WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
28 June 2005 
 
 (05-2778) 
Committee on Trade and Environment  
  
 
ENVIRONMENTAL DATABASE FOR 2002 
 
Note by the Secretariat
 
  
This document has been prepa red under the Secretariat's own 
responsibility and without prejudice to the positions of Members 
and to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  
 
 
1. This Note contains the WTO Environmental Database (EDB) for 2002.1  The EDB was 
established in 19982 in fulfilment of the recommendation in the 1996 Report of the CTE to the 
Singapore Ministerial Conference3 for the Secretariat to compile and update annually all environment-
related notifications to the WTO.  This Note c onstitutes a list of environment-related measures or 
provisions that were notified under the WTO agr eements in 2002 (Section I).  It also includes 
references to environment-related measures, provi sions or programmes in the Trade Policy Reviews 
carried out in 2002 (Section II). 
2. It has been prepared in  accordance with the views expressed by Members4, using the search 
methodology adopted in WT/CTE/W/785, and building on the search words set out in 
WT/CTE/W/102.  The list of search words is att ached as Annex I to this Note;  the list of 
abbreviations is contained in Annex II.  
                                                     
 
1 For ease of reference, the Environmental Database fo r 2001 is contained in document WT/CTE/EDB/1;  and for 
1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 in documents WT/C TE/W/46, 77, 118, 143 and 195 respectively.   
2 See WT/CTE/3. 
3 See WT/CTE/1. 
4 See WT/CTE/W/46. 
5 Bearing in mind the complexity and the need to exercise considerable judgement in what constitutes an 
environment-related measure, th e Secretariat has made this listing as comprehensive as possible, although it has in some 
cases shortened or summarized the relevant information. WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 2  
 
 
I.
 NOTIFICATIONS .................................................................................................................. ..4 
A. AGREEMENT  ON TECHNICAL  BARRIERS  TO TRADE  (TBT) ..........................................8  
B. AGREEMENT  ON THE  APPLICATION  OF SANITARY  AND  PHYTOSANITARY  
(SPS)  MEASURES ...................................................................................................................17  
C. AGREEMENT  ON SUBSIDIES  AND  COUNTERVAILING  MEASURES  (SCM)...............20  
D. AGREEMENT  ON AGRICULTURE ......................................................................................34  
E. AGREEMENT  ON ANTI-DUMPING.....................................................................................43  
F. AGREEMENT  ON IMPORT  LICENSING  PROCEDURES  (ILP) .........................................43  
G. AGREEMENT  ON SAFEGUARDS ........................................................................................45  
H. AGREEMENT  ON CUSTOMS  VALUATION .......................................................................46  
I. STATE  TRADING ...................................................................................................................47  
J. REGIONAL  TRADE  AGREEMENTS  (RTAS),  INCLUDING  THE  
UNDERSTANDING  ON THE  INTERPRETATION  OF ARTICLE  XXIV  OF THE  
GATT  1994........................................................................................................................... ....47  
K. AGREEMENT  ON TRADE-RELATED  ASPECTS  OF INTELLECTUAL  
PROPERTY  RIGHTS  (TRIPS) ................................................................................................48  
L. THE  GENERAL  AGREEMENT  ON TRADE  IN SERVICES  (GATS)...................................50  
M. QUANTITATIVE  RESTRICTIONS........................................................................................51  
N. AGREEMENT  ON TRADE-RELATED  INVESTMENT  MEASURES  (TRIMS)..................52  
O. UNDERSTANDING  ON THE  BALANCE-OF-PAYMENTS  PROVISIONS  OF THE  
GATT  1994........................................................................................................................... ....52  
P. AGREEMENT  ON TEXTILES  AND  CLOTHING .................................................................52  
Q. AGREEMENT  ON PRESHIPMENT  INSPECTION ...............................................................52  
R. AGREEMENT  ON RULES  OF ORIGIN .................................................................................52  
S. PLURILATERAL  TRADE  AGREEMENTS:   AGREEMENT  ON GOVERNMENT  
PROCUREMENT.................................................................................................................... .52 
T. INFORMATION  TECHNOLOGY  AGREEMENT .................................................................54  
U. OTHER  NOTIFICATION  PROVISIONS................................................................................54  
II. TRADE  POLICY  REVIEWS ................................................................................................54  
A. TPR  96 – MALAWI..................................................................................................................54  
B. TPR  97 – MEXICO...................................................................................................................55  
C. TPR  98 – SLOVENIA...............................................................................................................56  
D. TPR  100 – INDIA .....................................................................................................................57  
E. TPR  101 – BARBADOS...........................................................................................................58  
F. TPR  102 – EUROPEAN  UNION..............................................................................................59  
G. TPR  103 –  MAURITANIA ......................................................................................................61  
H. TPR  104 – AUSTRALIA ..........................................................................................................62  
I. TPR  105 – DOMINICAN  REPUBLIC .....................................................................................64   WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 3 
 
 
J. TPR  106 – ZAMBIA.................................................................................................................65  
K. TPR  107 – JAPAN ....................................................................................................................66  
L. TPR  108 – VENEZUELA.........................................................................................................67  
M. TPR  109 – HONG  KONG,  CHINA ..........................................................................................68  
N. TPR  110 – MALDIVES ............................................................................................................69  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 4  
 
 
I. NOTIFICATIONS 
3. This Note contains results of a search
6 on 2500 documents issued in respect to notifications 
submitted by Members in 2002 under the following  GATT 1994 provisions and WTO agreements:  
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT);  Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures;  Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM);  
Agreement on Agriculture;  Agreement on Anti- Dumping;  Agreement on Import Licensing 
Procedures (ILP);  Agreement on Safeguards;  Agre ement on Customs Valuation;  State Trading;  
Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs), including the Understanding on the Interpretation of Article 
XXIV of the GATT 1994;  Agreement on Trade-Rela ted Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights 
(TRIPS);  the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS);  Quantitative Restrictions;  
Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measure s (TRIMS);  Understanding on the Balance-of-
Payments Provisions of the GATT 1994;  Agreem ent on Textiles and Clothing;  Agreement on 
Preshipment Inspection;  Agreement on Rules of Origin;  Agreement on Government Procurement;  
Information Technology Agreement;  and other notification provisions.7  The notifications included in 
this Note specified, among other reasons, environment as the main objective for notifying the measure 
or provision.   
4. These environment-related notifications can be br oadly grouped into two categories.  The first 
consists of notifications that list environmenta l or related factors as the principal objective for 
notifying.  The provisions of the GATT 1994 and WT O Agreements that refer explicitly or are 
generally regarded as related to envir onmental objectives include the following: 
(a) Annex 2 paragraph 12 of the Agreement on Agriculture; 
(b) Article 5 paragraph 2 of the Agreemen t on the Application of Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures (SPS); 
(c) Articles 2 and 5 of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT); 
(d) Article XIV(b) of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS); 
(e) Article 27.2 of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property 
Rights (TRIPS);  and  
(f) Article XX (b) and (g) of GATT 1994. 
 5. The second category includes notifications that are not primarily environment-related, but 
contain references to environment-related aspects.  Fo r instance, notifications with respect to regional 
trade agreements may include a clause or a specific environmental provision.  In such cases, reference 
is made only to the environmental objective or cr iteria.  The notifications might, and usually do, 
contain broader objectives or other criteria.   
 
 
                                                     
 
6 The search through the various WTO and GATT (1994) notif ications was based on the information contained in 
the Working Group of Notification Obligations and Procedur es (NOP) documents G/NOP/W/ 2 and G/NOP/W/16/Rev.1, and 
the Technical Cooperation Handbook of Notifications , the series of WT/TC/NOTIF (1996) documents. 
7 See Table 1.  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 5 
 
 
 
Table 1:  Environment-related Notifications (1997-2002)  
 
GATT 1994 and WTO 
Agreements 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
TBT Agreement 89(794) 98(648) 84( 1162) 97(651) 67(601) 114(622) 
SPS Agreement 9(300) 21(300) 12(45 0) 27(468) 26(763) 48(803) 
SCM Agreement 22(100) 36(90) 27 32(133) 21(198) 29(159) 
Agreement on Agriculture 20(230) 22(19 0) 28(220) 40(229) 40(235) 32(193) 
Agreement on Anti-Dumping 4(18) 1(12) 3 0 0 1(145) 
Agreement on ILP 15(50) 20(60)  10(66) 17(70) 7(57) 13(89) 
Agreement on Safeguards 0 1( 30) 1 1(87) 1(130) 1(120) 
Agreement on Customs 
Valuation 0 1(13) 1(58) 3(36) 1(44) 1(41) 
State Trading 0 1(30) 0 0 1(39) 2(36) 
Regional Trade Agreements  6(14) 26 24 16 10(15) 0 
TRIPS Agreement 0 1 3 5(328) 5(227) 16(218) 
GATS 0 1 0 0 0 7(43) 
Quantitative Restrictions (QRs) - 3 2 5 2 4(10) 
TRIMS  0 0 0 0 0 0 
Understanding on the Balance-
of-Payments Provisions of GATT 1994 1(23) 0 0 0 0 0 
Agreement on Textiles and 
Clothing 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Agreement on Preshipment 
Inspection 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Agreement on Rules of Origin 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Agreement on Government 
Procurement 2 0 0 0 2(9) 9(21) 
Information Technology 
Agreement 0 0 0 0 0 0 
Other notification provisions 0 0 0 1 0 0 
 
(Total number of notifications made under each agreement is provided in brackets) 
 WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 6  
 
Chart 1:  Environment-related Notifica tions in Selected Agreements (1997-2002)
 
 
48
29
1316
47114
9
032
020406080100120
TBT
AgreementSPS
AgreementSCM
AgreementAgreement
on
AgricultureAgreement
on ILPRegional
Trade
AgreementsTRIPS
AgreementQuantitative
Restrictions
(QRs)Agreement
on
Government
ProcurementGATS
Agreement1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
 
 
 
Chart 2:  Environment-related Notifi cations of Selected Agreements (2002)  
  
48
2932
113
11 216
749114
020406080100120
TBT Agreement
SPS Agreement
SCM Agreement
Agreement on Agriculture
Agreement on Anti-Dumping
Agreement on ILP
Agreement on Safeguards
Agreement on Customs Valuation
State Trading
TRIPS Agreement
GATS
Quantitative Restrictions (QRs)
Agreement on Government
Procurement
 
 
   WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 7 
 
 
Chart 3:  Distribution of Environment-related Notifications (2002)  
 
TBT Agreement
42%
SPS Agreement
17%Agreement on 
Agriculture
12%SCM Agreement
10%TRIPS Agreement
6%Agreement on ILP
5%Agreement on 
Government 
Procurement
3%Quantitative Restrictions 
(QRs)
1%
Agreement on Customs 
Valuation
0%Agreement on 
Safeguards
0%
GATS
3%State Trading
1%Agreement on Anti-
Dumping
0%
 
 
 
Chart 4:  Share of Environment-related No tifications in Selected Agreements (2002)  
 
114
148
2932
131
1 216
7
4 9
0100200300400500600700800900
TBT Agreement
SPS Agreement
SCM Agreement
Agreement on Agriculture
Agreement on Anti-Dumping
Agreement on ILP
Agreement on Safeguards
Agreement on Customs Valuation
State Trading
TRIPS Agreement
GATS
Quantitative Restrictions (QRs)
Agreement on Government ProcurementEnviroment-related
Non Environment-related
 
 WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 8  
 
A. A
GREEMENT ON TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE (TBT) 
6. In 2002, among the 6228 notifications made under Articles 2 and 5 of the TBT Agreement, 
114 mentioned environment as the main objective, or among the objectives.  The share of environment-related notifications  was 18.3 per cent of the total.
 9   
7. TBT notifications contained a diverse group of environmental measures related to:  vehicles, 
engines, fuels, energy saving, genetically modified  organisms, organic agriculture, plant protection, 
pesticides, fertilizers, wastes, eco -taxes, ozone-depleting substances,  hazardous materials and others. 
Notifications containing a reference to energy are included in the table if an indication to energy 
efficiency or saving is made. 10   
Table 2:  Notifications made under Articles 2 and 5 of the TBT Agreement  
 
Year Number of environment-
related TBT notificationsTotal number of TBT 
notifications Percentage of 
environment-related 
notifications 
1980-1990 211 2687 7.9 
1991-2000 610 5322 11.5 
1980-2000 821 8009 10.3 
1991 35 358 9.8 
1992 36 394 9.1 
1993 42 487 8.6 
1994 35 508 6.9 
1995 41 365 11.2 
1996 53 460 11.5 
1997 89 794 11.2 
1998 98 648 15.1 
1999 84 669 12.6 
2000 97 639 15.2 
2001 67 601 11.1 
2002 114 622 18.3 
 
 
8. Environment-related TBT notifications have been steadily increasing over the years, as 
illustrated in the charts below. 
 
                                                      
8 According to the WTO “Documents Online”.   
9 See Table 2. 
10 See Table 3.  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 9 
 
 
Chart 5:  Number of Environment -related TBT Notifications (1991-2002 ) 
 
35 3642
354198 97
84114
5389
67
020406080100120
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
 
 
 
Chart 6:  Percentage of Environment -related TBT Notifications (1991-2002)  
 
11.2%9.8%
9.1%8.6%
6.9%11.2%11.5%15.1%
12.6%15.2%
11.1%18.3%
0%5%10%15%20%
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
 
 
 WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 10  
 
Table 3:  Environment-related TBT Notifications (2002
) 
 
Symbol Member Measure or product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/TBT/N/ARG/37 Argentina Air qua lity regulations for fuels  To achieve environmental 
improvements 
G/TBT/N/ARG/55 Argentina Postponement of the entry into force of the 
specifications in respect of sulphur in diesel fuel and high octane petrol;  and of benzene content of high octane petrol To verify the investments to 
be made and the time needed to meet the objectives 
G/TBT/N/BRA/33 Brazil Prescription of opacity determination 
method of gas emi ssions by vehicles 
equipped with diesel engines To protect the environment 
G/TBT/N/CAN/32 Canada Proposed resolution to introduce more 
stringent national emission standards for on-road vehicles and engines  To protect the environment 
G/TBT/N/CAN/33 Canada Addition of th ree substances to the List of 
Toxic Substances To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/CAN/38 Canada Proposed  regulations on export of 
substances under the Rotterdam Convention Regulations To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/CAN/40 Canada Addition of four substances identified under 
the Rotterdam Convention to the Export Control List  To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/CAN/41 Canada Addition of  Hexachlorobutadiene to the 
List of Toxic Substances To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/CAN/42 Canada Addition of  ozone and its precursors and 
precursors to respirable particulate matter less than or equal to 10 microns (PM
10) to 
the List of Toxic Substances To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/CAN/46 Canada Living M odified Organisms Regulations 
which would allow Canada to implement the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety  To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/CAN/53 Canada Proposed Federal Halocarbon Regulations 
to achieve an orderly transition from CFCs and Halons to alternative substances and technologies  To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/CHN/4 China Technical requirements, testing methods, 
inspection rules, labelling, packaging, transport and storage of organic-inorganic compound fertilizers To protect the soil 
environment and to limit the content of hazardous materials 
G/TBT/N/CHN/5 China Limitation of arsenic, cadmium, lead, 
chromium and mercury content in fertilizers;  the testing methods and inspection rules To protect the soil 
environment and to bring the effect of hazardous elements under control 
G/TBT/N/CHN/9  China Limitati on and measurement methods for 
exhaust emissions fro m motorcycles and 
mopeds To protect air and the  
environment 
G/TBT/N/CHN/12 China Limitation and measurement methods for 
exhaust emissions from mopeds  To protect air and the  
environment 
G/TBT/N/COL/17 Colombia Regulati on on gas appliances for use in 
Colombia To protect human, animal and 
plant life and the environment 
G/TBT/N/COL/20 Colombia Draft re gulation on electrical equipment 
and installations To ensure safety and to 
protect the environment  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 11 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/TBT/N/CZE/26 Czech Republic Regulation on dangerous chemical 
substances and chemical preparations To ensure high level of health 
and environment protection 
G/TBT/N/CZE/40 Czech Republic Draft government order which lays down 
obligatory emission ceilings and procedures and conditions of ba lancing atmospheric 
pollutants To improve the environment 
and human health protection 
G/TBT/N/CZE/41 Czech Republic Draft government order which lays down 
emission limits and conditions for operation of other sources of air pollution To protect the environment 
and human health 
G/TBT/N/CZE/42 Czech Republic Emission limits of pollutants and odour 
substances;  permissible darkness of smoke;  and other conditions for the operation of stationary combustion plants  To protect the environment 
G/TBT/N/CZE/43 Czech Republic List of pollutants;  emission limits;   
method for the detection of discharged pollutants amount, the de nsity of smoke and 
smell intensity;  requirements for operational records of pollution sources and for air pollution control To ensure the compliance of  
the Czech legal system with EC legislation in the field of environmental protection 
G/TBT/N/CZE/44 Czech Republic Quality of fuels assigned for burning in 
stationary sources of air pollution To ensure the compliance of  
the Czech legal system with EC legislation in the field of environmental protection 
G/TBT/N/CZE/45 Czech Republic Conditions of protection of climatic system 
of the earth (Greenhouse gases) To ensure the compliance of  
the Czech legal system with EC legislation in the field of environmental protection 
G/TBT/N/CZE/46 Czech Republic Emission limits and other conditions on 
incineration of waste To ensure the compliance of  
the Czech legal system with EC legislation in the field of environmental protection 
G/TBT/N/CZE/47 Czech Republic Particular ambient air protection; 
permissible degree of odour nuisance and method for its determination;  extent of information on state of air;  and the accessibility of the information to the public To ensure the compliance of  
the Czech legal system with EC legislation in the field of environmental protection and protection of human health 
G/TBT/N/CZE/48 Czech Republic Emission limits and conditions for the 
operation of air pollution sources   emitting volatile organic substances from processes using organic solvents and from the storage and distribution of petrol To ensure the compliance of  
the Czech legal system with EC legislation in the field of environmental protection 
G/TBT/N/CZE/49 Czech Republic Conditions on protection of the ozone layer 
of the earth (CFCs, methylbromide) To ensure the compliance of  
the Czech legal system with EC legislation in the field of environmental protection 
G/TBT/N/SLV/10 El Salvador Emission limits of the main air pollutants  To guarantee air quality  
G/TBT/N/SLV/11 El Salvador Emi ssion limits of air pollutants from 
stationary sources To protect human health and 
the environment  
G/TBT/N/SLV/12 El Salvador Emi ssion limits of air pollutants from 
mobile sources To protect human health and 
the environment WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 12  
 
