G/TBT/W/400  
 
12 March 2015  
(15-1423)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: English  
 
 PROPOSAL ON THE OPERATION OF THE COMMITTEE 
SEVENTH TRIENNIAL REVIEW 
Submission from Switzerland 
The following submission, dated 12 March 2015, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Switzerland 
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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 extend to new thematic topics the practice of the Committee to hold thematic discussions. 
 
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: PREVIOUS TRIENNIAL REVIEWS  
1.1.  In the section on the Operation of the Committee , the 6th triennial review noted that most of 
the Committee's time was dedicated to the review of STCs and 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 agre ed in the previous review to streamline the 
consideration of STCs
2, the Committee agreed to further reflect  on ways to streamline the work of 
the Committee in the consideration of STCs.3 
1.2.  In 2012, as part of the 6th triennial review, the Committee decided to hold half-day thematic 
discussions in order to exchange experience. Memb ers agreed on the need to focus and deepen 
their work. Holding thematic discussions was an attempt to press for greater progress on certain issues (see the programme for such discussions in the review). 
2  OPERATION OF THE COMMITTEE: CURRENT SITUATION 
2.1.  The latest annual review notes that in 2014 a record of 47 new STCs were raised, the most in 
any given year since 1995. Also, the Committee discussed more than 70 STCs each year during 
the last 4 years.
4 The figures suggest that the Committee constantly needs to find new efficiency 
gains. 
                                               
1 G/TBT/32, para. 23 
2 G/TBT/1/Rev. 12, p.43 
3 G/TBT/32, para. 24 and 26 
4 G/TBT/36, para. 2.16 G/TBT/W/400 
 
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  2.2.  Thematic discussions have been held at ea ch meeting of the Committee during the last three 
years, on topics such as good regulatory practi ces and transparency. They have proven a useful 
tool for Members to deepen their exchange of  information. The thematic session format 
successfully focused the work of the Committee on deliverables. 
2.3.  Switzerland proposes that the Committee continue holding thematic discussions under as a 
separate agenda item, as a way to streamline its work. A new list of topics or specific areas should be identified. 
3  NEW TOPICS FOR THEMATIC DISCUSSIONS   
3.1.  An example of a current topic where focuse d discussions would be useful can be found in a 
number of recurrent measures related to food labelling  that the Committee considered during the 
years under review. Such regulatory projects are pa rt of members' responses to legitimate global 
policy objectives mentioned in resolutions of the United Nation General Assembly, of the World 
Health Assembly, and in regional initiatives, in particular those related to nutrition and non-communicable diseases. The Committee’s records show that regulations and standards in this area 
may have significant effect on trade. An in-depth discussion 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 thematic session on food labelling re gulations and standards would allow to share 
experiences and best practices. 
3.2.  In-depth discussions on topi cal areas would be valuable in at least two circumstances. First, 
when a new regulatory objective is identified at the multilateral level, members may want to 
reflect on ways to implement it while avoiding unnecessary barriers to trade to arise. Discussions 
on new topics, with the aim of informing members ahead of their regulatory process, could facilitate the sharing of factual information and provide a 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. Secondly, the review of STCs is a key mechanism that identifies specific issues with a potentially significant effect on trade. When many STCs pertain to a similar issue or product 
sector or to a specific international regulatory or standardization challenge, an in-depth discussion 
may enhance the value added of the work of the Committee. Such sessions 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 review of STCs in the area at stake. 
4  PROPOSALS 
4.1.  An exchange of views should take plac e during the triennial review processes on the 
operation of the Committee. Based on the above,  thematic discussions could be dedicated to 
current topics pertaining to the work of the Committee identified by the membership in order to 
identify best practices. It is prop osed to extend to new specific topics the list of thematic sessions.  
4.2.  As part of the 7th triennial review, Switzerland proposes to organize a thematic discussion on 
issues related to food labelling. Such discussion shall explore legitimate global policy objectives, 
international standards, regional and national approaches. Members willing to contribute to the 
preparation of an outline and to propose speake rs are invited to contact the Swiss delegation. 
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