
totheSCOformonitoring andintervention incaseofdiscrepancies orviolations. Furthermore, CoC
isrequired inastandard format forallshipments whether typeapproved ornot.
Question 15.
Please, cananexplanation begiven astowhySaudi Arabia demands aCertification ofConformity
(CoC) inaddition toatypeapproval certificate. Normally, atypeapproval certificate isthesame
thing asaCoC. Isitnotpossible todesign thetypeapproval certificate insuchawaythatby
itself itcanbeaccepted, without theneed toobtain aseparate Certificate ofConformity?
Answer:
Type approval licensing isanannual process thatcharacterizes theproduct ingeneral while
theCoCisassociated withindividual consignments. TheCoCprovides specific information unique
totheproducts included intheconsignment. Itisnotpossible todesign thetypeapproval certificateWT/ACC/SAU/16
Page8
insuchawaythatbyitself itcanbeaccepted. TheGuidelines explain indetail thattheSCOhasto
provide theCoCidentification number andacopyofalldocuments mustbeprovided totheSCOfor
monitoring andintervention incaseofdiscrepancies orviolations. Furthermore, CoCisrequired in
astandard format forallshipments whether typeapproved ornot.
Question 16.
TheDraft Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines makes asolitary reference tothe"SASO
Licence Agreement" (section 3C). However nodetails areprovided.
Could Saudi Arabia provide details ofthepurposes ofeligibility criteria forandprocedures
surrounding theissuance ofa“SASO Licence Agreement ”?
Answer:
TheSASO Licence Agreement isanagreement onthepartofthemanufacturer tousetheType
Approval Licence onlyforthepurpose forwhich itwasintended. Thatis,todemonstrate compliance
toSaudi Arabian requirements inorder toissue orobtain shipment Certificates ofConformity.
Quality System Certification
Question 17.
Wequestion thejustification forimposing afactory quality system certification ontopofthe
product typeapproval formany oftheregulated products. Thisdouble procedure seems excessive
andnotinkeeping withtheTBT requirement toadopt theleast trade restrictive procedures
possible, Wewould request theSaudi Arabian Government toreconsider theneedforthisbearing
inmind international practice andthefactthat QScertification canbecoupled with a
manufacturer 'sdeclaration ofconformity oftheproduct, thusensuring thattheproduct itself
conforms tospecific requirements.
Answer:
ICCP typeapproval procedures areinaccordance withinternationally followed practices which
require quality control system approval, verification andsubsequent surveillance. Anyexisting QS
certification orsurveillance willbeverified towards satisfaction ofSASO typeapproval licence
requirement.
Question 18.
ForType Approval Licensing, themanufacturer 'squality control system willbeevaluated. If
thismanufacturer 'squality system hasbeencertified byacertification body which isaccredited
byanational accreditation body, willthiscertificate berecognized (e.g.ISO9000 standards)?
Ifyes,willtheSASO programme manager stillproceed totheevaluation oftheQS?
Answer:
Yes,themanufacturer'squalitycontrolsystemcertificationwillberecognized.Itwill,however,
benecessary forSASO toverify therelevant certification documents.WT/ACC/SAU/16
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Question 19.
Wewelcome thecommitment provided inSection 3Dofthecurrent document thatforfoodproducts
only, theexporter maychoose toobtain aCertificate ofConformity prior toshipment orship
directly toSaudi Arabia without theneedforcertification. Food products shipped without aCoC
willbesampled andtested upon arrival atSaudi Ports attheMinistry ofCommerce orSASO
laboratories against theapplicable standards. Could theSaudi delegation confirm thatnochanges
areplanned tothisoption?
Answer:
Thisoption isforeseen topersist inthefuture andnochanges arepresently contemplated. The
choice ofinspection andtesting atcountry ofexport wasfacilitated byICCP forthebenefit ofexporters
whomight prefer tosecure theirshipments against riskofpostarrival rejection.
D. Direct Shipment -Group I(Food) Products Only
Question 20.
Werefer totheprovisions oftheDraft Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines which allow
exporters offoodproducts toobtain aCertificate ofConformity prior toshipment orchoose to
shipdirectly, subject tosampling andtesting upon arrival inSaudi Arabia (section 3D).
CanSaudi Arabia guarantee thatthese twooptions willberetained forfoodproducts andthat
these twooptions willnotbecome mandatory forfoodproducts?
What feesapply tofoodproducts thatareshipped without aCertificate andtested upon arrival?
