WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/TBT/W/247 
3 November 2004 
 
 (04-4674) 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade 
 Original:  English 
 
 
 
TECHNICAL COOPERATION ACTIVITIES IN THE FIELD OF STANDARDS  
AND TECHNICAL REGULATIONS 
 
Communication from Switzerland  
 
  The following communication, dated 1 November 2004, is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of Switzerland.  
 
_______________ 
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
1. The Swiss programme of technical cooperation in the field of standards and technical 
regulations aims at supporting developing countries and transition economies in effectively benefiting 
from market access opportunities in the world tradi ng system by assisting them in meeting the 
requirements of international markets. 
2. Assistance is provided mainly to Small and Medium-Size Enterprises (SMEs), which should 
be made aware of standards for export and their ca pacities enhanced to adopt  quality standards that 
will increase their competitiveness.  SMEs are thus  placed in a position to comply with standards 
requirements in international markets. 
3. Environmental and social product qualities, as well as specific production methods, are 
increasingly being requested in international market s.  Developing countries, however, often lack the 
capacity to adjust their production to these demands.  Issues related to comp liance with environmental 
and social requirements are therefore a key component of the Swiss programme of technical 
cooperation.  In this domain, Switzerland actively supports efforts by developing countries to acquire 
the relevant technology and cope w ith international standards.   
4. Since the Doha Ministerial Conference in N ovember 2001, the Swiss programme of technical 
cooperation in the field of standards and technical  regulations has been further strengthened and 
expanded to address the importance of having sound and efficient st andard-related institutions, such 
as standardization, accreditation, and conformity assessment bodies, including certification agencies, 
metrology and testing laboratories.  
5. The present communication describes the overall approach of Switzerland in the field of 
standards and technical regulations in a broad sense.   It encompasses not only TBT-related standards, 
but also SPS measures and even non-governmental labels, provided that these are relevant in 
international trade. G/TBT/W/247 
Page 2  
 
 II. STRATEGIC INTERVENTIONS 
6. The Swiss programme of technical cooperation focuses its interventions on four broad areas: 
• Facilitating access to information on market opportunities and standards requirements; 
• transferring technical knowledge in order to  facilitate adoption and implementation of 
international standards as well as complianc e with them (e.g. providing access to 
respective certification); 
• strengthening the technical and institutional infrastructure as well as the regulatory 
framework in the area of standard s and technical regulations;  and 
• promoting fair-trade and environment -friendly labels in the Swiss market. 
  
III. GENERAL APPROACH 
7. In order to make the best use of the limited resources available, Switzerland has adopted a 
two-way approach with respect to standard-related technical assistance: 
(a) Working with international ins titutions at the multilateral level 
8. Switzerland finances activities of specialized in ternational organizations, which can provide 
assistance to a broad number of countries.  Such support is often co-financed with other donors.  Examples of such an approach include work with  commodity-related organizations (ITTO, ICO), as 
well as with UNCTAD (Biotrade), WTO, UNIDO (metrology and testing), and the ISO. 
(b) Development and implementation of selected bilateral projects 
9. In selected countries, where Switzerland implem ents programmes of trade-related technical 
cooperation, targeted standard-related projects are being developed and implemented.  Such projects 
should take account of the following principles: 
• Focus on economic sectors with significant export and poverty reduction potentials; 
• transfer of technical knowledge at the local level in order to reduce the dependency on 
foreign conformity assessment providers; 
• promotion of regional cooperation;  and 
• support improvement of the governance manageme nt of national standardization bodies.  
 