Symbol Member Measure or product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/TBT/N/EEC/8 European 
Communities Energy labelling of household air-
conditioners To promote a rational use of 
energy; to provide information to consumers on the energy efficiency 
G/TBT/N/EEC/9 European 
Communities Compulsory energy labelling of household 
electric ovens put on the EU market To promote a rational use of 
energy;  to provide information to consumers on the energy efficiency 
G/TBT/N/EEC/10 European 
Communities Withdrawal of authorizations for plant 
protection products containing fentin acetate To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/EEC/12 European 
Communities Withdrawal of authorizations for plant 
protection products containing fentin hydroxide To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/EEC/14 and 14/Add.1  European 
Communities Procedure for safety assessment, 
authorisation and supervision of feed additives as well as labelling requirements for these products To protect human, animal 
health and the environment 
G/TBT/N/EEC/16  European 
Communities Non-inclusion of certain active substances 
in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/EEC/18 European 
Communities Non-inclusion of benomyl in Annex I to 
Directive 91/414/EEC;  withdrawal of authorisations for pl ant protection products 
containing this substance To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/EEC/20 European 
Communities Non-inclusion of parathion-methyl as an 
active substance in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC; withdrawal of authorisations for plant protection pr oducts containing this 
substance To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/EEC/21 European 
Communities Non-inclusion of metalaxyl as an active 
substance in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC;  withdrawal of authorisations for plant protection pr oducts containing this 
substance To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/EEC/22 European 
Communities Non-inclusion of acephate as an active 
substance in Annex I to Directive 91/414/EEC; withdrawal of authorisations for plant protection pr oducts containing this 
substance To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/EEC/24 European 
Communities Authorising member States to take 
decisions under Directive 1999/105/EC on forest reproductive material produced in third countries To ensure that imported forest 
reproductive material offers equivalent guarantees to those material produced in the European Communities 
G/TBT/N/FIN/4 Finland Prohibition of production, use, import and 
export of certain Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs);  provisions on environmentally sound management of POPs waste. To implement the Stockholm 
Convention on POPs and the Protocol of POPs under the UN ECE Convention  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 13 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/TBT/N/FIN/5 Finland Required le vel of thermal insulation of 
heated buildings To meet international climate 
agreements and the national climate programme 
G/TBT/N/FIN/7 Finland Regulati ons and guidelines for indoor 
climate and ventilation in new buildings To assist meeting the targets 
laid down in the national climate strategy;  to better indoor climate 
G/TBT/N/FIN/8 Finland Voluntar y certification scheme for 
producers of fruit propagation and planting material and pere nnial ornamental 
propagation and planting material To ensure the quality and 
climatically adapted propagating and planting material of certain fruit and plant species 
G/TBT/N/HKG/11 Hong Kong, 
China Voluntary energy efficiency labelling 
scheme for laser printers To promote the awareness of 
energy efficiency among consumers 
G/TBT/N/HKG/12 Hong Kong, 
China Voluntary energy efficiency labelling 
scheme for dehumidifiers To promote the awareness of 
energy efficiency among consumers 
G/TBT/N/HUN/4 Hungary Decree on the packaging;  detailed rules on 
packaging waste management. To meet the European Union 
obligations 
G/TBT/N/IND/9 India Conditions for using new or second hand 
vehicle To promote road safety and to 
control pollution  
G/TBT/N/IDN/4 Indonesia Draft decree on fertilizer  To raise success of 
agribusiness in line with sustainable environment 
G/TBT/N/ISR/5 Israel Standards on ceramic wate r closet bowls To pr otect health and the 
environment 
G/TBT/N/ITA/1 Italy Ban on impor ts of furs, leather goods and 
clothes made with raw materials originating from dogs and cats To protect dogs and cats from 
being used as fur animals 
G/TBT/N/JPN/46 Japan Revision to enforcement ordinance and 
regulation for the law concerning the rational use of energy  To promote energy 
conservation 
G/TBT/N/JPN/59 Japan Regulations on fuel quality for diesel 
vehicles To prevent environmental 
pollution 
G/TBT/N/KWT/1 Kuwait Implementation of the International 
Conformity Certification Program (toys, playground, amusement and fairground equipment) To protect health, national 
security, the environment and public morals 
G/TBT/N/KWT/2 Kuwait Implementation of the International 
Conformity Certification Program (electrical and electronics products) To protect health, national 
security, the environment and public morals 
G/TBT/N/KWT/3 Kuwait Implementation of the International 
Conformity Certification Program (automotive products) To protect health, national 
security, the environment and public morals 
G/TBT/N/KWT/4 Kuwait Implementation of the International 
Conformity Certification Program (chemical products) To protect health, national 
security, the environment and public morals 
G/TBT/N/KWT/5 Kuwait Implementation of the International 
Conformity Certification Program (a list of products) To protect health, national 
security, the environment and public morals WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 14  
 
Symbol Member Measure or product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/TBT/N/KWT/6 Kuwait Implementation of the International 
Conformity Certification Program (a list of products) To protect health, national 
security, the environment and public morals 
G/TBT/N/LVA/2 Latvia  Requirements on la belling of household 
electric ovens To indicate the energy 
consumption 
G/TBT/N/LVA/3 Latvia  Requirements on la belling of household 
electric refrigerators, freezers and their combinations To indicate the energy 
consumption 
G/TBT/N/LVA/4 Latvia  Requirements on la belling of household 
electric lamps To indicate the energy 
consumption 
G/TBT/N/LVA/5 Latvia  Requirements on la belling of household 
washing machines and electric tumble driers  To indicate the energy 
consumption 
G/TBT/N/LVA/6 Latvia  Requirements on la belling of household 
dishwashers To indicate the energy 
consumption 
G/TBT/N/MEX/11 Mexico Standard to  reduce the incidental catch of 
juvenile specimens of yellowfin tuna and bigeye tuna To preserve natural resources 
G/TBT/N/MEX/15 Mexico Specifications, procedures and technical 
and control guidelines fo r the use, transport, 
storage and processing which identify the legal origin of forestry raw materials To protect forest raw 
materials 
G/TBT/N/MEX/24 Mexico Specifications  to guarantee the welfare of 
marine mammals in captivity and to regulate activities relating to these species  To protect marine mammals 
G/TBT/N/MEX/28 Mexico Specifications, procedures and technical 
and control guidelines fo r the use, transport, 
storage and processing which identify the legal origin of forestry raw materials  To protect forest raw 
materials 
G/TBT/N/MEX/29 Mexico Methodology and guidance to facilitate the 
task of inspection units and users of electrical energy for lighting systems in non-residential buildings To save energy and conserve 
natural resources 
G/TBT/N/MEX/30 Mexico Methodology and guidance to facilitate the 
task of inspection units and users of electrical energy for lighting systems on roads, highways and building exteriors To save energy and conserve 
natural resources 
G/TBT/N/MEX/32 Mexico Marking of containers and packaging used 
to transport hazardous substances and wastes To ensure the safety  
G/TBT/N/MEX/34 Mexico Specificat ions on the construction and 
reconstruction as well as test methods for containers and packaging used to transport hazardous substances, materials and wastes To ensure the safety and 
quality  
G/TBT/N/MEX/36 Mexico Specifications  to guarantee the welfare of 
marine mammals in captivity and regulate all activities relating to these species  To protect marine mammals 
in captivity and natural resources 
G/TBT/N/MEX/37 Mexico Specifi cations on maximum energy 
consumption limits for household refrigerators and freezers using hermetic motor-driven compressors; test methods for determining such energy consumption;  and labelling of on the energy consumption  To save energy and ensure 
quality    WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 15 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/TBT/N/MEX/38 Mexico Standard on energy efficiency of Three-
Phase Squirrel-Cage AC induction motors with a rated output of 0.746 to 373kW test methods and marking To save energy and conserve 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/NLD/41 Netherlands Po licy for waste management To  protect the environment 
G/TBT/N/NLD/44 Netherlands Decree  relating to packaging and  
packaging waste  To promote re-use and to 
prevent litter 
G/TBT/N/NLD/46 Netherlands Regulation on packaging and packaging 
waste To promote re-use and to 
protect the environment 
G/TBT/N/NLD/54 Netherlands Decree relating to mining works on land, 
mining facilities, pi pelines and cables To protect the environment 
and safety 
G/TBT/N/NLD/55 Netherlands Miming re gulation on the design of mining 
installations, means of communication and standards for piping To protect the environment 
and safety 
G/TBT/N/NZL/6 New Zealand Draft am endments to the Australia New 
Zealand Food Standards Code to permit sale and use of foods derived from Corn Line NK603 that has been genetically modified for tolerance to glyphosate. To permit the sale and use of 
certain genetically modified (GM) foods 
G/TBT/N/NZL/8 New Zealand Propos ed measures to prevent the 
unauthorised importation of genetically modified Brassica napus var. oleifera  
(Canola and oilseed rape) seed for sowing into New Zealand To ensure that unauthorized 
GM seed are not released into New Zealand’s environment  
G/TBT/N/NZL/9 New Zealand Propos ed measures to prevent the 
unauthorised importation of genetically modified Zea mays  (sweet corn, pop corn 
and maize) seed into New Zealand. To ensure that unauthorized 
GM seed are not released into New Zealand’s environment 
G/TBT/N/NZL/10 and 10/Corr.1 New Zealand Proposed measures to prevent the 
unauthorised importation of genetically modified Glycine max  seed into 
New Zealand To ensure that unauthorized 
GM seed are not released into New Zealand’s environment 
G/TBT/N/NIC/12 Nicaragua Procedures on taking samples of plant 
products to conduct phytosanitary analyses for certification purposes To protect plant 
G/TBT/N/NIC/13 Nicaragua Procedures on taking samples of 
agricultural chemical pesticides for quality control purposes To protect health and 
environment 
G/TBT/N/NIC/15 Nicaragua Standard on quality control of formulated 
chemical pesticides for agricultural use To protect the environment, 
animal and plant 
G/TBT/N/NIC/16 Nicaragua Criteria and technical specifications for 
environmental protection during the exploitation of building material deposits To protect environment 
G/TBT/N/PAN/14 Panama Hygiene a nd safety conditions in working 
environments with high noise exposure levels To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/PAN/15 Panama Hygiene a nd safety conditions in working 
environments with high vibration exposure levels To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/PAN/16 Panama Regulation on water uses and final disposal 
of sludge To protect human health and 
the environment WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 16  
 
Symbol Member Measure or product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/TBT/N/PAN/6 Panama Regulati on on water discharge of liquid 
effluent directly in to surface water and 
groundwater bodies To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/PAN/8 Panama Regulation on water  discharge of liquid 
effluent directly into wastewater collection systems To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/PAN/9 Panama Hygien e and safety conditions for 
controlling air pollution in the working environment from ch emical substances To protect human health and 
the environment 
G/TBT/N/SVN/6 Slovenia Regulati ons on thermal protection and 
efficient use of energy in buildings To promote efficient use of 
energy in buildings 
G/TBT/N/SVN/7 Slovenia Regulations  on building ventilation and 
air-conditioning To ensure the quality of 
indoor ambient conditions and efficient use of energy in buildings 
G/TBT/N/SVN/8 Slovenia Act on forest re productive material To protect plant 
G/TBT/N/SVN/9 Slovenia Act on seeds and pr opagative material  To protect plant 
G/TBT/N/ESP/14 Spain Amending th e safety regulation for cooling 
plants and installations To prevent ozone-depleting 
substances 
G/TBT/N/ESP/20 Spain Procedur es for assessing and analysing 
roadbed condition and t echnical criteria for 
choosing the most appropriate solution To establish criteria based on 
technical, economic and environmental c onsiderations 
G/TBT/N/SWE/13 Sweden Amendment of the ordinance on motor 
gasoline (petrol) to restrict the use of alkylate petrol to two-stroke engines To reduce emissions 
G/TBT/N/SWE/15 Sweden Amendm ent of the ordinance on the 
protection of endangered species To protect native Swedish 
freshwater crayfish 
G/TBT/N/CHE/17 Switzerland Amendm ent of the ordinance on the 
production and entry into free circulation of plant propagating material To preserve plant  
G/TBT/N/CHE/18 Switzerland 
 Requirements on ozone depleting 
substances and synthetic greenhouse gases To protect the environment, 
the ozone layer and limit the climate change 
G/TBT/N/CHE/19 Switzerland 
 Introduction of a mandatory energy 
efficiency label fo r new passenger cars To protect the environment 
G/TBT/N/THA/80 Thailand Amendmen t of the list of hazardous 
substances To protect the  environment 
G/TBT/N/USA/17 United States Notice of receipt of requests to cancel 
certain Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) wood preservative products and amend to terminate certain us es of CCA products To protect the environment  
G/TBT/N/USA/23 United States Contro l of emissions from spark-ignition 
marine vessels and highway motorcycles To maintain or improve the 
performance of products in certain respects 
G/TBT/N/USA/24 United States Amendm ent of the fruits and vegetables 
regulations To protect against the 
introduction of quarantine pests through imported fruits and vegetables 
G/TBT/N/VEN/7 Venezuela Standard  on stainless and alloy steel 
fasteners for use at high temperatures To protect health and the 
environment 
G/TBT/N/VEN/10 Venezuela Hazardous materials incident and accident 
emergency response guide To protect human life, safety 
and the environment  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 17 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/TBT/N/VEN/16 Venezuela Establis hment of requirements and test 
methods for quicklime To protect health and the 
environment 
 
B. AGREEMENT ON THE APPLICATION OF SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY (SPS)  MEASURES  
9. In 2002, 803 notifications were issued under the SPS Agreement.  As all measures deal with 
the safety and protection of human, animal and plan t health, treating those taken for human, animal 
and plant health as directly environment related migh t be misleading.  They, therefore, have not been 
included in this Note.  Notifications of measures deal ing with pests have been excluded if they pertain 
to protection of agricultural crops or farm animals;  they have been included if they pertain to the 
protection of "territory" or the wild-environment or  plants in general.  In 2002, 48 environment-
related SPS notifications were made.11    
Chart 7:  Environment-related SPS Notifications (1997-2002)  
  
1248
2127 26
9
0102030405060
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
 
 
Table 4:  Environment-related SPS Notifications (2002 )  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/SPS/N/ARG/67 and 67/Add.1 Argentina Standard regulating the establishment of SPS 
requirements and operation procedures for the 
imports of goods of anim al and plants origin To protect territory from other  
damage from pests, etc. 
G/SPS/N/ARG/69 Argentina 
 Regulations for determining the identity and 
quality of fresh-cut flowers, inflorescences, 
fruits and foliage used for ornamental 
purposes To protect territory from  
damage from pests 
G/SPS/N/AUS/135 Australia 
 Applications to align residues of agricultural 
and veterinary chemicals in food products  To protect territory from other 
damage from pests, etc. 
G/SPS/N/AUS/143 Australia 
 Application to amend the Food Standards 
Code  to approve food derived from a corn 
genetically modified to  produce a protein that 
confers protection against attack by certain insect pests and for tolerance to certain 
herbicide To protect public health and 
safety;  to enable consumers to 
make informed choices;  and to 
prevent misleading or deceptive conduct 
                                                      
11 See Table 4 . WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 18  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/SPS/N/BRA/65 Brazil Revision of harmonized Mercosur regulations 
on vegetable products from the period of 
1995 to 1997  To protect plant  
G/SPS/N/CAN/124 Canada Phytosan itary requirements for the 
importation and domestic movement of 
firewood  To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/CAN/141  Canada 
 Phytosanitary requirements to prevent the 
entry of Phytophthora ramorum  (Sudden Oak 
Death) to Canada  To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/CAN/142 Canada 
 Import requirements on aquatic plants and 
plants associated with forest products  To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/CAN/157 Canada 
 Phytosanitary Requirements to Prevent the 
Entry of Phytophthora ramorum  (Sudden 
Oak Death) to Canada  To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/CHL/109 Chile 
 Updated requirements on plant material 
produced from in vitro tissue culture  To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/CHN/P/5 China Implementation of a law on entry and exit of 
animal and plants  To protect plant and to protect 
territory from other damage 
from pests 
G/SPS/N/CHN/P/106 China Measures to enforce the treatment of 
disinfection and disinfestation to wood 
packaging of goods destined for the USA To protect plant  
G/SPS/N/CHN/P/136 China Regulations an d safety control on genetically 
modified animals, plants and micro-
organisms, their products and by-products  To protect animal health, plant, 
and to protect humans from 
animal/plant pest or disease  
G/SPS/N/CHN/P/137 China Regulati ons on safety assessment of 
genetically modified animals, plants and 
micro-organisms, their products and by-products  To protect animal health, plant, 
and to protect humans from 
animal/plant pest or disease  
G/SPS/N/CHN/P/138 China Regulations on safety of import of genetically 
modified animals, plants and micro-
organisms, their products and by-products   To protect animal health, plant, 
and to protect humans from 
animal/plant pest or disease  
G/SPS/N/CHN/P/139 China Regulations  on labelling of genetically 
modified animals, plants and micro-
organisms, their products and by-products  To protect animal health, plant, 
and to protect humans from 
animal/plant pest or disease  
G/SPS/N/CHN/P/140 China Measures on safety control of genetically 
modified animals, plants and micro-
organisms, their products and by-products  To protect animal health, plant, 
and to protect humans from 
animal/plant pest or disease  
G/SPS/N/CHN/1 China 
 Quarantine measure to wood packing 
materials made of coniferous trees  To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/CHN/10 China 
 Requirements on production, importation, 
labelling, safety and nutrition quality 
evaluation of GMO foodstuffs To protect food safety 
G/SPS/N/CHN/14 China 
 Measure to be taken with regard to wood 
packing materials  To protect plant and the 
environment  
G/SPS/N/CHN/15 China 
 Measures on inspection and quarantine of 
import and export GMO products  To protect food safety, animal 
health and plant 
G/SPS/N/CUB/3 Cuba Resolution regulates the import of materials 
subject to quarantine into the Republic of 
Cuba To protect plant and to protect 
territory from other damage 
from pests 
G/SPS/N/SLV/42 El Salvador Proce dures and requirements on plants, 
animals, products and by-products and 
agricultural inputs  To protect plant and territory 
from other damage from pests, 
etc. 
G/SPS/N/SLV/43 El Salvador 
 Statutory provisions on plants, animals, 
products and by-products and agricultural 
inputs   To protect plant and territory 
from other damage from pests, 
etc. 
G/SPS/N/SLV/44 El Salvador 
 Provisions and procedures  on plants, animals, 
products and by-products and agricultural 
inputs   To protect territory from other 
damage from pests  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 19 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/SPS/N/EEC/149 
and 149/Add.1-6 
 European 
Communities Procedure for safety assessment and 
authorization of genetically modified food 
and feed as well as labelling requirements for 
these products  To protect food safety and 
animal health 
G/SPS/N/EEC/150 
and 150/Add.1-4  European 
Communities 
 Regulation concerning the labelling and 
traceability of GMOs and traceability of food 
and feed products produced from GMOs To protect food safety and 
animal health 
G/SPS/N/HUN/15 Hungary 
 Rules on the implementation of phytosanitary 
measures on plants, plant products and 
regulated articles  To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/JPN/80 and 
80/Corr.1 Japan 
 Labelling standard for processed foods made 
from genetically m odified potatoes To protect food safety 
G/SPS/N/KOR/98 Korea 
 Phytosanitary measures to prevent the 
introduction of Sudden Oak Death and Alder 
Disease  To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/KOR/98/ 
Add.1-10 Korea 
 Phytosanitary measures to prevent the 
introduction of Sudden Oak Death and Alder 
Disease To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/KOR/111 Korea 
 Addition of 24 species of quaran tine pests  To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/MYS/12 Malaysia 
 Requirements for approval for the importation, 
preparation, advertisement for sale and sale of 
genetically modified food  To protect food safety 
G/SPS/N/MEX/178 
 Mexico 
 Regulations for the import of pallets 
(platforms), box pallets, other loading 
platforms and miscella neous packaging made 
of new and used wood. To protect territory from other 
damage from pests 
G/SPS/N/MEX/184 Mexico 
 Establishment of external quarantine to 
prevent the introduction of the Khapra Beetle  To protect territory from other 
damage from pests 
G/SPS/N/NZL/161 
and 161/Add.1 New Zealand 
 Legislation to restrict, for the consideration 
and approval by the relevant agency of 
applications to release GMOs into the 
environment To protect territory from other 
damage from pests 
G/SPS/N/NZL/164 New Zealand 
 Permission to export to New Zealand grain 
for processing, Triticum sp . (wheat)   To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/NZL/166 New Zealand 
 Standards code to approve the use of food 
products derived from genetically modified 
corn containing transformation event DBT418 To protect food safety 
G/SPS/N/NZL/167 New Zealand 
 Standards code to approve the use of food 
products derived from genetically modified 
bromoxynil-tolerant canola ( Brassica napus)  To protect food safety 
G/SPS/N/NZL/181 New Zealand 
 Standard for the importation of grain for 
processing  To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/NZL/182 New Zealand 
 Standard for the importation of grain for 
processing To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/NZL/197 New Zealand 
 Proposal to delineate the world wide area of 
infestation of Phytophthora ramorum  
(Sudden Oak Death)   To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/PHL/41 Philippines 
 Rules and regulations for the importation and 
release into the environment of plants and 
plant products derived from the use of 
modern biotechnology  To protect plant and to protect 
territory from other damage 
from pests, etc. 
G/SPS/N/SVK/21 Slovak 
Republic 
 Requirements for the importation, exportation 
and transit of plants and plant products  To protect plant and to protect 
territory from other damage 
from pests 
G/SPS/N/SVN/15 and 15/Add.1 Slovenia 
 Conditions for the production and the use of 
forest reproductive material  To protect plant 
G/SPS/N/USA/480 
and 480/Add.1 United States 
 Export certification regulations for softwood 
(coniferous) packing materials used with 
exported goods   To protect plant WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 20  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/SPS/N/USA/507 
and 507/Add.1 United States 
 Regulations regarding the movement of plant 
pests  To protect plant health 
G/SPS/N/USA/580 United States 
 Regulations to restrict the movement of 
nursery stock and ot her plant materials 
infested with Phytophthora ramorum , the 
causal agent of sudden oak death syndrome  To protect plant 
 
C. AGREEMENT ON SUBSIDIES AND COUNTERVAILING MEASURES (SCM) 
10. In 2002, 159 notifications were issued under the SCM Agreement.  Of these, 29 included 
environment-related measures.12  These notifications covered a va riety of programmes and provisions, 
such as environmental protection measures, wastewater management programmes, incentives for pollution control, environment protection, re-cul tivation of the environment and subsidies for 
pollution prevention.  Fisheries subsidies are listed in the table only if there is a reference to the 
environment (including natural resource manageme nt, preservation and renovation, data collection, 
analysis and studies on these issues).
13  A similar approach is used fo r evaluation of measures related 
to forestry.  Notifications containing a reference to  energy are included in the table if a reference to 
energy efficiency or saving is made, or if the obj ective is to promote development of alternative or 
renewable energy sources, such as biomass, solar,  wind, or thermal energy.  Measures related to 
support for biotechnology are included in the table only if there is a direct reference to the environment. 
Chart 8:  Environment-related SCM Notifications (1997-2002)
 