Answer:
Thisoption isforeseen topersist inthefuture andnochanges arepresently contemplated. The
choice ofinspection andtesting atcountry ofexport wasfacilitated byICCP forthebenefit ofexporters
whomight prefer tosecure theirshipments against riskofpostarrival rejection.
5. Regulated Products andPoints ofContact
Question 21.
NewTyres (Sr.No.III-04) should beexcluded from thelistofregulated products. InKorea, new
tyres areexempt from prior inspection atthepoint ofimport. Only re-treaded tyres aresubject
toinspection.
Answer:
Verification ofconformity ofnewtyres andassurance oftheirsuitability toSaudi Arabia 's
climatic andgeographical conditions arevitalsafety motivated measures leading toreduction infatal
accidents. Newtyres likeother regulated products must besubjected toICCP requirements.
Question 22.
WenoteSaudi Arabia ’sstatement regarding prospects forthefuture expansion oftheProgramme
(section VIofWT/ACC/SAU/15).WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page10
Could Saudi Arabia provide detailed information onhowthecurrency ofthelistofSASO Approved
Laboratories (atAppendix GoftheDraft Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines) willbe
maintained inresponse topossible changes inthelistofRegulated Products?
Willgovernments, nationally recognized laboratory accreditation bodies andmanufacturers be
abletonominate additional laboratories forthelistofSASO Approved Laboratories intheevent
ofpossible additions totheRegulated Products list? Ifso,canSaudi Arabia provide details of
notification procedures thatwillallow thepossibility oftimely participation bysuchlaboratories
inthetesting ofadditional Regulated Products?
How, when andbywhom willproposals foradditions tothelistofRegulated Products (at
Appendix AoftheDraft Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines) benotified? Willthereasons
forallsuchadditions beprovided? Willnotifications ofsuchproposed additions (including reasons)
takeplace atanearly appropriate stage, when amendments canstillbeintroduced andcomments
betaken intoaccount? How willexporters andmanufacturers beinformed ofchanges?
Answer:
(i)(ii) Asadditional products areincluded intheregulated product list,additional laboratories will
beapproved tocarry outtherequired testing according tothesame criteria andprocedures followed
forexistingregulatedproducts,includingtheopportunityforgovernmentsandmanufacturerstonominate
theirownlabsforapproval. Thisisanon-going exercise andcanbeinitiated atanytimeafterofficial
notification bySASO ofintention toaddnewregulated products.
(iii) Thereasons foranyaddition ofnewproducts willbeinaccordance withlegitimate WTO
objectives e.g.health, safety, national security, public morals, theenvironment andprevention of
deceptive practices.
Thepriorities thatthevarious government regulating agencies setforprotection oftheSaudi
consumer against safety hazards andhealth anddeceptive practices risks, aswellastheprotection of
theenvironment,arethedeterminingfactorsforexpansionoftheprogrammeandforadditionofproducts
totheregulated products listinthefuture. Theorder ofpriorities ishighly influenced bythelevel
ofsusceptibility andactual exposure ofconsumers tothedifferent hazards andrisksinthemarket-place,
andtheextent towhich unregulated imported products comply withSaudi standards onavoluntary
basis.
Saudi Arabia will,afterbecoming afullMember ofWTO, provide adequate notification in
accordance withtheapplicable WTO provisions.
8. Fees
Question 23.
Theadvalorem nature ofthepre-shipment feesstructure appears inconsistent withArticle VIII
inthatthefeesdonotrepresent thecostofservice. Could Saudi Arabia indicate howitintends
tomodify itsfeestructure toensure thatitisbased upon costofservice.
Answer:
PSIprogrammesareoperatedworld-widebyabout40countries,33ofwhichareWTOMembers.
AWorld Bank study reported thatPSIfeesvaried world-wide between 0.75percentand1percent
compared toamaximum of0.5percentunder theICCP. Besides, theICCP’sPSIfeesarenotbasedWT/ACC/SAU/16
Page11
onafixedpercentage off.o.b. value butarerather moreequitably graduated toreflect greater economies
ofscale achieved athigher volumes, reaching aslowas0.15percent. Inaddition, ICCP facilitates
substantial feesavings forfrequent shipment exporters through “shipment aggregation ”.Inall,ICCP
feesrepresent theapproximate costofservices rendered tothefairest degree possible.
Question 24.
