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S/CSC/M/87  
 
15 November  2021 
(21-8626) Page: 1/4 
Committee on Specific Commitments    
 
REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18 OCTOBER 2021 
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
The Committee on Specific Commitments (CSC) held a meeting on 18 October 2021 chaired by 
Mr. Thomas Nauta from the Netherlands . The agenda for the meeting, contained in document 
WTO/AIR/CSC/1 6, was adopted.  
1  ITEM A – CLASSIFICATION ISSUES  
1.1.  The Chairperson  recall ed that at the meeting  of 10 March 2021 , the UN Statistics Division  
(UNSD)  and the WTO Secretariat had provided a joint presentation on the new function alities of the 
UN classification website illustrat ing how Members could navigate between the different C entral 
Product Classification (CPC)  versions and between the CPC and other classifications. The 
presentation had been  well received by Members.  Following the presentation, some Members had 
expressed interest in having a direct correspondence between the CPC Provisional and the latest 
versio n of the CPC, i.e. CPC Version 2.1. , because the Services Sectoral Classification List 
(MTN.GNS/W/120) created for undertaking specific commitments under the GATS was based on the 
CPC Provisional.   In response to WTO Members' interest, the UN SD worked on an additional tool to 
help visualize the correspondence between the different versions of the CPC. 
1.2.  A representative of the UNSD  presented the prototype of the new visualization tool (available  
at https://unstats.un.org/unsd/classifications/econ/visualization ). It was developed to facilitate the 
navigation across the CPC correspondences and different versions of the CPC. The new tool provided 
additional functionalities to the interactive navigation through CPC correspondence s included in the 
statistical classific ations' website.  She reminded delegates that it was necessary to navigate between 
multiple versions  of the classification  to be able to establish the correspondence  between CPC 
Provisional Version and CPC Version 2.1.  In that context, s he clarified  that t he prototype  of the 
visualization tool  was built on the basis of the correspondence tables between contiguous versions 
of the CPC. She highlighted the possibility to choose the version to start from and the direction of 
the visualization (i.e. from an olde r version of CPC to a more recent one, or the other way around). 
She clarified that the visualization should only be read from left to right and that connexions were 
generally done at the most detailed level of the CPC classification. She therefore recomme nded to 
work with the tool on the basis of the 5 -digit level codes.  
1.3.  The representative of the UNSD  illustrate d how the tool could be used to identify where certain 
services items included in CPC Version 2.1 would be classified in CPC Provisional Version a nd vice -
versa.  Once the  code was inputted in the tool , and after clicking on "Visualize", the result showed 
in one page the various correspondences between consecutive  versions of the CPC.  She noted that 
for non -contiguous versions, this could not be seen as a correspondence, but rather as a tool showing 
the possible links between the versions . In other words, l ines between two consecutive versions of 
CPC (e.g. from CPC Provisional Version to CPC Ver sion 1.0) represented actual correspondences, but 
lines across non -consecutive CPC versions (e.g. from CPC Provisional Version to CPC Ver sion 2.1) 
could not all be interpreted as actual correspondences . She added that b y clicking on the code it was 
possible to c onsult the detailed description of the CPC item (hierarchy, explanatory notes and 
correspondences to other classifications) , and therefore assess the relevance of the links. Users were 
strongly encouraged to verify interlinkages, in particular by  looking at the correspondence files made 
available on the UNSD classifications webpage, which include d indicators of partial correspondences , 
 