 
2236
29
2732
21
010203040
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
 
 
 
     
 
 
                                                     
 
12 See Table 5. 
13 If the objectives of the measure con cern income support, restructuring of the sector, modernization of vessels 
etc., it is not considered to be  environment-related.  An updat e of recent notifications relate d to subsidies and aids granted 
more broadly in the fishing industry under the SCM Agreement can be found in WT/CTE/W/80/Add.2.  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 21 
 
 
Table 5:  Environment-related SCM Notifications (2002 )14 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/SCM/N/71/ATG Antigua and 
Barbuda z Programme under the Free Trade and 
Process Zone Act  
z Exemption from payment of duty and 
taxes  
z Set up in 1994 
z Private investors both foreign and local To attract investment in 
informatics and 
telecommunications related 
services.  Environmental 
impact is one of the 
considerations for granting a 
licence.   
z Export Processing Zone Programme 
z Exemptions of import duties and 
internal taxes 
z In perpetuity 
z Developers and businesses  To attract investment in order 
to increase the number of 
export products and overall 
export supply capabilities. 
Certificate may be granted, if 
the proposed business 
enterprise will not have a 
deleterious effect on the  
environment, etc.  
z Commercial Free Zone Programme 
z Full exemption from all import duties 
and charges, and partial exemption 
from internal taxes 
z Benefits are automatic for as long as the 
beneficiaries continue operating in the 
CFZ 
z Any company legally incorporated To increase manufacturing 
and processing activities to 
generate new products for 
export markets.  An 
application may be approved, 
if the proposed business 
enterprise will not have a 
deleterious effect on the  
environment, etc . G/SCM/N/71/BLZ/ Suppl.1 Belize 
z Conditional Duty Exemption Scheme 
z Full or partial exemption of import 
duties 
z One-off exemptions only  
z Deserving religious, civil and social 
cases and institutions, and relief to 
small and micro enterprises and 
agricultural operations that are not 
benefiting from any of the main 
incentive programmes To provide assistance to small 
farmers and to small and 
micro enterprises that would 
otherwise have no access to 
duty relief.  A certificate may 
be granted if the  proposed 
business enterprise will not 
have a deleterious effect on 
the  environment, etc . 
z Environmental Technology 
Commercialization Programme (ETC) 
z Financial assistance for studies 
z Created in 1991   
z Joint ventures and consortia formed by 
for-profit corporations;  may include 
environmental industry firms, 
universities and research institutions To provide new solutions to 
environmental problems G/SCM/N/60/CAN Canada 
z Programme:  Technology Partnerships 
Canada  
z Investments 
z Came into force on 1 April 1996 
z Private sector companies, partnerships 
and business associa tions and alliances To invest in pre-market 
product and process 
technology research and 
development, including 
environmental technology 
                                                      
14 The description of the Measure or programme  is arranged (wherever possible) as follows: 
• Title of the measure or programme; 
• Form of assistance, if mentioned; 
• Indicative duration of programme if mentioned in a notif ication (if time is not mentioned in the table, the 
notification contains no refe rence to the duration of a measure or it says that the measure is not limited in 
time);  if a programme or measure has been discontinued or terminated but is still not notified, that 
means there were some pending liabilities (payments, collectibles, interest rate subsidies, guaranties, 
losses to be covered etc.) spilling over the next periods; 
• Principal beneficiaries WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 22  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
z Environmental Industry Programme 
z Repayable or non-repayable 
contributions 
z Created in 1995 
z Commercial enterprises and not-for-
profit organization To achieve improvement in 
the competitive position of 
the Canadian environmental 
industry;  and to encourage 
the implementation of 
concepts of sustainable 
economic development and of 
pollution prevention   
z Programme agroenvironmental de 
soutien à la Stratégie phytosanitaire 
z Contribution and grant  
z 8 June 1998-31 March 2003 
z Research institutions and activities on 
reducing pesticide amounts and 
environmental risks linked to the use of 
pesticides To protect, preserve and 
promote the Saint Lawrence 
River by introducing 
agricultural environmental 
pest management practices 
and control  
G/SCM/N/71/CRI Costa Rica. z The duty-free zone regime  
z An exemption from payment of all 
taxes, consular fees and duties 
z From the point in time when Duty-Free 
Regime status is granted, some are 
subject to a specific expiry date 
z Enterprise To promote the incentives of 
enterprises making new 
investments in Costa Rica.  
To qualify for the Duty-Free 
Zone Regime status, 
enterprises must meet all 
environmental protection 
standards laid down in 
Costa Rica legislation and 
international law for the 
performance of economic 
activities in a sustainable 
manner 
G/SCM/N/1/CZE/2 Czech 
Republic z "Non-Actionable Subsidy" as part of 
the Law on Protection Against 
Subsidized Imports  
z Subsidies to assist research and 
infrastructural services to promote 
reconstruction and adaptation of 
existing production faci lities called by 
new environmental requirements in the 
territory of the subsidizing country 
z One time, non-recurring measure   
z Researchers and producers  To set out criteria and 
condition for non-actionable 
subsidy under environmental 
protection programmes of the 
territory of the subsidizing 
country 
z Relief on Environmental Pollution 
Charge  
z Charge relief 
z Applies until 1 January 2002 
z Oil-shale industry To relief the difficult social 
and economic situation of 
oil-shale industry and the 
region the industry is situated  
z Substitution of the Pollution Charge 
z Pollution charge substitution with 
investments in environmental protection 
programmes 
z No time limits 
z Polluter (company)  To decrease pollution by 
encouraging voluntary 
environmental protection  
z Aid for Transport 
z Grants 
z No time limits 
z Pubic regular services:  railway 
companies; domestic airlines, and 
domestic shipping/ferry companies, 
providing connection with islands; bus 
companies, operating on city and 
county routes/lines To promote public transport 
service, taking into account 
the aspects of environmental 
protection and regional 
development, etc. G/SCM/N/71/EST Estonia  
z Payment under Environmental 
Programmes To promote environmentally 
friendly and sustainable  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 23 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
  z Grants to enable producers to cover the 
additional expenditures of specific 
conditions under environmental 
programmes 
z No time limits 
z producers production methods and 
increase the share of organic 
farming in traditional 
agriculture 
G/SCM/N/1/EEC/2/ 
Supp1.3 European 
Commission z Regulation (EC)No 2026/97 on the 
Protection against S ubsidised Imports 
from Countries not Members of the 
European Communities – Article 4  
z Enter into force on the day following 
that of its publication in the Official 
Journal of the European Communities  To provide that certain 
subsidies for environment, 
research and regional 
development are non-
countervailable  
 
z Subsidy for Loans to the Pollution 
Prevention Fund 
z Grant 
z Started in April 1973, and its 
termination is not determined 
z Owners who have mining rights To prevent the pollution 
caused by metal mines 
smoothly and effectively 
z Subsidy for the Cost of Development of 
Waste Power Generation 
z Grant 
z 1995 Fiscal year (FY) -2004 FY 
z Waste power producers To assist the construction of 
waste power plants for the 
diffusion of waste energy 
utilization 
z Subsidy for Development of High-
Efficiency Waste Power Generation 
Technology 
z Grant 
z 1992 FY – 2003 FY 
z New Energy and Industrial Technology 
Development Organization (NEDO) To develop a new type of 
facility which can efficiently 
utilize the potential energy in 
waste 
z Subsidy for Development of Power 
Generation Technol ogy Using New 
RDF (Refused Derived Fuel) 
z Grant 
z 1995 FY - 2001 FY 
z EPDC (Electric Power Development 
Co., Ltd) To promote RDF fired power 
generation system by considering waste as a non-
utilized form of energy 
z Subsidy for Research on Technology to 
Introduce Waste-Fired Power 
Generation 
z Grant 
z 1994 FY- 2002 FY 
z New Energy and Industrial Technology 
Development Organization (NEDO) To support the introduction of 
waste-fired power generation 
z Consignment Experimental and 
Research Expenses of Survey on 
Criteria of Radioactive Waste Disposal 
z Contract 
z 1983 FY – 2005 FY 
z Radioactive Waste Management 
Funding and Research Center, Institute 
of Research and Innovation, etc. To survey on criteria of 
radioactive waste disposal 
z Subsidy for the Unused Energy Use 
District Heating and Cooling 
z Grant 
z 1991 FY – 2002 FY 
z Heat supply undertakers etc. To achieve diffusion and 
promotion of subsidy of 
working-expenses of unused energy use district heating 
and cooling system G/SCM/N/71/JPN  Japan 
z Subsidy for Promoting Introduction of 
Drastic High-Efficiency Energy Use 
Equipment for Civil Use 
z Grant To promote installation of LP 
Gas Engine Heat Pump 
Air-conditioner for the 
purpose of saving energy use WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 24  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
z 1997 FY – 2001 FY 
z Those who install their LP Gas Engine 
Heat Pump Air-conditioners by LP Gas 
Center of Japan through financial 
organizations instructed 
z System Development of Energy Saving 
in Mines 
z Contract 
z 1997 FY – 2001 FY 
z Metal Mining Agency of Japan 
(MMAJ) To save energy on mine 
development 
z Reserve for Prevention from Mineral 
Pollution of Metal Mining 
z Tax deferral 
z Between 1 April 1974 and 31 March 
2002 
z A person or a corporation engaging in 
the mining industry To prevent the mineral 
pollution relating to metal 
mining 
z Fund for the Projects Implemented by 
Regional Governments for Promoting 
Sustainable Fisheries 
z Subsidies 
z Based on every fiscal year 
z Programmes implemented by 
prefectural governments To implement comprehensive 
programmes for the 
promotion of sustainable 
fisheries 
z Financial Measures for Shochu B 
Manufactures  
z Interest-free loan 
z Duration of the subsidy is determined 
and provided based on every fiscal year 
z Shochu B Mnufactures To reform the structure of 
shochu B manufactures and to 
help the modernization of its 
environment protection 
facilities     
z Fund for the Activities  Implemented by 
Non-governmental Organizations for 
Promoting Sustainable Fisheries 
z Subsidies 
z Determined and provided based on 
every fiscal year 
z Non-governmental organizations To implement comprehensive 
programmes for the 
promotion of sustainable 
fisheries 
z Assistance to the Transition to Organic 
Production 
z Grant 
z From 18 January to 31 December 1997 
(From 1 January to 31 December 1998) 
z Producers To promote organic 
production 
z Assistance to Mending, Cultivating and 
Preserving the Quality and the Quantity 
of Forests 
z Grant  
z From 1 January to 31 December 1996 
and from 18 January to 31 December 
1997 To assist mending, cultivating 
and preserving the quality and 
the quantity of forests 
z Assistance to the Protection of Arable 
Land 
z Grant 
z From 1 January to 31 December 1996, 
from 18 January to 31 December 1997 
and from 1 January to 31 December 
1998 
z Producers To protect the arable land G/SCM/N/16/HUN 
G/SCM/N/25/HUN 
G/SCM/N/38/HUN Hungary 
z Assistance for Planting and 
Restructuring Forest s and Afforestation 
z Grant To assist restru cturing forests 
and afforestation  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 25 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
z From 1 January to 31 December 1996, 
from 18 January to 31 December 1997 
and from 1 January to 31 December 
1998 
z Sylviculturists 
z Payments for Relief from 
Environmental Degradation of Forests 
z Grant 
z From 1 January to 31 December 1996, 
from 18 January to 31 December 1997 
and from 1 January to 31 December 
1998 
z Owners or tenants of forests To compensate for losses of 
income due to the 
environmental degradation of 
forests 
z Environment Protection Fund  
z Subsidy 
z 1996, 1997 To protect the environment 
z Assistance to the Establishment of 
Environmentally-friendly Crop 
Structure 
z Grant 
z From 18 January to 31 December 1997 
z Producers To strengthen soil 
conservation 
z Assistance to the Establishment of 
Environmentally Crop Structure 
(leguminous crops) 
z Grant 
z From 1 January to 31 December 1998 
z Producers To strengthen soil 
conservation 
z Tax Concession for Bank Credits 
Financing other Investments 
z Deduction from corporate tax  
z Credit contracts concluded not later 
than 31 December 1996 
z Companies investing from bank credits 
on projects of environment protection, 
etc. To reduce the interest burden 
on credits financing 
environment protection 
projects   
z Tax Concession Related to Investment 
z Deduction from corporate tax 
z Came into effect on 1 January 1994 and 
lost effect on 1 January 1995. However, 
particular concessions granted before 
that data will continue to be applied 
until their expiry date approved by the 
Government and provided that the 
criteria continue to be met  
z Company manufacturing environment 
friendly products, etc. To promote the development 
of environment friendly 
products 
G/SCM/N/1/LVA/2 Latvia z Chapter 6, Law on Countervailing 
Duties - Non-countervailable Subsidy  
z Subsidies to promote the adaptation of 
existing facilities to new environmental 
requirements imposed by laws or 
regulations of the country of origin or 
export concerned, which result in 
greater constraints and financial burden 
on firms shall not be deemed 
countervailing  
z Firms in the country of origin To promote adaptation of 
existing facilities to new 
environmental requirements imposed by laws or 
regulations 
G/SCM/N/1/LTU/1 Lithuania z Chapter 6, Law on Countervailing 
Duties - Non-countervailable Subsidy  
z Subsidies to promote the adaptation of To promote adaptation of 
existing facilities to new 
environmental requirements WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 26  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
existing facilities to new environmental 
requirements imposed by laws or 
regulations of the country of origin or 
export concerned, which result in 
greater constraints and financial burden 
on firms shall not be deemed 
countervailing  
z Firms in the country of origin imposed by laws or 
regulations 
G/SCM/N/74/MUS Mauritius z Industrial Expansion Act - Certain 
legislation and programmes dealing 
with the issue of subsidies make 
reference to the promotion of the 
development of environmentally 
friendly industries;  anti-pollution 
technology for the protection of the 
environment;  and investment in anti-
pollution and environment protection technology    
z Exemption from or preferential rate of 
duty and incentive rate of corporate tax 
z Companies and enterprises   To promote the protection of 
the environment    
G/SCM/N/1/MDA/1 
 Moldova z Law on Countervailing Measures -  
Subsidies to promote adaptation of 
existing facilities to new environmental 
requirements imposed by law and 
regulations which result in greater 
constraints and financial burden on 
firms, shall not be subject to 
countervailing measures 
z Subsidies to firms within the territory of 
the country of origin or export To include certain subsidies 
related to environmental 
protection in the territory of 
the country of origin as non-
countervailable subsidies  
z Industrial R&D Programmes and 
Projects (NFR) 
z Financial support  
z Norwegian companies located in 
Norway with their own production 
facilities, activities and management 
z Put into effect in 1996;  Most projects 
are of limited duration – mainly 3 years  To include new 
environmentally sound 
products and services as one 
of the sectorial programmes 
linked to this scheme 
z Aid for Development and Diffusion of 
Cleaner Technologies  
z End in 1997, last payment 1999 To improve the environment  
z Aid for development and knowledge 
and information on sustainable 
production and consumption 
z One-off investment grant to projects 
z Started in 1990; duration not specified 
z All enterprises To promote information and 
capacity building for more 
sustainable production and 
consumption patterns, 
including waste reduction and 
recycling 
z Loan Guarantees for Investment in 
Cleaner Technologies, Waste Reduction 
and Recycling 
z End on 1 January 1997 To improve the environment  
z Guarantee and Loan Facility to the 
Company Responsible for Hazardous 
Waste 
z Loan and loan guarantee 
z Starting in1991, duration of the facility 
are 20 years 
z The company in question, namely, 
Norsk Avfallshandtering AS To reduce the risk related to 
building and operating a plant 
for treating hazardous waste G/SCM/N/71/NOR  Norway 
z Grant Programme for Introduction of 
New Energy Technology To support an introduction 
and demonstration of new  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 27 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
z Grant 
z Starting in 1979, duration not specified 
z business sector in a broad sense energy efficient and 
renewable energy technology 
z Norwegian Environmental Fund – a 
new political envi ronmental tool 
z Loans with subsidized interest rate  
z 1998-1 January 2001 
z Projects that may not receive proper 
financing in commercial banks due to 
high risk or marginal project 
profitability To stimulate companies to 
invest in or develop more 
environmental friendly 
technology in order to reduce 
emissions of greenhouse 
gases and other 
(environmentally) harmful 
emissions 
z Grant Programme for Energy 
Efficiency, Information and Education 
z Grant 
z Not specified 
z Households as well as the business 
sector in a broad sense To introduce efficient energy 
technology and energy 
conservation measures 
through support to 
information and education 
schemes as well as 
introduction and 
demonstration of new 
technology 
z Exemption from/reduction of SO2 and 
CO2 taxes 
z Tax concession  
z Starting date:  reduced coal and coke 
tax:  1 July 1992;  reduced mineral oil 
tax:  1 January 1993. Duration not 
specified 
z Paper and pulp, fish flour and cement 
and leca industry. To avoid an undesirable 
worsening of the concerned 
companies competitive 
power, since the CO2 taxes 
introduced in Norway in 1991 
are high compared to similar 
taxes that have been 
established in other countries  
z Tax Concessions in Forestry: The 
Forest Trust Fund and the 5-year 
Average Tax Assessment 
z Tax concessions  
z Initiated in 1932, but established at its 
present system in 1965 
z Forest owners To promote a long range 
forestry investment based on 
sustainable utilization of the 
forest resources  
z Subsidies for Forest Management 
Planning 
z Grants 
z Starting date: 1971.  Duration not 
specified. 
z All categories of owners and all types 
of operational forestland To stimulate forest 
management planning as a 
basic measure to promote sustainable forestry  
(including development 
related to biological diversity, 
landscape, cultural 
inheritance and recreational 
activities) 
z Subsidies for Afforestation and 
Silviculture 
z Grants 
z Starting date: 1931.  Duration has not 
been specified. 
z All forest owners. Priority is given to 
the Northern, Western and the 
mountainous regions To stimulate to the 
establishment and the 
composition of quality forests 
at the same time as the 
environmental values related 
to biological diversity, 
landscape, cultural 
inheritance and recreational 
activities are attended to and 
further developed   
z Subsidies for Construction of Forest 
Roads 
z Grants 
z Starting date 1961.  Duration not 
specified. 
z All forest owners. Priority is given to 
the Northern, Western and the To ease the access and 
provide possibilities for 
rational forest management 
and operation of forestland WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 28  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
mountainous regions 
z Subsidy for Harvesting of Round Wood 
in difficult Terrain 
z Grants 
z Starting date: 1976 
z All private, community or state forests To increased activity in rural 
regions through a sustainable 
utilization of the forest 
resources in difficult and 
steep terrain 
z Subsidy for manual Thinning 
z Grants 
z Starting date: 1985.  Duration not 
specified. 
z All forest owner categories To increased activity in rural 
regions through a sustainable 
utilization of the forest 
resources   
z Various schemes under the agricultural 
subsidy programmes 
z Direct payments  
z Specific farm sectors 
z 1 July 2000 – 30 June 2001  To meet the agricultural 
policy objectives concerning 
production, income, 
productivity, regional 
development, the agricultural 
landscape and the 
environment 
z Enterprise and Economic Development 
in the Regions  
z Grants and loans to upgrade the 
competence of the enterprise   
z Starting in 1971, duration not specified. 
z Business and industry To include consultancy 
services and dissemination of 
knowledge in the field of 
pollution control as eligible 
costs for grants and loans    G/SCM/N/71/NOR/ 
Suppl.1  Norway 
z National Innovation Scheme 
z Grant, loan and guarantee to upgrade 
the competence of the enterprise  
z Starting in 1993, duration not specified 
z Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) To include consultancy 
services and dissemination of 
knowledge in the field of 
pollution control as eligible 
costs for grants, loans   and 
guarantee 
G/SCM/N/1/PAK/ 2  Pakistan z Countervailing Duties Ordinance -  
Subsidies to promote adaptation of 
existing facilities to new environmental 
requirements imposed by law and 
regulations which result in greater 
constraints and financial burden on 
firms, shall not be subject to 
countervailing measures 
z Subsidies to firms within the territory of 
the country of origin   To include certain subsidies 
related to environmental 
protection in the territory of 
the country of origin as non-
countervailable subsidies  
z Micro and Small Scale Business 
Enterprises Act 
z Income tax exemption;  exemption from 
import duty and exemptions from 
income tax on export profits to make 
provision for developmental support 
with respect to micro and small scale 
business enterprises 
z In accordance with terms in the Fiscal 
Incentives Act, No. 15 of 1974, as 
applicable 
z Micro and small scale businesses To support micro and small 
scale business enterprises 
under the condition that they 
are engaged in 
environmentally sound 
operations to the satisfaction 
of the Minister responsible for 
the environment  G/SCM/N/71/LCA  St. Lucia 
z Free Zones Act  
z Exemption from import duty and other 
charges to promote economic growth 
and development and related matters 
z Income tax - 5 years from date of 
establishment within the Free Zone 
Area;  Income tax credits - indefinite.  
However subject to qualifications as 
prescribed in the Act;  Import duty and 
associated charges - for the duration of To lay down the condition  
with regards to the  
application for operation 
within a Free Zone that the proposed business enterprise 
will not have a deleterious 
effect on the environment, 
having regard to any 
environmental impact 
assessment made for the  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 29 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
  tenancy 
z Businesses established within a 
designated Free  Zone Area purpose 
z Tourism Incentives Act 
z Waiver of import duty and taxes  
z Establishment for tourism products and 
projects To include environmental 
impact as one of the criteria 
used in assessing the 
applications for incentives  G/SCM/N/74/LCA Saint Lucia 
z Micro and Small Scale Business 
Enterprises Act 
z Support and financial relief 
z Small scale business enterprises  To include in the criteria for 
which small scale business 
enterprises could receive 
benefits under this Act that 
these enterprises must be  
engaged in environmentally 
sound activities 
z Programme supporting structural 
adjustment in the steel industry 
z Guarantees-insurance of commercial 
risk;  grants;  conversion of claims into 
capital investments;  capital 
investments;  support to companies in 
difficulties 
z 1 January 2000-31 December 2004. 
z Slovenian steel works To restructure the steel 
industry aiming at abolishing 
the social and environmental 
impacts caused by the adverse 
effects of the steel industry 
z Promoting the development of tourism 
z Grants to activities related to the 
promotion of tourism 
z 1 January 2000-31 December 2001 
z Persons, institutes, associations, local 
and regional tourist agencies  To promote sustainable 
development of tourism 
z Restructuring programme for 
agriculture and food-processing 
industry 
z Direct payments 
z 1 January 2000-31 December 2001 
z Companies, persons and associations 
engaged in agricultural or food-
processing activity To restructure and modernize 
the food-processing industry, 
to improve the relevant  
environmental standards 
z Support for energy saving and the use 
of renewable energy sources. 
z Grants 
z Not specified 
z Commercial companies and sole 
proprietors To support energy saving, to 
increase the use of renewable 
energy sources and to 
increase public awareness of 
energy conservation  
z Environmental investments 
z Favourable loans 
z 14 July 2000-31 December 2001 
z Commercial companies, other legal 
persons and sole proprietors To promote environmentally 
friendly technologies and 
products, environmentally 
sound facilities and 
technologies, and to realize 
remedial programmes 
addressing environmental deterioration  
z Fisheries development programme 
z Grants 
z 1 January 2000 – 31 December 2001 
z Persons engaged in fishing activities To improve stock 
conservation and 
management, to protect and 
develop fish stocks and 
coastal waters, etc.   G/SCM/N/71/SVN G/SCM/N/60/SVN/ 
Suppl.1 Slovenia 
z Regional aid for local communities and 
administrative and local development 
coordination 
z Favourable loans and grants  
z 1 January 2000-31 December 2006 
z Companies and sole proprietors in the To promote the development 
of a sustainable economy and 
the conservation of natural 
resources, etc. WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 30  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
  statistical region of Zasavje 
G/SCM/N/2/TPKM 
and Suppl.1 Chinese 
Taipei z Tax credits for the purchase of 
automation and environmentally-
friendly equipment 
z Credit against Corporate income tax 
z Firm To achieve economic growth 
through industrial 
restructuring by encouraging 
investment in certain 
desirable areas such as energy 
conservation, pollution 
control, reclamation of 
resources and reuse of 
industrial water. 
z Fishing vessel buy-back programme 
z Grant 
z March 2000-December 2004 
z All kinds of fishing vessels with valid 
fishing licenses To relax the pressure on 
fishery resources for the 
purpose of ensuring that there 
will be a sustainable use of 
marine resources 
z Fishing Vessel Monitoring System 
Programme 
z Award 
z Fiscal years 1996-2000 
z Vessel owner To comply with the 
recommendations from 
international and regional 
fishery organizations for the 
conservation and management 
of marine resources 
z Extension of the Reuse of Pond Water 
in Aqua-culture programme 
z Grant 
z Fiscal years 1984-2004 
z Fishermen who raise and rear fish To reduce groundwater 
consumption in order to 
prevent the deterioration 
causing land subsidence 
 