Anyfeerequirement must beappropriate inviewoftheservices rendered. Excessive feesresult
inincreased consumer prices. Thus, advalorem feerequirements need tobemodified.
Feescurrently varyaccording toproduct value. Such feesought tobereduced to,forexample,
$100 ineachcase.
Answer:
PSIprogrammesareoperatedworld-widebyabout40countries,33ofwhichareWTOMembers.
AWorld Bank study reported thatPSIfeesvaried world-wide between 0.75percentand1percent
compared toamaximum of0.5percentunder theICCP. Besides, theICCP’sPSIfeesarenotbased
onafixedpercentage off.o.b. value butarerather moreequitably graduated toreflect greater economies
ofscale achieved athigher volumes, reaching aslowas0.15percent. Inaddition, ICCP facilitates
substantial feesavings forfrequent shipment exporters through “shipment aggregation ”.Inall,ICCP
feesrepresent theapproximate costofservices rendered tothefairest degree possible.
Exporters whoarenotmanufacturers
Question 25.
Please explain why, under thetypeapproval procedure, manufacturers whoexport directly are
treated differently (more favourably) thanexporters whoarenotthemselves themanufacturer.
Answer:
Theconfidenceastotheassuranceofconformitybymanufacturersismuchhigherthanexporters
whodealwithseveral manufacturers andmaynotvalue thegoodwill thatacompliant manufacturer
istrying tomaintain. Inaddition, alotofassembly, relabelling andrepackaging maybecarried out
byexporters which maychange theoriginal characteristics ofthetypeapproved products andrender
itnon-compliant. Alsoexporters cannotprovide factory quality assurance. Refer toSection 4Con
page11oftheICCP Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines.
Transparency
Question 26.
Referring tothePre-shipment Compliance Verification, thedocumentation provided byKEA
states thatexporters mustapply totheSCO'stobeadvised ofrequirements. Arethese requirements
nothowever published (ine.g.theOfficial Journal ofSaudi Arabia) thusavoiding theneed for
repeated recourses totheSCOs ?Secondly, canconsideration begiven topublishing allregulations
andstandards forallproducts forallSAG agencies, inasingle Official Journal ?WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page12
Answer:
Itisneitherpracticalfromtheupdatingpointofviewnoreconomicaltopublishtotalrequirements
pertainingtoallstandards,productsandproceduresinonejournalorbooklet.SCOorSASOInformation
Centre inRiyadh cansupply therequirements relevant toparticular products orexporters.
Approved Laboratories/Inspection Bodies
Question 27.
What criteria arebeing used togiveapproved laboratories thestatus ofinspection bodies,
authorized toissue CoCs? Have these criteria been published/laid down? Does thismean that
theapproved laboratories canalsodetermine typeapproval ofproducts ?Ifnot,what isthe
advantage oflaboratories being entitled toissue CoCs, which issomething thatinanycase
manufacturers candothemselves?
Answer:
(i) Asstipulated bythePSIAgreement, inspection bodies arecontracted bycentral government
bodies tocarry outPSIontheirbehalf. SCOarethemajor PSIbodies oftheICCP. However, incertain
countries andforspecific product categories, SASO mayfinditappropriate toappoint inspection bodies
thatassume theroleofSCOs inpartorinfullaftermeeting thenecessary technical, administrative
andtraining requirements. Thechoice ofsuchinspection bodies remains atthediscretion ofthe
Programme Management. Refer tothedefinition ofSCO onpage5oftheICCP Comprehensive
Procedures andGuidelines
(ii) Certain qualified laboratories canbeapproved tocarry outtypetesting.
Question 28.
According toICCP Guidelines, anApproved Laboratory isatesting laboratory which hasbeen
evaluated andapproved bySASO based onitsqualifications tocarry outtypetesting and/or some
levelofconformity testing onselected regulated products. Eligibility forapproval isopenamong
others tolaboratories accredited bynationally recognized laboratory accreditation bodies.
(i) Does thismean thatevery testing orinspection laboratory accredited byanationally
recognized laboratory accreditation body iseligible forapproval?
(ii) InWT/ACC/SAU/13, itisstated thataccreditation ofconformity assessment bodies (CAB)
byinternational standardizing institutions would beconsidered asadequate tosatisfy the
assurance criteria. Could Saudi Arabia giveexamples ofsuchCABs?
