RESTRICTED  
  
WT/ACC/SYC/29  
 
17 May 2013  
(13-2598)  Page: 1/7  
Working Party on the 
Accession of the Republic of Seychelles  Original: English  
  
  ACCESSION OF SEYCHELLES 
CHECKLIST OF TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRAD E (TBT) ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION IN 
ACCESSIONS 
 The following submission, dated 17 May 2013, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of the Republic of Seychelles.  
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  WT/ACC/SYC/29  
 
- 2 - Checklist of Illustrative TBT Issues for Consideration in Accessions 
Commitments (by the time of accession) WTO Reference Status (as of May 2013) 
1. Standstill:  the introduction of new standards, 
technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures  should be fully 
compatible with the TBT Agreement 1. Generally agreed principle in 
WTO accession negotiations The Government of Seychelles is committed to complying with the requirements of the 
TBT Agreement.  As a small is land state, Seychelles recogn ises that it will require 
financial and technical resources to achiev e the required level of compliance.   
Seychelles would require the support of its trade cooperation partners. 
2. Submission of Statement on Implementation 2. Article 15.2 and TBT 
Committee Decision (G/TBT/1) The Trade Division in the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment in cooperation with 
the National TBT Coordination Committee will be responsible to implement the provisions of the TBT Agreement. 
3. Establishment and operation of a single 
Contact Point for Information ("inquiry point") 3. Article 10 Seychelles has establ ished and is operating a single contact point for information.  The 
details are as follows:   Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment   Trade Division  P.O. Box 313,   Victoria,   Mahe,    Seychelles   Tel:  (+248) 382000  Fax: (+248) 225791   E-mail:  enquirywto@finance.gov.sc   Website: Not Available 
4. Identification of authority responsible for 
notifications, publications and other internal procedures to ensure transparency obligations are met on an ongoing basis: 4. Articles 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15.2, 
Annex 3 and G/TBT/1  
 (a) identification of publication where notices 
of proposed technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures will appear;  (a) Articles 2.9.1, 3.1, 5.6.1, 
7.1, 10.1.5 The Government Official Gazett e published by the AG's Offi ce will be the publication 
where notices of proposed technical regula tions (final draft) will be featured. The 
Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS) will al so develop a publication which will feature 
the list of all technical regulations and the local authorities responsible to enforce the technical regulation.  Technical regulati ons which are in the form of mandatory 
standards developed by SBS ar e also advertised in the na tional newspaper: "Nation" 
during the 60 days public review stage, as well as the SBS website at the following address: www.seychelles.net/sbsorg .   
 (b) identification of authority responsible for 
making notifications to the WTO;  (b) Article 2.9.2, 2.10.1, 3.2, 
3.3, 5.6.2, 5.7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 10.7, 10.10 The authority responsible for making notifications to the WTO for Seychelles is the 
Trade Division in the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment.  
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- 3 - Commitments (by the time of accession) WTO Reference Status (as of May 2013) 
 (c) guidance/law to ensure regulatory 
authorities afford non-discriminatory consideration of comments in the preparation of a final regulation;  (c) Articles 2.9.4, 2.10.3, 
3.15 3.3, 5.6.4, 5.7.3, 7.1, 7.3 Current provisions in the SBS Act and Regulations provide for this.  
 (Note: Provision has been made in the SBS Ac t and regulations.)  Ho wever, we need to 
take into consideration that there are other agencies in Seychelles that have established technical re gulations (TRs), for example, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry 
of Environment, the Department  of Information Communicatio ns Technology (ICT), etc. 
or will, in the future, be establishing TRs such as, Seychelles Energy Commission, Fair 
Trading Commission, etc. These agencies need to make provision for this in their Act or 
regulations.  Another approach is for the Government of Seychelles to  have a strategy for the 
establishment of a National Technical Regula tory Framework (NTRF) for Seychelles. The 
purpose of the NTRF is to establish the coun try's technical regulatory responsibilities. 