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  S/CSC/M/87  
 
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  as well as accompanying comments to the corres pondence.  The presentation also touched upon the 
possible improvements that the UNSD was working  on, such as  change s to some of the visualization 
elements or the expan sion of the tool to other economic classifications.   
1.4.  A representative of the Secretariat  highlighted  the usefulness of the new interactive tool, 
emphasizing  the cautionary comments made by UNSD.  He clarified that when users wanted to 
navigate from  W/120  to recent versions of CPC, it was necessary to identify the relevant CPC 
Provisional Version codes at the 5 -digit level. He then asked whether t he Committee w ould support 
the Secretariat investigat ing the possible  inclusio n of the W/120 in the visualization tool.  
1.5.  The representative of Canada  thanked the UNSD for its work, believing this new 
correspondence tool would be useful in future WTO work . She stated that t he classification issue 
was an important question for its delegation. Canada’s approach to the GATS classification was quite 
conserva tive, believ ing that it was important to continue preserving the legal certainty of existing 
commitments . But it understood that current classification questions had not prevented many 
Members from scheduling commitments. The  delegation  therefore  believed that having such a 
correspondence tool was important as Members could continue explor ing the best way to reflect new 
technological developments. Canada could consider having technical discussions in relation to 
classification and scheduling issues as to pr epare for future negotiations. It believed the CSC w as 
the appropriate fora for such discussions.  The representative of Canada  was supportive of the 
suggestion to invest igate the possible inclusion of the W/120 in the visualization tool . 
1.6.  The representative of Colombia  stated that the new tool was an important step forward to help 
actualize  commitments and better understand the extent of commitment s of other Members. He also 
expressed interest in the question raised by the Secretariat . He a sked when the improvements 
mentioned by the UNSD would be acce ssible.  
1.7.  The representative of the UNSD  stated that the prototype  was readily available, and the 
improvements would be mostly cosmetic . She added that t he new version would be available by the 
end of November  2021 and invited Members  to provide  feedback  on the tool . 
1.8.  The Chairperson  thanked UNSD and hoped that delegations could take advantage of the 
fantastic visualization tool presented. He highlighted the interest of Members for the new tool and 
their appreciation for this work.  He also noted the support provided to the suggestion by the 
Secretariat. He stated that th e Committee provide d a good forum for all Members to exchange  
information, catch up with the evolution in services trade and improve their understanding 
collectively. He therefore encourage d delegations to continue the useful discussion in the Committee. 
He suggested that the Committee take note of the statements made and revert to this agenda item 
at its next meeting.   
1.9.  It was so  agreed . 
2  ITEM B – IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIFIC COMMITMENTS  
2.1.  The Chairperson  recalled that , following a proposal from the United States (S/CSC/W/69, dated 
5 March 2020), th e Committee had been conducting an exercise examining conditional commitments 
in GATS schedules. Commitments of this type usually contained certain language which made the 
entry into force, implementation or updating of commitments conditional upon a domest ic process, 
such as the adoption of new legislation, policy reviews, or the review of pre -existing regimes. The 
purpose of the proposed exercise was to improve transparency and technical accuracy of specific 
commitments. The discussion under this item had been facilitated by a compilation of conditional 
commitments prepared by the Secretariat upon the request of th e Committee  (S/CSC/W/70, dated 
13 November 2020) . A revision of th e compilation (S/CSC/W/70/Rev.1) had been  circulated on 
7 June 2021 , including conditional commitments in financial services and adding information on the 
implementation of conditional commitments . Engagement in the exercise on conditional 
commitments so far ha d been on a voluntary basis. Several Members had provided updates on the 
implementation of their commitments in the last two meetings. These updates ha d been incorporated 
in the second revision of the compilation (S/CSC/W/70/Rev.2) which had been  circulated on 
1 October 2021.  S/CSC/M/87  
 