IV. MAIN MEASURES   
10. The Swiss Import Promotion Programme  - SIPPO - was launched in 1982 to support SMEs in 
selected developing countries
1 in gaining access to the Swiss and EU markets.  SIPPO is active on 
four levels:  trade and market information;  trade pr omotion;  trade development;  training.  On market 
information, SIPPO establishes mark et surveys in various areas of products and core business sectors.  
The aim of providing this information is to fam iliarize SMEs in developi ng countries with European 
standards, quality requirements and import regula tions, such as customs regulations and charges.  
11. In the field of commodities  - As a general approach, Switzerland promotes the vertical and 
horizontal diversification of commodity dependent ec onomies.  At the same time, since the export of 
raw materials still amounts to the biggest component of many developing countries' trade, assistance 
is provided to developing countries to produce commod ities sourced in a sustainable way.  As in the 
case of processed goods, even in trade of raw materi al, namely in agricultu re commodities such as 
                                                      
1 Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Vietnam, Peru, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 
Macedonia, Russia, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Egypt, Ghana, So uth Africa, Ecuador and Argentina. G/TBT/W/247 
Page 3 
 
 
coffee, cocoa, cotton or timber, the compliance with  specific quality standards is increasingly required 
in export markets.  Switzerland assists producers in c oping with such standards, i.e. with regard to 
sustainable forest management, or in the cont ext of sustainable coffee production and trade. 
Switzerland also plays an active role by facilitati ng the elaboration and application of new voluntary 
standards through multi-stakeholder processes, involvi ng producers, the private sector and NGOs (e.g. 
in the timber, coffee, soy and other sectors). Furthe rmore, through its partic ipation in International 
Commodity Bodies, Switzerland supports efforts to harmonize product requirements and make 
international trade more transparent. 
12. Promoting environment-friendly technologies - In developing countries with rapid expansion 
of industries, the environment is often put under severe pressure.  Envi ronmental laws are generally in 
their initial stages.  Producers, however, wishing to export to industrialized countries are faced with 
the necessity of meeting environmental and soci al standards, which are increasingly demanded by 
consumers. To help the private sector in deve loping countries to cope with these environmental 
standards, Switzerland is actively supporting th e creation of Cleaner Production Centers (CPCs), 
notably in collaboration with UNIDO. So far, fourteen CPCs have been set up.2  CPCs provide an 
array of services to SMEs including trade informatio n, advisory services, transfer of knowledge and 
training in the field of environmentally sound production. 
13. Core labour standards  - For the promotion of internati onal labour standards, Switzerland is 
following a normative approach (in particular ba sed upon the implementation of the ILO’s labour 
standards, and the UN-International Pact on Economic , Social and Cultural Rights;  the ILO Tripartite 
Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational En terprises and Social Policy;  OECD Guidelines 
for Multinational Enterprises;  and the UN Secretar y General’s Global Compact Initiative) as well as a 
capacity development approach.  Therefore, Switzer land, in collaboration with the ILO, is supporting 
capacity building projects related to the respect of core labour standards in developing countries for 
mainly export-oriented SMEs:  the la tter are offered advisory services a nd training in social standards, 
compliance with which will help them to partic ipate in global production chains and raise their 
competitiveness on the global market. The unique tripartite structure of the ILO (governments, 
employees and employers as partners with equal rights) in particular plays a central role in that it 
makes possible a solid multi-stake holder approach, which is key for the acceptance and the long-term 
success and sustainability of individual projects. 
14. Strengthening standard-related institutions  - In order to compete successfully in international 
markets and to develop their industrial base, deve loping countries must have institutional capacities in 
areas such as:  standard setting, adoption and impl ementation of standards a nd technical regulations;  
internationally recognized conformity assessment procedures (laboratories for precision measurement 
and testing);  improvement of product quality.  Through the Swiss programme, national 
standardization bodies in partner countries are st rengthened, metrology equipment and testing 
laboratories are upgraded, and international accredita tion is sought.  As explai ned before, this is a 
relatively new field of cooperation in the Swiss progr amme.  At present, work is being conducted in 
three countries:  Vietnam, Tanzania and Mozambique.   
15. Organic production  - Organic production is an area in which developing countries have a 
comparative advantage.  Since a large part of th e organic output is being produced by small-scale 
farmers, it has the potential to contribute significan tly to poverty reduction.  However, farmers often 
face high certification fees and diverging certificati on requirements in export markets.  In order to 
overcome these difficulties, the Swiss programme has provided support to partner countries in 
establishing national certification bodies.  So far, such bodies have been set up in four countries:  
                                                      