z Measures for sweet potatoes, adzuki 
beans, mung beans, and other 
miscellaneous crops 
z Diversion Payment; Bonus payment 
z Not clearly specified 
z Those who follow the diversion 
programme To strengthen farmland 
environmental conservation 
plan for sustainable use of farmland 
z Specific and urgent financing and loans 
intended for promoting 
competitiveness, for plant site 
relocation, for working capital needed 
during periods of economic crisis and 
recession, and  for recovery plans from 
damage caused by major natural 
disasters 
z Financing and loan 
z No fixed completion date 
z All enterprises which meet “the 
Standards for Identifying a Small and 
Medium-Sized Enterprise”  To include management plans 
to enhance the prevention of 
environmental contamination 
in the conditions for the 
entitlement to apply the 
financing and loans  
z Loans at lower market interest rates for 
small and medium enterprises and 
private enterprises 
z Lower interest rate loans 
z Until the expiration of the SUI 
z All enterprises and are not limited to a 
specific industry or enterprise To promote industrial 
upgrading and achieving 
environment protection  
through lower interest rate loans for the procurement of 
pollution control facilities and 
energy saving facilities, etc. G/SCM/N/71/TPKM Chinese 
Taipei 
z Funds granted for development of 
products of the ten new leading 
industries 
z Grant and interest-free loan 
z No time limit 
z Companies developing products within 
the scope of one of the ten newly 
emerging industries To include pollution control 
in the ten new leading 
industries   WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 31 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
G/SCM/N/71/THA/ 
Suppl.1  Thailand z Machinery Upgrading Financing 
z Loan 
z Date of Commencement: EXIM Bank’s 
facility: Early 1997; BOT’s fund: May 
1997; SAL fund: February 1998. 
z Qualified operators To include in the scope of 
Machinery Upgrading Facility 
investments related to 
environment conservation  
z Advanced Subsonic Technology 
Programme 
z Grants, contracts, or other cooperative-
type agreements with private sector 
partners 
z Discontinued at the end of fiscal year 
1999 
z Selected participating companies To generate the possible 
future development of a new 
generation of environmentally 
compatible and economic 
subsonic aircraft 
z High Speed Research Programme  
z Grants, contracts, or other cooperative-
type agreements with private sector 
partners 
z Discontinued at the end of fiscal year 
1999  
z Select companies To improve the technology 
base for the possible future 
development of an 
economically viable and 
environmentally friendly high 
speed civil transport   
z Expensing of Certain Capital Outlays 
Related to Agriculture 
z Income tax concession 
z Indefinite 
z Farmers, except for certain farm 
corporations and partnerships To promote soil and water 
conservation 
z Partnership for a New Generation of 
Vehicles (PNG) 
z Contracts, subcontracts, understandings, 
grants, awards, cooperative research 
and development agreements and 
shared research arrangements 
z September 1993- September 2002 
z US government laboratories, 
universities and independent research 
establishments     To develop a vehicle which 
would achieve up to three 
times the fuel efficiency of 
today's comparable vehicles   
z Solar and Renewable Energy Resources 
Technologies (1999-2001) 
z Grants, cooperative agreements, 
cooperative research and development 
agreements (CRADAs) and other forms 
of collaboration accomplished through 
consortium-based activities between 
government laboratories and private 
industry 
z No fixed completion date 
z All eligible parties To develop renewable energy 
Technologies and to accelerate their acceptance 
and use;  to improve energy 
security, and environmental 
health through the 
development of clean, 
competitive power 
technologies for the 
21
st century 
z Energy Conservation Programmes-
Transportation Sector 
z Grants, cooperative agreements, 
CRADAs and other forms of 
collaboration accomplished through 
consortium-based activities between 
government laboratories and private 
industry 
z No fixed completion date 
z All eligible parties To support development and 
use of advanced vehicle 
technologies and fuels which 
reduce demand for petroleum, 
decrease emissions of criteria 
air pollutants and greenhouse 
gases;  to promote renewable 
energy and energy efficiency 
which will enable reduced oil 
consumption  G/SCM/N/48/USA G/SCM/N/60/USA 
G/SCM/N/71/USA 
and Suppl.1 United States 
z Energy Conservation Programmes – 
Building Technology, State and 
Community Sector 
z Grants, cooperative agreements, To develop, promote and 
integrate energy technologies 
and practices to make 
buildings more efficient and WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 32  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
CRADAs and other forms of 
collaboration accomplished through 
consortium-based activities between 
government laboratories and private 
industry 
z No fixed completion date 
z All eligible parties affordable and communities 
more livable 
z Energy Conservation – Industry Sector 
z Grants, cooperative agreements, 
CRADAs and other forms of 
collaboration accomplished through 
consortium-based activities between 
government laboratories and private 
industry 
z No fixed completion date 
z All eligible parties To improve the energy 
efficiency, environmental 
performance, and productivity 
of energy-intensive industries 
by developing and delivering 
advanced science and 
technology options which will 
lower raw material and 
depletable energy use and 
reduce the generation of wastes and pollutants  
z The Oil Programme 
z A system of competitive procurement 
through various kinds of cooperative 
agreements and CRADAs 
z No fixed completion dates 
z Independent oil producers and major 
petroleum companies, as well as firms 
from service sectors associated with the 
petroleum industry To develop cleaner heavy oil 
and residual upgrading and to 
reduce environmental costs to 
operators while improving 
environmental performance 
z The Natural Gas Programme 
z A system of competitive procurement 
z No fixed completion date 
z Chemical manufacturers, pipe 
producers, private research groups and 
various equipment manufacturers To reduce environmental 
costs to operators while 
improving environmental 
performance 
z The Clean Coal Technology 
Demonstration Programme 
z Cost-shared cooperative agreements 
z 1986-1996, R&D activities to be 
completed by 2007 
z Coal mining/processing/refining firms 
and related equipment/technology 
suppliers To demonstrate a new 
generation of advanced 
coal-based technologies 
which significantly advance 
the efficiency and 
environmental performance 
z New Technology Credit: Solar and 
Geothermal Energy Facilities 
z Income tax concession 
z Indefinite 
z Non-utility taxpayers that invest in 
qualifying equipment. To reduce consumption of oil 
and natural gas by 
encouraging the 
commercialization of 
renewable energy 
technologies 
z Alcohol Fuel Cred it and Partial 
Exemption from Federal Excise Tax on 
Gasoline 
z Income tax concession and reduced 
excise tax rates on fuels containing 
alcohol 
z Expired at 2007 
z Qualifying producers and blenders To encourage the substitution 
of alcohol fuels produced 
from renewable sources for 
gasoline and diesel fuel.   
z Credits for Electricity Production from 
Wind, Biomass, and Poultry Waste 
z Income tax concession 
z Applies to new facilities placed in 
service before 2004 
z The credit reduces federal income taxes 
for taxpayers producing electricity from To encourage the 
development and utilization 
of electric generating 
technologies that use 
specified renewable energy 
resources, as opposed to 
conventional fossil fuels.  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 33 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
wind, biomass and poultry waste 
z Sea Grant 
z Direct federal grants 
z Indefinite 
z Any individual; any public or private 
corporation, partnership, or other 
association or entity; or any state 
political subdivision, or agency or 
officer thereof To carry out research that 
addresses many aspects of the 
long-term economic 
development, environmental 
stewardship, and responsible 
use of marine and inland 
resources, including fish and 
shellfish 
z Columbia River Hatcheries 
z Grants 
z Indefinite 
z The Oregon Department of Fish and 
Wildlife, the Washington Department 
of Fish and Wildlife, and the 
Confederated Tribes and Bands of the 
Yakama Nation; th e US Fish and 
Wildlife Service To carry on activities for the 
conservation of fishery 
resources in the Columbia 
River Basin; to mitigate the 
negative effects of lost 
salmon habitat   
z The AMTEX Programme  
z CRADAs, via shared research costs and 
the transfer of technology   
z Initiated in 1993, not to exceed 10 years 
z Both the DOE and the integrated textile 
and apparel industry To develop and apply 
advanced technologies which 
will lead to reduce water 
consumption, waste products 
and  inefficiencies in the 
textile and apparel sectors  
z Coal Demonstration Programme – State 
of Illinois 
z Mixed financing 
z Coal mining firms To bring a new generation of 
clean coal techniques to the 
commercial marketplace 
z Energy Products Centre – New York 
State  
z Marketing assistan ce and financial 
assistance 
z Businesses involved with a technology, 
product, or service that generates new 
supplies of energy more efficiently and 
cleanly To promote clean and 
efficient energy  
z Rural Development Loan Fund – New 
York State 
z Loans 
z New and emerging businesses To promote environmentally 
sound development projects  
z Clean Fuel Vehicle Job Creation Tax 
Credit – State of Virginia 
z Tax credit 
z Businesses manufacturing or converting 
vehicles to operate on clean fuel and 
manufacturers of components for use in 
clean fuel vehicles. To promote the use of clean 
fuel  
z High Technology Business and 
Occupation Tax Credit Programme –
State of Washington 
z Tax credit 
z High technology businesses  To include environmental 
technology in the list of 
eligible high technology 
business    
z High Technology Sales and Use Tax 
Deferral/Exemption Programme – State 
of Washington 
z Tax exemption 
z Research and development pilot scale 
manufacturing  To stimulate growth in certain 
high technology industries, 
including environmental 
technology  
  z Poultry Environmental Enhancement 
Project – State of Alabama  
z Loans 
z Poultry industry To support environmental 
projects WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 34  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Environment-Related 
Objective 
z Enterprise Zones – State of Delaware 
z Bonds 
z Manufactures, first-time farmers, and 
pollution control facilities in targeted 
investment communities To promote investment for 
first-time farmers and 
pollution control facilities   
z Coal Technology Development 
Assistance Fund – State of Illinois 
z Funding 
z Coal industry firms To bring a new generation of 
clean coal techniques to the 
commercial marketplace 
G/SCM/N/71/URY Uruguay  z Forestry Law 
z Tax concession, tariff concession, 
partial refund of planting costs 
z 12-15 years 
z Producers To alleviate the pressure on 
the country's native forests, 
and enhance their 
conservation and sustainable 
use 
 
D. AGREEMENT ON AGRICULTURE  
11. In 2002, 193 notifications were submitted by  Members under the various Articles of the 
Agreement on Agriculture.  32 of these we re related to environmental measures,15 and 23 of which 
were made under the heading of "environment progr ammes" and/or "Green Box" measures (Annex 2, 
paragraph 12 of the Agreement).   
12. The environmental measures notified include the following:  agricultural domestic support for 
environmental programmes, envir onment-friendly agriculture, biologi cal farming, soil conservation, 
control of erosion, afforestation of agricultu ral land, general services on environment, waste 
management, preservation of countryside, promotion of  sustainable utilisation of natural agricultural 
resources and payments for special ecological services.16  The Note also includes information on 
bilateral assistance projects for Least-Developed Net Food Importing Countries (LDNFICs) notified 
under Article 16 which contains a reference to the environment. 
Chart 9:  Environment-related Agriculture Notifications (1997-2002)  
2232
2840 40
20
01020304050
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002  
 
  
                                                     
 
15 See Table 6. 
16 Measures related to support for biotechnology are not included.    WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 35 
 
 
Table 6:  Environment-related Agriculture Notifications (2002)17 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Programme Objective 
z Grains Research and Development To improve the production 
efficiency and the optimal use 
of the natural resource base in 
the grains industry 
z Land and Water Resources Research 
and Development To support and manage the 
research and development 
into the sustainable use of 
Australia's land, water and 
vegetation resources 
z Red Meat Research and Development To further the sustainable use 
and management of natural 
resources Australia (2000-2001) 
“Green Box” 
measures
18  
 
General services 
z Rural Industries Research and 
Development To support the management 
of research and development 
programmes for the rural 
sector focussing on new and 
emerging plant and animal 
industries and generic 
programmes 
z Australian Animal Health Laborator y To assure Australia's freedom 
from serious exotic animal 
diseases 
z Exotic Animal Disease Preparedness 
Programs To promote research and 
national training programmes 
for exotic animal disease 
recognition, diagnosis and 
control 
z National Feral Animal Control 
Strategy To reduce the damage caused 
to agriculture and the 
environment by feral animals  
z National Weeds Program To reduce the detrimental 
impact of nationally 
significant weeds on the 
sustainability of Australia's 
natural ecosystem and 
production capacity  Pest and Disease 
z Wildlife and Exotic Disease 
Preparedness Program To deal with an outbreak of 
exotic animal disease 
z National Action Plan for Salinity and 
Water Quality To develop and implement 
integrated catchment or 
regional natural resource 
management plans targeting 
salinity and water quality G/AG/N/AUS/41  and 41/Rev.1 
Infrastructure 
services 
z Great Artesian Basin Sustainability 
Initiative To eliminate wastage of water 
and manage the artesian water 
                                                      
17 The description of the Measure or programme  is arranged (wherever possible) as follows: 
• Title of the measure or programme; 
• Form of assistance, if mentioned; 
• Indicative duration of programme if mentioned in a notif ication (if time is not mentioned in the table, the 
notification contains no refere nce to the duration of a measure or it sa ys that the measure is not limited in 
time); if a programme or measure has been discontinued or terminated but is still not notified, that means 
there were some pending liabilities (payments, collectib les, interest rate subsidies, guaranties, losses to 
be covered etc.) spilling over the next periods; 
• Principal beneficiaries 
The column on Members also refers to the notification time-period and the type of measure or Article under which 
the notification is made.  
Generally, the table follows the classification of "Green Box" measures according to Annex 2 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture and the notification requirements and formats set out in document G/AG/2.   
18 Measures exempt from the reduction commitment. WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 36  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Programme Objective 
 resource, thereby preserving 
options for the future 
z Natural Resources Management 
Program To minimize land 
degradation, identify impacts 
on crops, predict movements 
through the environment 
z [Tasmania]19 The funding of research 
programmes To develop and improve 
efficient and sustainable 
practices in agriculture 
z [Western Australia] Research and 
development To improve agricultural 
production, sustainable land 
management and pest and 
disease control 
z [Queensland] Pest Management and 
Stock Route Services To protect plant and animal 
health and improve pest 
control  
z [Victoria] Rabbit Management  To minimize the economic, 
environmental and social 
impacts caused by rabbits 
z [Victoria] Pest Animal Manage ment To minimise the economic, 
environmental and social 
impacts 
z [South Australia] Training and 
development To develop farm planning and 
sustainable natural resource 
management 
z [Western Australia] Training suppor t To develop sustainable rural 
management, trade and 
market development 
z [Queensland] Natural Resources 
Management Program To help increase awareness 
about the sustainable 
management of natural 
resources 
z [South Australia] Provision of 
extension advice To enhance sustainable 
economic development 
z [South Australia] Support sustainable 
land resource development and 
management To support sustainable land 
resource development and 
management 
z [Western Australia] Extension and 
advisory services to agricultural 
producers To promote ecologically 
sustainable development and 
pest and disease control 
z [South Australia] Animal Health  To serve for the management 
of pest and disease threats to 
animal industries Research 
z [Tasmania] Assistance in the 
provision of rural infrastructure and 
associated services To ensure the continued 
development of efficient and 
sustainable agriculture 
z NHT14-National Landcare 
z Payments to States To improve natural resource 
management 
z NHT-Bushcare (the National 
Vegetation Initiative) 
z Assistance to community groups To reverse the long-term 
decline in the quality of 
native vegetation cover 
z NHT-National Rivercare Program 
z Assistance for community groups To contribute towards the 
sustainable management, 
rehabilitation and 
conservation of rivers  
Environmental 
programmes 
z NHT – Murray-Darling 2001 To promote and coordinate 
effective planning and 
management for the equitable, 
efficient and sustainable use 
of the water, land and other 
                                                      
