WT/CTE/EDB/12  
 
5 March 2014  
(14-1348)  Page: 1/35  
Committee on Trade and Environment   
 
 
   
  ENVIRONMENTAL DATABASE FOR 2012 
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT
1 
1. The WTO Environmental Database (EDB) for 2012 covers information on: (i) national 
environment-related measures notified under WTO Agreements, (Section 1); (ii) environment-
related provisions of notified Regional Trade Ag reements (RTAs), (Section 2); and (iii) national 
environment-related measures or programmes, mentioned in Trade Policy Reviews (TPRs) carried out in 2012 (Section 3).
2   
2. In order to facilitate usage of EDB information, the EDB is being circulated in two parts: this 
document, which contains a brief description and overall analysis of the environment-related notifications and TPRs; and document WT/CTE/EDB/ 12/Add.1, exclusively circulated electronically, 
which provides the underlying data used for the analysis.
3   
3. The electronic data in WT/CTE/EDB/12/A dd.1 enables users to search through all 
EDB environment-related information according to specific criteria, for instance by Member, 
Agreement, type of measure, produc t, activity, or environmental objective.  The electronic file is 
divided into two main worksheets:  "Notifications", listing all the environment-related notifications; and "TPRs", providing the environment-related inform ation mentioned in TPRs.  In addition, a third 
worksheet entitled "Summary" is included to allow users to retrieve pre-defined summary tables 
and graphs.  
 
_______________ 
 
                                               
1 This document has been prepared under the Secret ariat's own responsibility and without prejudice to 
the positions of Members and to their rights and obligations under the WTO. 
2 To recall, the EDB is prepared in response to a recommendation in the 1996 Report of the Committee 
on Trade and Environment (CTE) to the Singapore Minist erial Conference for the Se cretariat to compile and 
update annually all environment-related notifications to the WTO (see WT/CTE/1) and was initiated in 1998 
(see WT/CTE/3).  The list of search words is contained in Annex I to this document; the list of abbreviations is 
contained in Annex VI.  See also the following documents containing information on search words: WT/CTE/W/46, WT/CTE/W/78 and WT/CTE/W/102. 
Previous Environmental Databases have been circulated in the following documents: EDB 1996 in 
WT/CTE/W/46, EDB 1997 in WT/CTE/W/77, EDB 1998 in WT/CTE/W/118, EDB 1999 in WT/CTE/W/143, 
EDB 2000 in WT/CTE/W/195, EDB 2001 in WT/CTE/EDB/1, EDB 2002 in WT/CTE/EDB/2, EDB 2003 in WT/CTE/EDB/3, EDB 2004 in WT/CTE/EDB/4, EDB 2005 in WT/CTE/EDB/5, EDB 2006 in WT/CTE/EDB/6, 
EDB 2007 in WT/CTE/EDB/7, EDB 2008 in WT/CTE/EDB/8 , EDB 2009 in WT/CTE/EDB/9 and Add.1, EDB 2010 
in WT/CTE/EDB/10 and Add.1, and EDB 2011 in WT/CTE/EDB/11 and Add.1.   
3 Annex VII provides the electronic EDB user's guide. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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  TABLE OF CONTENTS 
1   NOTIFICATIONS OF NATIONAL MEASURES ................................................................. 4  
1.1   Regulatory Measures .................................................................................................. 7  
1.1.1   Quantitative Restri ctions Provisio ns (QRs) .................................................................. 7  
1.1.2   Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures (ILP) ........................................................ 9  
1.1.3   Agreement on Safeguards ....................................................................................... 11 
1.1.4   Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) ......................................................... 11 
1.1.5   Agreement on the Application of Sa nitary and Phytosanit ary Measures (SPS) ................. 13 
1.2   Support Measures ..................................................................................................... 15 
1.2.1   Agreement on Subsidies an d Countervailing Me asures (SCM) ....................................... 15 
1.2.2   Agreement on Agricu lture ....................................................................................... 17 
1.2.3   Plurilateral Agreement on  Government Proc urement (GPA) .......................................... 19 
1.3   Other Measures ........................................................................................................ 20 
1.3.1   General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) ........................................................ 20 
1.3.2   Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) ................... 21 
1.3.3   Agreement on Customs Valu ations ........................................................................... 21 
1.3.4   Agreement on State Trading .................................................................................... 23 
2   NOTIFICATIONS OF TRADE AGREEMENTS ................................................................. 23  
2.1.1   Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) including the Understanding on the 
Interpretation of Articl e XXIV of the GATT 1994.................................................................... 23 
3   INFORMATION CONTAINED IN  TRADE POLICY  REVIEWS .......................................... 24  
4   ANNEXES ................................................................................................................... 27  
Annex I: Environment-related Search Words as Agreed by  Members in 1999 ............................ 27 
Annex II: Number of Environment-related Notifications (2003-2012) ....................................... 28 
Annex III: Number of Environment-related Notifications and Measures (2012) .......................... 29 
Annex IV: Search Word Frequency in Notifications in 2012 ..................................................... 30 
Annex V: Search Words Frequency in TPRs in 2012 ............................................................... 31 
Annex VI: Abbreviations ................................................................................................... 32 
Annex VII: Electronic EDB User's Guide ............................................................................... 33 
A. What information is available in the Electronic EDB? .......................................................... 33 
A.1. "Notifications" worksheet ............................................................................................ 33 
A.2. "TPRs" worksheet ...................................................................................................... 33 
A.3. "Summary " worksheet ............................................................................................... 34 
B. How to use the electronic EDB? ...................................................................................... 34 
 WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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  TABLE OF CHARTS 
Chart 1.1: Environment-relate d Notifications (2003 – 2012)  ................................................... 4  
Chart 1.2: Environment-related Notification s in Selected Agreem ents (2003 - 2012) .................. 5  
Chart 1.3: Environment-related Noti fications by Agre ement (2012) .......................................... 6  
Chart 1.4: Types of Environment-related Notifications (2012)  ................................................. 7  
Chart 1.5: Environment-related QR s Notifications (2003 – 2 012) ............................................. 8  
Chart 1.6: Types of Environment-re lated QRs Notifica tions ( 2012) ........................................... 9  
Chart 1.7: Environment-related ILP Notification s (2003 – 2012) ............................................. 10 
Chart 1.8: Types of Environment- related ILP Notifi cations (2012)  ........................................... 10 
Chart 1.9: Environment-related Safeguards Notifications (2003 - 2012) ................................... 11 
Chart 1.10: Environment-related TBT Notification s (2003 - 2012) ........................................... 12 
Chart 1.11:  Types of Environment-related TBT Notifications (2012) ........................................ 13 
Chart 1.12:  Environment-related SPS Notifications (2003 - 2012) .......................................... 14 
Chart 1.13:  Types of Environment-related SPS Notifications (2012)  ....................................... 15 
Chart 1.14:  Environment-related SCM Notification s (2003 - 2012) ......................................... 16 
Chart 1.15:  Types of Environment-related SCM Notifications (2012) ....................................... 17 
Chart 1.16:  Environment-related Agri culture Notificati ons (2003 - 2012)  ................................ 18 
Chart 1.17:  Types of Environment-rela ted Agriculture Noti fications (2012)  .............................. 19 
Chart 1.18:  Environment-related GPA Notifications (2003 - 2012) .......................................... 20 
Chart 1.19:  Environment-related GATS Notification s (2003 – 2012) ....................................... 21 
Chart 1.20:  Environment-related TRIPS Notifications (2003 – 2012) ....................................... 22 
Chart 1.21: Environment-related Customs Valuations Notifica tions (2003 - 2012) ..................... 22 
Chart 1.22:  Environment-related Stat e Trading Notificati ons (2003 – 2012) ............................ 23 
Chart 2.1:  Environment-related RT As Notifications (2003 - 2012) .......................................... 24 
Chart 3.1:  Environment-related Measures, Pr ovisions or Programmes in TPRs (2012) ............... 25 
Chart 3.2:  Type of Environment-relate d Measures Mentioned in TPRs (2012) ........................... 25 
Chart 3.3:   Sectors Covered by Environment- related Measures Mentioned in TPRs (2012) ......... 26 
Chart 4.1 Search  function ................................................................................................. 35 
 
 WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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  1  NOTIFICATIONS OF NATIONAL MEASURES 
1.1.  This document provides an overall description and analysis of the notifications under relevant 
WTO Agreements of measures whose objective is environment-related.  These notifications were compiled as the result of a search on 3,374 do cuments submitted by Members in 2012 under the 
following WTO Agreements:  Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT); Agreement on the 
Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS); Agreement on Subsidies and 
Countervailing Measures (SCM); Agreement on Agriculture; Agreement on Anti-Dumping; 
Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures (I LP); Agreement on Safeguards; Agreement on 
Customs Valuation;  GATT Article XVII on State Trading Enterprises;  Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs), including the Understanding on the Interpretation of Article XXIV of the GATT 1994;  Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS);  the General 
Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS); Decision on Notification Procedures for Quantitative 
Restrictions (QRs);  Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs);  Understanding on the Balance-of-Payments Provisions of the GATT 1994 (BoP);  Agreement on Preshipment 
Inspection;  Agreement on Rules of Origin;  Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA);  
Information Technology Agreement (ITA);  and other notifications such as measures to the Committee on Trade and Development (CTD).   
1.2.  Environment-related notifications can be broadly grouped into two categories.  The first 
consists of notifications that mention environmental protection as the principal objective of the notified measure. The second category includes notifications that are not primarily aimed at environmental protection, but contain environment-related elements.  In both categories, 
reference is made only to the environmental object ive of the measure.  Further, some notifications 
are made for each and every measure (such as most notifications under the TBT and SPS Agreements); others concern various measures in  a single report type document (such as the 
SCM and Agriculture Agreements).  In the latter case the various measures are reported 
separately. In addition, there might be cases where several notifications refer to the same environment-related measure.   
Chart 1.1: Environment-related Notifications (2003 – 2012) 
10% 11% 11%15%14% 13% 14%13%16% 17%247 244311357 353395474
453477569
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Share of environment-related notifications Total environment-related notifications
 
 
 
 WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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  1.3.  In 2012, of the 3,374 notifications submitted4, 16.9% were environment-related 
(569 environment-related notifications covering a total of 963 environment-related measures).  Although there has been a substantial increase in the number of notifications of environment-
related measures to the WTO in recent years (from 165 notifications in 1997 to 569 notifications in 
2012), their share has remained relatively stable over the last six years (13% to 17%).  The 
average share of environment-related notificati ons between 1997 and 2012 is 12%, representing 
on average 322 environment-related notifications submitted annually (see Annex II).  The number 
of environment-related measures covered by the notifications decreased, from 1,175 environment-
related measures in 2011 to 963 in 2012, representing an 18% decrease (see Annex III on the number of environment-related notifications and measures).  
Chart 1.2: Environment-related Notification s in Selected Agreements (2003 - 2012) 
050100150200250300350400
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012TBT SPS SCM Agriculture ILP
 
 
 1.4.  As in 2011, the search words with the highest frequency associated with the 
569 environment-related notifications continued to be "environment" (found in 60% of all 
environment-related notifications), "energy" (25%),  and "bio" (16%).  Other frequently mentioned 
keywords include species (15%) and "conserv(ation)" (14%) (see Annex IV on the search word 
frequency in notifications). 
1.5.  As in previous years, and since 2002, th e TBT and SPS Agreements had the highest number 
of environment-related notifications (353 and 91 notifications respectively), accounting for 62% and 16% respectively of all WTO environment-related notifications in 2012.  Environment-related 
notifications to the TBT Agreement displayed the highest growth in numbers in 2012, from 
268 environmental-related notifications in 2011 to 353 in 2012, representing a 32% increase. Environment-related notifications to the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures also registered 
a 30% increase from 23 notifications in 2011 to 30 in 2012. 
1.6.  In terms of measures, the TBT Agreement also reported the highest number of environment-
related measures with 353 measures, followed by the Agreement on Agriculture (221 measures), 
the Decision of the Council for Trade in Goods on Notification Procedures for Quantitative 
Restrictions (112), the ILP Agreement (102) and the SPS Agreement (91) (see Annex III). 
                                               
4 This number includes regular noti fications, as well as addenda, corri genda and revisions, except in the 
case of TBT and SPS (regular) notifications. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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  Chart 1.3: Environment-related Notifications by Agreement (2012) 
TBT, 353 (62.0%)
Quantitative 
Restrictions, 13 
(2.3)
SPS, 91  16.0%RTAs, 2 (0.4%)SCM, 17 (3.0%)ILP, 30 (5.3%)TRIPS, 5 (0.9%)GPA, 1 (0.2%)Agriculture, 45 
(7.9%)GATS, 3 (0.5%)State Trading, 4 
(0.7%)Customs Valuation, 
3 (0.5%)Safeguards, 2 
(0.4%)
 
 
 
1.7.  The 963 measures mentioned in the 569 notifications addressed a broad range of environmental objectives, including the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem (18% of all environment-related measures described in the notifications), management of chemical and 
hazardous substances (18%), plant protection (17%) and animal protection (15%), as well as the 
implementation of and compliance with obligations under various multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) (16%), such as the Convention  on International Trade in Endangered Species 
of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living 
Resources, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the Montreal Protocol on 
Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol), the Stockholm Convention on 
Persistent Organic Pollutants (Stockholm Convention), the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior 
Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (Rotterdam Convention) and the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of 
Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal (Basel Convention).  
1.8.  Other reported environmental objectives in cluded the promotion of energy conservation and 
efficiency (14%), sustainable agriculture management (11%), water management (10%), environmental protection from pests and diseas es (8%), waste management and recycling (7%), 
climate change mitigation (7%), soil management (7%), air pollution reduction (5%), natural 
resources conservation (5%), alternative an d renewable energy (5%) and ozone layer 
protection (4%).   WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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  Chart 1.4: Types of Environment-related Notifications (2012) 5 
1 1 4192341 43 4650 516370 72 7596103136145152167 170 171
0.1%0.1%0.4% 2% 2% 4% 4% 5% 5% 5% 7% 7% 7% 8% 10% 11% 14% 15% 16% 17% 18% 18%
Sustainable mining management
Sustainable and environmentally
friendly production
Afforestation/reforestation
Sustainable fisheries management
Sustainable forestry management
General environmental protection
Ozone layer protection
Alternative and renewable energy
Natural resources conservation
Air pollution reduction
Soil management
Climate change mitigation
Waste management and recycling
Environmental protection from pests
and diseases
Water management
Sustainable agriculture management
Energy conservation and efficiency
Animal protection
MEAs implementation and
compliance
Plant protection
Chemical, toxic and hazardous
substances management
Biodiversity and ecosystem
Type of Objective 
 
