WT/GC/W/713  
 
19 January 2016  
(16-0375)  Page: 1/4  
General Council    
 
WAIVERS – 2015 
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
The attached table has been prepared for the info rmation of delegations. It contains a list of 
waivers granted by the General Council in 2015, as  well as waivers previously granted and still in 
force in 2015. It should be noted that some of th ese waivers expired during the course of the year. 
 
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1 This document has been prepared under the Secret ariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to thei r rights and obligations under the WTO.  
  WT/GC/W/713  
 
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WAIVER 
  
DECISION DATE of 
ADOPTION of 
DECISION  
GRANTED  
UNTIL  
REPORT in 
20152 
Granted in 2015 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2002 Changes into WTO Schedules of 
Tariff Concessions3 WT/L/967 30 November 2015 31 December 2016 - 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2007 Changes into WTO Schedules of 
Tariff Concessions4 WT/L/968 30 November 2015 31 December 2016 - 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2012 Changes into WTO Schedules of 
Tariff Concessions5 WT/L/969 30 November 2015 31 December 2016 - 
United States – African Growth and Opportunity Act WT/L/970 30 November 2015 30 September 2025 - 
Least-Developed country  Members – Obligations under Article 70.8 and 
Article 70.9 of the TRIPS Agreement with respect to Pharmaceutical 
Products WT/L/971 30 November 2015 1 January 2033 - 
Canada - CARIBCAN WT/L/958 28 July 2015 31 December 2023 - 
United States – Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act WT/L/950 5 May 2015 31 December 2019 - 
 
                                               
2 Applicable if so stipulated in the corresponding waiver Decision. 
3 The Members which have requested to be covered under this  waiver are: Argentina; China; and, European Union. 
4 The Members which have requested to be covered under this waiver  are: Argentina; Brazil; China;  Dominican Republic; El Salvado r; European Union; Israel; Korea; 
Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Philippines; Switzerland; and, Thailand. 
5 The Members which have requested to be covered under this waiver are:  Argentina; Australia; Brazil; Canada; China; Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; El Salvador; 
European Union; Guatemala; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; India; Is rael; Korea, Republic of; Macao, China; Malaysia; Mexico; New Z ealand; Norway; Pakistan; Philippines; 
Russian Federation; Singapore; Switzerland; Separate Customs Territory of  Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Thailand; and, Unit ed States.  
  WT/GC/W/713  
 
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WAIVER 
  
DECISION DATE of 
ADOPTION of 
DECISION  
GRANTED  
UNTIL  
REPORT in 
20156 
Previously granted – in force in 2015 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2002 Changes into WTO Schedules of 
Tariff Concessions7 WT/L/945 11 December 2014 31 December 2015 - 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2007 Changes into WTO Schedules of 
Tariff Concessions8 WT/L/946 11 December 2014 31 December 2015 - 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2012 Changes into WTO Schedules of 
Tariff Concessions9 WT/L/947 11 December 2014 31 December 2015 - 
Philippines – Special Treatment for Rice WT/L/932 24 July 2014 30 June 2017 - 
European Union – Application of Autonomous Preferential Treatment to 
Moldova – Extension of Waiver WT/L/903 26 November 2013 31 December 2015 - 
Kimberly Process Certification Scheme for Rough Diamonds - Extension of 
Waiver10 WT/L/876 11 December 2012 31 December 2018 - 
Cuba – Article XV:6 – Extension of waiver WT/L/850 14 February 2012 31 December 2016 - 
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers of Least 
developed countries WT/L/847 17 December 2011 17 December 2026 WT/L/964 
European Union - Application of Autonomous Preferential Treatment to 
the Western Balkans WT/L/836 30 November 2011 31 December 2016 WT/L/962 
                                               
6 Applicable if so stipulated in the corresponding waiver Decision. 
7 The Members which have requested to be covered under this waiver  are: Argentina; China; European  Union; Iceland; and, Malaysia . 
8 The Members which have requested to be covered under this waiv er are: Argentina; Australia; Brazil; China; Costa Rica; Dominic an Republic; El Salvador; European 
Union; India; Israel; Korea; Macao, China; Malaysia; Mexico; Ne w Zealand; Norway; Pakistan; Phil ippines; Switzerland; Thailand;  United States; and, Uruguay. 
9 The Members which have requested to be covered under this waiver are:  Argentina; Australia; Brazil; Canada; China; Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; El Salvador; 
European Union; Guatemala; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; India; Is rael; Korea, Republic of; Macao, China; Malaysia; Mexico; New Z ealand; Norway; Pakistan; Philippines; 
Russian Federation; Singapore; Switzerland; Separate Customs Territory of  Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Thailand; and, Unit ed States. 
10 Annex: Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, European Un ion, India, Israel, Japan, Kore a, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway,  Philippines, Russian Federation, 
Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Turkey, United States, and Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.  
  WT/GC/W/713  
 
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WAIVER 
  
DECISION DATE of 
ADOPTION of 
DECISION  
GRANTED  
UNTIL  
REPORT in 
20156 
Previously granted – in force in 2015 
Preferential Tariff Treatment for Least-Developed Countries – Decision on 
Extension of waiver WT/L/759 27 May 2009 30 June 2019 - 
United States – African Growth and Opportunity Act WT/L/754 27 May 2009 30 September 2015 WT/L/955 
United States – Former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands WT/L/694 27 July 2007 31 December 2016 WT/L/954 
Implementation of Para. 6 of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS 
Agreement and Public Health WT/L/540 and 
Corr.1 30 August 2003 See WT/L/540 and 
Corr.1 IP/C/72 
Least-Developed Country Members – Obligations under Article 70.9 of the 
TRIPS Agreement with respect to Pharmaceutical Products WT/L/478 8 July 2002 1 January 2016 - 
 
 
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