G/TBT/GEN/306  
 
9 November  2020 
(20-7985) Page: 1/5 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade    
 
THEMATIC  SESSION ON TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 1  
27 OCTOBER 2020, 1 0:00-13:00 
Moderator's Report2  
The Moderator of the Thematic Session on Technical Assistance  delivered this Report at the WTO 
TBT Committee's meeting of 2 8-29 October  2020.  
 
_______________  
 
 
At the Eighth Triennial Review, Members agreed to continue to hold thematic sessions in conjunction 
with its regular meetings during 2019 to 2021, with a vi ew to further deepening the Committee's 
exchange of experiences on specific topics . On this basis, the Committee agreed  to hold a session 
on technical assistance .3 The programme for the thematic session is contained in the Annex of this 
report. The presentations summarized below are available through the WTO website.4  
 
Panel  
1.1.  Dr. Angela Samuel5 (Australia) presented the Australian perspective on capacity building in 
metrology to support participation in global frameworks for the reduction of technical barriers to 
trade (TBTs). With respect to the relation between metrology (the science of measur ement) and 
trade, she referred to Article 6 of the TBT Agreement (mutual recognition of conformity assessment 
results by central government bodies). She explained that regulators rely on the underpinning 
metrology base in calling on the use of internationa l standards and accreditation. A sound 
internationally recognized quality infrastructure (QI), she said, is critical to the removal of TBTs and, 
thus, to effective participation in global markets. Sound measurement is also critical to the proper 
functionin g of activities across all economic sectors as it ensures quality of life, fosters innovation 
and facilitates trade. She highlighted that the QI system is a critical enabler in bridging from scientific 
invention to practical applications. She then gave an overview on how QI elements operate at 
national, regional and global levels from the perspective of Australian QI bodies. She also noted the 
global frameworks established across the QI system to facilitate the reduction of TBTs, highlighting 
– for scientif ic measurement – the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement and – for legal metrology 
– the OIML Certification System. Both frameworks, she said, promote recognition and harmonization 
of national measurement systems, ultimately reducing TBTs. She then spoke a bout the technical 
assistance programs being conducted under the two inter -governmental treaties in metrology to 
foster participation in these frameworks by Countries and Economies with Emerging Metrology 
Systems. To this end, she provided examples of prog rams under the Asia -Pacific Metrology 
Programme (APMP) aimed at building capabilities in scientific measurement as well as support for 
Asia Pacific economies in dealing with the impact of COVID -19. Strategic priorities for the next three 
years include impr oving governance, developing online collaboration and training tools, fostering 
engagement to support national SDG priorities and the concept of "leaving no one behind" – focusing 
on economies that are not yet signatories to the CIPM MRA as well as support ing developing 
 
1 The Annex of this document contains the final programme for this thematic session.  
2 Ms. Laura Gauer (Switzerland). This Report is provided on the Moderator's own responsibility.  
3 G/TBT/41 , para. 8.2.a.iv  (as indicated in JOB/TBT/350 ). 
4 https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/tbtthematicta27 102020_e.htm  
5 Director, International Relations, National Measurement Institute, Australia (NMIA). NMIA is a division 
of the Austr alian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.  G/TBT/GEN/306  
 