2 Colombia (1998),Vietnam (1998), Costa Rica (1999), Guatemala (1999), El Salvador (1999), 
Morocco (2000), Brazil (2001), Peru (2001), South Africa (2002), China (2002), India (2002), Jordan (2003), Laos (2004), Cambodia (2004)  and Romania (2004).  G/TBT/W/247 
Page 4  
 
 India, Romania, Ukraine, and Bulgaria.  Efforts ar e also being made at the international level to 
promote harmonization and equiva lence of organic standards and certification procedures. 
16. Fair trade  – Switzerland actively supports the establis hment of organisations and initiatives 
promoting fair trade in the Swiss market (Max Havelaar, STEP), with the aim of contributing to a 
better awareness of fair-trade products and stimul ating the demand.  Such initiatives include the 
introduction of fair-trade textiles and carpets in Switzerland. 
17. Supporting participation in in ternational standard-setting bodies  - Switzerland is currently 
involved in selected and specific initiatives aiming at facilitating the partic ipation of developing 
countries in the international standard setting process.  This is the case, for instance, in relation to the 
planned ISO Corporate Social Responsibility st andard;  or in the definition of specific 
commodity-related norms;  as well as in organic agri culture, where an international Task Force has 
been set up to address the issue of harmonization and equivalence. 
V. SOME LESSONS LEARNED  
18. The experience has shown that the following measu res have proved to play an important role 
in the success of technical assistance with respect  to standards and technical requirements.   
• Working with the private sector  - The private sector has to be kept informed in a timely 
manner of new standards arising at the interna tional level.  They also need to establish a 
close interaction with national standardization bodies in order to be able to raise their 
concerns and questions, which can subsequently be conveyed by national standardization 
bodies to international fora.  
 
• Joining efforts with other TBT-relat ed technical cooperation initiatives  - Donors active in 
TBT-related technical assistance in a particular country should ensure mutual 
supportiveness of their respective activities and establish a concerted dialogue with 
national standardization bodies and government authorities. 
 
• Improving the governance management of national standardization bodies  - As a 
consequence of efforts by developing c ountries to liberalize their economy, national 
standardization bodies are increasingly asked to provide services to the private sector.  For 
such bodies, this often means that they have  to adopt new approaches to deal with the 
private sector and enhance their governance st ructure.  This implies, for instance, 
strengthening the commercial orientation of  the standardization bodies, as well as 
establishing marketing, corporat e and financial business plans. 
 