19 Measures taken by State/Territory Governments are indicated in brackets.   WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 37 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Programme Objective 
environmental resources  
z NHT – Farm Forestry Program To encourage the 
incorporation of commercial 
tree growing and management 
into farming systems 
z Australian Capital Territory  To promote sustainable 
production and conservation of biodiversity and natural 
resource management 
z Rural Conservation Fund 
z Financial assistance To promote projects that 
address conservation criteria 
z [New South Wales] Funding for 
programmes To prevent and mitigate 
degradation of land and water 
resources 
z [Northern Territory]  Land Resource 
Conservation To ensure appropriate use and 
facilitate sustainable 
development 
z [South Australia] Revegetation 
z Rural tree planting grants To help communities initiate 
revegetation projects 
z National Heritage Trust 
z Technical and coordination support 
and grants To community National 
Heritage Trust group projects 
z [Tasmania] Provision of services 
z Agricultural producers To limit environmental 
damage and to encourage 
sound practices to minimise 
soil erosion, salination and 
water damage  
z [Western Australia] Environmental 
services  To provide environmental 
services to agricultural industries   
Regional 
assistance 
programmes z Rural Partnership Program To achieve long-term change 
and to encourage profitable 
and self-reliant rural sectors 
which can adapt to … 
sustainable management of 
the natural resource base 
z ACT Rural Conservation Fund 
z Projects on leased rural land 
z May 2000 
z All agricultural products To address conservation of 
biodiversity 
z Loxton Irrigation Scheme (LIS) 
Refurbishment 
z 1 July 2000, 2years 
z All agricultural products To promote environmental 
benefits for the Riverland 
region in South Australia 
z National Action Plan for Salinity and 
Water Quality 
z 3 November 2000, 7 years 
z Nil To prevent, stabilise and 
reverse trends in dryland 
salinity affecting the 
sustainability of production;  
To ensure the conservation of 
biological diversity and the 
viability of infrastructure and to improve water quality and 
secure reliable allocations for 
human uses, industry and the 
environment G/AG/N/AUS/42 Australia 
Article 18:3 of 
the Agreement20  
 
z Development Incen tive Scheme 
[Queensland] 
z October 1997 Until 30 June 2003 
z N/A To encourage individual 
landholders to undertake 
commercially and 
ecologically sustainable 
irrigation practices 
                                                      
20 New or modified domestic suppor t measures exempt from reduction.  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 38  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Programme Objective 
  z WEST 2000 Plus Program 
z 12 December 2000, 3 years 
z All agricultural products To respond to long-term 
structural impediments to 
productivity improvements, 
competitiveness and viability 
of farm businesses associated 
with drought, land 
degradation, small property 
size and inability to switch 
enterprises from pastoral 
activities  
G/AG/N/AUS/48 Australia 
Article 16:2 of 
the Agreement21  
(2001-2002) z Technical and financial assistance 
under paragraph 3(iii) of the Decision To reduce poverty and 
achieve sustainable 
development in developing 
countries 
G/AG/N/CUB/19 Cuba 
“Green Box” 
measures 
(2001)  z Animal and plant health services To encourage scientific and 
technical research concerning 
animal and plant health   
Cyprus  “Green Box” 
measures,  
(2000) 
General 
services  z Research in connection with 
environmental programmes  
z Provision of financial assistance by 
the Department of Agriculture for the 
construction of soil conservation 
works for agricultural development  
z Subsidization of the purchase of 
selected breeding stock for livestock 
improvement and conservation of rare 
breeds of farm animals  G/AG/N/CYP/1 
Measures under 
“Development 
programmes” 
z Subsidization of the purchase of 
genetically improved sows (hybrits) 
in order to encourage the genetic 
improvement of the swine population  
z Crop production restructuring through 
afforestation 
z Publicly funded government 
programme 
z Date of entry into effect: 1 January 
2000; Period of application: from 1 
January 2000 
z No individual product To support biological 
diversity in the landscape and 
to promote reduction of arable 
land area G/AG/N/CZE/38 Czech 
(under Article 
18.3) 
z Maintenance of agricultural land 
z Publicly funded government 
programme 
z Date of entry into effect: 
1 January 2000; Period of application: 
from 1 January 2000 
z No individual product To promote landscape 
maintenance and to prevent 
spread of diseases, pests and 
weeds 
Estonia  “Green Box” 
measures 
(2000) 
General services z Pest and disease control  G/AG/N/EST/4 
Environmental 
programmes z Support for converting to organic 
farming   
                                                      
 21 Measures Concerning the Possible Negative Effects of the Reform Programme on Least Developed and Net 
Food-Importing Developing Countries.  
  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 39 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Programme Objective 
 Regional 
assistance 
programmes z Liming of acid soils in areas 
determined by the respective soil 
research laboratories  
G/AG/N/EST/5 Estonia 
"Green Box" 
measure,  
Environmental 
programmes  z State measure for converting to 
organic farming or continue using 
organic farming methods 
z 10 May 2000, FY 2000 To introduce environmentally 
friendly production methods 
and increase the share of 
organic farming in traditional 
agriculture 
z Supporting growing certified seeds  To increase protection against 
plant diseases and wild oats 
z Setting up agri-environment program  Estonia 
"Green Box" 
measures 
(2001) 
Environmental 
programs z Support for converting to organic 
farming   G/AG/N/EST/6 
Regional 
assistance 
programs z Liming of acid soils in areas 
determined by the respective soil 
research laboratories  
G/AG/N/EEC/35 European 
Communities 
(under Article 
16.2)  
(1999-2000) 
 z Technical and financial assistance 
under paragraph 3 (iii) of the 
Decision22 Under certain programmes, 
inter alia , to promote land 
conservation 
European Communities  
“Green Box” 
measures 
(1999-2000) 
General services z Pest and disease control  To  protect plant and animal 
health  G/AG/N/EEC/38 
Environmental 
Programmes z Protection of environment and 
preservation of the countryside, 
control of soil erosion, 
extensification, aid for 
environmentally sensitive areas;  
support and protection of organic 
production by creating conditions of 
fair competition;  aid for forestry 
measures in agriculture;  conservation 
of genetic resources in agriculture  
G/AG/N/GEO/2 Georgia 
“Green Box” 
measures 
(2000-2001) z Infrastructural Services. 
Reforestation; Kolkheti Low-Land 
Maintenance Measures; Supervision 
of Animal Winter Pasture Routes  
z National animal and plant health 
monitoring programme To protect animal and plant 
health in Honduras, through 
grants G/AG/N/HND/10/ 
Rev.1 Honduras 
Measures under 
“Development 
programmes” 
 
(1999-2001) 
 z Initiation and development of the 
PRONADERS 
z DINADERS/SAG Programme To maximize the potential of 
natural resources through 
human, social, environmental 
and production-oriented 
development 
z National construction and 
rehabilitation programme  
z Investment subsidies 
z 1999-2000 
z Producers Among other things, to enrich 
the fauna and flora G/AG/N/HND/13 Honduras 
(under Article 
18.3) 
z Initiation and development of the 
National Sustainable Rural 
Development Programme  
z Investment subsidies 
z 2000-2002 To enhance the population's 
standard of living and 
optimise resource potential 
through human, social 
environmental and 
                                                      
22 A list of  crop and animal farming projects.   WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 40  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Programme Objective 
  z Producers production-oriented 
development 
z Assistance to genetical development 
(1996 1997, 1998)  
z Assistance to soil amelioration and to 
irrigation investment (1996, 1997, 
1998)  Hungary 
“Green Box” 
Measures 
(1996-1998) 
Structural 
adjustment 
assistance 
provided 
through 
investment aids z Assistance to the transition to organic 
production (1998)  
z Assistance to the protection of arable 
land (1996 ,1997, 1998)  G/AG/N/HUN/28 
Environmental 
programmes 
z Assistance to the establishment of 
environmentally friendly crop 
structure (1997, 1998)  
G/AG/N/ISL/19 Iceland 
“Green Box” 
measures 
(1999) 
Environmental 
programmes z Environmental programmes;  
afforestation environmental 
programmes (1999, 2000)  
India 
“Green Box” 
measures  
(1996-1998) 
Environmental 
programmes z Soil conservation in catchment areas 
of river valley projects  
 z Integrated watershed management in 
the catchment areas of flood-prone 
rivers in the Indo-Gangetic basin  
 z Spices Board Programme for water 
harvesting, soil conservation and 
afforestation  
 z National Waste Land Development 
Programme  
 z Desert development programme  
 z Control of shifting cultivation  G/AG/N/IND/2 
 z Forest conservation/afforestation and 
economic development  
G/AG/N/ISR/26 Israel 
"Green Box" 
measures 
(2000) 
General services z Services provided for farmers 
z Plant protection services 
z Soil Conservation and Drainage 
Department 
z National Park Protection Authority  
z General research in connection with 
environmental programmes  
z General and product-specific pest and 
disease control measures  Japan 
“Green Box” 
measures 
(1998-1999) 
General services z Promotion of soil conservation and 
low-input farming  
z Payments for maintaining paddy 
fields in environmentally good 
condition through growing any plants 
other than rice or other appropriate 
managements  G/AG/N/JPN/72 
Environmental 
programmes 
z Payments to dairy farmers who 
practice appropriate management to 
tackle environmental problems   WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 41 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Programme Objective 
z Research in connection with the 
agricultural environment, genetics, 
farm management, livestock disease 
control, rural community planning 
and safety of pesticides, etc.  Korea 
“Green Box” 
measures 
(2000) 
General services 
z Plant and animal disease control and 
protection  G/AG/N/KOR/31 
Environmental 
programmes z Payments for the prevention of soil 
erosion, soil acidification, and for the 
purification of livestock excretions 
for prevention of water pollution, and 
direct payments for environment-
friendly farming  
Morocco 
"Green Box" 
measures 
(2000) z Pilot project for the recycling of 
waste water, and environmental 
management programme  
Agricultural 
research, 
monitoring and 
evaluation of 
the sector z Genetic improvement, veterinary 
research, agro-econom ic studies, etc.  G/AG/N/MAR/24 
Livestock 
protection z Campaign against the effects of 
drought  
z Disease and Pest Surveillance 
Services and Emergency Response 
Services To diagnose and respond to 
detections of unrecorded, 
unwanted organisms that pose 
a threat to animal, plant or 
forest populations 
z Sustainable Farming Fund To support community driven 
programmes aimed at 
improving the financial and 
environmental performance of 
the land based sectors G/AG/N/NZL/33 New Zealand 
“Green Box” 
measures 
(2001) 
General services 
z Organics Initiative funding for the 
development of a National Minimum 
Standard for organic products; the 
development of a growth strategy for 
the organics sector; the development 
of a certification system for small-scale producers of organic products; 
and the establishment of the Organics 
Working Group which will interface 
between government departments and 
organic producers  
z Sustainable Farming Fund 
z Grants 
z 1 July 2000, 5 years 
z No individual product To improve the financial and 
environmental performance of 
the land based sectors G/AG/N/NZL/34 New Zealand 
 
(under  
Article 18.3) 
 z Organics Initiatives 
z Funding 
z December 2000, 3 years 
z Organic products across a variety of 
sectors To develop a National 
Minimum Standard for organic products 
Norway 
“Green Box” 
measures 
(2000) 
General services z Pest and diseases control To  protect plant and animal 
health G/AG/N/NOR/36 
Environmental 
programmes z Subsidy to Ecological Production;  
Subsidy to research on, and farmers 
changing to, ecological production 
methods  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 42  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Programme Objective 
z Subsidy to producers who refrain 
from field work on areas exposed to 
erosion in autumn  
z Subsidy to Production on Steep Areas    
z Fixed Area Support to Ecological 
Production  
z Inspection services To improve quality control on 
seeds, soil and plants G/AG/N/POL/46 Poland 
“Green Box” 
measure 
(2000) z Plant protection To improve pest and disease 
control  
Slovak Republic “Green Box” 
measures 
(2001) 
Environmental 
programmes z Ecological procedures  
z Plant genetic sources  G/AG/N/SVK/35 
Non-Product-
Specific AMS z Animal genetic sources  
Slovenia 
“Green Box” 
measures  
(2000) 
General services z Pest and disease control services  To protect plant and animal 
health G/AG/N/SVN/18/ Rev.1 
Environmental 
programmes z Subsidy for ecological production 
methods, financial support to steep 
area pasture, forest tendence, 
preventive forest protection subsidy 
for production on steep areas  
Slovenia 
"Green Box" 
measures  
(2001) 
General 
Services z Pest and disease control services  To protect plant and animal 
health G/AG/N/SVN/21 and 21/Rev.1  
Environmental 
programmes z Subsidy for ecological production 
methods, financial support to steep 
area pasture, forest tendence, 
preventive forest protection subsidy 
for production on steep areas.  
z Resource conservation and 
environmental management To promote sustainable 
utilisation of natural 
agricultural resources, soil, 
water and vegetation, and to 
protect the environment G/AG/N/ZAF/44 
z Auxiliary and associated service To contribute to soil 
conservation activities South Africa 
“Green Box” 
measures   
(2000)  
 
General services z Agricultural engineering services To promote the sustainable 
utilisation of natural 
agricultural resources, 
planning and development  
Environmental 
programmes z Soil conservation works To improve and protect the 
soil 
G/AG/N/CHE/13/Add.2 Switzerland 
administration 
of tariff quotas 
(2001) z Import arrangement on live sheep and 
goats For the conservation of 
endangered breeds 
G/AG/N/CHE/13/ 
Add.3  Switzerland 
administration 
of tariff quotas 
(2002) z Import arrangement on live swine  For the conservation of 
endangered breeds  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 43 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Programme Objective 
G/AG/N/TUN/24 Tunisia  
“Green Box” 
measures,  
(2000) z Environmental conservation through 
land and afforestation works  
E. AGREEMENT ON ANTI-DUMPING  
13. In 2002, Members submitted 145 notifications  under the Agreement on Implementation of 
Article VI (Anti-Dumping) of the GATT 1994, and one of these was environment related.23  T h i s  
notification addressed those subsidies to promote adaptation of existing facilities to new 
environmental requirements shall not be subject to countervailing measures.  
Chart 10:  Environment-related An ti-Dumping Notifications (1997-2002)  
1 13
0 04
012345
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002  
Table 7:  Environment-related Anti-Dumping Notifications (2002)  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Objective 
G/ADP/N/1/MDA/124 
 Moldova Subsidies to prom ote adaptation of existing 
facilities to new environmental requirements 
imposed by law and/or regulations which 
result in greater constraints and financial 
burden on firms, shall not be subject to 
countervailing measures To promote the reduction of 
pollution 
 
F. AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES (ILP) 
14. In 2002, Members submitted 89 notificati ons under the Agreement on Import Licensing 
Procedures (ILP), and 13 of these were environment related.25  They mostly pursuant to Article 7.3 of 
the Agreement followed the format of Replies to Questionnaires on ILP (Annex to G/LIC/3).   
15. A number of the measures notified referred to import licensing requirements in accordance 
with international agreements, such as the B asel Convention on hazardous and toxic waste, the 
Montreal Protocol on ozone- depleting substances, and the CITES on endangered species.  
                                                      
23 See Table 7. 
24 Also see SCM. 
25 See Table 8. WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 44  
 
Chart 11:  Environment-relate d ILP Notifications (1997-2002)
 
20
13
10
71715
0510152025
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
 
 
Table 8:  Environment-related ILP Notifications (2002)  
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Objective 
G/LIC/N/1/CHN/1/ 
Add.1  
 China Rules and measures on administration of 
import of machinery and electronic products 
Import of used machinery and electronic products 
Import of substances depleting the ozone 
layer Among others, to protect the 
environment, ozone layer and 
to prevent waste  
G/LIC/N/3/ECU/1/ 
Add.1  
G/LIC/Q/ECU/2 Ecuador Replies to the questionnaire on import 
licensing procedures under Article 7.3 of the 
Agreement  
Items covered by tariff-rate: whole turkeys, 
poultry cuts and offal, wheat (all headings, 
for human consumption only), barley, flint 
maize, sorghum, malt, not roasted, wheat 
starch, maize (corn) starch, soya oilcake, 
oilcake of colza, m ilk powder, glucose, 
glucose containing fructose and glucose syrup To protect human or animal 
health and environment 
G/LIC/N/3/ECU/2 Ecuador A system of prior licensing, consisting of the 
selection of a specific number of items 
requiring prior authorization in advance of 
clearance for domestic consumption. To protect health, public 
morality, the environment and 
essential safety interests 
Import control on ri ce, pesticides, 
pharmaceutical products and medicines, 
radioactive substan ces and irradiating 
apparatus, ozone-deple ting substances, goods  To protect safety, health, 
environment 
Import licensing system for endangered 
species of animals and plants To give efforts to CITES G/LIC/N/3/HKG/6 Hong Kong, 
China 
Import control on wastes To fulfil its international 
obligations under the 
Basel Convention and to 
ensure environmentally sound 
management of waste  
G/LIC/N/3/JAM/1/ 
Add.2   Jamaica Restrictions on the importation of 
Chlorofluoro carbons (CFC) 
 To keep with Jamaica's 
obligations to the Multilateral 
Environment Agreements  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 45 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or Product Objective 
G/LIC/N/1/NAM/1 
G/LIC/N/3/NAM/4 Namibia An import/export permit system for the 
importation/ exportation of live animals 
(cattle, sheep, goats and pigs) and meat 
derived therefrom  To protect species 
G/LIC/N/3/POL/2 Poland Conditions for entry and exit of wastes and 
conditions on which foreign trade turnover in 
substances depleting the ozone  To protect the environment 
and the ozone layer 
G/LIC/N/3/SVK/1 Slovak 
Republic Products subject to security non-automatic 
licensing  To protect national security, 
health and environment 
G/LIC/N/3/SVN/2 Slovenia Products that  are subject to import licensing: 
plant protection products, wildlife animals 
and plants, hazardous wastes, ozone layer 
depleting substances and products thereof To protect plant, the 
environment and human 
health, to conserve the nature 
and species of fauna and 
flora, to supervise the trade of 
hazardous waste 
Control measures on hazardous mate rials To be in line with the 
Montreal Protocol 
Imported animals are screened and controlled to ensure that they are suited to be raised in 
the domestic environment To ensure a healthy 
environment 
Import licence for yellow-fin tuna, bluefin tuna, southern bluefin tuna, swordfish, 
big-eye tuna To protect marine ecology 
Oil and petroleum products regulated by the 
“Petroleum Administration Law”.   To give consideration to 
environmental protection G/LIC/N/1/TPKM/3 
G/LIC/N/3/TPKM/1  Chinese 
Taipei 
Import licence for fishing boats and vessels   To ensure maintaining 
continuing use of fishery 
resources 
G/LIC/N/1/VEN/1 Venezuela Laws and regulations relating to the import 
licensing procedures in force in 2002 Among others, to protect the 
environment and human 
health  
 
G. AGREEMENT ON SAFEGUARDS  
16. In 2002, Members submitted 120 notifications  under the Agreement on Safeguards, and one 
of them was environment related.26  The notification referred to subsidies to promote adaptation of 
existing facilities to new environmental requirements considered to be non-countervailing measures.  
Chart 12:  Environment-related Safeguards Notifications (1997-2002)  
 
1 1 1 11
0012
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
 
 
                                                      
26 See Table 9. WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 46  
 
Table 9:  Environment-relate d Safeguards Notifications (2002)
 
 
Symbol Member Measure  or Product Objective 
G/SG/N/1/MDA/1 
G/ADP/N/1/MDA/1 
G/SCM/N/1/MDA/1 Moldova Subsidies to prom ote adaptation of existing 
facilities to new environmental requirements 
imposed by law and/or regulations which 
result in greater constraints and financial 
burden on firms, shall not be subject to 
countervailing measures To promote the reduction of 
pollution 
 
H. AGREEMENT ON CUSTOMS VALUATION  
17. Among the 41 notifications made under Article 22.2 of the Agreement on Implementation of 
Article VII of the GATT 1994 (Customs Valuation) in 2002, only one notification pertained to the 
environment.27  It addresses environment-related provisi ons and deals with customs procedures. 
Chart 13:  Environment-related Custom s Valuations Notifications (1997-2002)  
1 1 13
1
0
01234
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
 
 
Table 10:  Environment-related Cust oms Valuations Notifications (2002)  
 
Symbol Member Provision or issue Objective 
Provision to prevent illegal transit across the 
customs border species of disappearing 
animals and plants  
Provision to protect ... the health and life of 
humans, animals or plants and the 
environment  
Prohibition by legislation of certain goods 
and means of transport due to certain reasons, 
including those for the protection of the 
environment  G/VAL/N/1/MDA/1 Moldova 
Not to grant authorization for destruction of 
certain goods, if there are enough grounds to 
consider that the destruction may cause 
significant damage to the environment   
                                                      
27 See Table 10.  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 47 
 
 
Symbol Member Provision or issue Objective 
  Provision for customs authorities to conduct 
customs control of goods and means of 
transport in the absence of the declarant, ... if 
health of humans, animals and plants, 
environment are in danger  
 
I. STATE TRADING  
18. In 2002, among the 36 notifications submitted by Members pursuant to Article XVII: 4(a) of 
the GATT 1994 and paragraph 1 of the Understanding on the Interpretation of Article XVII (State 
trading), two were in relation to the environment.28  These concern state trading for products in China, 
and a "state trading company" established in France.  
Chart 14:  Environment-related State Tr ading Enterprises Notifications (1997-2002)  
12
0 0 01
0123
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
 
Table 11:  Environment-related State Trading Enterprises Notifications (2002)  
 
Symbol Member Measure or product Objective 
G/STR/N/7/CHN 
G/STR/N/8/CHN China Introducing and maintaining state trading for 
listed products Among others, to realize the 
goal of sustainable 
development 
G/STR/N/5/EEC 
G/STR/N/6/EEC 
G/STR/N/7/EEC 
 European 
Communities The "state trading company" Gaz de France  
was established under the Law of 8 April 
1946 nationalizing the gas industry with a 
view to supplying gas in France while at the 
same time respecting a number of obligations 
as a public service and making an active 
contribution towards the implementation of 
energy, environmental and planning policies.  
 
J. REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS (RTA S), INCLUDING THE UNDERSTANDING ON THE 
INTERPRETATION OF ARTICLE XXIV  OF THE GATT  1994 
19. In 2002, no environment-related notification was made under the regional trade agreements 
(RTAs). 
                                                      
28 See Table 11. WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 48  
 
K. A
GREEMENT ON TRADE -RELATED ASPECTS OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (TRIPS)   
20. Among the 218 TRIPS notifications made in 20 02, 16 were notified under Article 63.2, and 
contained environment-related provisions.29  They included laws and decisions taken pursuant to the 
principles and provisions contained in the compul sory licensing provisions and non-patentability of 
plant or animal varieties, or of essentially biological processes of plants or animals. 
Chart 15:  Environment-relate d TRIPS Notifications (1997-2002)  
116
3
055
05101520
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
 
Table 12:  Environment-related TRIPS Notifications (2002)   
 
Symbol Member Measure or product Objective 
IP/N/1/ALB/I/1 
 Albania No patents sha ll be granted in respect of plant or animal 
varieties or essentially bi ological processes for the 
production of plants or animals  
The Economic Competition Department, during the 
review of the request considers especially such factors as 
the strong development of technical, ecological and 
economical progress when this serves to public interest  IP/N/1/ALB/U/1 
 Albania 
In cases when the violation of the law is intentional made 
and this causes heavy consequences for public health, the 
protection of environmen t or important economic 
interests and property, the infringement will be attended 
to by penalty  
IP/N/1/ATG/P/1 
 Antigua and 
Barbuda The following shall be excluded from patent protection: 
methods for treatment of the human or animal body by 
surgery or therapy, as well as diagnostic methods 
practiced on the human or animal body;  this provision 
shall not apply to products for use in any of those 
methods;  plants and animals other than micro organisms; 
essentially biological pro cesses for the production of 
plants or animals other than non-biological and micro 
biological processes;  plant varieties; inventions, the 
prevention within Antigua and Barbuda of the 
commercial exploitation of whic h is necessary to protect 
public order or morality, including to protect human, 
animal or plant life or health  or to avoid serious prejudice 
to the environment  
Law No. 20,247 – Seeds and Phytogenetic Developments  IP/N/1/ARG/2 
 Argentina 
Regulatory Decree No. 2,138/91 – New Regulations 
under Law No. 20,247 on Seeds and Phytogenetic  
                                                      
29 See Table 12.   WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 49 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or product Objective 
Developments   
Articles 2,311 to 3,278 of Book III, Property Rights, 
Civil Code. General provisi ons concerning seeds and 
phytogenetic developments, under Article 20 of Law 
No. 20,247.  
IP/N/1/BRB/2 
 Barbados The Act implements Article 27.3(b) of the TRIPS 
Agreement and makes provision for a sui generis system for the protection of the rights of breeders and developers 
of new plant varieties.  
IP/N/1/CHN/I/1 
 China 
 No patent right shall be granted to methods for the 
diagnosis or for the treatmen t of diseases and animal and 
plant varieties  
IP/N/1/CHN/P/1 
 China In applying for a variety right, a new variety of plant 
shall belong to a botanical genera and species in the 
national catalogue of protected plant varieties.  To protect the rights 
in new varieties of 
plants;  to encourage 
the breeding and use 
of new varieties of 
plants;  and to promote the 
development of 
agriculture and 
forestry 
IP/N/1/MUS/I/1 
 Mauritius 
 The following shall be excluded from patent protection: 
methods for treatment of the human or animal body by 
surgery or therapy, as well as diagnostic methods 
practised on the human or animal body; plants; animals; 
essentially biological pro cesses for the production of 
plants and animals; plant varieties  
Customs authorities shall prevent illegal transit across the 
customs border of ... intellect ual property objects, species 
of disappearing animals and plants   IP/N/1/MDA/E/5 
 Moldova 
Certain goods and means of transport are prohibited from 
being brought in or taken out from the territory due to 
reasons for the protection of environment  
IP/N/1/MDA/I/2 
 Moldova Patent shall not  be issued for inventions, the prevention 
of commercial exploitation of which is necessary to 
protect public order or morality, including to protect 
human, animal or plant life he alth or to avoid serious 
prejudice to the environment  
IP/N/1/MDA/P/1 Moldova Patent  shall not be issued for inventions, the prevention 
of commercial exploitation of which is necessary to 
protect public order or morality, including to protect 
human, animal or plant life he alth or to avoid serious 
prejudice to the environment   
IP/N/1/MDA/P/2 Moldova The government shall approve the list of botanical genera 
and species the varieties of which are protected under the 
said Law  
IP/N/1/MDA/U/1 
 Moldova Information pertaining to environment pollution cannot 
be regarded as object of the commercial secret  
Dahir No. 1-96-255 promulgating Law No. 9-94 on the 
protection of new varieties of plants To protect new 
varieties of plants IP/N/1/MAR/2 Morocco 
Draft13 Order implementing Law No. 9/94 on the 
protection of new varieties of  plants, determining the list 
of species eligible for protection, their term of protection 
and the elements protected  
IP/N/1/MAR/P/5 
 Morocco Draft order implementi ng Law No. 9/94 on the protection 
of new varieties of plants, determining the list of species 
eligible for protection, their term of protection and the 
elements protected  
IP/N/1/TPKM/E/1 
 Chinese 
Taipei The approved alcohol manufacture may begin production 
and business activities, only wh en the approvals from the 
central health and environm ental protection authorities 
are received  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 50  
 
L. T
HE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TRADE IN SERVICES (GATS) 
21. In 2002, among the 43 notifications made under Ar ticle III, paragraph 3, of the General 
Agreement on Trade in Services, seven related to the environment.30  These notifications include 
regulations and agreements in trade of services mentioning environment issues.  
Chart 16:  Environment-relate d GATS Notifications (1997-2002)  
17
0 00 002468
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
 
 
Table 13:  Environment-rela ted GATS Notifications (2002)  
 
Symbol Member Measure or issue Objective 
Applications for establishing joint ventures shall not be 
approved if they involve the creation of environmental 
pollution   S/C/N/209 China 
The industrial property or proprietary technology contributed 
by a foreign joint venturer as an investment shall meet the 
capable of notably saving raw materials fuel or power   
S/C/N/211 China Approval to an applic ation for the establishment of a 
contractual joint venture shall not be granted under the 
following circumstance:  causing pollution to the 
environment   
The State encourages foreign-capital enterprises to adopt 
advanced technology and e quipment, engage in the 
development of new products, realize the upgrading of 
products and the replacement of products with ones of a 
higher grade, conserve en ergy and raw materials  
The application for the estab lishment of a foreign-capital 
enterprise shall not be approved if the proposed enterprise 
would involve the following ci rcumstance: possible creation 
of environmental pollution.  S/C/N/213 China 
The application for the estab lishment of a foreign-capital 
enterprise shall include the following contents:  the extent to 
which environmental pollution may be created and the 
measures for resolution.   
S/C/N/188 Joint Communication 
from the European 
Communities and their 
Member states and the 
Republic of Estonia Provisions in the Europe Agreement which are relevant to the 
scope of the GATS: "Economic c ooperation", in particular ... 
Article 81 on Energy;  and Article 83 on Environment  
S/C/N/187 Joint Communication 
from the European Provisions in the Europe Agreement which are relevant to the 
scope of the GATS: "Economic c ooperation", in particular ...  
                                                      
30 See Table 13.  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 51 
 
 
Symbol Member Measure or issue Objective 
Communities and their 
Member states and the 
Republic of Latvia  Article 81 on Energy;  and Article 83 on Environment 
S/C/N/189 Joint Communication 
from the European 
Communities and their 
Member states and the 
Republic of Lithuania Provisions in the Europe Agreement which are relevant to the 
scope of the GATS: "Economic c ooperation", in particular ... 
Article 81 on Energy;  and Article 83 on Environment  
S/C/N/190 Joint Communication 
from the European 
Communities and their 
Member states and the 
Republic of Slovenia Provisions in the Europe Agreement which are relevant to the 
scope of the GATS: "Economic c ooperation", in particular ... 
Article 81 on Energy;  and Article 83 on Environment  
 
M. QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS  
22. Among the notifications pursuant to the Deci sion on Notification Procedures for Quantitative 
Restrictions31, four pertain to the environment.32  These notifications liste d import/export prohibitions, 
quantitative restrictions or licensing for ozone-dep leting substances, products  of endangered species 
and dangerous products unde r Article XX of the GATT.33  
Chart 17:  Environment-related Quantitativ e Restrictions Notifications (1997-2002)  
 
34
2 25
0
0246
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002
 
 
Table 14:  Environment-related Quantita tive Restrictions Notifications (2002)  
 
Symbol Member Measure or issues Objective 
 Products subject to export license including 
ozonosphere depleting materials  
 China 
Products subject to import prohibition 
including tiger bone, rhinoceros horn, leaded 
gasoline sludges and leaded anti-knock 
compound sludges, wastes, used machinery 
and electronics etc.   
                                                      
31 Adopted by the Council for Trade in Goods on 1 December 1995 in G/L/59. 
32 See Table 14. 
33 Members that have notified quantitative restrictions  under Article XX(b) or (g) are listed in document 
G/MA/N/QR/1/Add.9. 
 WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 52  
 
Symbol Member Measure or issues Objective 
 Georgia  Import license on medicines and their raw 
materials, narcotic  and psychotropic 
remedies, poisons, raw materials of animal 
and plant origin for medicines  To be in accordance with the 
internationally agreed list of 
UN Convention of 1961 (as 
amended by Vienna Protocol 
of 1963) 
Soil (earth, sand, clay and peat) To prevent the spread of plant 
pests 
List of endangered species To fulfil the obligations under 
the CITES  Hong Kong, 
China 
Chlorofluorocarbons which include CFC 11, 
etc.;  ten other fully halogenated 
chlorofluorocarbons which include CFC 13, 
etc.; methyl chloroform; methyl bromide; 
carbon tetrachloride;  34 
hydrobromofluorocarbons;  and 
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) which 
include HCFC 21, etc. To protect the environment 
 Importation on CFC gases To be in accordance with the 
Montreal Protocol  
 Jamaica  
Importation on equipment containing 
chlorofluorocarbons To be in accordance with the 
Montreal Protocol  
 
N. AGREEMENT ON TRADE -RELATED INVESTMENT MEASURES (TRIMS) 
23. In 2002, no environment-related notifications were made pursuant to the TRIMS Agreement. 
O. UNDERSTANDING ON THE BALANCE -OF-PAYMENTS PROVISIONS OF THE GATT  1994 
24. In 2002, no environment-related notifications  were made pursuant to the Understanding on 
the Balance-of-Payments provisions of GATT 1994. 
P. AGREEMENT ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING  
25. In 2002, no environment-rela ted notifications were made under the Agreement on Textiles 
and Clothing. 
Q. AGREEMENT ON PRESHIPMENT INSPECTION  
26. In 2002, no environment-related notifi cations were made under the Agreement on 
Preshipment Inspection. 
R. AGREEMENT ON RULES OF ORIGIN  
27. In 2002, no environment-related notifications were made under the Agreement on Rules of 
Origin. 
S. PLURILATERAL TRADE AGREEMENTS :  AGREEMENT ON GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT  
28. In 2002, among the 21 notifications subm itted under the Agreement on Government 
Procurement, nine were  environment related.34  They include contract performance requirements and 
statistics relating to environment and promotion of eco-friendly goods and services by the State and 
other entities.  
                                                      
34 See Table 15.  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 53 
 
 
Chart 18:  Environment-related Governme nt Procurement Notifications (1997-2002)  
2
02
09
0
0246810
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 
 
Table 15:  Environment-related Govern ment Procurement Notifications (2002)  
 
Symbol Member Provision or issue Objective 
Description of the object of procurement shall 
include safety standards to be met and the 
environmental impact  GPA/68 Georgia 
Criteria of environmental, national and 
security interests and other related factors 
should be applied when the evaluation of 
tenders is made  
GPA/62/Add.2 Japan "Sewage, an d refuse-disposal services, 
sanitation and environmental protection 
services" is included in the classification of 
procured goods and services  
GPA/67 Japan The revision of the Basic Policy for the 
Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly 
Goods and Services under the Law 
Concerning the Promotion of Procurement of 
Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the State 
and Other Entities To promote the procurement 
of eco-friendly goods and 
services 
GPA/W/196 Japan  Inspections to be carried out in order to 
determine whether or not road vehicles 
conform with the safety  regulations designed 
for them  To secure the safety of road 
vehicle and to prevent 
pollution caused by road 
vehicles 
GPA/70/Add.1 Norway "Sewage and refuse-disposal services, 
sanitation and environmental services" is 
included in a listing in the statistical report   
GPA/21/Add.3 United States Sta tistics for 1996 reported under 
Article xix:5 of the agreement, including 
environment-related services and goods  
GPA/22/Add.4 United States Sta tistics for 1997 reported under 
Article xix:5 of the agreement, including 
environment-related services and goods  
GPA/29/Add.4 United States Sta tistics for 1998 reported under 
Article xix:5 of the agreement, including environment-related services and goods  
GPA/40/Add.4 United States Sta tistics for 1999 reported under 
Article xix:5 of the agreement, including 
environment-related services and goods  
 
 WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 54  
 
 
T. I
NFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AGREEMENT  
29. In 2002, no environment-related notifications were made under the Ministerial Declaration on 
Trade in Information Technology Products. 
U. OTHER NOTIFICATION PROVISIONS  
30. In 2002, no environment-related notifications were made under other notification provisions. 
II. TRADE POLICY REVIEWS 
31. In 2002, fourteen Trade Policy Re views (TPRs) were carried out.35  References are made to 
the environment-related measures and provision or  programmes contained in the Secretariat and 
Government reports for these TPRs.  Environment -related references pertain mainly to import/export 
restrictions, some pursuant to multilateral e nvironmental agreements  (MEAs), and national 
environmental and resource conservation programme s.  The information is summarized under the 
following three headings:  trade policy framework;  trade policies and practices by measure;  and 
Trade policies by selected sector.36   
A. TPR  96 – MALAWI   
Trade policy framework 
 ▪ A framework (Vision 2020) has been developed to provide that by the year 2020 the 
country will be environmentally sustainable.  A Technical Working Group was formed to 
cover matters related to natural resources and environmental management.  Environment and natural resources are also cross-cutting issues outlined in the Malawi Poverty 
Reduction Strategy. (II§11, II§41) 
▪ The Government is striving to ensure that all relevant institutions align their laws and 
regulations to SPS provisions to assure th e safety and health of animals and plant 
protection. (G§75) 
▪ Priority has been given to the investment in  forests, fisheries, minerals and agricultural 
resources by the Investment Promotion Agency, and plans are made to implement 
sustainable management practices for th ese key natural resources. (II§16,85) 
Trade policies and practices by measures 
Quantitative 
restrictions and 
prohibitions ▪ A small number of import items are prohibited or subject to licensing for environmental 
reasons (e.g. radioactive substances, mist nets  for capturing wild birds and wild animals). 
(III§3,49,50) 
▪ Imports of GM foods are not allowed, alth ough the legal basis is uncertain. (III§75) 
▪ Export licenses are maintained  on a few products to protect the environment, e.g. on 
forestry products to prevent deforestation. (III§93, IV§41) 
Technical requirements Mandatory standards (technical regulations) are allowable in the legislation for 
environmental reasons. (III§63) 
                                                      
35 TPRs 96-98 and 100-110 contain the trade policy reviews of Malawi;  Mexico;  Slovenia;   India;  Barbados;  
European Union;  Mauritania;  Australia;  Dominican Republic ;  Zambia;  Japan;  Venezuel a;  Hong Kong, China;  and 
Maldives respectively.  The review report of TPR 99 for Haiti was issued in year 2003, and therefore will be included in 
EDB 2003.  
36 Generally, "Trade Policy Framewor k" includes government policies, pl ans, programmes, environmental and 
investment policies, as well as information related to WTO ag reements.  "Trade Policies and Practices by Measures" include 
quantitative restrictions (such as bans a nd prohibitions, quotas, controls, licenses a nd permits);  technica l requirements (suc h 
as notifications, registra tions, custom procedures, labelling requirements, standards and techni cal regulations);  taxes, levie s 
and subsidies;  as well as others m easures affecting production and trade (suc h as research or government support).  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 55 
 
 
Trade polices by selected sector 
Agriculture ▪ An Agriculture Sector Investment Programme is in place to expand th e objectives of the 
agriculture policy. It recommended to tackle land-resource and conservation problems, as 
well as to implement policies in areas such as land tenure, husbandry and irrigation (e.g. to propagate planting material for soil and water conservation and to conduct 
environmental impact assessments for irrigation schemes). (IV§8, Table IV.2, Table 
AIV.1) 
▪ With the objective to encourage crop dive rsification and prevent deforestation, only 
25% of estate growers' land can be used to grow tobacco.  (IV§16) 
Fisheries ▪ With the objective to ensure sustainable management of fish resources, commercial 
fishing operators must be  licensed. (IV§37,38) 
▪ A Fisheries Fund exists to provide funding for the conservation and management of 
fishery resources. (IV§37) 
Forestry ▪ A National Forest Policy was adopted to pr ovide a framework for the participation of 
communal and private sector in forest conservation and management. (G§46) 
▪ A Forest Management Board was established to provide advice on forest management 
and on the trade of tree species. (IV§40) 
▪ A Forest Development and Management Fund has been established to provide 
concessions to private operators subject  to reforestation commitments. (IV§42) 
Mining ▪ Minerals policy is in place to cover envi ronmental conservation issues, e.g. the mining 
and quarry supervision to target the effective control and preservation of the environment, 
as well as to foster the adoption of best practice in environmental management systems. 
(Table IV.6) 
▪ An environmental impact study is required for the applications of a mining license. 
(IV§47)  
Industry-Manufacturing Industrial licensing has been eliminated, except for environmental reasons on a few 
products such as chemical and biological weapons, explosives, hazardous waste and 
radio-active elements. (IV§63) 
Services One of the goals of the National Transport Po licy is to provide a coordinated transport 
network comprising of environmentally friendly service providers. (IV§84) 
 
B. TPR  97 – MEXICO    
Trade policy framework 
 ▪ Compliance with environmental provisions in ecological regulations is used as criteria 
by the National Foreign Investments Commission when evaluating the terms of foreign investment. (II§19) 
▪ Protection of IPRs includes new plant varieties and patents that cover new inventions 
(excluding biological processes for the production and propagation of plants and animals, 
biological and genetic material found in nature, and plant varieties). (Table III.10) 
Trade policies and practices by measures  
Quantitative 
restrictions and prohibitions ▪ Non-tariff restrictions are in place for the protection of animal a nd plant health, or the 
prevention of environmental threats, when these are not addressed by means of technical regulations (NOMs). (III§59) 
▪ Several products, including certain animal, plants, and tropical timber, are prohibited 
from export under requirements of the various international agreements (e.g. CITES ). 
(III§118) 
Technical 
requirements ▪ A verification system is established to allow a better assessment of the compliance with 
customs rules, in particular with respect to environmental provisions. (III§7) 
▪ Technical regulations (NOMs) are prepared  to establish specifications for goods, 
services or processes to ensure the protection of animals, plants or the environment. 
(III§69,76,90) WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 56  
 
Taxes, levies and 
subsidies  Certain tax concessions are provided to promote technological development or more 
environmentally friendly equipment.  A few of  these fiscal advantages are contingent on 
meeting national-content requi rements (e.g. accelerated depr eciation of equipment for 
preventing or controlling pollution), or are gran ted if no domestic substitute is available 
(e.g. duty-free import of decontaminati ng equipment). (III§175, Table III.9) 
Others ▪ The Programme for the Development of Commercial Forest Plantations 
(PRODEPLAN) and the Forest Development Programme (PRODEFOR) are included in 
the official credit programmes to obtain non-reimbursable contributions. (III§176, AIII.5) 
▪ Training, technical assistance and consulting services programmes are provided by 
federal entities to the National Programme of Environmental Audit for a voluntary audit of plants to improve the production process with respect to environmental issues. (III§178, Table AIII.6) 
Trade polices by selected sector  
Agriculture The PROCAMPO programme, an internal policy instrument, makes payments to eligible 
farmers on condition that the land continues to be used for an environment programme. (IV§22) 
Energy ▪ The domestic price of hydro carbons and refined products is set with reference to world 
prices, in general reflecting also the need to encourage rational use and conservation. 
(IV§47) 
▪ There is an increase reliance on natural gas to generate electricity, with regulations 
favouring the use of less polluting fuels.  Mexico's energy policy calls for the conversion of many oil-fired power plants to natural gas ones by 2005, with most new power plants to be run on natural gas. (IV§52, 64) 
 