 
 
1.9.  Seventy-nine Members submitted notifications of environment-related measures in 2012, with the European Union (58 notifications), the United States (53), Jordan (29) and Chile (25) 
leading the way.  As in previous years, the European Union and the United States are the Members 
that annually notify the highest number of environment-related notifications. 
1.1  Regulatory Measures 1.1.1  Quantitative Restrictions Provisions (QRs) 
1.10.  In 2012, 13 of the 14 notifications submitte d pursuant to the Decision of the Council for 
Trade in Goods on Notification Procedures for Quantitative Restrictions contained environment-related issues (93% of all QRs notifications), covering 112 environment-related measures.   
                                               
5 Since more than one environmental objective can be mentioned in a notification, the total number 
may exceed 100 per cent. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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  Chart 1.5: Environment-related QRs Notifications (2003 – 2012) 
25%70%
17% 25%50%33% 25% 17% 25%93%27
1234
2
1213
Share of environment-related QRs notifications Number of environment-related QRs notifications
 
 
 
 
1.11.  Animal and animal products, such as th e endangered species listed in CITES appendices, 
Antarctic toothfish and Patagonian toothfish, yellowfin tuna, and various cetacean, were included in 32% of all environment-related measures described in the QRs notifications.  Other products 
covered by the environment-related QRs measures included chemicals, such as ozone depleting 
substances and hazardous substances (31%), wood and wood products (21%), mineral products (9%), machinery and electrical (8%), and waste (8%). 
1.12.  Bans and prohibitions were mentioned in 58% of all the 2012 environment-related 
QRs measures.  Other types of measures being reported included export licenses (35%) and 
import licenses (30%). 
1.13.  Compliance with obligations under various MEAs, such as the Convention for the 
Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, the United Nations Framework Convention on 
Climate Change (UNFCCC), CITES, IPCC, Montreal Protocol, Basel Convention, Stockholm Convention, and Rotterdam Convention, were mentioned in 40% of all environment-related 
notified QRs measures.  Other environmental objectives included biodiversity and ecosystem 
conservation (38%), plant protection (29%), chemicals management (21%), ozone layer protection (13%), natural resources conservation (9%), waste management (9%) and sustainable forestry management (7%). 
1.14.  Developing countries notified 69% of the environment-related QRs notifications, while 
31% were made by developed countries, and 13% by least-developed countries. 
 WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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  Chart 1.6: Types of Environment-related QRs Notifications (2012)6 
7% 9% 9% 13% 21% 29% 33% 38% 40% 30% 35% 58% 8% 8% 9% 16% 21% 31% 32%810 10152332374245
343965
99 10182335 36Sustainable forestry management
Waste management and recycling
Natural resources conservation
Ozone layer protection
Chemical, toxic and hazardous
substances management
Plant protection
Animal protection
Biodiversity and ecosystem
MEAs implementation and
compliance
Import licenses/permits/certificates
Export licenses/permits/certificates
Ban/Prohibition
Machinery and electrical
Waste
Mineral products
Vegetable products
Wood and wood products
Chemicals
Animal and animal products
Type of Objective Type of Measure Type of Product 
 
 
1.1.2  Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures (ILP) 
1.15.  In 2012, of the 85 notifications7 submitted by Members under the ILP Agreement, 30 (35%) 
were environment-related.  Those 30 notifications referred to 102 environment-related measures.8  
1.16.  Chemicals, such as ozone depleting su bstances, radioactive substances, explosives, 
pesticides and fertilizers, were mentioned in 51% of all environment-related measures described in the ILP notifications.  Other products covered by  the environment-related ILP measures included 
animals and animal products (38%), vegetable pr oducts (28%), wood and wood products (27%), 
waste (17%), machinery (5%) and motor vehicles (5%). 
1.17.  Import and export licenses were reported in 96% and 14% of the 2012 environment-related 
ILP measures, while 19% of these notified measures referred to bans and prohibitions. 
1.18.  Compliance with obligations under MEAs , such as CITES, Basel Convention, Stockholm 
Convention, Rotterdam Convention and Montreal  Protocol, was stated as the environmental 
objective of 61% of the environment-related ILP measures.  Other environment-related objectives 
included biodiversity conservation (37%), anim al protection (36%), chemical and hazardous 
substances management (33%), plant protection (31%), followed by waste management (20%), ozone layer protection (18%), and environmental protection from pests and diseases (6%).  
1.19.  Developing countries notified 60% of the environment-related ILP notifications, while 
27% were made by developed countries, and 13% by least-developed countries. 
                                               
6 Since more than one product/measure/objective can be mentioned in a notification, the total number 
may exceed 100 per cent. 
7 This number includes regula r notifications as well as adde nda, corrigenda and revisions. 
8 Most ILP notifications contain more than one measure. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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  Chart 1.7: Environment-related ILP Notifications (2003 – 2012) 
28% 30%33%31%
20%39%
28% 29% 29%35%16
121519
132023
212330
Share of environment-related ILP notifications Number of environment-related ILP notifications
 
 
 
Chart 1.8: Types of Environment-related ILP Notifications (2012)9 
6% 18% 20% 31% 33% 36% 37% 61% 14% 19% 96% 5% 5% 17% 27% 28% 38% 51%61820323437 3862
141998
5 51728 293952Environmental protection from pests
and diseases
Ozone layer protection
Waste management and recycling
Plant protection
Chemical, toxic and hazardous
substances management
Animal protection
Biodiversity and ecosystem
MEAs implementation and
compliance
Export licenses/permits/certificates
Ban/Prohibition
Import licenses/pe rmits/certificates
Mineral products
Machinery and electrical
Waste
Wood and wood products
Vegetable products
Animal and animal products
Chemicals
Type of Objective Type of Measure Type of Product 
                                               
9 Since more than one product/measure/objective can be mentioned in a notification, the total number 
may exceed 100 per cent. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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  1.1.3  Agreement on Safeguards 
1.20.  As in 2011, two (2%) safeguards notifications in 2012 were environment-related (out of 
89 Safeguards notifications10 submitted in 2012) and referred to the application by Turkey of 
special measures to provide an opportunity for the domestic matches industry to reduce costs and 
increase energy efficiency by completely converting  the energy system to natural gas as well as to 
reduce the use of chemicals. 
Chart 1.9: Environment-related Safeguards Notifications (2003 - 2012) 
0.7%3%
1%12
1
0000022
Share of environment-relate d Safeguards notifications
Number of environment-relate d Safeguards notifications 
 
 1.1.4  Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) 
1.21.  In 2012, of the 1,511 regular notifications
11 submitted by Members under Articles 2 and 5 of 
the TBT Agreement, 353 (23%) cited environment as an objective of the notified technical 
regulation and/or conformity assessment procedure.  
1.22.  Although the number of environment-relate d TBT notifications has increased significantly 
with respect to 2011, their share with respect to all 2012 TBT notifications has remained constant 
from 22.0% in 2011 to 22.8% in 2012.  Th e average share of environment-related 
TBT notifications for the 1991-2012 period is 14.9%, representing 127 environment-related 
TBT notifications submitted annually. 
                                               