(iii) Isitsufficient foraCAB tobeaccredited byaNational Accreditation Body which isa
member ofinternational organizations ofaccreditation bodies suchastheInternational
Laboratory Accreditation Conference (ILAC) andtheInternational Accreditation Forum
(IAF)?
Inthedraft ICCP Guidelines, itissaidthatapproved laboratories canbeclassified asinspection
bodies andthatthese qualified bodies canissue Certificates ofConformity.
(iv) What criteria (international standards) dothese bodies need tofulfil?WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page13
(v) IsitforeseenthatthesebodiesissueCoCswithoutadditionalcertificatefromtheprogramme
manager?
(vi) TheApproved Laboratories canundertake conformity testsandevaluations. Canthey
determine typeapproval ofproducts?
Answer:
(i) Yes. Laboratories accredited byNational Accreditation Bodies thatadopt ISOGuide 25as
anaccreditation criterion areprime candidates forapproval subject toSASO ’sverification oftheir
scopetotesttheparticularregulatedproductinaccordancewiththetestmethodprescribedbytherelevant
SASO standard.
(ii) Forexamples ofConformity Assessment Bodies (CABs), seeAppendix G-ListofApproved
Laboratories -attached withICCP Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines.
(iii) Yes. Subject toSASO ’sverification.
(iv) Asstipulated bythePSIAgreement, inspection bodies arecontracted bycentral Government
Bodies tocarry outPSIontheirbehalf. SCOs arethemajor PSIbodies oftheICCP. However, in
certain countries andforspecific product categories, SASO mayfinditappropriate toappoint inspection
bodies thatassume theroleofSCOs inpartorinfullaftermeeting thenecessary technical, administrative
andtraining requirements. Thechoice ofsuchinspection bodies remains atthediscretion ofthe
Programme Management. Refer tothedefinition ofSCOonpage5ofthedraftICCP Comprehensive
Procedures andGuidelines. Certain qualified laboratories canbeapproved tocarry outtypetesting.
(v) SASOdesignatedInspectionBodiesauthorizedtoissueCoCswillbecomepartoftheProgramme
Management operational organization, andthusnoadditional CoCwillberequired.
(vi) They candetermine satisfaction ofthetypetesting requirement. Type approval status is
confirmed bySASO ’sType Approval Licence which additionally requires satisfactory evidence ofthe
QSapproval andsurveillance.
Question 29.
WenotethattheDraft ICCP Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines nowmake provision
forApproved Laboratories thatareaccredited byNationally Recognized Laboratory Accreditation
Bodies (section 2oftheDraft Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines).
CanSaudi Arabia provide anassurance thatitwillretain thisfeature oftheICCP inallfuture
versions oftheProgramme?
CanSaudi Arabia confirm thatournational accreditation body, theNational Association ofTesting
Authorities (NATA), willberecognised bytheSaudi Arabian Standards Organisation (SASO)
forthepurpose ofidentifying specific competence inrespect ofindividual products andproduct
characteristics?
Answer:
Theprovision forapproval oflaboratories accredited bynationally recognised laboratory
accreditationbodieshasbeenincludedinaccordancewiththeprinciplesgoverningconformityassessment
procedures under WTO/TBT Agreement andisintended toberetained asamajor feature oftheICCP.WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page14
TheNational Association ofTesting Authorities (NATA) willberecognized bySASO for
accrediting Australian laboratories forapproval tocarryouttypeandconformity testing under theICCP,
subject toverification ofadherence toISOGuide 25accreditation criteria.
Question 30.
Werefer totheroleofSASO inevaluating andapproving testing laboratories tocarry outtype
testing and/or some level ofconformity testing onselected regulated products (section 2ofthe
Draft Comprehensive Procedures andGuidelines).
Could Saudi Arabia provide adetailed description ofhowSASO judges thetechnical competence
ofatesting laboratory inrelation toaparticular product, product group orproduct characteristic
when thelaboratory ’stechnical competence inthatareaisnotformally recognised bytheNationally
Recognized Laboratory Accreditation Body ofthecountry inwhich itoperates?
Answer:
Whenever alab'stechnical competence inaparticular areaisnotformally recognized bythe
nationally recognized body ofitscountry, SASO isready toevaluate thenominated laboratory based
onISOGuide 25andthespecific testing requirement oftherelevant Saudi standard.
Assessment oflaboratories willalsobemade through cooperative studies andinter-laboratory
exercises.
Question 31.