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  members adapt to , and engage with , advances in science and technology, including digital 
transformation.  
1.2.  Mr. Aureli en Pastouret6 (European Union ) provided an  overview of the EU's support through 
technical assistance (TA) in the field of TBT. He explained that , with the proliferation of international 
standards and technical regulation s, challenges can be particularly acute for developing countries . 
Due to their limited resources , developing countries could encounter difficulties complying  and 
following -up with a variety of product requirements in export markets. The challenge is how to 
keep up with such a growing number of ever -changing requirements in standards and regulations in 
various markets. Different standards  for the same products and within regions cause "diseconomies " 
of scale ; another problem , he added, is the fact that developing countries ' quality systems have only  
limite d international  recognition , resulting in  additional costs  for producers as tests  or certificates  
have to be performed  abroad.  On the other hand, t he benefits of a fully functioning QI system 
include : (i) allowing enterprises to demonstrate compliance with national or international technical 
regulations in order to launch products on the market ; (ii) enabling SMEs to climb  up the value chain 
by raising productivity per worker ; and (iii)  increasing their revenue levels and finally allowing the 
generation of economies of scale.  
1.3.  He further explained that the added value of the EU 's provision of TA on TBT matters includ es: 
(i) the growing importance of TBTs in the multilateral trade context; (ii) the wide -range support 
toolbox of the EU  (which covers aspects such as : support to investments ; encourageme nt of 
investment climate reforms ; value chain improvements and capacity building and training; and the 
use of innovative tools including external investment plans and preference systems ). In terms of 
designing a  TA program, the EU 's main areas of investiga tion involve : (i) domestic requirements 
regarding consumer protection ; (ii) export market requirements ; (iii) identification of stakeholders 
and gap analysis ; and (iv)  the assessment of support options. He then provided examples of EU 's 
TA intervention s at four levels: macro -, meso -, micro - and regional -levels . With respect to the 
methods of intervention, the TA the EU provide s in the area of TBT can take different forms : (i) it 
can be embedded in a broader trade -related programme ; (ii) be part of a sect or support programme ; 
or (iii) it can  target specific components of QI. Overall, the EU's project approach in terms of capacity 
building is the most common intervention method. His presentation concluded with two recent 
examples of TBT TA at a global level  in two intra -ACP programs.  
1.4.  Ms. Linda Bodén7 (European Union ) presented on the experience of the National Board of 
Trade Sweden with regards to TBT technical assistance coordination and how their capacity building  
has changed as a result of the pandemic. She explained that the National Board of Trade is Sweden 's 
government agency for trade and the EU internal market , which works mainly with trade policy 
analysis and provid ing advice to the government . She explained that they also play an  active role in 
trade-related capacity building efforts  with aims to create good conditions for developing countries 
to participate in international trade and support sustainable development. She highlighted the unique 
quality of their form of capacity bui lding in that they do not  use sub -contractors but instead rely on  
their in -house experts. With respect to technical assistance  coordination , she explained that it is 
both a question of planning and also being able to alter programs to avoid duplication. In  such 
instances of possible duplication , she explained their experience in  joining forces and creat ing joint 
capacity building activities. Joining forces with other donors , she explained, allows  for a further 
reach, guarantees transparency and permits a mu lti-donor setting - thereby  making the best use of 
available  resources.  
1.5.  With respect to c apacity building during the pandemic , she explained that in the past,  their 
activities were in part digital and depended on meeting in -person in the partner country or  at the 
TBT Committee meetings . However, the  pandemic has forced everyone to find new ways of 
communicating and has highlighted the essential role of digital platforms. While day to day work has 
continued unchanged largely through email , using WhatsApp and other  application s has proven to 
be a fast and efficient way to keep up momentum  and set goals . These platforms have also been 
used to create d iscussion groups to plan webinars and smaller groups for specific discussions and 
digital check -ins. When organizing larger webinars, the approach taken has been to co -create wi th 
partners in order to have a larger participation. Pre -recording material has also been done in order 
to avoid issues of connectivity and time -zones. She stressed that while the pandemic has caused a 
 
6 The Directorate -General for International Cooperati on and Development  (DG DEVCO) , European 
Commission.  
7 Trade Policy Adviser, National Board of Trade, Sweden.  G/TBT/GEN/306  
 