10 This number includes regula r notifications as well as adde nda, corrigenda and revisions. 
11 This number only includes regular notifications bu t excludes addenda, corrige nda and revisions, which 
are usually procedural documents not providin g additional substantive information.   WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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  Chart 1.10: Environment-related TBT Notifications (2003 - 2012)12 
13%17% 16% 18% 16%19% 18% 19%22% 23%100107121155168238274 270 268353
Share of environment-related TBT notifications Number of environment-related TBT notifications
 
 
 
1.23.  Eighty-five per cent of the 2012 environment-related TBT notifications were notified as 
technical regulations under Article 2 of the TBT Agreement, while five per cent were notified as 
conformity assessment procedures under Article 5.  Seven per cent were simultaneously notified 
as both a technical regulation and a conformity assessment procedure, while the remaining three 
per cent were notified under other transparency provisions. 
1.24.  The products that were most frequent ly associated with the environment-related 
TBT notifications were machinery and electrical ap paratus, such as heating systems, batteries and 
accumulators, showers, audio/video equipment, washing machines, and lamps, found in 36% of 
the environment-related TBT notifications.  Other products covered included chemicals such as 
toxic substances, explosives, fertilizers, pesticides, biocidal products and cosmetics (30%), motor vehicles (8%), animal products (6%), foodstu ffs (6%), vegetable products (5%), and mineral 
products (5%).   
1.25.  The 2012 environment-related TBT measures were mainly technical/quality specifications 
(found in 55% of the environment-related TBT notifications), evaluations of conformity and 
certification procedures (38%), performance/efficiency specifications (23%), and 
labelling/packaging/marking specifications (22%).  Other measures included harmonization provisions (18%), handling/distribution specifications (5%) and prohibitions requirements (5%). 
1.26.  Energy conservation and efficiency was the most frequent environmental objective, 
mentioned in 31% of the environment-related notifications.  Other environmental objectives 
included the management of chemical and ha zardous substances (29%), climate change 
mitigation (15%), air pollution reduction (10%), biodiversity and ecosystem protection (10%), 
water management (10%), waste management and recycling (7%), plant protection (6%) and 
alternative and renewable energy (6%).  
                                               
12 Any discrepancy with figures from previous EDBs are due to the fact that addenda, corrigenda and 
revisions are not included here. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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  Chart 1.11:  Types of Environment-related TBT Notifications (2012)13 
6% 6% 7% 10%10%10%15%29%31% 5% 5% 9% 18%22%23%38%55% 5% 5% 6% 6% 8% 30%36%2122253435 3552104108
181931637881135195
1819212230107126Alternative and renewable energy
Plant protection
Waste management and recycling
Water management
Biodiversity and ecosystem
Air pollution reduction
Climate change mitigation
Chemical, toxic and hazardous
substances management
Energy conservation and efficiency
Ban/Prohibition
Handling/transportation/storage/distr
ibution specification
Registration requirement
Harmonization specification
Labelling/packaging/marking
specification
Performance/efficiency specification
Conformity assessment procedure
Technical/quality specification
Mineral products
Vegetable products
Foodstuffs
Animal and animal products
Motor vehicles
Chemicals
Machinery and electrical
Type of Objective Type of Measure Type of Product 
 
 
 
1.27.  The 2012 environment-related TBT notifications were made by both developing and developed countries (65% and 35%, respectively), with the United States (47 notifications) and 
the European Union (45) leading the way, followed by Jordan (29), Kenya (16), Uganda (16), 
Israel (12), Brazil (12) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (12), amongst others.  
1.1.5  Agreement on the Application of Sa nitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) 
1.28.  In 2012, out of the 856 regular notifications
14 made under the SPS Agreement, 91 (11%) 
were environment-related.15  The number and share of environment-related SPS notifications with 
respect to all the SPS notifications increased from 7.5% in 2011 to 10.6% in 2012, a level higher than the average share of 8.7% for the period 1997-2012. 
                                               
13 Since more than one product/measure/objective can be mentioned in a notification, the total number 
may exceed 100 per cent. 
14 This number only includes regular notifications bu t excludes addenda, corrige nda and revisions, which 
are procedural documents not providing ad ditional substantive information.   
15 Although SPS measures deal with the safety and protection of human, animal and plant health, not all 
of them have been included in this environmental database.  For instance, notifications of measures dealing 
with pests pertinent to the protection of agricultural cr ops or farm animals have been excluded; yet they have 
been included if they pertain to the protection of "te rritory" or the wild-environme nt or plants in general. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 14 - 
 
  Chart 1.12:  Environment-related SPS Notifications (2003 - 2012)16 
7% 9% 8%16%12% 9% 11%8% 8%11%5057105140
98
8481 83
7691
Share of environment-related SPS notifications Number of environment-related SPS notifications
 
 
 
1.29.  Vegetable products, such as seeds, plants for planting, flowers, fruits, rice, organic products 
and modified organisms, were mentioned in 42% of the 2012 environment-related 
SPS notifications.  Other products included animal and animal products (including eggs and live birds and fish) found in 41% of the notifications, chemicals such as pesticides (14%), wood and 
wood products (7%), and foodstuffs (5%). 
1.30.  The environment-related SPS measures were mainly technical/quality specifications (found 
in 42% of the environment-related SPS notifications), ban and prohibitions (29%), risk analysis and toxicological evaluation (24%) and conformity  assessment procedures (22%).  Other forms of 
SPS measures included movement control (14%), registration requirements (13%), derogation or 
withdrawal of the SPS requirements (10%), harmonization provisions (5%), and handling, transportation, storage and distribution specifications (5%).  
1.31.  Plant protection and environmental protection from pests and diseases were mentioned in 
57% and 44% of the environment-related SPS noti fications, respectively.  Other environmental 
objectives included animal protection (found in  41% of the notifications), implementation and 
compliance with MEAs, mainly the International Plant Protection Convention (31%) and 
biodiversity and ecosystem conservation (10%). 
1.32.  Of the 91 SPS environment-related notifications made in 2012, 79% were made by 
developing countries.  Chile (14 notifications), the Philippines (9), Nicaragua (6), New Zealand (5), 
Costa Rica (5), Peru (5) and Ukraine (6) were the countries that submitted the most environment-
related SPS notifications. 
                                               
16 Any discrepancy with figures from previous EDBs are due to the fact that addenda, corrigenda and 
revisions are not included here. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 15 - 
 
  Chart 1.13:  Types of Environment-related SPS Notifications (2012) 17 
10% 31% 41% 44% 57% 5% 5% 10% 13% 14% 22% 24% 29% 42% 5% 7% 14% 41% 42%928374052
559121320222638
56133738Biodiversity and ecosystem
MEAs implementation and
compliance
Animal protection
Environmental protection from pests
and diseases
Plant protection
Handling/transportation/storage/distr
ibution specification
Harmonization specification
Derogation/Withdrawal
Registration requirement
Movement control
Conformity assessment procedure
Risk analysis and toxicological
evaluation procedure
Ban/Prohibition
Technical/quality specification
Foodstuffs
Wood and wood products
Chemicals
Animal and animal products
Vegetable products
Type of Objective Type of Measure Type of Product 
 