• Mainstreaming TBT-related issues in PRSP and national development plans  - There is 
increasing consensus that trade, in order to  contribute effectively to poverty reduction, 
must be integrated in PRSP (Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers) and national 
development plans.  TBT issues play a cr itical role in the export competitiveness of 
countries and should therefore be appropriately reflected in national development plans.   
  G/TBT/W/247
 Page 5Country Partner agency Title of the project Description Budget Duration Remark 
1. Strengthening institutional infrastructure and regulatory framework 
Bulgaria Research 
Institute of Organic Agriculture 
(FIBL) Establishment of an 
Organic Certification Agency The main objective of this project is to 
transfer knowledge to Bulgarian partners in order to enable them to set up an independent and locally owned certification agency.  The 
set up of an independent Bulgarian 
certification agency aims at offering a cost-efficient and credible inspection and certification for organic products to farmers, processors and traders of all sizes.  Doing so, 
their access to export and domestic markets 
should be facilitated. It is furthermore 
expected that the project will give a fresh impetus to the Bulgarian organic sector.  CHF 1.03 Mio 2002-
2007  
Central America 
(Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, 
Honduras, 
Nicaragua, Panama) UNIDO, WTO, 
UNCTAD, ITC Regional Integrated 
Programme for Market Access and Trade Facilitation The Programme aims at developing 
Central America's capacity to overcome the technical and other non-tariff barriers that hinder the dynamic expansion of export trade 
and fulfil the international commitments 
related to TBS and SPS Agreements. n.a. 2005-
2007 In prep. 
China, India, 
South Africa, Morocco, Brazil, Peru and Costa 
Rica.   International 
Institute for Sustainable Development 
(IISD) Increasing Market Access 
for Sustainable Development – Standards, Certification, 
Accreditation, Labelling 
(preparatory phase) The goal of this project is to ensure that 
environmental and social development standards applied in OECD countries do not unnecessarily restrict developing countries’ 
exports.  The project will achieve this goal 
both through investments in national and company institutions, and through policy recommendations.  The focus of the project will be on the broadly accepted environmental 
and social standards that exporters must 
comply with, and the labels, certificates and CHF 100,000 2003-
2004 Second phase 
in prep.  
 G/TBT/W/247 
Page 6 Country Partner agency Title of the project Description Budget Duration Remark 
other marks that indicate that a product meets 
those standards.  The project will provide the capacity needed to bridge the gap between 
what developed country markets demand and 
what developing country producers are able to supply.   
India Research 
Institute of Organic Agriculture 
(FIBL) Establishment of an 
Organic Certification Agency The main objective of this project is therefore 
to transfer knowledge to Indian partners in order to enable them to set up an independent and indigenously controlled certification 
agency.  The set up of an independent Indian 
certification agency also aims at offering a cost-efficient and credible inspection and certification for organic products to farmers, processors and traders.  In doing so, their access to export and domestic markets will be 
facilitated.  It is furthermore expected that the 
project will give a fresh impetus to the Indian organic sector which should lead to a closer co-operation between the different players and which may result in the establishment of 
further Indian organizations of organic 
farming.  Besides being a motivation evolving group, such organizations could also have the task to enhance training, marketing and the development of new organic farming technologies. CHF 1 Mio 2002-
2006  
Lebanon UNIDO Strengthening Capacities 
Related to Metrology, 
Testing and Conformity This project is part of complementary 
measures that Switzerland will be supporting 
in the context of the future trade agreement between EFTA countries and Lebanon. n.a. 2005-
2007 In prep.  
  G/TBT/W/247
 Page 7Country Partner agency Title of the project Description Budget Duration Remark 
Mozambique UNIDO Strengthening Capacities 
in the Field of Food Safety Standards – 
Preparatory Phase An assessment is being conducted on the 
prevailing conditions at government and institutional levels, as well as at production 
level, in connection with the adherence to 
international food safety standards (GMP, HACCP, EUREPGAP).  Based on this preparatory work, a fully fledged food safety programme will be worked out. USD 40,000 2005 Ongoing 
Romania Research 
Institute of 
Organic 
Agriculture (FIBL) Establishment of an 
Organic Certification 
Agency In close co-operation with a group of 
agricultural organizations, NGOs and private 
business co-operations, an independent 
certification agency for organic products/farms is to be set up in Romania between 2004 and 2007.  The necessary knowledge will be transferred by the Research Institute for Organic Agriculture (FiBL) in 
Frick, Switzerland and by bio.inspecta, an 
international recognized certifier in Switzerland. CHF 800,000 2003-
2005  
Serbia Safe Food 
Solutions Inc. (SAFOSO) Surveillance/Prevention 
of BSE  The proposed pilot project will utilize Swiss 
expertise and infrastructure available from FAO to assist the Gove rnment of the Republic 
of Serbia in building capacity, establishing 
preventive measures, a nd analysing risks for 
