G/TBT/W/400/Rev.1  
 
9 June 2015  
(15-2979)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
 FPROPOSAL ON THE OPER ATION OF THE COMMITTEE 
SEVENTH TRIENNIAL REVIEW 
Submission from Switzerland 
Revision 
The following submission, dated 5 June 2015, is being circulated at the request of the delegation 
of Switzerland. 
 
_______________ 
  
On the occasion of the Seventh Triennial Review of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade 
(TBT Agreement), Switzerland proposes, as part of  the review of the Operation of the Committee, 
to complement the practice of the Committee to ho ld thematic sessions by also holding focused in-
depth discussions on new topics. 
 Pursuant to Article 13 of the TBT Agreement, th e TBT Committee was established with the purpose 
of "affording Members the opportunity of consulting  on any matters relating to the operation of 
this Agreement or the furtherance of its objectives, and shall carry out such responsibilities as assigned to it under this Agreement or by th e Members". By reviewing measures and allowing 
Members to exchange information on their experi ences on the implementation of the Agreement, 
the Committee plays an important role in build ing expertise among Members to ensure that 
technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade.
1 
 
1  OPERATION OF THE COMMITTEE: THEMATIC SESSIONS AND IN-DEPTH DISCUSSIONS ON NEW SPECIFIC TOPICS   
1.1.  In the section on the Operation of the Committee, the 6
th Triennial Review Report noted that 
most of the Committee's time was dedicated to the review of STCs and that the number of STCs 
discussed remained high. Whilst reiterating the value of the Committee's multilateral review of specific trade concerns (STCs) and noting the procedures agreed in the previous review to streamline the consideration of STCs
2, it was agreed to further reflect on ways to streamline the 
work of the Committee in the consideration of STCs.3 Also, the Committee decided to hold half-day 
thematic discussions in order to deepen the exchan ge of experience. Members agreed on the need 
to focus and deepen their work. Holding thematic sessions was an attempt to press for greater 
progress on certain issues (see the programme for such discussions in the review). 
1.2.  Thematic sessions have been held at each meeting of the Committee during the last three 
years, on topics such as good regulatory practi ces and transparency. They provided opportunities 
for TBT experts to discuss, in a multilateral setting, how Members address challenges. The 
'thematic session' format has proven to be a useful tool for Members to deepen their exchange of information and successfully focused the wo rk of the Committee on deliverables.  
                                               
1 G/TBT/32, para. 23 
2 G/TBT/1/Rev. 12, p.43 
3 G/TBT/32, para. 24 and 26 G/TBT/W/400/Rev.1 
 
- 2 - 
 
  1.3.  A format similar to the one used successfully for thematic sessions could be used for in-depth 
discussions on further topics relevant to the implementation of the Agreement. Focused 
discussions by the Committee (usually members and observers), conducted in informal mode (without minutes being taken, a general summary is provided by the Chairperson on their own 
behalf) cater for an exchange of information. Voluntary presentations by experts proposed by the 
membership or from observer organisations can be held to exchange experiences and best practices. Doing so, the discussion is of a general nature and in a separate context than the 
discussion of current measures (STCs). The cont ent of interventions by members and observers 
cannot be directly linked to specific members' policies. 
1.4.  In-depth discussions on other topical areas would be valuable, following a similar format. For 
example, when a new specific regulatory need is identified at the multilateral level (within or 
outside of the WTO), members may want to reflect on ways to implement it in a manner that 
avoids unnecessary barriers to trade to arise. Discussions on new topics would aim at informing members early in their regulatory process and facilitating the sharing of factual information and 
experience. They would provide space for a dialogue on how to ensure that technical regulations 
are not prepared with a view or the effect of  creating unnecessary obstacles to trade. When 
members consider regulating a similar issue or product sector or react to a specific international 
regulatory or standardisation challenge, encouraging cooperation between members may enhance 
the value added of the work of the Committee. Su ch in-depth discussions may help legislators and 
standard-setters to identify best practices, ensuring that technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures do not create unnecessary obstacles to trade. Attendance by 
experts from capitals would foster focused discussion s, and efficiency gains can be expected in the 
Committee's work in the area at stake. 
1.5.  Switzerland proposed that the Committee continue holding thematic sessions, as a way to 
improve its efficiency. Aside from themes identified for thematic sessions in the 6
th Triennial 
Review, Switzerland proposes that other specific topics be identified, based on members' submissions, where discussing such topics in-d epth would foster the implementation of the 
agreement. 
2  AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON FOOD LABELLING   2.1.  An example of a current topic where focused discussions would be useful is food labelling. 
Legitimate global policy objectives exist and are formalised in resolutions of the United Nations 
General Assembly, of the World Health Assembly, and in regional initiatives, in particular those 
related to nutrition and non-communicable diseases . Regulations and standards in this area may 
have significant effect on trade. Legitimate global policy objectives related to food labelling coexist 
with obligations related to the TBT Agreement. An  in-depth exchange of information and debating 
freely on this topic with experts from relevant international organisations, Member States and standardisation bodies would enhance the understanding of the situation among members and 
build expertise in the Committee. A well-defined in-depth discussion on food labelling regulations 
and standards would allow to share experiences and best practices. 
3  PROPOSALS 3.1.  An exchange of views should take place during the 7
th triennial review process on the 
operation of the Committee. Based on the abov e, apart from thematic sessions, in-depth 
discussions could be dedicated to current topics pe rtaining to the work of the Committee in order 
to identify best practices. Using the same format as thematic sessions, it is proposed to organise 
in-depth discussions on new specific topics from 2016 onwards, based on members' proposals. It 
is suggested that members propose topics by September 2015. 
3.2.  Switzerland proposes to organise such an in-depth discussion on issues related to food 
labelling  in 2016. Such exchange of views shall exam ine legitimate global policy objectives and 
international standards, and explore regional and national approaches. Members willing to 
contribute to the preparation of an outline and to propose speakers are invited to contact the Swiss delegation. 
__________