Wealsorefer to“....theinclusion oflaboratories nominated byvarious countries under their
governments 'fullresponsibility ...”(section 1oftheDraft Comprehensive Procedures and
Guidelines).
Canweobtain details oftheSaudi Arabia ’spolicy onandprocedures forthenomination offoreign
governments, andfortheadjudication bySASO, oftesting laboratories forApproved Laboratory
status, including anyguidelines thatmayexistforsuchpurposes?
CanSaudi Arabia confirm thatitisnotintended thatgovernments, innominating laboratories,
areacting asaguarantor forthesubsequent performance ofsuchlaboratories?
Answer:
Forcountries thathaveNationally Recognized Laboratory Accreditation Bodies, ICCP can
approve those laboratories based onverification oftheircompliance withISOGuide 25without the
needforinvolvement oftheirrespective governments. Incaseofabsence ofNational Accreditation
Bodies, ICCP canonlyapprove laboratories based onSASO 'sownevaluation ofthose laboratories
along ISOGuides, oronthebasis ofguarantee oftheirperformance bytherespective governments
thatnominated them, subject toverification oftheminimum competence requirements.
Certification Bodies other thanITS
Question 32.
Wenoteinthereply toWT/ACC/SAU/13 Question 13thatproducts certified bySASO recognized
certification bodies stillhave toobtain from theprogramme manager aCoC.WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page15
More clarification isneeded ontheextent towhich dulyaccredited orSASO recognized certification
bodies could certify andapprove products toSASO requirements without thefurther intervention
oftheprogramme manager asanadditional certifier.
Answer:
Therecognised Certification Bodies intended inthereply toquestion 13ofWT/ACC/SAU/13
arethirdparty certifiers comprised ofaspecial category ofinternationally accredited laboratories and
Notified Bodies thatissuecertificates orquality marks covering typetesting and/or conformity tocertain
standards. These aretobedistinguished fromSASO designated Inspection andCertification Bodies
who, inaddition totheSCO’s,maybeauthorized toissueCoC’sunder theICCP. Noadditional CoC
isrequired.
National Treatment
Question 33.
Isitcorrect tosaythatthere isnolaworregulation inSaudi Arabia obliging domestic
manufacturers,etc.tofollowthesametechnicalrequirementsandconformityassessmentprocedures
asimports aresubject tounder theICCP. Ifthisunderstanding iscorrect, would itnotbeuseful
todemonstrate observance ofnational treatment foraparallel regulation tobeintroduced?
Answer:
ByRoyal Decree, compliance withSASO standards ismandatory foralllocally manufactured
andimported products. Asforconformity assessment procedures, TBTAgreement stipulates that
Members should recognize other Member conformity assessment procedures asequivalent, though
different fromtheirown,provided theyachieve thesameobjectives oftheirownprocedures. Itfollows
thatconformityassessmentproceduresappliedtodomesticproductsdonotnecessarilyhavetobeidentical
toICCP procedures. Saudi Arabia 'sreply toWTO question 83inWT/ACC/SAU/13/Add.1 elaborates
ontheanalogybetweenconformityassessmentproceduresappliedtodomesticversusimportedproducts.
Appendix A-TheRegulated Products
Question 34.
Werefer tothelistofRegulated Products (atAppendix AoftheDraft Comprehensive Procedures
andGuidelines).
ThelistofRegulated Products refers toproducts falling totwo-four-and six-digit HSheadings
without further specifying product descriptions andtariff lines. Intheinterests oftransparency
andunderstanding theprecise products covered bytheICCP, wewould appreciate detailed product
descriptions andtariff linecodes fortheRegulated Products inAppendix Athatrepresent only
partoftheHScodes attwo-, four- andsix-digit levels.