Such a framework will ensure that Seychelles' technical regulations comply with requirements of international an d regional trade agreements.  
 (d) guidance/law to ensure regulatory 
authorities allow a re asonable period of 
time between the final publication of a technical regulation and conformity assessment procedure and its entry into force so that suppliers can adapt;  (d) Articles 2.11, 2.12, 3.1, 
5.8, 5.9, 7.1 Current provisions in the SBS Act and Regulations provide for this. 
 (Note: Provision has been made in the SBS Ac t and regulations.)  Ho wever, we need to 
take into consideration that there are other agencies in Seychelles that have established technical re gulations, for example, the Minist ry of Health, the Ministry of 
Environment, the Department of the ICT, etc. or will, in the future, be establishing TRs 
such as, Seychelles Energy Commission, Fair Trading Commission, etc. These agencies need to make provision for this in their Act or regulations.  Another approach is for the Government of Seychelles to  have a strategy for the 
establishment of a National Technical Regula tory Framework (NTRF) for Seychelles. The 
purpose of the NTRF is to establish the coun try's technical regulatory responsibilities. 
Such a framework will ensure that Seychelles' technical regulations comply with requirements of international and regional trade agreements. This provision will be included in this strategy. 
 (e) publication and notification of work 
programme for standards and non-governmental conformity assessment procedures, includin g publication of 
notices of draft standards and an opportunity for public comment.  (e) Article 4, Annex 3 (J, K, 
L, N, 0); Article 8.1 Draft standards are put on public review for 60 days as per the Code of Good Practice 
for review and commen ts by stakeholders.  
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- 4 - Commitments (by the time of accession) WTO Reference Status (as of May 2013) 
5. Development and Application of Technical 
Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures:  Existence of legal and/or administrative underpinnings (or reasonable measures" as appropriate) to ensure ongoing compliance with provisions of the agreement concerning, in particular: 5. Articles 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 (Note: Provision ha s been made in the SBS Act and regulations.)   
 However, we need to take into consideration that there are other agencies in Seychelles that have established technical regulations, for example, the Ministry of 
Health, the Ministry of Environm ent, Department of the ICT, etc. or will, in the future, 
be establishing TRs such as, Seychelles En ergy Commission, Fair Trading Commission, 
etc. These agencies need to make provisio n for this in their Act or regulations. 
 Another approach is for the Government of Seychelles to  have a strategy for the 
establishment of a National Technical Regula tory Framework (NTFR) for Seychelles. The 
purpose of the NTRF is to establish the coun try's technical regulatory responsibilities. 
Such a framework will ensure that Seychelles' technical regulations comply with requirements of international and regional trade agreements. 
All the provision made there under 5 (a) – (g) will be included in this strategy. 
 (a) non-discrimination with respect to the 
treatment of products;  (a) Articles 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 5.2, 
7.1 The technical regulations currently in place accord non-discrimination provisions with 
respect to the treatment of products.  (Note: Provision has been made in the SBS Act and regulations.) Ho wever, we need to 
take into consideration that there are other agencies in Seychelles that have established technical regulati ons for example, the Ministry  of Health, Ministry of 
Environment, the Department of the ICT, etc. or will, in the future, be establishing TRs, 
such as, Seychelles Energy Commission, Fair Trading Commission, etc. These agencies need to make provision for this in their Act or regulations.  Another approach is for the Government of Seychelles to  have a strategy for the 
establishment of a National Technical Regula tory Framework (NTRF) for Seychelles. The 
purpose of the NTRF is to establish the coun try's technical regulatory responsibilities. 
Such a framework will ensure that Seychelles' technical regulations comply with requirements of international an d regional trade agreements.  