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). Governmental and private veterinary services, diagnostic laboratories, and the livestock, food and animal feed industries in these countries 
will be strengthened and supported, and 
technical capacity built at every step along the food production chain.  Initially, the specific needs of each participating country will be CHF 3 Mio 2003-
2005   
 G/TBT/W/247 
Page 8 Country Partner agency Title of the project Description Budget Duration Remark 
assessed.  A system to “train the trainers” 
from the participating countries will be established by the Swiss Competence Centre 
(SCC), and comprehensive courses will be 
provided to selected representatives of all relevant veterinary and food industries. Subsequently, in-country trainings will be given by the trained individuals with technical support from the SCC.  Course curricula will 
be focused to improve understanding of the 
epidemiology of and relevant risk factors for BSE, and to develop specific knowledge and 
skills for implementing appropriate controls.  
Tanzania UNIDO Strengthening Capacities 
related to Metrology, Testing and Conformity The project aims at strengthening the 
metrology and testing facilities of the Tanzanian Bureau of Standards (TBS), the 
apex body in Tanzania for Standards, 
Metrology, Testing and Quality. USD 2.56 2005-
2006 In prep. 
Vietnam UNIDO Strengthening Capacities 
related to Metrology, Testing and Conformity The project aims at strengthening the 
metrology and testing facilities of the Directorate for Standards and Quality (STAMEQ), the apex body in Vietnam for Standards, Metrology, Testing and Quality.  It 
will give a special attention to facilities related 
to apparel/textiles and fish, which are two of the main export items of the country. STAMEQ, which was initially providing services to the state-owned enterprises, will 
increasingly have to deliver services to the 
private sector.  The project will thus strengthen STAMEQ’s commercial orientation and provide marketing, corporate USD 1.1 Mio 2003-
2005   
  G/TBT/W/247
 Page 9Country Partner agency Title of the project Description Budget Duration Remark 
and organizational planning support.  
2. Promoting better participation in inte rnational standards-setting organisations 
Global International 
Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) ISO Corporate 
Responsibility Working Group Participation of NGOs and representatives 
from developing countries in the strategic working group, which was established by ISO Technical Management Board to define the elements of a future ISO Corporate Social 
Responsibility standard. CHF 359,000 2004-
2006  
Global International 
Federation of 
Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), 
UNCTAD,  
FAO International Task Force 
on Harmonization and 
Equivalence in Organic Agriculture The International Task Force on 
Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic 
Agriculture was created in February 2003 to serve as an open-ended platform for dialogue between private and public institutions, from both developing and industrialized countries, 
involved in trade and regulatory activities in 
the organic agriculture sector.  The objective is to facilitate international trade and access of developing countries to international markets. CHF 100,000 2004-
2005  
Tropical 
Countries International 
Tropical Timber Organization 
(ITTO) Development of Criteria 
& Indicators (i.e. for Sustainable Forest 
Management) Support for Stakeholders from producer 
countries to actively take part in the further development of ITTO C&I. USD 300,000 6 years   
South America WWF Sustainable Soy Initiative Facilitation for a Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue 
to set criteria for a sustainable soy production 
and trade.  CHF 400,000 2 years  
South America, 
Africa, Asia International 
Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Pilot Project on 
Certification of Bioprospecting The project aims at implementing the concept 
of Access Benefit Sharing in the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Activities include:  (i) the development of a management tool;  (ii) the broad recognition 
of the management tool by stakeholders;  
(iii) the practical implementation of the tool;  EURO 
550,000 2003-
2006   
 G/TBT/W/247 
Page 10 Country Partner agency Title of the project Description Budget Duration Remark 
(iv) establishment of a final report to the CBD 
Secretariat. 
Ghana IUCN, 
Technoserve Sustainable Trade in 
Allanblackia Development of sustainability criteria for the 
collection, processing and trade of Allanblackia and its derivatives;  
strengthening of the producers and processors 
in relation to ownership and compliance with quality and sustainability requirements.  CHF 
1,000,000 3 years Strong 
involvement of the food 
industry 
(Unilever) 
3. Facilitating compliance of quality standards a nd management methods, technical regulations 
Global UNCTAD Biotrade Initiative The In itiative seeks to enhance the capability 
of developing countries to produce value-added products and services derived from biodiversity, for both domestic and international markets. It also assists 
developing countries in creating an enabling 
environment in the development and strengthening of biodi versity-related sectors 
by building partnerships with key actors, promoting sustainable business ventures, and 
providing inputs to policy making. USD 2.5 Mio 2003-
2008  
Bolivia UNCTAD Biotrade Initiative: 
National Programme The programme, which is part of the Bolivian 
National Poverty Alleviation Strategy, seeks 
to promote bio-trade with a particular focus on value chains for domestic and international markets. Activities include:  (i) support the development of relevant  regulations, policies 