 
1.2  Support Measures 
1.2.1  Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) 
1.33.  In 2012, of the 108 notifications18 submitted by Members under the SCM Agreement,  
17 (approximately 16%) were environment-related,  covering a total of 58 environment-related 
measures.19  During 1997-2012, the number of environment-related SCM notifications varied, 
ranging from five to 47 notifications, with an average of 25 notifications per year, representing 
17.6% of all SCM notifications. 
1.34.  In 2012, 41% of all the measures mentione d in the environment-related SCM notifications 
concerned the energy sector.  Other specific activities identified included manufacturing (36%), 
agriculture (17%), services (17%), research and development (R&D) (12%), fisheries (10%), 
public administration (9%), forestry (7%), co nstruction (5%) and motor vehicles (5%).  
1.35.  As in previous years, the notified meas ures predominantly took the form of grants and 
direct payments, including conditional contributions (found in 78% of all the environment-related 
SCM measures).  Other forms of support includ ed tax concessions  (17%) and loans (9%).  
1.36.  Besides general environmental protection, the promotion of alternative and renewable 
energy and energy conservation and efficiency were some of the most frequently mentioned 
environmental objectives in the 2012 environment-related SCM notifications (22% of all the 
environment-related SCM measures respectively).  Other environment-related objectives cited included, amongst others, water management (17% ), climate change mitigation (17%), waste 
management and recycling (14%), sustainable fisheries management(10%), and biodiversity and 
ecosystem protection (5%).  
                                               
17 Since more than one product/measure/objective can be mentioned in a notification, the total number 
may exceed 100 per cent. 
18 This number includes regula r notifications as well as adde nda, corrigenda and revisions. 
19 Most SCM notifications contain more than one measure. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 16 - 
 
  Chart 1.14:  Environment-related SCM Notifications (2003 - 2012) 
19%11%16%8%20%
5%22%
7%34%
16%33
1327
833
540
847
17
Share of environment-related SCM notifications Number of environment-related SCM notifications 
 
 
1.37.  Of the 17 SCM environment-related notifications made in 2012, 73% were submitted by developing countries and 27% by developed countries.  The European Union and Peru were the 
countries that submitted the most environment-related SCM notifications, with 3 notifications 
each. 
 WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 17 - 
 
  Chart 1.15:  Types of Environment-related SCM Notifications (2012)20 
3% 3% 5% 10%14%17%17%22%22%33% 9% 17%78% 5% 7% 9% 9% 10%12%14%17%17%36%41%2236810 1013 1319
51045
345567810 102124Air pollution reduction
Sustainable forestry management
Biodiversity and ecosystem
Sustainable fisheries management
Waste management and recycling
Water management
Climate change mitigation
Energy conservation and efficiency
Alternative and renewable energy
General environmental protection
Loans
Tax concessions
Grants and direct payments
Construction
Transport
Public administration
Forestry and logging
Fisheries and aquaculture
Research and Development
All economic activities
Agriculture
Services
Manufacturing
Energy
Type of Objective Type of
MeasureType of Activity
 
 
 
1.2.2  Agreement on Agriculture 
1.38.  In 2012, of the 203 notifications21 submitted by Members under the Agreement on 
Agriculture, 45 (22%) were environment-re lated and covered 221 environment-related 
measures.22 
1.39.  Eighty per cent of the environment-related measures were notified as Green Box measures, 
while 14% were notified pursuant to Article 18.3 on new domestic support measures or modification of an existing measure.  The re maining 4%, and 2% of the environment-related 
agriculture measures, were notified under Articl e 16 on bilateral assistance projects for Least-
Developed Net Food-Importing Countries and under Article 6 on Development Programmes, respectively.   
                                               
20 Since more than one product/measure/objective can be mentioned in a notification, the total number 
may exceed 100 per cent. 
21 This number includes regula r notifications as well as adde nda, corrigenda and revisions. 
22 Most notifications under the Agreement on Agriculture contain more than one measure. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 18 - 
 
  Chart 1.16:  Environment-related Agriculture Notifications (2003 - 2012) 
20% 18% 17% 19%29%
18% 17%25% 24% 22%34
29
252434
243649
4445
Share of environment-related Agriculture notifications
Number of environment-related Agriculture notifications 
 
 1.40.  In addition to the agriculture sector, found in 97% of all the environment-related 
notifications, a number of other activities, including research and development (10%) and 
forestry (8%) were also mentioned. 
1.41.  Specified domestic support associated wi th the environment-related notifications to the 
Agreement on Agriculture encompassed mainly grants and direct payments (20%), non-monetary 
support, such as training and advisory services and research programs (16%), and loans (8%). 
1.42.  Sustainable agriculture management was explicitly mentioned in 39% of all environment-
related measures notified under the Agreement on Agriculture in 2012.  Other objectives included 
the conservation of water (21%), soil (20%), biodiversity (15%), and natural resources (14%), as 
well as plant protection (10%), protection of the environment from diseases (9%), sustainable 
forestry management (6%), promotion of alternative and renewable energy (5%), animal 
protection, and climate change mitigation (2%). 
1.43.  In 2012, developed countries made 38% of the environment-related notifications under the 
Agreement on Agriculture, while 62% were made by developing countries.  Although the 
European Union (6 notifications), Honduras (3), Panama (3) and Costa Rica (3) submitted the 
most environmental-related notifications under th e Agreement on Agriculture, the notifications 
made by Canada (2), Costa Rica and the United States (2) encompassed the highest number of environment-related programmes, with 27, 23 and 20 measures, respectively.  
 WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 19 - 
 
  Chart 1.17:  Types of Environment-re lated Agriculture Notifications (2012)23 
2% 4% 5% 5% 6% 9% 10% 14% 15% 20% 21% 39% 8% 16% 20% 58% 7% 10% 97%5 8 11 11 13 19 2131 3345 4786
173544129
1622214Climate change mitigation
General environmental protection
Animal protection
Alternative and renewable energy
Sustainable forestry management
Environmental protection from pests
and diseases
Plant protection
Natural resources conservation
Biodiversity and ecosystem
Soil management
Water management
Sustainable agriculture management
Loans
Non-monetary support
Grants and direct payments
Unspecified measures
Forestry and logging
Research and Development
Agriculture
Type of Objective Type of Measure Type of Activity
 
 
 
1.2.3  Plurilateral Agreement on  Government Procurement (GPA) 
1.44.  In 2012, of the 13 notifications24 submitted under the Agreement on Government 
Procurement, one, notified by Japan, report ed a policy for promoting the procurement of  
eco-friendly goods to enhance energy efficiency and rational use, solar power energy use, 
hazardous chemicals management, waste management and recycling, water conservation and 
volatile organic compounds reduction, amongst other environment-related objectives.   
                                               
23 Since more than one product/measure/objective can be mentioned in a notification, the total number 
may exceed 100 per cent. 
24 This number includes regula r notifications as well as adde nda, corrigenda and revisions. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 20 - 
 
  Chart 1.18:  Environment-related GPA Notifications (2003 - 2012) 
9%45%38%57% 62%
9% 13% 8% 015
4
3818
3
2
1
Share of environment-related GPA notifications Number of environment-related GPA notifications
 
 
 1.3  Other Measures 
1.3.1  General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) 
1.45.  In 2012, of the 66 notifications to the GATS, three (5%) contained environment-related 
issues.  Hong Kong, China submitted a notification referring to, amongst other things, the 
registration requirements for local fishing vessels in order to protect marine and fisheries 
resources.  The other two notifications, submitte d by Thailand, cited the regulations related to 
permits for breeding preserved or protected wildlife, and rules related to cinematography in national parks in order to ensure the protection of wildlife. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 21 - 
 
