G/TBT/W/423  
 
26 October 2015  
(15-5645)  Page: 1/1  
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
  REQUEST FOR OBSERVER STATUS BY THE AFRICAN ORGANIZATION FOR 
STANDARDIZATION (ARSO) TO THE WTO COMMITTEE ON TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO 
TRADE 
SUBMISSION FROM UGANDA 
The following submission, dated 22 October 2015, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Uganda. 
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 1.  The delegation of Uganda has noted the request for observer status in the WTO TBT Committee by the African Organization for Standardizat ion (ARSO) from document G/TBT/GEN/2/Rev.9 
circulated by the Secretariat on 12 October 2015. 
2.  Uganda would like to inform Members that the mandate of ARSO includes the development of 
tools for formulation, harmonization and implementation of standards with the cardinal objectives 
of enhancing Africa’s internal trade capacity, increasing the global competitiveness of Africa’s 
products and services and uplifting the welfare of consumers in Africa.  In according to its vision and mission, ARSO strives to promote trade and industry and facilitate intra-African and global 
trade through provision and facilitation of the implementation of harmonized standards that are 
normally used as the basis for technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures. 
3.  In carrying out its mandate, ARSO seeks to, inter alia, encourage and facilitate the adoption of 
international standards by its Members Bodies; coordinate the view of its Members at the 
International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Electrotechnical Commission 
(IEC), International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius 
Commission, and other international organizations that provide standardization and related 
activities; and promote and facilitate exchange of experts, information and cooperation in training 
in standardization activities. ARSO is also coordinating the continental-wide harmonization of standards to promote intra-African and global trade. 
4.  In addition, two key strategic objectives of ARSO within the ARSO strategic framework 2012-
2017, are to establish a standards harmonization system that supports a sound regulatory framework and disseminate harmonized standards,  guidelines and recommendations to support 
intra-, inter- African and international trade and these closely relate to the discussions held in the 
TBT Committee. 
5.  The above attributes of ARSO are in tand em with the Preamble, Article 2.6 and Annex 3, 
paragraphs F and G of the TBT Agreement. 
6.  The delegation of Uganda therefore recognizes that ARSO is a relevant standardization 
organization in the area of harmonization of standards and technical regulations within the African continent and ARSO is especially useful in spearheading the adoption of international standards 
that are usually incorporated into technical regulations which if not harmonized can create 
unnecessary obstacles to international trade. 
7.  On the basis of the attributes of ARSO outl ined above, the delegation of Uganda supports the 
request for observer status of ARSO in the TBT Committee and would like to recommend that the 
Committee grants the request. 
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