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  certain change in the usual methods of work , it has al so provided an opportunity to improve such 
work methods by include more digital aspects in training.  
1.6.  Mrs. Anchali Stapornwongkul8 and Mr. Stephan Bethe9 (European Union) presented  an 
overview of efforts in Germany to harmonize and build capacities with other countries  with regards 
to quality infrastructure  (QI). Highlighting the fact that technical barriers to trade  rise due to differ ing 
QI systems , they explained that  working towards a global QI is key to eliminating  technical barriers 
to trade  (TBTs) . The key function of QI is to safeguard consumers ' trusts in products . QI is comprised 
of a variety of elements  –including accreditation, technical regulations, standardization, metrology, 
conformity assessment and market surveillance – each of which  are highly interdependent and build 
on each other. In the international context, different QI leads to a variety of issues , including  
complicated searches for information, short lead time for regulatory changes, lack of clarity in the 
implementat ion of new regulations, differing national and international standards and the non -
recognition of certificates. To this end, they presented an example of the development of the Global 
Project Quality Infrastructure (GPQI) , which conducts bilateral politica l and technical dial ogues with 
strategic trading partners. GPQI's aim is to  reduc e TBTs  in order to facilitate trade, promot e the 
safety of industrial production sites, protect consumers from unsafe products and facilit ate 
digitalization  and innovation.  Among other things, the dialogues focus on various elemen ts of QI. 
Together , they address concrete issues and develop solutions with the political backing of ministr ies 
of economy and partner institutions. To this end, the GPQI assists in reducing TBTs by fostering and 
understanding each other's  systems by holding annual worksh ops and working group meetings which 
help to identify areas for harmonization, cooperation and common challenges. The presentation s 
concluded with insights from their development cooper ation approach on QI , and specifically with 
regards to their project portfolio in strengthening QI systems in developing countries and emerging 
economies. They highlighted Germany's  multi-level approach through the important support of the 
African Continental Free Trade  Area (AfCFTA). The AfCFTA is continuously supported since 2011 with 
special emphasis on TBT (Annex 6). The cooperation with the African Union led to the formulation 
of the African Quality Policy. Another highlight of the cooperation is the TBT Stocktaking, 
implemented by Pan -African Quality Infrastructure (PAQI). Germany is enhancing its support even 
further under its current EU Presidency and is promoting it as a Team  Europe flagship initiative 
among its EU -Africa Deliverables with additional funding . 
1.7.  Mr. Joseph Tretler10 (United States ) presented an overview of the standards alliance phase  2 
technical assistance mechanism implemented by ANSI as a public -private sector  partnership with 
USAID . Regions of focus for implementation include Latin America, Middle East/North Africa, 
sub-Saharan Africa and the Indo -Pacific, with programming done at the national or regional level, 
as appropriate. He then explained the Work Plan Activities of each aforementioned r egion for the 
next year . In Africa, the plan focuses on supporting the understanding and uptake of international 
standards for clean renewable fuels across West Africa; supporting the African Organization for 
Standardizat ion (ARSO); researching the adoption and use of international WASH -related product 
standards and their reference in law, regulation and policy; and facilitating the establishment of 
Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) teams in 23 Zambian government ministries . At the Indo -Pacific 
level, the workplan includes encouraging the adoption and implementation of international standards 
for water and sanitation in Indonesia and the Philippines as well as training for water sector utilities 
in India on water utility man agement standards. In the Middle East/North Africa region, the plan is 
two-fold: encouraging the adoption and implementation of international standards for water and 
sanitation in Jordan and training on the adoption and implementation of safe drinking wate r 
standards in Morocco. Finally, in  Latin America, th e plan  focuses on support ing the  implementation 
of energy efficient buildings codes in Mexico. The presentation also briefly discussed the COVID -19 
response and recovery angle of the implementation plan,  including targeted work in Ghana as well 
as globally . In Ghana, the plan includes supporting the use of international standards for the 
production of high-quality  PPE to position local producers to transition manufacturing to meet the 
Ghanaian  and broader  West African need. On a more global level, the plan intends to implement a 
COVID -19 Medical Device Regulatory Convergence Project with work taking place in Latin America, 
Africa and the Indo -Pacific regions. He highlighted how the lack of global medical d evice regulatory  
convergence costs public health systems and the medical technology industry USD 4 billion  per year, 
the majority of which occurs in developing countries, and which could otherwise be prioritized for 
 
8 Deputy Head of Division, "Accreditation and Conformity Assessment, Metrology, Supervision of PTB 
and BAM ", BMWi, Germany.  
9 Head Division for Trade Policy, BMZ, Germany.  
10 Vice-President, International Policy, ANSI – American National Standards Institute . G/TBT/GEN/306  
 