  Chart 1.19:  Environment-related GATS Notifications (2003 – 2012) 
8%2% 3% 4% 3% 5% 04
1 1
0002
13
Share of environment-related GATS notifications Number of environment-related GATS notifications
 
 
 
1.3.2  Agreement on Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) 
1.46.  In 2012, of the 139 notifications submi tted by Members under Article 63.2 of the TRIPS 
Agreement, five (4%) contained environment-rela ted provisions referring to non-patentability 
exception and protection of undisclosed informat ion necessary to protect the environment.  The 
remaining environment-related provisions cited in  the TRIPS notifications referred to regulations 
aimed at fostering the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components 
and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits aris ing from the utilization of genetic resources in 
compliance with the Convention on Biological Diversity.  
1.3.3  Agreement on Customs Valuations 
1.47.  For the first time since 2005, of the 13 Customs Valuations notifications25 submitted 
in 2012, three (23%), notified by Cabo Verde, Nicaragua and the Russian Federation, referred to 
environment-related provisions in their customs code authorising the prohibition and control of 
exports and imports of goods in order to protect the environment and life of animals and plants. 
                                               
25 This number includes regula r notifications as well as adde nda, corrigenda and revisions. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 22 - 
 
  Chart 1.20:  Environment-related TRIPS Notifications (2003 – 2012) 
3% 3% 3%5% 4% 5%2%8%14%
4%57
2237
289
5
Share of environment-related TRIPS notifications Number of environment-related TRIPS notifications
 
 
  
Chart 1.21: Environment-related Customs Valuations Notifications (2003 - 2012) 
8%23%
001
00000 03
Share of environment-related Customs Valuation notifications
Number of environment-related Customs Valuation notifications 
 
 WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 23 - 
 
   
1.3.4  Agreement on State Trading 
1.48.  In 2012, of the 39 notifications submitted under the Agreement on State Trading, 
four (10%) were environment-related.  The United States submitted a notification referring, 
amongst other things, to quantitative restrictions on the production of hydroelectric in order to 
manage water and conserve and enhance fish and wildlife.  The other three notifications, submitted by India, cited export restrictions in  order to conserve and use properly exhaustible 
natural resources, namely mineral and ores. 
 
Chart 1.22:  Environment-related Stat e Trading Notifications (2003 – 2012) 
8% 8%
3% 4% 5%10%3
011
01
04
04
Share of environment-related State Trading notifications
Number of environment-related State Trading notifications 
 
 
2  NOTIFICATIONS OF TRADE AGREEMENTS 
2.1.1  Regional Trade Agreements (RTA s) including the Understanding on the 
Interpretation of Article XXIV of the GATT 1994 
2.1.  In 2012, of the 37 notifications26 submitted under the RTAs Understanding, two (5%) 
mentioned an environment-related topic, in particular specific chapters related to trade and 
sustainable development or trade and the environment.27   
2.2.  The two environment-related notified RTAs involved both developed and developing 
countries, namely the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) with Montenegro, and EFTA with Hong Kong, China. 
 
                                               
26 This number includes regula r notifications as well as adde nda, corrigenda and revisions. 
27 The statistics only reflects keywords used in the text  of the notification.  Therefore, it is not excluded 
that additional notified RTAs not considered here contain environment-related provisions.  Relevant information 
on environment-related provisions can be found in th e report prepared by the WTO Secretariat for each 
notified RTA. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 24 - 
 
  Chart 2.1:  Environment-related RTAs Notifications (2003 - 2012) 
11%13%15%
9%
5%0000 0444
3
2
Share of environment-re lated RTA notifications Number of environment-related RTA notifications
 
 
  
3  INFORMATION CONTAINED IN TRADE POLICY REVIEWS 
3.1.  The EDB contains information concerning environment-related measures, provisions or 
programmes contained in both Secretariat and government Trade Policy Reviews (TPR) reports.  
The information has been summarized under the following three headings:  trade policy 
frameworks;  trade policies and practices; and trade policies by selected sector.  In general, trade 
policy frameworks include government environmental policies, plans, programmes and investment policies. Environment-related trade policies and practices include quantitative restrictions 
(e.g. bans and prohibitions, import and export restrictions, quotas, controls, licenses and permits); 
technical requirements (e.g. standards, technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures); taxes, levies, subsidies and other government support.  The environment-related 
sectors include agriculture, industry, services, en ergy, fisheries, forestry, transport, mining and 
tourism.   
3.2.  In 2012, all 19 TPRs
28 included environment-related measures or programmes, representing 
479 entries.29  The most frequently found search words were environment (60% of the 
479 entries), energy (22%), sustainable (19%),  bio (16%) and natural resources (12%) (see 
Annex V on TPR search word frequency).  
3.3.  The highest number of environment-related measures or programmes were found in the 
TPRs of the East African Community (81 entries), encompassing Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, 
T a n z a n i a  a n d  U g a n d a ,  a s  w e l l  a s  t h e  T P R s  o f  C ô t e  d ' I v o i r e ,  G u i n e a - B i s s a u ,  T o g o  ( 4 1 )  a n d  China (33).   
                                               
28 TPRs of Bangladesh; China; Colombia; Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau and Togo; East African 
Community (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda); Ic eland; Israel; Republic of  Korea; State of Kuwait; 
Nepal; Nicaragua; Norway; Philippines; Singapore; Trinidad and Tobago; Turkey; United Arab Emirates; United 
States; and Uruguay. 
29 The number of environment-related Trade Policy Re views entries corresponds to the number of times 
environment-related measures or programmes are mentio ned in the Secretariat and government TPR Reports. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 25 - 
 
  Chart 3.1:  Environment-related Measures, Provisions or Programmes in TPRs (2012) 
81714 1531
139139 8812 10 10 91471016411
62135
5
37
6 7 85 8164
10 37
75
4515
2
37
4 34 3
3453741933
244181
20
1527
19161921 21
14192320 2027
Measures Sectors Trade Policy Framework
 
 
  
Chart 3.2:  Type of Environment-rela ted Measures Mentioned in TPRs (2012) 
Aid for trade, 7 
(3%)Customs 
procedures, 7 (3%)Export prohibitions, 
licensing and 
restrictions, 30 
(13%)Government 
procurement, 7 
(3%)Government 
support, 26 (11%)Import 
prohibitions, 
licensing and 
restrictions, 37 
(16%)Intellectual 
property rights, 15 
(6%)
Others, 7 (3%)
Sanitary and 
phytosanitary 
measures, 36 
(15%)
State trading, 13 
(6%)
Tax system, 13 
(6%)Technical 
regulations and 
standards, 35 
(15%) 
 
 WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 26 - 
 
   
3.4.  The most frequently reported environment-related measures were import prohibitions, restrictions, controls and licensing (16% of all environment-related measures entries), technical regulations, conformity assessment and stan dards (15%), sanitary and phytosanitary 
measures (15%), and export prohibitions, restrictions, controls and licensing (13%).  Other 
environment-related measures mentioned in the TPRs related to government support, including tax incentives (11%), intellectual property rights  (6%), tax system (e.g. export and import taxes, 
charges, and levies) (6%), state trading (6%), government procurement (3%), aid for trade (3%), 
customs procedures (3%) and other measures such as tariffs (3%). 
3.5.  Regarding environment-related trade policies by sector, the most frequently mentioned 
sectors were agriculture (23% of the environment-related sector entries), followed by 
energy (15%), fisheries and aquaculture (12% ), transport, including air and maritime 
transport (11%), and forestry (10%).  Other sect ors subject to environment-related measures and 
programmes included mining (8%), tourism (9%), and services, including financial services (8%), 
manufacturing (6%), and water (1%). 
Chart 3.3:   Sectors Covered by Environmen t-related Measures Mentioned in TPRs (2012) 
Agriculture, 36 
(23%)
Energy, 24 (15%)
Financial services, 
2 (1%)
Fisheries and 
aquaculture, 19 
(12%)Forestry, 15 (10%)Manufacturing, 9 
(6%)Mining, 12 (8%)Services, 10 (6%)Tourism, 13 (8%)Transport, 15 
(10%)Water, 2 (1%)
 
 
 
 WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 27 - 
 
  4  ANNEXES 
Annex I: Environment-related Search Words as Agreed by Members in 199930 
 
Basel Convention HCFCs  
Bio Indigenous  
Carbon Kyoto Protocol 
Cartagena  Modified organism  
CFCs  Marking 
CITES  Montreal Protocol 
Clean Natural resources 
Climate Novel  
Conserv(ation) Organic  
Desertification Ozone 
Diversity Package(ing) 
Eco-label  Pollution 
Ecology Preservation 
Emissions Preserve 
Endangered Recycle 
Energy Renewable 
Environment Saving  
Extinct   (Soil) erosion 
Fauna Species 
Fish  Sustainable 
Flora Toxic 
Forest Tree 
Genetic  Waste 
GHGs  Wildlife  
Green (house) Wood 
Hazardous  
 
  
                                               
30 See also the following documents containing information on search words: WT/CTE/W/46, 
WT/CTE/W/78 and WT/CTE/W/102  
  WT/CTE/EDB/12  
 
- 28 - Annex II: Number of Environment-related Notifications31 (2003-2012) 
WTO Agreements 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 
TBT  100(794) 107(638) 121(771) 155(874) 168(1032) 238(1265) 274(1490) 270(1413) 268(1216) 353(1551) 
SPS  50(687) 57(612) 105(1298) 140(901) 98(849) 84(889) 81(737) 83(1051) 76(1007) 91(856) 
SCM  34(171) 13(122) 27(168) 8(97) 33(164) 5(99) 40(181) 8(117) 47(140) 17(108) 
Agriculture 34(173) 29(157) 25(148) 24(126) 32(119) 24(137) 36(210) 49(195) 44(182) 45(203) 
Anti-Dumping 2(155) 3(134) 0(127) 0(112) 0(118) 0(134) 0(157) 0(164) 0(127) 0(133) 
ILP 16(57) 12(40) 20(45) 19(62) 13(65) 20(51) 23(82) 21(72) 23(78) 30(85) 
Safeguards 1(147) 3(75) 1(80) 0(86) 0(59) 0(73) 0(171) 0(106) 2(64) 2(89) 
Customs Valuation 0(11) 0(17) 1(13) 0(1) 0(9) 0(12) 0(6) 0(4) 0(4) 3(13) 
State Trading 3(38) 0(43) 1(12) 1(37) 0(20) 1(24) 0(29) 4(77) 0(8) 4(39) 
RTAs  0(56) 0(70) 0(63) 0(30) 0(25) 4(37) 4(30) 4(26) 3(33) 2(37) 
TRIPS 5(147) 7(251) 2(59) 2(38) 3(72) 7(139) 2(84) 8(97) 9(66) 5(139) 
GATS 0(41) 4(52) 1(53) 1(29) 0(41) 0(49) 0(68) 2(45) 1(38) 3(66) 
QRs 2(8) 7(10) 1(6) 2(8) 3(6) 4(12) 2(8) 1(6) 2(8) 13(14) 
TRIMs  0(13) 0(12) 0(14) 0(14) 0(13) 0(9) 0(21) 0(18) 0(4) 0(4) 
BoP Provisions  0(0) 0(1) 0(1) 0(0) 0(1) 0(0) 0(9) 0(6) 0(0) 0(0) 
Preship. Inspection 0(0) 0(1) 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 0(1) 0(0) 0(2) 0(2) 0(4) 
Rules of Origin 0(4) 0(3) 0(2) 0(1) 0(7) 0(4) 0(5) 0(4) 0(8) 0(14) 
GPA 0(8) 1(11) 5(11) 4(10) 3(8) 8(14) 18(29) 3(32) 2(16) 1(13) 
Info. Technology  0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 0(0) 
Other notifications 0(3) 1(7) 1(3) 1(2) 0(5) 0(8) 0(4) 0(6) 0(9) 0(6) 
Total environment-
related notifications 247(2513) 244(2256) 311(2874) 357(2428) 353(2613) 395(2957) 481(3321) 453(3441) 477(3010) 569(3374) 
Share of environment-
related notifications  9.8% 10.8% 10.8% 14.7% 13.5% 13.4% 14.5% 13.2% 15.8% 16.9% 
                                               
31 Figures in parenthesis represent the tota l number of notifications, including addend a, corrigenda and revisions (except for TB T and SPS notifications), made under 
each relevant WTO Agreement. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 29 - 
 
  Annex III: Number of Environment- related Notifications and Measures32 (2012) 
4353
3 191
58
2112102
1033221
5353
4 291
17
21330
1 3345
Measures Notifications
 
 
  
                                               
32 In many cases, notifications ca n contain more than one measure. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 30 - 
 
  Annex IV: Search Word Frequency in Notifications in 201233 
15 (2.5%)18 (3.2%)51 (9%)19 (3.2%)33 (5.8%)44 (7.6%)87 (15.3%)11 (1.8%)12 (2.0%)14 (2.5%)10 (1.7%)18 (3.2%)40 (7%)61 (10.6%)34 (6%)47 (8.3%)1 (0.2%)35 (6.1%)24 (4.1%)14 (2.5%)12 (2.0%)3 (0.5%)3 (0.5%)50 (8.8%)9 (1.6%)45 (7.9%)27 (4.6%)3 (0.5%)30 (5.3%)31 (5.4%)34 (6%)28 (4.9%)5 (0.8%)341 (59.9%)140 (24.6%)28 (4.9%)59 (10.3%)12 (2.0%)1 (0.2%)22 (3.9%)79 (13.8%)20 (3.5%)23 (4%)1 (0.2%)2 (0.4%)23 (4%)25 (4.4%)6 (1.1%)92 (16.2%)11 (1.8%)
WoodWildlifeWasteTreeToxicSustainableSpecies(Soil) erosionSavingRenewableRecyclePreserv(ation)PollutionPackag(ing)OzoneOrganicNovelNatural resourcesMontreal ProtocolModified organismMarkingKyoto ProtocolIndigenousHazardousHCFCGreen (house)GeneticGHGForestFloraFishFaunaExtinctEnvironmentEnergyEndangeredEmissionsEcologyEco-labelDiversityConserv(ation)ClimateCleanCartagena ProtocolCartagenaCarbonCITESCFCBioBasel Convention
 
                                               
33 Figures in parenthesis correspond to the percentage of measures mentioning a given search word 
with respect to all the measures reported in all environment-related notifications compiled. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 31 - 
 