and strategies;  (ii) strengthen national 
institutional capacity to provide assistance for biodiversity-related sectors;  (iii) support enterprise development;  (iv) foster the incorporation of sustainability criteria into business activities;  (v) promote benefit USD 1 Mio 2003-
2008   
  G/TBT/W/247
 Page 11Country Partner agency Title of the project Description Budget Duration Remark 
sharing by involving local and indigenous 
communities in production processes;   (vi) provide market information and foster 
export promotion;  (vii) facilitate access to 
finance. 
Brazil Fundação 
Floresta Tropical Development of Human 
Resources in Sustainable Forest Management and Reduced Impact Logging in the Brazilian Amazon The objective is to increase the adoption of 
Sustainable Forest Management and Reduced Impact Logging practices by timber producers in Amazonian production forests through practical training. USD 
1,579,610  24 
months Switzerland-
Japan-USA 
Brazil Fundaçao da 
Tecnologia do 
Estado do Acre Integration of Forest-
based Development in the 
Western Amazon 
(Phase II). Technology for Sustainable Utilization of Raw Forest Materials The project is about planning and initiating the 
industrial processing and utilization of timber 
and non-timber raw materials in the Antimari 
State Forest, Acre, Brazil. USD 
1,875,000  3 years Switzerland-
Japan 
Brazil EMBRAPA 
Amazônia 
Oriental, Belem, 
Para Sustainable Management 
of Production Forests at 
the Commercial Scale in 
the Brazilian Amazon A system to monitor the ecological, social and 
economic impacts will be developed and 
tested.  USD 753,954  2 years Switzerland-
USA 
Cambodia (1), Colombia (5),  (Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador) 
(6.5), Morocco 
(2) , Brazil (2.5),  Peru (2),  South Africa (1.7), China (5), India (5), UNIDO, UNEP, 
Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research 
(EMPA) Establishment of Cleaner 
Production Centers (CPC)CPC provide consultancy services for SMEs 
in all matters relating to ecological efficiency and with a view of improving the competitiveness of these companies.  The CPC build on already existing structures, but 
give greater importance to technology 
transfers, international environment conventions and social themes.  CPC also advise sub-suppliers of large export-oriented operators.  CHF 41.8 Mio 1998-   
 G/TBT/W/247 
Page 12 Country Partner agency Title of the project Description Budget Duration Remark 
Jordan (2),  
Laos (1), Romania (2.8),  
Egypt (in prep.), 
Vietnam (5.3) 
China The Chinese 
Academy of Forestry Developing and 
Extending of Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forests in China The objectives are to carry out training on the 
ITTO Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Management of Natural Tropical Forests as well as on the Manual for the Application of Criteria and Indicators;  to conduct an 
application test in the tropical regions of 
Yunnan and Hainan Province;  and to develop and extend Criteria and Indicators for the tropical regions of China based on the ITTO Criteria and Indicators. USD 323,252  2,5 years Japan-
Switzerland-USA-Australia-Korea 
China International 
Labour 
Organization 
(ILO) Improved Human 
Resource Development 
and Management in 
Chinese Economic Development Zones Capacity building in export promotion zones  
to update and deepen the enterprise’s 
knowledge in the areas of HR-Development & 
Management and labour relations. USD 1.8 Mio 2001- 
2004  
Colombia Corporación 
Autónoma Regional del Río Negro-Nare Alternative Financing 
Model for Sustainable Forest Management in San Nicolas The project is about designing a financing 
model that combines the sustainable management of natural forests with alternative financing sources such as the contribution of 
various industrial sectors and the possible 
incorporation of the forest sector into the context of the CDM. USD 566,377  
 Extension: USD 83,704  18 
months Switzerland-
Japan-USA 
Korea Seoul National 
University International Workshop 
on Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) - Opportunities for the Forest Industry Sector in The major outputs from the workshop are 
strategic analysis on the opportunities and constraints for carbon forest business and for the capacity building of developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region. USD 122,960  12 
months Switzerland-
Japan-USA  
  G/TBT/W/247
 Page 13Country Partner agency Title of the project Description Budget Duration Remark 
the Asia-Pacific Region 
(Republic of Korea) 
Republic of Congo WRI & Nat. 
Cent. for Inventories & 
Forest 
Management Use of Remote Sensing 
Technology and Information Systems to 
Support Forestry 
Legislation Monitoring in the Republic of Congo The aim of this project is to contribute to the 
sustainable management of forest resources in the Republic of Congo through strict forest 
law enforcement, with a view to increasing the 
access to international timber markets. USD 572,967  36 
months Switzerland-
Japan-USA 
Gabon Direction 
Générale des Eaux et Forêts Enhancement of the 
Forest Statistics Information and Management System 
(STATFOR) This project aims to integrate two computer 
modules, namely the management inventory data compilation module and the management of yards for export timber, respecting export 
specific requirement.  The specific objectives 
are:  (1) Create a module allowing to capture inventory data with a field manual computer and to compile them;  (2) Create a module allowing the capture of data from yards for 
export timber. 
 USD 261,608  18 
