G/TBT/W/736  
 
1 February 2021  
(21-0861) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
 
PROPOSALS ON CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES,  
TRANSPARENCY, AND COVID -19  
NINTH TRIENNIAL REVIEW  
Submission from the European Union  
The following submission, dated 1 February 2021, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of the European Union . 
 
_______________  
 
 
1  GUIDELINES ON CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE S (CAP)  
1.1.  The European Union considers that the deliverable of common  Guidelines on Conformity 
Assessment Procedures is a key topic for the WTO TBT Committee . Common guidance principles and 
best practices when setting up domestic mandatory conformity assessment procedures of products  
would contribute to reducing technical b arriers to trade and to preventing the emergence of new 
ones. To this aim, the European Union has  been active during the previous Triennial Review and is 
ready  to keep the momentum and further engage in the debate. T he substantial work already 
achieved dur ing the previous Triennial Review and the dedicated thematic sessions provide a good 
basis to further pursue this topic  and agree on a common proposal.  
1.2.  Possible outcome : a recommendation that sets a number of general principles on goods 
practices on confor mity assessment and some practical elements on how conformity assessment 
procedures should be designed by regulators. The exchanges of information and experiences on 
market surveillance as a key element complementing appropriate and proportionate conformit y 
assessment procedures should also be addressed. Exploring development s related to modernisation 
and digitalisation of product information as trade facilitator mechanism in a sustainable economy, 
could also foster product  compliance and safety , enhance a level playing field  for manufacturers and 
lead to more efficient quality controls by customs and market surveillance authorities.  
2  TRANSPARE NCY 
2.1.  The European Union recalls the importance of transparency within the work of the WTO TBT 
Committee and considers that it is crucial to continue to work on this topic so to consolidate the 
results achieved during previous Triennial Reviews as well as in  several dedicated thematic sessions.  
2.2.  Possible outcome : a recommendation that (i) sets the key elements for a good practice guide 
on how to improve product coverage in notifications  and how to prepare a comment; (ii) expands 
the scope of ePing so it includes new functionalities and becomes a friendly and comprehensive work 
platform; and (iii) encourages exchange experiences on good practices for domestic coordination 
and engagement with regulators and the private secto r. 
3  LESSONS LEARNT DURING THE COVID -19 CRISIS  
3.1.  The European Union considers that as a follow up of the thematic session of 8 December 2020 
on COVID -19 experience  - sharing among  Members to facilitate trade in essential products , the TBT 
Committee should keep  working on this topic and in particular on the lessons learnt during the crisis. 
The discussions could focus on the role and actions that authorities may undertake during crises to G/TBT/W/736  
 
- 2 - 
 
  facilitate the ramping up of production of critical products, combatting t echnical barriers to trade, 
facilitate and maintain well -functioning and sustainable supply -chains and increase global trade 
flows, whilst ensuring affordable and high -quality products entering the market.  
3.2.  The COVID -19 pandemic has tested the resilience of  economies worldwide. Policymakers and 
companies need to take a closer look at the lessons learned and vulnerabilities identified during the 
crisis. T he best practices of Members could be used to better anticipate and address any future 
challenge and make the work of the TBT Committee more efficient and respondent to a different 
environment. Th e European Union could further  share its experience and initiatives to support 
manufacturers, such as the  temporary adjustment of its regulatory framework to make con formity 
assessment procedure for personal protective equipment (PPE) ; more adequate and careful use of 
derogation possibilities to accelerate the time to market for certain essential medical devices;  
guidance material to help assess the applicable legal an d technical requirements before impo rting 
new products to the EU; launching new or reconverting existing facilities ; the dedicated Q&A 
guidance document on  ventilators and COVID -19 tests; the Conformity assessment procedures for 
3D printing and 3D printed products to be used in a medical context for COVID -19, as well as a 
dedicated Q&A documents on certificates and other documents accompanying PPE; the exceptional 
free availability of certain standards related to PPE and medical devices ; guidance issued to facilitate 
remote audits on conformity assessment bodies active in the medical devices field; the importance 
of an open dialogue with relevant industry and with national authorities, especially concerning 
intelligence gathering on availability and shortage s of essential equipment, etc.  
3.3.  Possible outcome : a recommendation that sets best practices on key aspects streamlining 
conformity assessment procedures to facilitate trade in essential products; and international 
regulatory cooperation.  
 
__________