  Annex V: Search Words Frequency in TPRs in 201234 
32 (6.6%)20 (4.1%)45 (9.3%)12 (2.5%)11 (2.2%)92 (19.2%)50 (10.3%)9 (1.8%)16 (3.2%)36 (7.5%)8 (1.7%)25 (5.1%)32 (6.6%)10 (2.0%)22 (4.5%)23 (4.8%)1 (0.2%)59 (12.3%)16 (3.2%)12 (2.5%)2 (0.4%)3 (0.6%)4 (0.8%)23 (4.8%)1 (0.2%)29 (6.0%)17 (3.5%)1 (0.2%)50 (10.3%)21 (4.4%)57 (11.8%)20 (4.1%)287 (59.9%)105 (21.8%)24 (5%)18 (3.7%)13 (2.7%)18 (3.7%)3 (0.6%)53 (11.1%)22 (4.5%)19 (4%)3 (0.6%)23 (4.8%)22 (4.5%)5 (1%)77 (16.1%)6 (1.2%)
WoodWildlifeWasteTreeToxicSustainableSpecies(Soil) erosionSavingRenewableRecyclePreserv(ation)PollutionPackage(ing)OzoneOrganicNovelNatural resourcesMontreal ProtocolModified organismMarkingKyoto ProtocolIndigenousHazardousHCFCGreen (house)GeneticGHGForestFloraFishFaunaEnvironmentEnergyEndangeredEmissionsEcologyDiversityDesertificationConserv(ation)ClimateCleanCartagenaCarbonCITESCFCBioBasel Convention
 
                                               
34 Figures in parenthesis correspond to the percentage of environment-related TRP entries mentioning a 
given search word with respect to all environment-related TRP entries mentioned in the TPR. WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 32 - 
 
  Annex VI: Abbreviations 
Basel Convention Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of 
Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal 
Cartagena Protocol Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological 
Diversity 
CFCs Chlorofluorocarbons 
CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 
Fauna and Flora 
GHG Greenhouse Gas 
HCFCs Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbons 
IPPC International Plant Protection Convention 
Kyoto Protocol Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on 
Climate Change 
MEAs Multilateral environmental agreements 
Montreal Protocol Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 
R&D Research and development 
Stockholm 
Convention Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 
SPS Sanitary and phytosanitary 
Rotterdam 
Convention Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for 
Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade 
TBT Technical Barriers to Trade 
TPR Trade Policy Review 
 WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
- 33 - 
 
  Annex VII: Electronic EDB User's Guide 
A. What information is available in the Electronic EDB? 1. The electronic EDB compiles all environment-related notifications made under the various WTO 
Agreements and environment-related measures/activities reported in the TPRs in an Excel 
Workbook.
35  It allows users to search through the EDB environment-related information 
according to specific criteria, for instance by Member, Agreement, type of measure, product, activity, or environmental objective.   
2. The Excel Workbook is divided into two main worksheets:  "Notifications", listing all the 
environment-related notifications; and "TPRs", providing the environment-related information mentioned in TPRs.  In addition, a third worksheet entitled "Summary" is included to allow users to retrieve pre-defined summary tables and graphs. 
A.1. "Notifications" worksheet 
3. The "Notifications" worksheet displays the following information: 
 Agreement:  the WTO Agreement being notified; 
 Document symbol:  the symbol of the notification document (when available); 
 Document link:  the Web link to the notification document through WTO Documents 
Online website ( http://docsonline.wto.org/ );   
 Notifying Member:  the Member notifying the environment-related measure; 
 Region group:  the region of the notifying Member; 
 Development status:  the development status of the notifying Member; 
 Year:  the year of notification; 
 Notification pursuant to:  the provisions of the relevant Agreement under which the 
notification is made; 
 Measure description:  a description of the measure as indicated in the notification; 
 Type of measure:  the type of me asure stated in the notification; 
 Subject to the measure:  products/activities subject to the notified measure; 
 ICS - HS code:  ICS or HS classification of the relevant products (when available); 
 Implementation period:  the implementation peri od or date of the entry into force of the 
notified measure; 
 Environment-related objective:  the environment-related objective of the measure;  and  
 Keywords:  the environment-related keyword search included in the notification (see 
Annex II). 
4. Three harmonized categories have also been created to facilitate research: 
 Category of environment-related objectives;  
 Category of measures; and 
 Category of products/activities. 
A.2. "TPRs" worksheet 
5. The "TPRs" worksheet displays the following information: 
 Type of TPR:  TPR reports prepared by either the Secretariat (S) or the Member (M); 
 Document symbol:  the symbol of the TPR document; 
                                               
35 WT/CTE/EDB/12/Add.1 WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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   Document link:  the web link to the TPR document through WTO Documents Online 
website ( http://docsonline.wto.org/ );   
 Document reference:  the reference made to the paragraph number "§" of the original 
TPR document; 
 Member:  the Member subject to the TPR; 
 Region group:  the region of the Member; 
 Development status:  the development status of the Member; 
 Year: the year of publication of the TPR; 
 Type of information:  the type of enviro nment-related information found in the TPR; 
 Type of measures or sectors:  the measure or sector associated with the environment-
related information; 
 Relevant information:  a description of the environment-related measure, provision or 
programme; and 
 Keywords:  the keyword search included in the TPR reports (See Annex II). 
 
A.3. "Summary" worksheet 
6. The "Summary" worksheet provides pre-defined information and graphs on environment-
related notifications to each WTO Agreement and measures mentioned in TPRs.   
B. How to use the electronic EDB? 7. The Excel Workbook allows searches through all the variables mentioned above by using the 
filter function.  Users can, by clicking on the right-bottom arrow icon of the heading of the selected 
variable, either select the information on a drop-down list (see left column of Chart 4.1) or type in 
the relevant information (see right column of Chart 4.1). 
8. Multiple criteria search is also possible, for instance, to search all notifications made by a 
given country or region/development status group with a specific environment-related objective or 
a specific type of measure.  
9. Retrieving all TBT notifications that contain performance/efficiency specification measures to 
promote energy conservation and efficiency, can be done as follows:  
a. select the "Notifications" spreadsheet; 
b. select the TBT Agreement in the column "A greement" by clicking on the bottom-right 
arrow icon and typing "TBT" in the search box; 
c. select the type of measure in the column "Category of type of measure" by clicking on 
the bottom-right arrow icon of the head ing and typing "performance/efficiency 
specification" in the search box; 
d. select the type of measure in the column "Category of environment-related objective" by 
clicking on the bottom-right arrow icon of the heading and typing "energy conservation and efficiency" in the search box. 
10. After the search, to go back to the full database, it is important to follow the reverse order 
of the selection:   
a. click on the bottom-right arrow icon of the heading of the variable "Category of 
environment-related objective" and select the "Select All" box; 
b. click on the bottom-right arrow icon of the heading of the variable "Category of type of 
measure " and select the "Select All" box;  and  WT/CTE/EDB/12 
 
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  c. click on the bottom-right arrow icon  of th e heading of the variable "Agreement" and 
select the "Select All" tick box. 
Chart 4.1 Search function 
 
11. Once the data is selected through the filter, the user can print the records by hiding the 
variables of no interest (select the column, right-click and select "hide" option).  In addition, the user can apply the scaling option available, through their printer driver, to fit all the selected 
columns on one page.  
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