 (b) the prohibition of unnecessary obstacles to 
international trade and the consideration of less trade-restrictive alternatives to fulfilling legitimate objectives;  (b) Articles 2.2, 3.1, 5.1, 5.2, 
7.1 The current legislation re quires a review to incorporate this provision. 
 (Note: Provision has been made in the SBS Ac t and regulations.)  Ho wever, we need to 
take into consideration that there are other agencies in Seychelles that have established technical re gulations, for example the Minist ry of Health, the Ministry of 
Environment, the Department of the ICT, etc. or will, in the future, be establishing TRs, 
such as, Seychelles Energy Commission, Fair Trading Commission, etc. These agencies need to make provision for this in their Act or regulations.  Another approach is for the Government of Seychelles to  have a strategy for the 
establishment of a National Technical Regula tory Framework (NTRF) for Seychelles. The 
purpose of the NTRF is to establish the coun try's technical regulatory responsibilities. 
Such a framework will ensure that Seychelles' technical regulations comply with requirements of international and regional trade agreements.  
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- 5 - Commitments (by the time of accession) WTO Reference Status (as of May 2013) 
 (c) the ongoing review of technical 
regulations to ensure they are appropriate to achieve the desired legitimate objective;  (c) Article 2.3, 3.1, 7.1 The current legislation requires a review to incorporate this provision. 
 (Note: Provision has been made in the SBS Ac t and regulations.)  Ho wever, we need to 
take into consideration that there are other agencies in Seychelles that have established technical re gulations, for example the Minist ry of Health, the Ministry of 
Environment, the Department of the ICT, etc. or will, in the future, be establishing TRs, 
such as, Seychelles Energy Commission, Fair Trading Commission, etc. These agencies need to make provision for this in their Act or regulations.  Another approach is for the Go vernment to have a strategy  for the establishment of a 
National Technical Regulatory Framework (N TFR) for Seychelles. The purpose of the 
NTRF is to establish the country's technical regulatory responsibilities. Such a framework will ensure that Se ychelles' technical regulations comply with requirements 
of international and regional trade agreements. 
 (d) the consideration of appropriate 
international standards, guides and recommendations as a basis for technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures;  (d) Article 2.4, 3.1, 5.4, 7.1 Standards prescribed by CODEX, ISO and IEC are taken into consideration.  
Appropriate international standards, guides  and recommendations will be used as a 
basis for technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures.  
 (e) the consideration of equivalent technical 
regulations of other Members;  (e) Article 2.7, 3.1, 7.1 The current legislation requires a review to incorporate this provision. 
 (Note: Provision has been made in the SBS Ac t and regulations.)  Ho wever, we need to 
take into consideration that there are other agencies in Seychelles that have established technical re gulations, for example, the Minist ry of Health, the Ministry of 
Environment, the Department of the ICT, etc. or will, in the future, be establishing TRs, 
such as, Seychelles Energy Commission, Fair Trading Commission, etc. These agencies need to make provision for this in their Act or regulations.  Another approach is for the Government of Seychelles to  have a strategy for the 
establishment of a National Technical Regula tory Framework (NTRF) for Seychelles. The 
purpose of the NTRF is to establish the coun try's technical regulatory responsibilities. 
Such a framework will ensure that Seychelles' technical regulations comply with requirements of international and regional trade agreements. This provision will be included in this strategy.  
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- 6 - Commitments (by the time of accession) WTO Reference Status (as of May 2013) 
 (f) the acceptance of the results of conformity 
assessment procedures conducted by bodies in an exporting Member country;  (f) Article 6, 7.1 Current provisio ns allow for the acceptance of the results of conformity assessment 
procedures conducted by bodies in an export ing country, however, they are subject to 
an agreement. (Note: Provision has been made in the SBS Ac t and regulations.)  Ho wever, we need to 
take into consideration that there are other agencies in Seychelles that have established technical re gulations for example, the Minist ry of Health, the Ministry of 
Environment, the Department of the ICT, etc. or will, in the future, be establishing TRs, 
such as, Seychelles Energy Commission, Fair Trading Commission, etc. These agencies need to make provision for this in their Act or regulations.  Another approach is for the Government of Seychelles to  have a strategy for the 
establishment of a National Technical Regula tory Framework (NTRF) for Seychelles. The 
purpose of the NTRF is to establish the coun try's technical regulatory responsibilities. 