months Switzerland-
Japan-USA 
Ghana Timber Export 
Development Board Manpower Development 
for the Wood Industry Training Center (WITC) The project is about training and technical 
assistance to strengthen the technical level of WITC staff and the Center's capacity to offer extension services to the industries in view of complying with importers requirements.   USD 237,375  3 years Switzerland-
USA-Japan 
Guyana  Iwokrama 
International 
Centre A Sustainable 
Management Model in 
the Iwokrama Rain ForestThe objective of the project is to design, plan 
and initiate model commercial forest 
management of the 160'000 ha Iwokrama 
forest, in order to improve practices in Guyana and elsewhere.  USD 780,626  3 years Japan-
Switzerland-
USA-Korea 
India, Tanzania, 
Kenya, Uganda ISO ISO 14000 Environment 
Management System The objective is to sensitize the private sector 
concerning environment management system CHF 470,000 2002-
2005   
 G/TBT/W/247 
Page 14 Country Partner agency Title of the project Description Budget Duration Remark 
and to train auditors. 
Indonesia Indonesian Eco-
labelling Institute Consolidating Sustainable 
Forest Management Certification in Indonesia The project aims at raising awareness on the 
implementation of credible certification systems in Indonesia, and at reinforcing national capacities with regard to sustainable 
forest management USD 415,131  24 
months Switzerland-
Japan-Indonesia-Ford 
Foundation 
Mozambique Technoserve 
Local-based 
NGO Improving Standards in 
the Production and 
Processing of Cashew Nuts, Fruits and Vegetables The objective of this project is to facilitate the 
adoption of the highest hygiene, worker 
safety, product quality and fair trade as well as environmental standards among up to 16 agro processing exporters of cashew nuts. USD 418,385 2005-
2007  
Philippines Forests Products 
Research and Development 
Institute Processing and 
Utilization of Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis 
Warb .) Resin as Source 
of Industrial Chemicals The project involves the promotion and 
transfer of improved tapping techniques for Almaciga resin and carrying out development 
work for the increased and further processing 
of Almaciga resin into value-added products. USD 342,743  3 years Japan-
Switzerland 
Philippines Forest Products 
Research and Development Institute Development and 
Implementation of Stress Grading Rules for Tropical Timber in the Philippines The objective of the project is to develop and 
implement stress-grading rules for timber used for construction in the Philippines. USD 577,909  2,5 years Japan-
Switzerland-USA 
Southern Africa International 
Labour 
Organization 
(ILO) Enterprise Based 
Competitiveness 
Development Providing export-oriented firms with long-
term consultancy services and training so that 
these firms may adapt their labour conditions 
to internationally accepted standards.   USD 1.3 Mio 2003-6  
Tanzania Technoserve 
Local-based NGO Export Development 
Programme The objective is to enhance the 
competitiveness of the speciality coffee and cashew nuts sectors, through quality improvement, the introduction of sustainability coffee certification, 
sustainability best-practice guidelines, and 
support to processors. CHF 4 Mio 2005-
2008 In prep.  
  G/TBT/W/247
 Page 15Country Partner agency Title of the project Description Budget Duration Remark 
Vietnam, Laos, 
Cambodia, India, Peru International 
Labour Organization 
(ILO) Addressing Labour Issues 
through National Cleaner Production Centres 
(NCPC) Introduction of labour-related services in the 
portfolio of NCPC (cooperation with the NCPC network of UNIDO / UNEP). USD 2.2 Mio 2003-7  
Vietnam WWF Indochina 
Programme Promotion of 
Sustainable Forest 
Management in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia The project is putting in place a process to 
enable state and private forest owners to 
actively promote and implement sustainable forest management and forest certification. USD 696,278 3 years   
4. Promoting organic production, fair-trade and environment-friendly labels in the Swiss market 
Global Max Havelaar Max Havelaar Fair-Trade 
Textil Initiative The objective is to introduce fair-trade and 
environment-friendly textiles in the Swiss market.  The label will be based on Core Labour Standards (ILO) and SA8000, as well 
as CCC Codex Model. CHF 375,000 2004-
2007  
Burkina Faso Helvetas (Swiss 
NGO) Promotion of Organic 
Cotton  The project aims at promoting organic cotton 
in the Swiss and European markets, through:  
(i) Support to the production of organic cotton responding to quality requirements;  (ii) certification of organic cotton;  (iii) commercialization support;  
(iv) conducive institutional framework;  
(v) coordination at the regional level. CHF 2.42 Mio 2004-
2007  
Costa Rica, 
Nicaragua Intercooperation 
(Swiss NGO),  Research Institute of Organic 
Agriculture 
(FIBL), Centro de Inteligencia sobre Mercados Enhancing Marketing 
Opportunities for Organic Products from Central America The project aims at improving the 
commercialization of organic and fair-trade products from Central America in order to facilitate the diversification of the offer to international, regional and national markets.  
This will be done through the development of 
market intelligence, the support of pilot commercialization cases, and the provision of capacity building in marketing techniques. CHF 
2,380,000 2004-
2007   
 G/TBT/W/247 
Page 16 Country Partner agency Title of the project Description Budget Duration Remark 
Sostenibles 
(CIMS) 
India, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran and Morocco STEP 
Foundation (Swiss NGOs) 
 