Answer:
ThelistofHScodes covering Regulated Products hasbeenrevised inaneffort toidentify the
products byspecifying themaximum number ofdigits oftheHScode. Themajority ofproducts now
have6digits forprecise identification.WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page16
Appendix A
GROUP I-FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL
Sr.No. Item HSCode
I-01 CHICKEN, WHOLE AND PIECES (CHILLED AND
FROZEN)020710 /020721 /020741
I-02 MUTTON AND GOAT MEAT All0204
I-03 BEEF AND BUFFALO MEAT (CHILLED AND FROZEN) All0201 /All0202
I-04 CANNED AND PACKED MEAT All1601 /160250 /160290
I-05 CHEESE All0406
I-06 RICE All1006
I-07 TEA All0902
I-08 VEGETABLE OILAND VEGETABLE FATS 150710 /150790 /150810 /
150890 /
151311 /151390 /151521 /
151529 /
151550 /151110 /151190 /
151211 /
151219 /151221 /151229
I-09 CANNED BABY FOODS 16021010 /190110 /
20071010/210420
I-10 NON-ALCOHOLIC CARBONATED BEVERAGES
(EXCLUDING NON-ALCOHOLIC BEER)220110 /22021020 /
22029040 /22029050
I-11 SUGAR (WHITE AND BROWN) 170199 /170290
GROUP II-ELECTRICAL &ELECTRONICS
Sr.No. Item HSCode
II-01 AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEMS UPTO60,000 BTU (5
TONS)84151020 /84158121 /
84158221 /84158321
II-02 COMBINED FUNCTION AUDIO AND/OR VIDEO
SYSTEMS
(NON PROFESSIONAL)851991 /851999 /851931 /
851939 /852110 /852190 /
852031 /85252050 /
85252060 /852711 /852719
/852721 /852729
II-03 NON PROFESSIONAL STAND-ALONE AUDIO PRODUCTS
(EXCEPT RADIO RECEIVERS)851991 /851999 /852031 /
851931 /851939 /851822 /
851821 /851829 /851830
II-04 VIDEO PLAYING AND RECORDING SYSTEMS (NON
PROFESSIONAL)852190 /852110
II-05 GENERATOR SETS UPTO12KW 850161 /850162 /850211 /
850212 /850220 /850230
II-06 MOTORS UPTO12KW 850110 /850120 /850131 /
850132 /850151 /850152
II-07 FAX AND TELEX MACHINES 85252020 /85172010
II-08 HOUSEHOLD COOKING APPLIANCES 851660 /851672 /841981WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page17
Sr.No. Item HSCode
II-09 CLOTHES WASHING MACHINES UPTO10KG 845011 /845012
II-10 CLOTHES DRYING MACHINES UPTO10KG 845121
II-11 ELECTRIC IRONS, IRONERS AND CLOTHES STEAMERS
AND HAND-HELD HAIR DRYERS851640 /851631 /851633
II-12 FOOD PROCESSORS (NON INDUSTRIAL) 850940
II-13 MEAT CHOPPERS AND GRINDERS (NON INDUSTRIAL) 85098020 /820830
II-14 LIFT AND ELEVATOR SYSTEMS 842810 /843131
II-15 HOUSEHOLD MICROWAVE OVENS 851650
II-16 ELECTRIC OVENS UPTO10KW 851660
II-17 COPY MACHINES 900911 /900912 /900930 /
900921 /900922
II-18 COMPUTERS (DESKTOPS AND PORTABLES) AND
MONITORS847191 /847120
from 847330
II-19 POWER TRANSFORMERS AND DISTRIBUTION
TRANSFORMERS UPTO1000 KVA)850421 /850422 /850431 /
850432 /850433 /850434
II-20 HOUSEHOLD REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS UPTO
40CUFT841830 /841840 /841822 /
841821 /841810 /841829
II-21 TELEPHONE SETS AND MODEMS 851710 /851740 /851790
II-22 ELECTRIC WIRES AND CABLES UPTO1000 V 854411 /854419 /854420 /
854441 /8544510 /85445120
/85445910 /85445920
II-23 NON INDUSTRIAL VACUUM CLEANERS, WATER
SUCTION APPLIANCES AND SHAMPOOERS850910
II-24 HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC FIRES AND HEATERS 851629 /851621
II-25 DRINKING WATER COOLERS AND FOUNTAINS 84186910
II-26 EVAPORATIVE AIRCOOLERS (DESERT COOLERS) UP
TO1.5KW84151010 /84158110 /
84158210 /84158310
II-27 DOMESTIC ELECTRIC FANS 841451 /841459
II-28 COMPRESSORS FOR COOLING UNITS UPTO60,000
B.T.U.841430 /841480
II-29 TEA AND COFFEE BREWING APPLIANCES AND
APPLIANCES FOR HEATING LIQUIDS851671 /851610
II-30 INCANDESCENT, FLUORESCENT AND DISCHARGE
LUMINAIRES, FIXTURES AND LAMPHOLDERS853910 /853921 /853922 /