C. TPR  98 – SLOVENIA   
Trade policy framework   
 ▪ Government's long-term fiscal priorities include to preserve the level of social 
development and the quality of the environment, while ensuring harmonious regional 
development. (I§9) 
▪ New or revised laws on dangerous substances and on environmental protection in the 
area of goods are in force. (II§34) 
▪ Foreign investors are allowed to bid for concessions in the exploitation of renewable 
and non-renewable natu ral resources. (II§52) 
Trade policies and practices by measures  
Quantitative 
restrictions and prohibitions ▪ Products affecting the environment are subject to import licensing. (III§31) 
▪ Non-automatic licensing requirements (without volume limits) are applied to the 
imports of substances affecting the ozone layer; radioactive chemical elements and 
radioactive isotopes, their compounds, and nuclear material and equipment; and special waste and scrap equipment. (III§32) 
▪ Certain products are subject to export licensing under international treaties and 
conventions (e.g. CITES, h azardous substances and othe r environmentally sensitive 
products).  Most of the tariff lines cover dangerous chemicals and radioactive substances. 
(III§54)  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 57 
 
 
Trade polices by selected sector  
Agriculture ▪ Protection of the environment and nature is an objective included in the agricultural 
policy.  Structural support programmes exist for the renovation of agricultural and food production, environmental and rural development, and land operations (i.e. consolidation, irrigation, and draining for more efficient use of land). Agri-environmental programme 
measures include payments geared to the protection of landscape, the reduction of 
nutrient and pesticides impact, and the protection of bio-diversity. (IV§4,13) 
▪ The gradual increase in agri -environmental programmes is reflected in the shift from 
AMS-type measures to Green Box measures during the period of implementation of the 
WTO Agreement on Agriculture. (IV§13) 
Services ▪ Sector-specific commitments were made under GATS for liberal market access and 
national treatment in the area of environmental services. (II§22) 
▪ Protection of the environment is an objective included in the transport policy.  
Furthermore, the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control in the area of oil pollution was ratified. (IV§32) 
 
D. TPR  100 – INDIA    
Trade policy framework  
 ▪A Biological Diversity Bill is in place to addr ess concerns of the access to, the collection 
and utilization of, biological resources and knowledge by foreigners, as well as the 
sharing of benefits arising from such access. (III§153) 
▪The role of farmers as cultivators and conservers of plant varieties and the contribution 
of traditional, rural and tribal communities to the country's agro biodiversity are recognised through benefit sharing and the protection of traditional rights.  Provision of a 
sui generis system exists for the protection of plant varieties under the TRIPS Agreement.  
(G§56, III§153) 
Trade policies and practices by measures  
Quantitative 
restrictions and prohibitions ▪Import restrictions are maintained on so me products protected under the Wildlife 
Protection Act, CITES and the Montreal Protocol.  Imports of second-hand motor vehicles are restricted for e nvironmental reasons. (III§35) 
▪The prohibition on waste, parings and scrap plastics was relaxed by allowing imports of 
these products by export-processing zones. (III§33) 
▪Export prohibitions exist on some items for the protection of wildlife and endangered 
species, or for ecological and environmental reasons (e.g. w ild animals, exotic birds, 
tallow, wood and wood products, and 29 species of plants). (III§73, Table III.6) 
Technical requirements ▪A number of product sectors of export interest  to India, market access has been affected 
by non-tariff measures (NTMs) such as p ackaging and labelling requirements (e.g. the 
use of recyclable card boxes for packing footwear). (G§47) 
▪Voluntary certificates are issued for envi ronmentally friendly products (Ecomark) and 
environmental management systems. (III§50) 
Taxes, levies and subsidies  Concessions in the MFN tariff structure ar e granted to certain end-users based on 
environmental constraints. (III§17) 
Others ▪Compulsory industrial licensi ng (used to regulate the scale, technology, and location of 
investment projects, etc.) is maintained  for environmental reasons. (G§26, III§99) 
▪Pollution control and environment clearances  are required for the set up of specific 
industries (e.g. petro-chemical complexes, petroleum refineries, cement, thermal power 
plants, bulk drugs, fertilizers, dyes and pape r).  Exceptions exist based on the amount of 
the investment. (II§57, III§102) WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 58  
 
Trade polices by selected sector  
Agriculture ▪A National Agriculture Policy is formulated to encourage the use of new and renewable 
sources of energy for irrigation and other agricultural purposes. (box IV.1) 
▪The misuse of inputs due to subsidies and the under-pricing of water and fertilizer have 
led to environmental problems (land degradation, water logging, depletion of ground water resources, etc). (IV§7,8) 
Energy ▪ A Solar Energy Programme is established to subsidise solar lanterns, home lighting 
systems, street lights and solar pumps. With respect to the Other Sources of Energy Programme, financial support is provided for feasibility studies, the preparation of project reports and for the installation of th ese projects.  (III§128, Table III.14) 
▪A Bureau of Energy Efficiency is responsible for the conduct of audits, labelling of 
electrical appliances, and awar eness campaigns, etc. (G§37) 
Industry-
Manufacturing Due to environmental and urban area congestion considerations, locational restrictions 
are applied to industries in 21 cities with a po pulation of more than a million.  Exceptions 
exist for any industry defined as non-polluti ng (e.g. electronics, co mputer software, and 
printing) and small-scale industries. (III§102) 
 
E. TPR  101 – BARBADOS    
Trade policy framework   
 ▪ The Government recognises the need to ensu re that imports are of the highest quality 
and that the health and safety of all Barbadians are not compromised by the importation of inferior goods.  It also has a duty to adequately protect the environment. (G§61) 
▪ Environmental impact criteria is used duri ng the evaluation of applications for foreign 
investment incentives.  (II§19) 
▪ Protection of IPRs exists for patents of inventions (except the ones involving plant and 
animal varieties and the commercial exploitation of which would be prejudicial to animal 
health, to plant life or to the environment).  The rights of plant breeders and developers of 
new plant varieties are specifically protected. (Table III.9) 
Trade policies and practices by measures  
Quantitative 
restrictions and prohibitions Quantitative restrictions such as prohibitions  and controls are in place to preserve 
domestic plant and animal life an d the environment. (III§40) 
Technical 
requirements Foreign certification in compliance with  ISO 14000 is accepted by the National 
Standards Institution. (III§58,69) 
Taxes, levies and subsidies  ▪ Imported goods from all countries are subject to an environmental levy for the purpose 
of defraying the cost of disposing of specific goods (e.g. motor vehicles, tyres, refrigerators, stoves and ranges, washing machines, dishwashing machines, television 
sets, mattresses and electric accumulators).  The levy may be refunded on re-exported 
goods. (G§60, III§38) 
▪ A wide range of items used in the re furbishment of hotels are exempt from the 
environmental levy, under the Hotel Refurbishment Programme. (III§31) 
Trade polices by selected sector   
Agriculture ▪ The agri-food sector is supported both through border measures and domestic 
assistance, given the high costs which reflec t climatic and ecological factors. (IV§10) 
▪ Support to the sugar industry reflects the contribution this sector provides in terms of 
the environment and the maintena nce of the landscape. (IV§31)  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 59 
 
 
Energy Energy policy is geared towards promoting energy conservation practices and the use of 
renewable energy technologies.  For example,  to develop the use of solar energy, a tax 
rebate measure exists on the purchase of solar water heaters. (IV§48, 55) 
Services ▪ The importance of environmental sustainability  is recognised in the policy for tourism 
development. (G§29) 
▪ Maritime activities are governed by th e Shipping (Oil Pollution) Act.  (IV§86) 
 
F. TPR  102 – EUROPEAN  UNION 
Trade policy framework  
 ▪ A high level of protection and improvement of the quality of the environment is 
included in the economic policy. Policies promoting sustainable development have also been set by the Lisbon European Council. (I§8) 
▪ The common commercial policy is estab lished subject to the integration of 
environmental protection requirements, in particular with a view to promoting sustainable 
development. (II§15, G§25) 
▪ A commitment exists to carry out Sustainability Impact Assessments (SIAs) of both 
multilateral and bilateral trade negotiations. (G§26) 
▪ Provisions regarding co-operation in the field of environment are contained in the 
Europe Agreements with all ten Central and Eastern European countries.  Negotiations 
with Switzerland also covered the environment.  Through the establishment of the framework of the bilateral trade relations between the EU and the United States, both 
parties agreed to aim at breaking down rema ining mostly regulatory-barriers to trade 
while preserving a high level of protection for the environment. (G§65,66) 
▪ The role of the Scheme for Generalised trad e Preferences (GSP) is reinforced to foster 
sustainable development, with GSP-plus treat ment available to encourage adherence to 
environmental standards.  (G§62) 
▪ On the protection of plant varieties, appli cants in Member States  may use either the 
national system, or the unitary procedure available at the Community Plant Variety 
Office. (III§138) 
Trade policies and practices by measures  
Quantitative 
restrictions and 
prohibitions ▪ Measures to protect the environment genera lly concern exports as well as imports (e.g. 
controls on trade of dangerous chemicals and measures to implement the 
Montreal Protocol or the Basel Convention). (III§86) 
▪ Prohibitions and licensing requirements are implemented to broaden the coverage of 
ozone-depleting substances subject to disciplines under the Montreal Protocol, and to control the movement of radioactive waste under the Basel Convention. (III§21) 
▪ Bans affecting creosote and hexachloroet hane, and on remaining uses of chrysotile 
asbestos were announced, and are to be made  effective in 2003 an d 2005, respectively. 
(III§18) 
▪ Prohibitions and licensing requirements are applied to trade in wild fauna and flora to 
implement the provisions of CITES.  Bans and documentation of catches are 
implemented on imports of Atlantic bluefin tuna and sword fish, the Antarctic and 
Patagonian tooth fish. (III§20) 
▪ Prohibition exists to the importation of pelts of certain wild species (e.g. beaver, otter, 
mink) from countries that permit leg-hold traps or trapping methods that do not meet international humane trapping standards.  Imports of those species from covered 
countries are subject to certification. (III§22) WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 60  
 
Technical 
requirements ▪ Customs have taken on new responsibilities to protect against trade in dangerous or 
harmful products (e.g. products infringing envi ronmental legislation) and illegal traffic in 
endangered species.  (III§2)  
▪ A system of notification and information has been established for the control of trade of 
chemicals that are banned or restricted on account of their effects on the environment. 
The international notification and prior informed consent (PIC) procedure established by 
UNEP and FAO is applied. (III§19) 
▪ Commission notes the weaknesses of the existing system with respect to risk 
assessment of the many chemicals on the EU  market, and proposes the reversal of 
responsibility from public auth orities to industry for testing and risk assessment of 
chemicals.  A new system of registration, evaluation, and authorization/restriction for 
chemical substances (REACH) would be phased in over a period of 11 years.  The REACH System will apply to producers and importers of substances and to downstream 
industries. (III§46) 
▪ A voluntary European eco-label (the Flower) was adopted to award products meeting 
ecological criteria (e.g. taking into account the life cycle of the product).  (III§52) 
▪ Mandatory labelling requirements exists for energy consumption of household 
appliances and foods and food ingredients produced from GMOs (novel foods).  The Commission proposed comprehensive traceability labelling requirements with tighter 
authorization procedures for products containing, or produced, from GMOs. (III§49,51) 
▪ For the objective of compliance with legal requirements concerning the protection of 
the environment, some modifications to the international standards may be necessary. 
(III§61) 
▪ "New-approach" regulations fo r products are in place limiti ng mandatory obligations to 
essential requirements defined to meet environmental objectives (e.g. energy efficiency requirements, packagin g waste). (III§41)  
▪ A directive on end-of-life vehicles and th e proposed directive on waste electronic and 
electrical equipment was adopted to introduce "producer responsibility" for the treatment, 
recovery, and disposal of products (intended as a financial incentive to design products to 
facilitate waste management and recycling). A proposal of revision to the packaging waste directive was issued and a consultation on managing PVC (e.g. plastics from 
vehicles) was launched by the Commission. (III§53,54) 
▪ An "integrated product policy" concerning the sustainable use of resources and on waste 
recycling were proposed, and a proposal of raising the recovery and recycling targets was also considered. (III§43,56) 
▪ A simplification and environmental upgrading of legislation on both detergents and 
fertilizers, and new mandatory labelling  re quirements were proposed. (III§45)  
▪ Noise and emission limits for pleasure boats were revised downwards, and new lower 
emission limits were agreed for non-road machinery.  (III§50) 
Taxes, levies and subsidies  Member States have pledged to shift the emphasis of subsidies from supporting 
individual companies or sectors towards horizontal objectives, such as environment. 
(III§117) 
Others ▪ State aid for environmental purposes to  the steel and shipbuilding sectors was 
authorized during the year 2000. (III§125) 
▪ The Commission issued a recommendation on environmental issues in companies' 
annual accounts and reports regarding corporate responsibility, to better inform 
shareholders on the environmental dimension of company activities. (III§98)  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 61 
 
 
Trade polices by selected sector    
Fisheries ▪ The Commission's Green Paper on the futu re of the Common Fisheries Policy after 
2002 stated that "from a biological point of view, the sustainability of a high number of stocks will be threatened if current leve ls of exploitation are maintained."  The 
Commission attributes the cause to "too much fi shing by a fleet that is too large for the 
amount of fish that should be caught and by conservation measures which have not been 
effective or selective enough to protect fi sh stocks and marine ecosystems. (IV§40)  
▪ A series of trade measures have been impl emented in relation to international resource 
management and conservation agreements such as the International Commission for the Conservation of the Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) or the Commission for the Conservation of 
Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR). (IV§55) 
▪ The setting of total allowable catches (TACs), complemented by fleet management and 
reduction programmes, has been adopted as the main instrument on conservation and management of fishery resources. (IV§41) 
▪ A recovery plan has been established for c od and Northern hake, as well as control and 
monitoring measures to ensure the implementation of technical rules. A proposal has been formulated to set catch li mitations in the form of TACs  for a number of deep-water 
fish stocks.  (IV§42,43)  
▪ Some provisions have been designed to prevent public aid transferring fishing vessels to 
third countries that permit fishing in a manner which jeopardises the effectiveness of 
international conservation measures.  (IV§47) 
 
G. TPR  103 –  MAURITANIA 
Trade policy framework  
 ▪ Policies are in place aimed at protecti ng and conserving natural resources for 
sustainable development. (II§23,39) 
▪ A rural development strategy for 2002-2015 is designed to stimulate growth in order to 
increase the availability of the goods and public services needed for sustainable development. (G§61) 
▪ Cooperation in trade-related areas, such as trade and environment, is foreseen in the 
ACP-EC Partnership Agreement (Cotonou Agr eement) to which the country is a party. 
(II§80) 
▪ A legal and institutional framework is established for the protection of animal and plant 
health, despite the waiver gr anted as an LDC. (G§100) 
▪ Protection to plant variety in the form of a certificate is provided by the 
Bangui Agreement. (III§103) 
Trade policies and practices by measures  
Technical 
requirements ▪ A Centre for the Promotion of Fisheries Products is being established, responding to the 
need for standardization, labelling and eco-lab elling, quality control and certification in 
order to meet the quality requirements of the export markets. (IV§42) 
▪ There is a lack of standardization or quality  control systems as well as infrastructure for 
testing and metrology in the environmental sector. (III§50) 
▪ There is a law which sets out the rules governing the protection of plant species.  Under 
this law, plant species and their by-products,  earth, compost and packaging used for their 
transport may not be imported without a phytosanitary certificate issued by the country of 
origin certifying that they are exempt from harmful substan ces or disease. (III§53)  
Trade polices by selected sector    
Agriculture Measures for the mitigation of impacts on the environment are envisaged in the 
Programme for the Integrated Development of Irrigated Agriculture. (II§23) WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 62  
 
Fisheries ▪ Fisheries policy is formulated to promote commercial fishing that ensures the 
sustainability and ecological balance of fisheries. (G§57,58) 
▪ Measures are adopted to strengthen marine surveillance and to implement a new system 
for fishing licenses. The focus has been pl aced on the protection of resources and the 
rationalization of fishing, improving resource  planning and management, and preserving 
the marine environment and maritime safety. (II§40) 
▪ Under the Sea Fisheries Cooperation Agreem ent with the EU, fund is provided for 
sector modernization (e.g. scientific and tec hnical research to analyse the state of fish 
stocks;  measures to improve the monitoring and surveillance of fishing activities to prevent over-fishing). (IV§37) 
▪ Small-scale coastal fishing considered to be  more resource-friendly is promoted in the 
Fisheries Code. (IV§6)  
▪ Fishing vessels are obliged to unload their catches in Mauritanian  ports, subject to 
exemptions. No exemption is granted to cephalopod boats or boats designed for catching 
species protected unless an international agreement provides otherwise. (IV§36) 
 
H. TPR  104 – AUSTRALIA 
Trade policy framework  
 ▪ Legislation is in place to ensure that trade is environmentally sustai nable.  Actions that 
are likely to have a significant impact on the environment of Commonwealth land (even if taken outside Commonwealth land), and actions taken by the Commonwealth that are 
likely to have a significant impact on the environment anywhere in the world, may 
require approval before being carried out. (III§156) 
▪ There is an increase public emphasis on pollution reduction.  Policy objectives have 
included waste minimization, materials recycling, clean and renewable energy sources, and treatment of problems at the source. (III§155) 
▪ National Environment Protection Measures are in place to outline objectives for the 
protection or management of particular aspects of the environment, e.g. on air quality, 
waste, packaged materials, re-use/recycling, assessment of site contamination, pollutant 
inventory and vehicle emissions. (III§159) 
▪ As part of the Kyoto Protocol, it undertook to limit its greenhouse gas emissions to 
108% of its 1990 level by 2010. (III§154) 
▪ Policies to ensure the preservation of th e environment are included in procurement 
practices. (III§44)  
▪ A "managed risk" approach to biosecurity is adopted based on scientifically justified 
measures to safeguard the vulnerable indigenous flora and fauna. (G§32, III§81) 
▪ Protection is provided in patent legislation for inventions in all fields of technology 
(including biotechnology).  New varieties of all plant, fungal, algal species and transgenic 
plants are eligible for protection in line w ith UPOV guidelines and test procedures. 
(III§141, 143)    WT/CTE/EDB/2 
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Trade policies and practices by measure 
Quantitative 
restrictions and prohibitions ▪ In compliance with domestic legislative/ policy requirements and international 
commitments, import prohibitions, restrictions or controls may be applied for the reasons of animal and plant life, and environmental conservation (e.g. related to fish/toothfish and ozone depleting substances). (III§41, Table III.4)  
▪ Quarantine or technical requir ements are in place to preser ve the environment (e.g. SPS 
and quarantine requirements on GMOs and biotechnology).  
▪ An Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act is formulated to 
strengthen safeguards for the conservation an d welfare of wildlife, fulfilling obligations 
under CITES and streamlining administrative processes for imports and exports. (III§41,89)  
▪ Exports of protected wildlife (under CITES) and other dangerous goods (e.g. hazardous 
waste and ozone depleting substances) are prohibited or subject to export permit. (III§89) 
▪ Export controls on wood and wood chips are in place for the purpose of protecting 
environmental values. (III§90) 
Technical requirements ▪ Mandatory energy labelling requirements ar e in force for electric appliances (e.g. 
setting minimum energy-efficiency levels). (III§86) 
▪ In response to consumers' demand for more balanced and factual information on GM 
foods, since December 2001 mandatory labelling requirements have been in force for foods produced using gene technology. (III§86)  
▪ As from January 2001, new motor vehicles with a gross vehicle mass of up to 2.7 
tonnes are required to carry a fuel consumption label on the windscreen at the point of sale. (III§86)  
▪ Mandatory standards exist to prohibit the sale of food produced using gene technology, 
unless the food has been assessed by the ANZ FA and listed in the standard. (III§80)  
▪ Certification and information schemes may be used by firms to confirm that their 
procedures are environmentally friendly (e.g. ISO standards). (III§156) 
Taxes, levies and subsidies  ▪ A product stewardship (oil) levy has been charged on locally produced or imported 
petroleum products to fund payments to oil recyclers who recycle oil in environmentally 
appropriate ways. (III§160)  
▪ To encourage the use of alternative fuels, gr ants are provided for the use of fuels such 
as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), ethanol and other renewable fuels. (III§125)  
▪ Environmental programmes are included in the Green-box type domestic support. 
(IV§20) 
Others ▪ Export credit insurance and trade finan ce services are subject to environmental 
protection requirements. (III§6,107)  
▪ Export finance is also tied to environmental conditions to better identify and assess any 
significant environmental impact of export tr ansactions, overseas projects or investments. 
The World Bank's Pollution and Abatement Han dbook is encouraged as the standard for 
EIA associated with potential Category A (high possible environmental impact) 
transactions. (III§158) 
Trade polices by selected sector     
Fisheries Fish industry faces the followi ng issues:  the protection of habitats and the environment; 
finding suitable sites for aquaculture enterprises;  reducing the level of waste in some 
fisheries;  controlling the growth of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing;  and protecting the high seas and migratory species, such as tuna and orange roughy. (IV§41) WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 64  
 
