S/WPDR/16  
 
29 October 2013  
(13-5973)  Page: 1/1  
   
 
 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY ON DOMESTIC REGULATION 
TO THE COUNCIL FOR TRAD E IN SERVICES (2013) 
Since its Annual Report of 2012 to the Council for Trade in Services1, the Working Party on 
Domestic Regulation (WPDR) held three formal meetings, respectively on 5 December 2012, 
21 March 2013 and 19 June 2013.2 During the period covered by this report, the Working Party 
continued with its work on the domestic regulation disciplines pursuant to GATS Article VI:4. 
Discussions were undertaken on two main sub-items: technical issues based on questions 
submitted by Members; and regulatory issues in sectors and modes of supply. 
1  TECHNICAL ISSUES Members continued to answer queries and exchange d information on the 93 questions contained in 
the "List of Potential Technical Issues Submitted for Discussion" (RD/SERV/68). In the three 
meetings falling under this Annual Report, Members undertook discussions on questions 47 to 90 covering verification and assessment of qualifications; identification of deficiencies of 
qualifications; examinations; technical standards; general provisions and development-related 
aspects of the disciplines. Additional information on regulatory practises was also provided by 
some Members on the time-frame for processing a pplications; permission to supply services after 
fulfilment of requirements; and fees. Responses from Members sought to clarify the use of certain 
domestic regulation concepts and terms, as well as actual regulatory practices. Certain Members also reflected on the implications of the information provided during the technical discussions for horizontal disciplines. These discussions have been conducted in informal mode and summaries 
were provided by the Chairperson.
3  
2  REGULATORY ISSUES IN SECTORS AND MODES OF SUPPLY Members have also launched a programme of discussions based on the Secretariat Note on 
"Regulatory Issues in Sectors and Modes of Supply" (S/WPDR/W/48 and Add.1). A provisional 
schedule organizing the discussions is contained in the document JOB/SERV/134. The discussions were launched at the meeting of 21 March and Members addressed sections of the Note 
concerning architectural services; construction and related engineering services; legal services; 
accountancy services and mode 4. At the meetin g of 19 June, Members continued their discussions 
on development; telecommunication services; computer and related services; audiovisual services; and modes 1 and 2. On the subject of developmen t, the Secretariat circulated a supplementary 
Note on "Services-related regulatory challenges faced by developing countries" (S/WPDR/W/51). 
In the discussions, Members exchan ged views on the importance of regulatory issues for services 
trade, national experiences with regulatory reform  and capacity building, as well as the specific 
challenges faced by developing countries.  
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1 S/WPDR/15, dated 5 December 2012. 
2 The reports of the form al meetings are contained in document s S/WPDR/M/56-58 and should be read 
in conjunction with this report. 
3 Chair's summaries of informal discussions can be found in JOB/SERV/124/Add.1, JOB/SERV/133, 
JOB/SERV/133/Add.1, JOB/SERV/147, JOB/SERV /147/Add.1, JOB/SERV/150, JOB/SERV/156 and 
JOB/SERV/157.