Such a framework will ensure that Seychelles' technical regulations comply with requirements of international and regional trade agreements. This provision will be included in this strategy. 
 (g) non-discriminatory  and cost-based fee 
structure.  (g) Article 5.2, 7.1, 10.4 Current legislation does a llow for non-discriminatory and cost-based fee structure. 
(Note: Provision has been made in the SBS Ac t and regulations.)  Ho wever, we need to 
take into consideration that there are other agencies in Seychelles that have established technical re gulations for example, the Minist ry of Health, the Ministry of 
Environment, the Department of the ICT, etc. or will, in the future, be establishing TRs, 
such as, Seychelles Energy Commission, Fair Trading Commission, etc. These agencies need to make provision for this in their Act or regulations.  Another approach is for the Go vernment to have a strategy  for the establishment of a 
National Technical Regulatory Framework (N TRF) for Seychelles. The purpose of the 
NTRF is to establish the country's technical regulatory responsibilities. Such a framework will ensure that Se ychelles' technical regulations comply with requirements 
of international and regional trade agreements. This provision will be included in this strategy. 
6. Development and Application of Standards 
and Conformity Assessment Procedures: Existence of legal and/or administrative underpinnings (or "reasonable measures" as appropriate) to ensure ongoing compliance with provisions of the agreement concerning, in particular: 6. Article 4 and Annex 3, Article 
8   
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- 7 - Commitments (by the time of accession) WTO Reference Status (as of May 2013) 
 (a) non-discrimination with respect to the 
treatment of products;  (a) Annex 3 (D), Article 8.1 The technical regulations currently in place accord non-discrimination provisions with 
respect to the treatment of products. (Note: Provision has been made in the SBS Ac t and regulations.)  Ho wever, we need to 
take into consideration that there are other agencies in Seychelles that have established technical re gulations, for example, the Minist ry of Health, the Ministry of 
Environment, the Department of the ICT, etc. or will, in the future, be establishing TRs, 
such as, Seychelles Energy Commission, Fair Trading Commission, etc. These agencies need to make provision for this in their Act or regulations.  Another approach is for the Government of Seychelles to  have a strategy for the 
establishment of a National Technical Regulatory Framework for Seychelles. The purpose of the NTRF is to establish the coun try's technical regulatory responsibilities. 
Such a framework will ensure that Seychelles' technical regulations comply with requirements of international and regional trade agreements. This provision will be included in this strategy. 
 (b) the prohibition of unnecessary obstacles to 
international trade;  (b) Annex 3 (E), Article 8.1 The current legislation requires a review to incorporate this provision. 
(Note: Provision has been made in the SBS Ac t and regulations.)  Ho wever, we need to 
take into consideration that there are other agencies in Seychelles that have established technical regulati ons, for example, the Minist ry of Health, Ministry of 
Environment, Department of the ICT, etc. or  will, in the future, be establishing TRs, 
such as, Seychelles Energy Commission, Fair Trading Commission, etc. These agencies need to make provision for this in their Act or regulations.  Another approach is for the Government of Seychelles to  have a strategy for the 
establishment of a National Technical Regula tory Framework (NTRF) for Seychelles. The 
purpose of the NTRF is to establish the coun try's technical regulatory responsibilities. 
Such a framework will ensure that Seychelles' technical regulations comply with requirements of international and regional trade agreements. This provision will be included in this strategy. 
 (c) the consideration of appropriate 
international standards, guides and recommendations as a basis for standards;  (c) Annex 3 (F), Article 8.1 Standards prescribed by CODEX, ISO and IEC are taken into consideration. Appropriate 
international standards, guides and reco mmendations will be used as a basis for 
technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures. 
 (d) non-discriminatory  and cost-based fee 
structure.  (d) Annex 3 (M), Annex 3 
(P), Articles 8.1, 10.4 Current legislation does allow for non-discr iminatory and cost-based fee structure. 
 
 
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