G/TBT/N/ARG/291  
25 August 2015  
(15-4284)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: Spanish  
 
  NOTIFICATION 
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. 
 
1. Notifying Member: ARGENTINA 
If applicable, name of local governme nt involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible: Administración Nacional de Medicamentos, Alimentos y Tecnología 
Medica , ANMAT (National Drug, Food and Medical Technology Administration) 
Name and address (including telephon e and fax numbers, email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above: National 
enquiry point 
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2. 10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ],  5.7.1 [ ], other:   
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff 
heading. ICS numbers may be provided  in addition, where applicable): Chemical 
substances 
5. Title, number of pages and lang uage(s) of the notified document: Sustancias 
químicas: gamma butirolactona (GBL) y cloruro de etilo  (Chemical substances: gamma-
butyrolactone (GBL) and ethyl chloride) (2 pages, in Spanish)  
6. Description of content: The substances gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and ethyl chloride 
h a v e  b e e n  i n c l u d e d  i n  t h e  l a t e s t  u p d a t e  o f  the "Lists of narcotic drugs, psychotropic 
substances and other substances that may cause physical or psychological dependence". 
The National Drugs, Food and Medical Technology Administration (ANMAT) has established 
an authorization system for the importation of gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) and ethyl 
chloride intended for the production of medicines, food or cosmetics. 
The sectors of the pharmacy, food and cosmetics industries, which are regulated by 
National Drugs, Food and Medical Technology Administration (ANMAT), will be able to 
obtain authorization justifying their lawful use of these substances. 
The authorization procedure for the importation of gamma-butyrolactone (GLB) will be 
initiated by the National Food Institute (INAL) or by the National Institute of Medicines (INAME), depending on whether it applies to the food or cosmetics industry. The 
authorization procedure for the importation of ethyl chloride will be initiated by the 
National Institute of Medicines (INAME). Both in stitutes are attached to the National Drugs, 
Food and Medical Technology Administration (ANMAT). 
For all cases, the administrative procedures will be dealt with by the Directorate for the 
Surveillance of Substances Subject to Special Control, attached to the National Institute of Medicines (INAME) which issues the import authorization.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where 
applicable: Protection of public health G/TBT/N/ARG/291 
- 2 - 
  8. Relevant documents: Decreto PEN N° 722/1991 (texto actualizado 2015) "Listas de 
Estupefacientes, Psicotrópicos y demás sustancias susceptibles de producir dependencia 
física o psíquica, a los efectos establecidos en el último párrafo del artículo 77 del Código 
Penal"  (National Executive Branch Decree No. 722/1991 (text updated in 2015) "Lists of 
narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and other substances that may cause physical or psychological dependence, for the purposes laid down in the final paragraph of Article 77 of 
the Criminal Code") 
9. Proposed date of adoption: 7 August 2015 (Official Journal No. 33188) 
Proposed date of entry into force: 15 August 2015  
10. Final date for comments:   
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and email and website addresse s, if available, of other body:  
Punto Focal de la República Argentina 
Dirección Nacional de Comercio Interior 
Avda. Julio A. Roca 651, Piso 4°, Sector 2 (C1067ABB) 
Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires Fax: (+54) 11 4349-4072; Tel. (+54) 11 4349-4067 
Email: focalotc@mecon.gov.ar 
Text available at: http://www.puntofocal.gov.ar/fo rmularios/registro_arg10.php  
https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2015/TBT/ARG/15_3263_00_s.pdf