 Promotion of Fair and 
Sustainable Carpet Production STEP was founded in 1995 by several 
development organizati ons in Switzerland.  
The STEP Foundation supports development 
projects in the carpet producing areas and is 
dedicated to: - Improving working and living conditions of the weavers and their families - fighting abusive child labour 
- promoting ecologically harmless production 
methods - offer training and education programmes (empowerment, medical advice, schools) CHF 1.4 Mio 1995-
2006  
India Research 
Institute of Organic 
Agriculture 
(FIBL) Indian Organic Market 
Development The overall objective of the project is to 
enhance the market opportunities for Indian organic and fair-trade products on 
international, regional and local markets.  For 
this, relevant expertise in market development 
and marketing is to be developed in India to ensure the long-term-effect of the project.  This will be done in co-operation with the Indian Competence Centre for Organic 
Agriculture (ICCOA), founded and supported 
by the main stakeholders of organic agriculture in India. CHF 1.7 Mio 2004-
2007  
Kirgistan  Helvetas (Swiss 
NGO) Promotion of Organic 
Cotton  The project aims at promoting organic cotton 
in the Swiss and European markets, through:  (i) Support to the production of organic cotton responding to quality requirements;  
(ii) certification of organic cotton;  
(iii) commercialization support;  CHF 2 Mio 2003-
2006   
  G/TBT/W/247
 Page 17Country Partner agency Title of the project Description Budget Duration Remark 
(iv) conducive institutional framework;  
(v) coordination at the regional level. 
Mali Helvetas (Swiss 
NGO) Promotion of Organic 
Cotton  The project aims at promoting organic cotton 
in the Swiss and European markets, through:  (i) Support to the production of organic cotton 
responding to quality requirements;   
(ii) certification of organic cotton;   (iii) commercialization support;   (iv) conducive institutional framework;   (v) coordination at the regional level. CHF 2 Mio 2002-
2004  
 
 
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