853929 /940510 /940520 /
853661
II-31 MANUALLY OPERATED SWITCHES, CIRCUIT
BREAKERS AND FUSES UPTO30A853510 /853521 /853529 /
853530 853610 /853620 /
853650
II-32 INCANDESCENT, TUBULAR FLUORESCENT AND
DISCHARGE LAMPS853931 /853940 /All8540
II-33 BALLASTS FOR DISCHARGE TYPE LAMPS (INCLUDING
TUBULAR FLUORESCENT LAMPS)850410
II-34 STARTERS FOR DISCHARGE TYPE LAMPS (INCLUDING
TUBULAR FLUORESCENT LAMPS)853229 /853650
II-35 GENERAL USE MAINS PLUGS, SOCKET OUTLETS AND
MAINS CONFIGURATION ADAPTERS853669WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page18
Sr.No. Item HSCode
II-36 LUMINAIRES FOR ROAD AND STREET LIGHTING 940540
940560
II-37 SECONDARY AND PRIMARY DRY BATTERIES 85061111 /85061211 /
85061311 /85061911 /
850620
II-38 IMMERSED SWIMMING POOL LUMINAIRES 940540
II-39 SECONDARY AND PRIMARY DRY BATTERY
TERMINALS850690
II-40 WATER PUMPS UPTO12KW 841319 /841350 /841360 /
841370 /84138120
II-41 TVSETS (COLOUR/BLACK AND WHITE) 85281010 /85282010
II-42 GENERAL USE MAINS VOLTAGE CONVERTERS AND
POWER SUPPLIES850440
II-43 STAND ALONE RADIO RECEIVERS 85252050
II-44 STORAGE TYPE WATER HEATERS UPTO200LITRES 851610
II-45 WATT HOUR METERS 902830
II-46 CORDLESS TELEPHONE SETS 852520 /851711
II-47 DOMESTIC PRESSURE COOKERS, INCL. NON-ELECTRIC 732393 /761510
GROUP III-AUTOMOTIVE
Sr.No. Item HSCode
III-01a PASSENGER AUTOMOBILES, TRUCKS, BUSES AND
MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES (NEW)8701 /8702 /8703 /8704 /
8705
III-01b PASSENGER AUTOMOBILES, TRUCKS, BUSES AND
MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES (USED)8701 /8702 /8703 /8704 /
8705
III-02 AUTOMOTIVE GLASS (WINDSHIELD, SIDE AND REAR
GLASS)700721
III-03 AUTOMOTIVE BRAKE FLUID 27100094 /3819
III-04 NEW TYRES FOR PASSENGER AUTOMOBILES, TRUCKS,
BUSES AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES401110 /401120 /401210
GROUP IV-CHEMICAL
Sr.No. Item HSCode
IV-01 ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, HYDRAULIC, TURBINE, AND
TRANSFORMER OILS27100052 /27100053 /
27100054 /27100055 /
27100095 /27100096
IV-02 PAINTS All3208 /All3209
IV-03 PERFUMES AND COSMETICS 330290 /33030010 /
33030020 /
All3304 /All3305 /All
3306 /33071010 /33071090
/330720 /330730 /330741WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page19
Sr.No. Item HSCode
IV-04 DOMESTIC USE PESTICIDES AND INSECTICIDES 3808
GROUP V-OTHERS
Sr.No. Item HSCode
V-01 ALUMINUM AND ALUMINUM ALLOY PRODUCTS FOR
ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION7604 /7606 /7608 /7609 /
7610 /7616
V-02 STEEL AND IRON ALLOY PIPES 7304 /7305 /7306 /7307
V-03 GOLD AND SILVER JEWELLERY (INCLUDING
GEMSTONES)711311 /711319 /711320 /
711411 /711419 /711420
V-04 HEAD DRESS FOR MEN -COTTON SHEMAGH 6505910
V-05 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS UPTO24KG 842410
V-06 CEMENT 252321 /25232910 /
25232920
V-07 SAFETY MATCHES 360500
V-08 LOW PRESSURE REGULATORS, FOR DOMESTIC GAS
CYLINDERS84818030
V-09 FACIAL TISSUE PAPER 481820 /4803
V-10 CIGARETTES ONLY 240220WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page20
Appendix C-Regional Licensing Centres
Question 35.
Thelocation ofregional licensing centres iscurrently verylimited withonlyfourcentres, which
canbefounded inHong Kong, theUnited States ofAmerica, Sweden andJapan. Such limited
availability hascaused exporters inother countries practical problems inapplying forregistration
andtypeapproval. Taking intoaccount geographic distribution andexport volume, theSaudi
Government isencouraged todesignate more regional licensing centres.