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  2.2.  A representative of the Secretariat  introduce d the second revision of the  document , stating 
that it included updated information f rom five Members, namely Brazil, the European Union, Japan, 
Mauritius and Mexico. For Brazil, the European Union  and Japan  this was based on interventions  in 
the previous meeting of the Committee. Fol lowing th at meeting, Mauritius and Mexico had submitted  
a request to update th e document. The Secretariat invited Members to continue verifying the 
document and complement ing the information relating to the imp lementation of their  conditional 
commitments.  
2.3.  The representative of the United States  thanked the Secretariat for keeping the document 
updated, as well as the five Members which  had provided new information . He encouraged other 
Members to follow suit and p rovide any updates on a voluntary basis.  
2.4.  The representative of Thailand  updated  the Committee  with respect to  its conditional 
commitments on telecommunication services included in its schedule  of specific commitments. 
Thailand had revised its schedule  and undergone its domestic process es, with the Cabinet and 
Parliament successfully approving  it in the preceding month . The improvement s in the schedule were 
consistent with the Telecommunication Business Act  2006 and other relevant laws and regul ations 
as specified in its Uruguay Round schedule . The foreign equity participation was increased  from 20 
to 49% for WTO Members to provide telecommunication services in the domestic market . The 
conditions no longer in force were removed from the schedule and the obligations contained in the 
Reference Paper on Telecommunication Services  were introduced as additional commitments . 
Thailand was in the process of preparing the documents for the certification proc edure  of 
improvement s to its schedule of commitments as contained in document S/L/84. It looked forward 
to Members ' cooperation and invited them to  reach out in case of any question.  
2.5.  The Chairperson  thanked Thailand for informing the Committee  of this development , thereby 
increas ing transparency, as well as for starting the certification process.  
2.6.  The representative of Switzerland  commend ed the excellent work  of the Secretariat  in 
compiling document S/CSC/ W/70/Rev.2 . He suggest ed a regular update by the Secretariat on 
developments regarding conditional commitments , for example  on a yearly basis  if this was doable . 
This would help the Committee to  keep an eye on conditional commitments and encourage their 
updat es. He noticed that Members had taken a dvantage of the exercise  to provide up -to-date 
information on texts that date d back to the 1990’s. He wanted to hear from Members that provided 
updates about their experience to ensure this was a useful exercise for them.  
2.7.  The representative of India stated that, while this exercise of compilation of conditional 
commitments by the Secretariat was useful for the purpose of transparency, any updat es of 
schedules should only be based on full -fledged market access negotiations which was beyond the 
purview of the C ommittee . Therefore, India did not support taking this exercise any further.  
2.8.  The Chairperson  thanked delegations for their interventions , and particularly those Members 
that had provided information on their commitments in the spirit of transparency. He encouraged 
Members to continue to do so at future meetings. He proposed  to further discuss the issue raised by 
India on a bilateral level. He sugges ted that the Committee take note of statements made and revert 
to this item at its next meeting.  
2.9.  It was so agreed .  
3  ITEM C - SCHEDULING ISSUES  
3.1.  No intervention was made under this item.  
3.2.  The Chairperson  suggested that the Committee revert to this agenda item  at its next meeting.  
3.3.  It was so agreed .  
4  ITEM D  - ADOPTION OF THE ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN SERVICES  
4.1.  The Chairperson  drew attention to the draft annual report to the Council for Trade in Services , 
which was  contained in document S/CSC/W/ 72. There w ere no comment s on the draft.  S/CSC/M/87  
 
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  4.2.  The report was adopted . 
5  ITEM E  - FUTURE WORK OF THE COMMITTEE  
5.1.  The Chairperson  moved to Item E  on the Future work of the Committee.  As the new Chairperson 
of the Committee, he had held consultations with some Members seeking views and suggestions on 
possible future work that c ould be don e. He invited Members to consider ideas in line with the 
mandate of the Committee as indicated in the Annotated Agenda.  
5.2.  In his consultations, several Members had commended the ongoing exercise on conditional 
commitments noting that it helped improve the transparency of specific commitments. They had 
suggested that the Committee continue this exercise. Some interest had been expresse d in having 
discussions on the interpretation of existing commitments, for example where it concern ed mode 1 
commitments in relation to transport services and digital trade, mode 2 commitments on health 
services, and mode 4 commitments.  
5.3.  The representative of Turkey  informed the Committee that, like many Members of the WTO , 
his country  also conduct ed bilateral and regional FTA negotiations. These negotiations not only act ed 
as instruments to open and discipline markets but were also used as an exercise to test GATS 
commitments. In that context , it had experienced that Members ha d different understanding s of 
their GATS commitments. Cross-border road freight transport services, consumption of healthcare 
services abroad and digital services were the sectors for which interpretation differed substantially . 
Turkey believe d that the Committee  could be the right pl atform to discuss the interpretation of those 
commitments and , if possible , to find a common understanding with regard to the implementation 
of those commitments. In addition, in recent years, there had been  fruitful discussions about the 
interpretation of  Mode 4 commitments in th e Committee. Turkey would like to further  those 
discussions in the upcoming period.  Therefore,  they had consult ed the Chair and shared their 
thoughts for some possible work to be scheduled for the Committee on Specific  Commitments in 
2022. They were still holding internal consult ations  and work was still on-going, but they wanted to 
use the opportunity of the meeting to inform Members . 
5.4.  The repr esentative of the United States  asked that a written proposal be circulated before 
discussing future work  of the Committee . 
5.5.  The representative of Turkey  repeated  that internal consultations were still ongoing and w ould 
take into consideration the comment  made.  
5.6.  The Chairperson  thank ed the delegations for their contribution s and informed that he would 
continue with his consultations . He also  encourage d Members to put forward proposals to move 
forward the work of the Committee.  
5.7.  It was so agreed .  
6  ITEM F – OTHER BUSINESS  
6.1.  No intervention was made under this item.  
6.2.  The meeting was adjourned . 
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