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  COVID -19 prevention and treatment. The p roject intends to increase the transparency and 
predictability of partner governments ' regulatory ecosystems for medical devices, aligning them with 
international standards and overall improving the National Quality Infrastructure.  
1.8.  Ms. Teresa Cendrowska11 (United States ) presented  an overview of the technical assistance 
programs provided by ASTM International. She explained that ASTM is one of the largest standards 
development organizations , committed to serving global societal needs by positiv ely impacting public 
health and safety, consumer confidence and overall quality of life. To this end, she highlighted that 
standards meeting WTO principles can promote trade, minimize barriers and lend themselves to 
more effective regulation. In terms of t echnical assistance, their Memorandum of Understanding 
(MOU) program aims to promote communication between ASTM International and national standards 
bodies worldwide, particularly in transitioning economies, to foster awareness of the standardization 
systems of all parties involved and to support access to the content of ASTM standards and to the 
knowledge inherent in their network of experts, stakeholders and staff – a program currently 
implemented with 117 partners worldwide. The program also provides spe cial privileges to MOU 
partners when adopting and referencing ASTM standards by allowing them to use them for 
consultation, as a basis of a national standard or even to adopt them identically – which, in turn, 
provides a deep, broad technical resource that  supports consistency and convergence and expedites 
the development of standards.  Along with facilitating access to technical content of ASTM standards, 
several training activities are provided to increase the understanding of the ASTM process and virtual 
tools, technical committees and their operations and the application of ASTM standards. Additionally, 
more broadly available programs include those such as intensive training programs, staff 
attachments and virtual seminars and webinars.  
1.9.  In terms of respon ding to the global pandemic, ASTM held a no -cost workshop on fast -tracking 
standards development to address personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages due to the 
COVID -19 pandemic. Topics for the joint workshop included; methods, guides and practices to  
address reprocessing of single -use PPE and reusable PPE; ways to produce and/or assess 
performance of medical devices that are in short supply; and how existing standards have helped or 
could better assist in addressing device shortages. In addition, to s upport production and advance 
quality and safety in the global supply chain, ASTM International made 28 key PPE standards 
available for the public to view and download at no -cost, as well as a COVID -19 response guide to 
provide guidance on additively manuf actured parts and materials for PPE.  
COMMENT BY MODERATOR  
1.10.  On a personal note, the Moderator  made the following remarks.  
1.11.   Finally, let me make a few personal remarks. The presentations highlighted the importance of 
quality infrastructure and in this respect  the importance of international standards and 
measurement. Quality infrastructure reduces technical barriers to trade, facilitates trade and 
enhances the quality of products and services. In this regard, institutions provide a wide variety of 
training opp ortunities for partners around the world. Speakers referred to concrete examples of 
actions and case studies in the area of technical assistance and capacity building on different levels 
– bilateral, regional and global. These programs aim at promoting com pliance and harmonization, 
which are key aspects in order to integrate in global value chains, to facilitate trade and to incentivize  
innovation. The role of regional integration in improving a quality infrastructure and in dismantling 
technical barriers t o trade was highlighted as well. The presenters also shared experiences on how 
to deliver best outcomes of assistance programs, such as focusing on sectors with high economic 
importance. Furthermore, cooperation and coordination among donors and partner co untries were 
emphasized. Many institutions introduced COVID -19 related response programs, such as revising 
standards for personal protective equipment, which is of key significance in combatting the 
COVID -19 pandemic. Speakers also shared their experience on how the pandemic shifted priorities 
or engagement with partners. In this respect, the increased use of digital tools was highlighted.  
 
_______________  
 
 
11 Vice-President, Global C ooperation, ASTM International . G/TBT/GEN/306  
 
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  ANNEX  
 
THEMATIC SESSION ON TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE  
27 OCTOBER  2020, STARTING AT 10AM 
Final Programme1 
At the Eighth Triennial Review, Members agreed to continue to hold thematic sessions in conjunction 
with its regular meetings during 2019 to 2021, with a view to further deepening the Committee's 
exchange of  experiences on specific topics.2 On this basis, the Committee agreed to hold a session 
on technical assistance on 27 October 2020 .3 
 
_______________  
 
 
This thematic session will be  moderated by : Ms. Laura Gauer (Switzerland)  and the  presentations 
can be  found here. 
 
Panel  
• Australia: Capacity building in metrology to support participation in global frameworks for 
the reduction of TBTs – Australian perspectives , Dr Angela Samuel, Director, International 
Relations, National Measurement Institute, Australia (NMIA).4 
 
• European Union : Overview of European Union 's support through technical assistance in 
the field of Technical Barriers to Trade , Mr. Aurelien Pastouret, DG DEVCO.5 
 
• European Union:  TBT Technical Assistance Coordination and Challenges to Capacity 
Building During the Pandemic , Ms Linda Bodén, Trade Policy Adviser at the National Board 
of Trade Sweden.6 
 
• European Union : Towards a Global Quality Infrastructure: An Approach to Harmonization 
and Capacity Building, Mrs. Anchali Stapornwongkul, Deputy Head of Division "Accreditation 
and Conformity Assessment, Metrology, Supervision of PTB and BAM ", BMWi, and 
Mr. Stephan Bethe,  Head of the Division for Trade Policy, BMZ  (Germany) .7 
 
• United States: Standards Alliance Phase 2 Implementation in 2020 -2021, Mr. Joseph 
Tretler, Vice President, International Policy, American National Standards Institute.8 
 
• United States : Delivering A STM's Mission -Aligned Technical Assistance: Routine and COVID 
Engagement , Ms Teresa Cendrowska,  Vice President,  Global Cooperation , ASTM  
International .9 
__________  
 
 
1 The programme is contained in  G/TBT/GEN/303 . 
2 G/TBT/41 , para. 8.2.a.i.  
3 G/TBT/41 , para. 8.2.a.iv (as  indicated  in JOB/TBT/350 ). 
4 JOB/TBT/377 . 
5 JOB/TBT/370  and JOB/TBT/370 /Rev.1 . 
6 JOB/TBT/370 /Rev.1 . 
7 JOB/TBT/370 /Rev.1 . 
8 JOB/TBT/373 /Rev.1 . 
9 JOB/TBT/373 /Rev.1 .