Given thepotential trade volume between thetwocountries, theKorean Government requests
theSaudi Government todesignate aregional licensing centre inKorea (theeighth largest country
inexport volume toSaudi Arabia in1995).
Answer:
TheICCP hassurpassed oneyearofoperation during which Registration wastheprevailing
method ofcompliance verification. Thedemand fortypeapproval licensing isstillinitsinfancy and
thecurrent availability ofRegional Licensing Centres hasthusfarproven tobeadequate inproviding
therequired levelofservice toallexporters. Communication between Licensing Centres andexporters
usually onlyinvolves documentary correspondence whereby thegeographical location ofLicensing
Centres isnotofvitalimportance.
Although onlyfourRegional Licensing Centres arepresently available, theseCentres aremainly
acting asevaluation andapproval centres. Quality systems certification andsurveillance activities are
carried outbydelegated bodies while typetesting iscarried outbyapproved laboratories. Nevertheless,
should theneedariseasaresult ofanotable increase inthenumber ofmanufacturers opting fortype
approval, ICCP Programme management willrespond byconsidering thepossibility ofappointing
additional centres ingeographically convenient locations.
Appendix F-SASO ICCP Pricing
Question 36.
Werefertothefeestructure forcompliance verification (atAppendix FoftheDraft Comprehensive
Procedures andGuidelines).
(i) When willthisfeestructure bebrought intofullconformity withArticle VIII.1(a) ofthe
GATT 1994, which requires thatallfeesandcharges ofwhatever character inconnection
withimportation shallbelimited inamount totheapproximate costofservices rendered?
(ii) IsaCertificate ofConformity (orequivalent) required foragoodproduced inSaudi Arabia
thatisalikeproduct toanyRegulated Products? Dothesame standards apply todomestic
andimported products? What feestructure forcompliance verification inrelation toSaudi
Arabia standards applies todomestically produced goods? How doesthisfeestructure
compare withtheSASO ICCP pricing outlines atAppendix FoftheDraft Comprehensive
Procedures andGuidelines?
(iii) With regard tothesecond paragraph ofsection 5ofAppendix F,there appears tobeno
details oforcriteria fordetermining what constitutes a“product ”or“model ”.Wewould
begrateful forsuchdetails andcriteria. What aretherules fordistinguishing a“product ”
from a“model ”?WT/ACC/SAU/16
Page21
Answer:
(i) PSIprogrammesareoperatedworld-widebyabout40countries,33ofwhichareWTOMembers.
AWorld Bank study reported thatPSIfeesvaried world-wide between 0.75percentand1percent
compared toamaximum of0.5percentunder theICCP. Besides, theICCP’sPSIfeesarenotbased
onafixedpercentage off.o.b. value butarerather moreequitably graduated toreflect greater economies
ofscale achieved athigher volumes, reaching aslowas0.15percent. Inaddition, ICCP facilitates
substantial feesavings forfrequent shipment exporters through “shipment aggregation ”.Inall,ICCP
feesrepresent theapproximate costofservices rendered tothefairest degree possible.
(ii) Thesame standards apply todomestic andimported products without exception. Replies
incorporated within Question 83ofWT/ACC/SAU/13/Add.1 explain theanalogy between conformity
assessment procedures applied todomestic versus imported products.
TBTAgreementstipulatesthatMembersshouldrecognizeotherMemberconformityassessment
procedures asequivalent, though different fromtheirown, provided theyachieve thesame objectives
oftheirownprocedures. Itfollows thatconformity assessment procedures applied todomestic products,
andfeesassociated withthem, donotnecessarily havetobeidentical, nordirectly comparable to
corresponding ICCP procedures andfees.
Nevertheless, feesapplied todomestic products cover theinspection andtesting services carried
outonanon-discriminatory andnon-favourable basis.
(iii) SASO Programme Management willrecommend logical grouping ofproducts butthe
Manufacturer maychoose hisowncategorisation within certain guidelines. These largely involve a
three levelapproach:-
- Regulated Product Category, e.g.cigarettes;
- Specific Name orActual Product within Product Category, e.g.Rothmans;
- Specific Model orType within eachProduct, e.g.Rothmans Lights, Rothmans King
Size.
There isusually noneedtofurther sub-divide models bysize,volume, etc.ifthechemical
orphysical characteristics areidentical.