WT/GC/W/678  
 
13 January 2014  
(14-0131)  Page: 1/4  
General Council    
 
 WAIVERS – 2013 
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 2013, as  well as waivers previously granted and still in 
force in 2013.  It should be noted that some of  these 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 without prejudice to 
the positions of Members and to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  
  WT/GC/W/678  
 
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WAIVER 
  
DECISION DATE of 
ADOPTION of 
DECISION  
GRANTED  
UNTIL  
REPORT in 
20132 
Granted in 2013 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2002 Changes into WTO Schedules of 
Tariff Concessions3 WT/L/900 26 November 2013 31 December 2014 - 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2007 Changes into WTO Schedules of 
Tariff Concessions4 WT/L/901 26 November 2013 31 December 2014 - 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2012 Changes into WTO Schedules of 
Tariff Concessions5 WT/L/902 26 November 2013 31 December 2014 - 
European Union – Application of Autonomous Preferential Treatment to 
Moldova – Extension of Waiver WT/L/903 26 November 2013 31 December 2015 - 
 
                                               
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; European  Union; Iceland; and, Malaysia . 
4 The Members which have requested to be covered under this waiv er are: Argentina; Australia; Br azil; Canada; China; Costa Rica;  Dominican Republic; El Salvador; 
European Union; Guatemala; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; India; Is rael; Korea; Macao, China; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Nicar agua; Norway; Pakist an; Philippines; 
Singapore; Switzerland; Thailand ; United States; and, Uruguay. 
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/678  
 
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WAIVER 
  
DECISION DATE of 
ADOPTION of 
DECISION  
GRANTED  
UNTIL  
REPORT in 
20136 
Previously granted – in force in 2013 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2002 Changes into WTO Schedules of 
Tariff Concessions7 WT/L/873 11 December 2012 31 December 2013 - 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2007 Changes into WTO Schedules of 
Tariff Concessions8 WT/L/874 11 December 2012 31 December 2013 - 
Introduction of Harmonized System 2012 Changes into WTO Schedules of 
Tariff Concessions9 WT/L/875 11 December 2012 31 December 2013 - 
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 WT/L/895 
Preferential Treatment to Services and Service Suppliers of Least 
developed countries WT/L/847 17 December 2011 17 December 2026 - 
Canada – CARIBCAN WT/L/835 30 November 2011 31 December 2013 WT/L/898 
European Union - Application of Autonomous Preferential Treatment to 
the Western Balkans WT/L/836 30 November 2011 31 December 2016 WT/L/896 
                                               
6 Applicable if so stipulated in the corresponding waiver Decision. 
7 The Members which have requested to be covered under this waiver  are: Argentina; Australia; Brazil; China; Croatia; European U nion; Iceland; India; Malaysia; and 
Uruguay. 
8 The Members which have requested to be covered under this waiv er are: Argentina; Australia; Br azil; Canada; China; Costa Rica;  Croatia; Dominican Republic; El 
Salvador; European Union; Guatemala; Honduras; Hong Kong, China;  India; Israel; Korea; Macao, China; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zeal and; Nicaragua; Norway; Pakistan; 
Philippines; Singapore; Switzerland; Thai land; United States; and Uruguay.   
9 The Members which have requested to be covered under this waiv er are: Australia; Brazil; Cana da; China; Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; El Salvador; European Union; 
Guatemala; Honduras; Hong Kong, China; Indi a; Israel; Korea, Republic of; Macao, China; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Norway; Pakistan; Russian Federation; Singapore; 
Switzerland; Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Pe nghu, Kinmen and Matsu; Thailand; and United 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/678  
 
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WAIVER 
  
DECISION DATE of 
ADOPTION of 
DECISION  
GRANTED  
UNTIL  
REPORT in 
20136 
Previously granted – in force in 2013 
European Union – Preferences for Pakistan WT/L/851 14 February 2012 31 December 2013 WT/L/883 
Preferential Tariff Treatment for Least-Developed Countries – Decision on 
Extension of waiver WT/L/759 27 May 2009 30 June 2019 - 
United States – Andean Trade Preference Act – Renewal of waiver WT/L/755 27 May 2009 31 December 2014 WT/L/890 
United States – African Growth and Opportunity Act WT/L/754 27 May 2009 30 September 
2015 WT/L/889 
United States - Caribbean Basin Ec onomic Recovery Act – Renewal of 
waiver WT/L/753 27 May 2009 31 December 2014 WT/L/888 
European Communities – Application of Autonomous Preferential 
Treatment to Moldova WT/L/722 7 May 2008 31 December 2013 WT/L/882 
United States – Former  Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands 
 WT/L/694 27 July 2007 31 December 2016 WT/L/887 
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/66 
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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