Forestry With the objectives of establishing world-cl ass conservation reserves and ensuring that 
native forests are managed in an ecologically  sustainable way, a forestry policy is 
implemented through 20-year Regional Forest Agreements (reached between the Commonwealth and State Governments).  Codes of  forest practices are formulated to set 
out goals and guidelines for timber harvesting, roading, regeneration and reforestation. 
(IV§37) 
Mining Policies that have a significant impact on th e sector include environmental regulations. 
(IV§42) 
Energy ▪ With the objective of reducing the environmental impact of energy production/use, a 
common understanding on regional energy issues is fostered within APEC. (IV§45) 
▪ Legislation to support the implementation of a mandatory renewable energy target has 
been in force as of April 2001.   Wholesale purchasers of elect ricity have been required to 
purchase increasing amounts of electricity generated from renewable energy sources. 
(IV§51) 
Industry-Manufacturing ▪ A compliance plate approval regime has been established to ensure that (domestic or 
foreign) vehicles comply with emission sta ndards when they are first supplied to the 
market.  A new scheme will be put in place for importing and converting used vehicles to comply with emission requirements. (IV§64)  
▪ Reimbursement grants for environmental upgrade of existing plant or equipment are 
included in the Strategic Investment Programme Scheme for manufacturing. 
(Table AIV.5) 
Services The presence of natural persons in environmental services is unbound under GATS 
commitments. (IV§78)  
 
I. TPR  105 – DOMINICAN  REPUBLIC 
Trade policy framework  
 ▪ Investment is subject to various environmental requirements.  A certificate describing 
reparation to damage is required when foreign investment is susceptible to affect the eco-system.   Environmental impact evaluation is also required for the production, transport, 
and commercialization of explosive, harmful, inflammable, radioactive, toxic or 
otherwise dangerous substances, as well as touristic development projects and hotel 
construction. (II§47) 
▪ Foreigners may invest in all areas except in:  disposal of toxic, dangerous or radioactive 
waste not produced in the country and activities affecting the environment. (II§44) 
▪ Enterprises operating in Free Trade Zones are subject to the country's environmental 
laws. (III§108) 
▪ Product processes and materials are excluded  from the protection of patents in the case 
of:  plant and animals (not micro-organisms) and inventions harmful to the health or life of animals, or capable of damaging the environment. (Table III.9) 
Trade policies and practices by measure  
Quantitative 
restrictions and prohibitions ▪ In compliance with domestic legislation or international commitments, import 
prohibitions exist for the protection of animal and plant life and the environment. (III§47) 
▪ With the objective to protect the environment and biodiversity, imports of the following 
goods are prohibited:  vehicles older than five years;  used electric household appliances;  human, animal, and industrial waste;  conifers;  fruits, plants and seeds that contain 
parasites or that could otherwise affect animal or plant health. (III§48) 
▪ Export prohibitions of unprocessed amber, sand, gravel, and soil suitable for cultivation, 
are in place for environmen tal reasons. (III§100)  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 65 
 
 
Taxes, levies and 
subsidies  Export taxes for live fish, molluscs, and cr ustaceans were established to preserve and 
control coastal areas and to  protect species. (III§99) 
Trade polices by selected sector      
Services ▪ A number of Conventions regarding maritime transport, pollution and the sea have been 
signed. (IV§116) 
 
J. TPR  106 – ZAMBIA 
Trade policy framework   
 ▪ A framework to develop strategies for sustainable development is provided in the 
Treaty of Southern African Development Community (SADC). (II§36) 
▪ Cross-cutting policies for the environment are incorporated in the Poverty Reduction 
Strategy Paper. (I§5) 
▪ The enactment of a new Plant Varieties Protection Act is being prepared. (III§115) 
Trade policies and practices by measure 
Quantitative 
restrictions and prohibitions ▪ Import controls and prohibitions are maintained for environmental reasons and under 
international conventions. (II§41)  
▪ Export prohibitions exist on certain l ogs under international agreements and 
conventions (e.g. CITES). (III§77, IV§41)  
▪ Licensing requirements on a list of imports are maintained primarily for sanitary and 
phytosanitary purposes and as a result of the CITES agreement. (III§40)  
 
Technical 
requirements ▪ Certification must be obtained for the importation of livestock and live plants, including 
timber and forest products. (III§7, IV§41)  
▪ All food stuffs, of plant or animal nature, including timber and seeds, are subject to 
inspection on arrival.  Grain shipments are subject to fumigation to  minimize the spread 
of storage pests. Imports of live animals, plants, and seeds are subject to quarantine 
regulations. (III§57) 
▪ A request for assistance has been made for the development of certification schemes for 
environmental management system based on IS0 14000. (II§74) 
Taxes, levies and subsidies  A 100% expenditure allowance is made available for certain improvements to farming 
land, including water conservation. (III§91) 
Others A Technology Development Advisory Unit is established to provide training information, 
guidance and advice to small-scale industri es.  Research activities are undertaken in 
livestock and pest control, tree improvem ent, water resources and food technology. 
(III§96) 
Trade polices by selected sector       
Fisheries Fishing licenses are issued to slow down the over-exploitation of fish stocks and to 
monitor fishing. (IV§38) 
Mining Mining rights are issued taking into accou nt the need to conserve and protect the 
environment. (IV§46) 
Energy ▪ Energy policy is designed to promote opt imum supply and utilisation of energy, in 
particular in indigenous forms, to facilita te the socio-economic development of the 
country in a sustainable manner given its poten tial impact to the environment.  One of the 
aim is to reduce the production of charcoal and to encourage the us e of alternative energy 
sources.  (G§37) WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 66  
 
Services ▪ Tourism policy aims at ensuring the preservation of resources. (G§29)  
▪ The future of elephants under CITES is discussed in consultations within SADC, given 
the concern of being under-stocked with some animals. (IV§111,112)  
▪ A Wildlife Authority was created for cons erving wildlife and al so to promote and 
develop tourism. (IV§113) 
 
K. TPR  107 – JAPAN 
Trade policy framework   
 ▪ A Three-year Programme for Promoting Regulatory Reform has been formulated, 
covering measures related to environment, one of its six priority spheres. (G§51, I§22, III§80) 
▪ Allocations addressing environmental issues (such as establishing a recycling society 
where resources are fully reused) ar e prioritized in the budget. (G§47) 
▪ Global environmental issues will be addressed in the Automotive Consultative Group, a 
bilateral agreement established by Japan and the United States. (II§20) 
Trade policies and practices by measure   
Quantitative 
restrictions and prohibitions ▪ Imports of certain goods are prohibited or subject to licensing requirements in order to 
preserve domestic plant and animal life and the environment. (III§28) 
▪ Import prohibitions pertaining to items listed in Annex I to CITES are specified in the 
Import Control Order. (III§22) 
▪ Prior confirmation is required for some im ports such as silk fabrics, tuna, marlin, 
whales, certain species listed in Appendices II  and III of CITES, and uranium. (III§26)  
▪ Importation of GMOs that do not meet safety requirements is not permitted. (III§55) 
▪ Permission is required for exports of cert ain seeds, endangered animals and plants 
specified in international treaties. (III§62) 
Technical requirements ▪ Mandatory labelling requirements concer ning place of origin of GM food are 
introduced in technical regulations. (III§47) 
▪ Regulations under the Food Sanitation Law have been revised to introduce 
specifications and standards for genetically  modified foods, and to prohibit their 
importation unless approved under the Law. (III§50) 
▪ To label food as "organic",  accreditation is needed from an  authorized body that the 
food meets certain Japan Agricultural St andards (JAS) requirements.  Mandatory 
labelling regarding GMOs was applied to soybeans, corn, potatoes, rapeseed, cotton seed, 
and some processed foods mainly made of soybeans or corn. (III§55) 
Taxes, levies and subsidies  ▪ A system of tax breaks exists in order to achieve various policy objectives (e.g. 
investment in equipment to address environmental concerns). (III§69) 
▪ Subsidies notified to the WTO included those related to resource exploration, pollution 
prevention, waste disposal, alternative fu els and energy efficiency, etc. (III§71, 
Table AIII.4) 
  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
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L. TPR  108 – VENEZUELA 
Trade policy framework  
 ▪ Matters related to environmental protection are included in the Constitution.  (II§19) 
▪ Joint measures for sustainable tourism and natural disasters were accorded within the 
Association of Caribbean States, by designating the Greater Caribbean region as a “cooperation zone”. (II§46) 
▪ Contribution was made to the WTO in the area of protection of local and indigenous 
communities' intellectual property rights over traditional knowledge. Legislation is 
elaborated to include the Protection of the Rights of Br eeders of New Plant Varieties, 
Access to Genetic Resources, and Biol ogical Diversity. (II§33, III§201) 
Trade policies and practices by measure   
Quantitative 
restrictions and prohibitions:  ▪ Certain imports are prohibited in order to protect the life and health of animals, to 
preserve plant life, and to protect the environment. Importation of agricultural products from countries where certain pests and diseases are prevalent is restricted or prohibited. (III§58) 
▪ Import licenses (permits or prior authorization) are required for products subject to 
import restriction for environmental reasons. (III§61)  
▪ An import regime applicable to 57 tariff subheadings is maintained to control 
ozone-layer-depleting substances. The volume  to be imported will be gradually reduced 
until 2010. (III§62)  
▪ Prior authorization and verification of th e destination are required for exports of 
products listed in the Montreal Protocol, in the CITES and in the Basel Convention. (III§134)  
▪ As a member of OPEC, oil production for domestic and international market is 
determined by the Government, also with the aim of preserving a non-renewable natural 
resource. (III§136) 
Technical 
requirements ▪ Registration requirements exist for some imports.  Importers of ozone-layer-depleting 
substances (except aerosols) an d of wild fauna and flora must be registered . (III§65)  
▪ A standard can be converted into a technical regulation if it makes a consistent case for 
being made mandatory based on the protection of the environment. (III§111)  
▪ Certification of environmental systems under the ISO 14000 series is made possible 
with some accredited bodies. (III§114) 
Taxes, levies and 
subsidies  A percentage of the revenue from taxes on mining and hydrocarbons is earmarked for the 
states. The appropriations can only be used to cover the cost of investing in projects in specific areas, including environmental protection. (III§192) 
Others ▪ Aid for research and development was provided in areas such as biotechnology, gas and 
alternative ener gy. (III§183)  
Trade polices by selected sector        
Agriculture ▪ The ultimate objec tives of agricultural policy is ru ral development, and will, among 
other things, ensure sustainable management of the environment and natural resources. (IV§11)  
▪ The bases for integral and sustainable rural development, conserving biodiversity and 
effective enforcement of the right to environm ental and agricultural protection are all laid 
down in the Land Law. (IV§13)  
▪ Some domestic support is provided in the form of irrigation water subsidies. (IV§21) WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 68  
 
Fisheries Permits, licenses, concessions and the approva l required for authorizing the catching and 
extraction of hydrobiological resources are granted by an autonomous body attached to the Ministry of Agriculture and Land.  Permits for the import or export of fisheries must 
be obtained for each operation. (IV§35) 
Energy ▪ Hydrocarbons activities must be carried out taking into account environmental 
conservation. (IV§60,61) 
▪ New refining activities are open to the private sector.  These activities must be related 
to projects with the main purpose to modern ize processes for the use and production of 
clean fuels. (IV§63) 
▪ In 2002, a 10 per cent reduction in income tax was granted on the amount of investment 
for the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment. (IV§68) 
Services ▪ The Maritime transport policy is designed to protect the environment, respecting 
international maritime tran sport standards. (IV§174) 
▪ Suppliers of public air transport services  are granted an income tax reduction of new 
investment in modernizing fleets or purchasing aircraft provided that they meet environmental protection requirements. (IV§198)   
 
M. TPR  109 – HONG  KONG,  CHINA 
Trade policy framework  
 Intellectual property legislation is in place to protect patents. Plant varieties are protected 
by a sui generis system.  Proprietary rights are granted to persons who breed or discover plant varieties.  Plant and an imal varieties or an essentia lly biological process for the 
production of plants or animals (other than a microbiological process or the products of 
such a process) are not patent able. (III§108, Table III.9) 
Trade policies and practices by measure  
Quantitative 
restrictions and 
prohibitions ▪ Import and export licenses and prohibitions stem from obligations under international 
undertakings (Basel Convention, Montreal Protocol and CITES) or are applied for 
environmental reasons. (III§2,16,17) 
▪ In general, imports of all ozone-depleting substances (ODS) are prohibited. However, 
imports of methyl bromide and HCFCs originating in a country that is party to the Montreal Protocol are allowed for local consumption.  ODSs from parties to the 
Montreal Protocol may be imported for re-export. (III§25)  
▪ Exports of ODS to non-parties to the Montreal Protocol are banned. (III§62)  
▪ Imports of HCFCs for local consumption are subject to quantitative restriction, ensuring 
that the amount used does not exceed levels ag reed under the Montreal Protocol.  Imports 
of HCFCs for re-export are not subject to quotas. (III§20,22)  
▪ ODS, endangered animals and plant species, an d pesticides require an export license on 
grounds of protection of the ozone layer and the environment. (III§64)  
▪ A certification of origin system is in place to meet the requirements of the importing 
countries (including for arrivals controlled under CITES). (III§57) 
Technical requirements ▪ Standards imposed for environmental reasons are essentially based on international 
standards and/or prevailing overseas standards. (III§36)  
▪ Standards or technical regulations are in pl ace for air pollution, fuel restriction, vehicle 
design, noise control, etc. (Table AIII.2)  
▪ A voluntary energy efficiency and performance labelling scheme is introduced for 
various household electrical appliances. (III§42)  
▪ A process of consultation has been started to put in place labelling requirements for GM 
food. (III§43)  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 69 
 
 
Taxes, levies and 
subsidies  One-year waivers were proposed in the government budget for: water and sewerage 
charges;  the trade effluent surcharge (imposed  on trades that emit pollutants);  and a one-
year concessionary duty  rate for ultra-low-sulphur diesel. (III§79) 
Others A Science Park has been established aimed at turning Hong Kong, China into a regional 
hub for innovation and technology.  Biotechnology is one of the clusters being offered. 
(III§81) 
Trade polices by selected sector  
Agriculture Imports of plants and animals are inspected at  the border to prevent the introduction and 
dissemination of animal diseases and plant pests, and to regulate the use of pesticides and 
chemicals in agricultural production. (IV§4) 
Fisheries ▪ With the objective of preserving fisherie s resources, a fishing license system was 
introduced and Fisheries Protection Areas were designated. (IV§8)  
Services ▪ Regarding maritime transport, a ship must be registered in Hong Kong, China to be a 
"flag-ship" and the requirements include that the ship's pollution levels are satisfactory. 
(IV§58)  
▪ Port services/facilities are provided and managed by the Government to ensure the 
compliance of environmental standards. (IV§59) 
 
N. TPR  110 – MALDIVES 
Trade policy framework  
 ▪ The economy depends on the sustainable development of two environmentally sensitive 
activities, tourism and fishing. (I§1, II§19) 
▪ Environmentally friendly policies to protect against global ecological degradation are 
considered in the Sixth National Development Plan. (II§20) 
▪ Supply-side constraints (telecommunications and utility services, such as electricity, 
water and sewerage facilities) must be addressed in a manner that is sustainable and that 
protects the environment on which the country's tourism and fishing industries  depend. (II§58) 
▪ Depending on the nature of the undertaking, projects are subject to environmental 
evaluations/assessments before investment is made. (G§58) 
▪ Investment policy is designed taking into account the priority to promote investment 
activities that are environmentally friendly. (II§42) 
▪ Foreign investors must apply for investment approval and sign a standard investment 
agreement.  Few rejections of applications  were for environmental reasons. (II§40) 
▪ Industrial policy is formulated to develop environmentally sustainable light industries. 
(G§56) 
Trade policies and practices by measure  
Quantitative 
restrictions and 
prohibitions ▪ Imports of goods may be suspended or prohibited based on environmental grounds (e.g. 
the prohibition of ozone depleting substances by parties not registered in the country;  
prohibition of sea turtles and tortoises and she lls thereof and products of shells thereof;  
restriction and prohibitions of used motor vehi cles and cycles over five years and three 
years old respectively). (G§39,40,41, III§37) 
▪ Export bans are applied to a few marine species for environmental reasons. (III§59) 
Taxes, levies and 
subsidies  ▪ Certain tariff rates have been used on environmental grounds. (G§29) 
▪ The tariff with the highest rate of 200% was applied to a few plastic packaging 
materials considered to be of environmental risk. (III§20) WT/CTE/EDB/2 
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Trade polices by selected sector  
Fisheries ▪ The Government aims to develop an enhanced regulatory framework for a more 
effective utilization of fish resources. (IV§12) 
▪ Fishing nets are considered illegal for e nvironmental reasons, and the major fishery 
(skipjack tuna) is caught by the "pole and line" method. (IV§10) 
▪ A total fishing ban exists on nine species (i ncluding giant clams, whales, whale sharks, 
dolphins, Napoleon wrasse and marine turtles).  Twenty five protected marine areas have been established;  fishing is banned except for bait used to catch skipjack tuna. (IV§11) 
Services Tourism legislation is in place establishing that resort development projects proposals 
would be evaluated according to en vironmental considerations. (IV§27) 
  WT/CTE/EDB/2 
 Page 71 
 
 
ANNEX I 
 
ENVIRONMENT-RELATED NOTIFICATIONS: 
SEARCH WORDS 
  
- Basel Convention - Bio - Carbon - Cartagena  
- CFCs  
- CITES  - Clean - Climate - Conservation 
- Conserve 
- Desertification - Diversity - Eco-label  - Ecology - Emissions 
- Endangered 
- Energy - Environment - Erosion -  Extinct   
- Fauna 
- Fish  - Flora - Forest - Genetic  - GHGs  
- Green (house) - Hazardous 
- HCFCs  - Indigenous  - Kyoto Protocol 
- Modified organism  
- Marking - Montreal Protocol - Natural resources - Novel  
- Organic  
- Ozone - Package(ing) - Pollution - Preservation - Preserve 
- Recycle 
- Renewable - Saving  - Soil erosion - Species 
- Sustainable 
- Toxic - Tree - Waste - Wildlife  - Wood
 WT/CTE/EDB/2 
Page 72  
 
ANNEX II 
 
ABBREVIATIONS 
 
AMS 
− Aggregate measurement of support 
Cartagena 
Protocol − Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity 
CBD − Convention on Biological Diversity 
CFCs − Chlorofluorocarbons 
CGP − Code of Good Practice, Annex III of the TBT Agreement 
c.i.f. − Cost, insurance and freight 
CITES − Convention on International Trade in En dangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 
CO 2 − Carbon dioxide 
EEA − European Economic Area 
EIA − Environmental Impact Assessment 
FAO − Food and Agriculture Organization 
FIFG − Financial Instrument of Fisheries Guidance structural measures in the fisheries and 
aquaculture sector in th e European Communities 
GMOs − Genetically modified organisms 
HCFCs − Hydrochlorofluorocarbons 
IDB − Inter-American Development Bank 
ICCAT − International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna 
ITTO − International Tropical Timber Organisation 
Kyoto Protocol − Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change 
LDCs − Least-Developed Countries 
LMOs − Living modified organisms 
MEAs − Multilateral environmental agreements 
Montreal Protocol − Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer 
NFIDCs − Net Food-Importing Developing Countries 
NGOs − Non-governmental organizations 
PESCA − Community Initiative concerning the Restructuring of the Fisheries Sector 
R&D − Research and development 
ODSs − Ozone-depleting substances 
SMEs − Small and medium-sized enterprises 
SO 2 − Sulphur dioxide 
SPS − Sanitary and phytosanitary 
TBT − Technical barriers to trade 
TPR − Trade Policy Review 
UNEP − United Nations Environment Programme 
UNFCCC − United Nations Framework C onvention on Climate Change 
 
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