WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  RESTRICTED 
WT/ACC/LBR/8 
11 June 2012 
 (12-3070) 
Working Party on the 
Accession of Liberia Original:   English 
 
 
 
ACCESSION OF LIBERIA 
 
Checklist of Illustrative Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Issues 
for Consideration in Accessions 
  
 The following submission, dated 16 May 2012, is  being circulated at the request of the 
Government of the Republic of Liberia.  
_______________ 
  
  WT/ACC/LBR/8 
Page 2  
Commitments WTO Reference Status (as of 16 May 2012) 
1.  Standstill: the introduction of new standards, 
technical regulations and conformity assessment 
procedures should be fully compatible with the 
TBT Agreement 1.  Generally agreed principle in WTO accession 
negotiations The Government of Liberia is committed to achieving 
compliance with the WTO Agreements, despite the many 
constraints it faces as a LDC. The Government of Liberia 
will seek technical and financial assistance in this area.  
2. Submission of Statement on Implementation 2.  Article 15.2 and TBT Committee Decision 
(G/TBT/1) The Government of Liberia is in the process of 
establishing a WTO Unit within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.  Submission of the statement on 
implementation will be a function of the WTO Unit.  
3.  Establishment and operation of a single Contact 
Point for Information ("enquiry point") 3.  Article 10 The Government of Liberia is in the process of setting up 
an Inquiry Point for TBT matters and the TBT Inquiry Point will be within the WTO Unit of the Ministry of 
Commerce and Industry.  
4.  Identification of authority responsible for 
notifications, publications and other internal procedures to ensure transparency obligations are 
met on an ongoing basis: 4.  Articles 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15.2, Annex 3 and G/TBT/1 Currently these provisions have not been met and Liberia 
will not be in compliance until the TBT Inquiry Point described above has been established.  
 
 (a)  Identification of pu blication where notices of 
proposed technical regulations and conformity 
assessment procedures will appear;  (a)  Articles 2.9.1, 3.1, 5.6.1, 7.1, 10.1.5 All important Government documents, including laws 
and regulations, are published in  the Official Gazette at 
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and subsequently in local 
dailies.  
 (b)  Identification of authority responsible for 
making notifications to the WTO;  (b)   Article 2.9.2, 2.10.1, 3.2, 3.3, 5.6.2, 5.7.1, 7.2, 
7.3, 10.7, 10.10 The Government of Liberia is in the process of 
establishing a WTO Unit within the Ministry of 
Commerce and Industry. This Unit will be responsible for making notifications to the WTO.  
 (c)   Guidance/law to ensure regulatory authorities 
afford non-discriminatory consideration of 
comments in the preparation of a final regulation;  (c)   Articles 2.9.4, 2.10.3, 3.15 3.3, 5.6.4, 5.7.3, 
7.1, 7.3 As of now, Liberia has no procedure to allow for 
comments on new regulations.  
  (d)  Guidance/law to ensure regulatory authorities 
allow a reasonable period of time between the 
final publication of a technical regulation and conformity assessment procedure and its entry 
into force so that suppliers can adapt;  (d)   Articles 2.11, 2.12, 3.1, 5.8, 5.9, 7.1 Same as above (c).   
   WT/ACC/LBR/8
 Page 3Commitments WTO Reference Status (as of 16 May 2012) 
 (e)  Publication and notification of work 
programme for standards and non-governmental conformity assessment 
procedures, including publication of notices of 
draft standards and an opportunity for public comment.  (e)   Article 4, Annex 3 (J, K, L, N, 0);  Article 8.1 Same as above (c). 
  
5.  Development and Application of Technical 
Regulations and Conformity Assessment 
Procedures: Existence of legal and/or administrative 
underpinnings (or reasonable measures" as 
appropriate) to ensure ongoing compliance with 
provisions of the agreement concerning, in particular: 5.  Articles 2, 3, 5, 6, 7 The Division of Standards within the Ministry of 
Commerce and Industry is  responsible for the 
development and application of technical regulations and 
conformity assessment procedures.  
 (a)  non-discrimination with respect to the 
treatment of products;  (a)  Articles 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 5.2, 7.1 Same as above (5).  
 
 (b)  the prohibition of unnecessary obstacles to 
international trade and the consideration of 
less trade-restrictive alternatives to fulfilling legitimate objectives;  (b)  Articles 2.2, 3.1, 5.1, 5.2, 7.1 Same as above (5).  
 
  (c)  the ongoing review of technical regulations to 
ensure they are appropriate to achieve the 
desired legitimate objective;  (c)  Article 2.3, 3.1, 7.1 Same as above (5).  
 
 (d)  the consideration of appropriate international 
standards, guides and recommendations as a basis for technical regulations and conformity 
assessment procedures;  (d)  Article 2.4, 3.1, 5.4,  7.1 Same as above (5).  
 
 (e)  the consideration of equivalent technical 
regulations of other Members;  (e)  Article 2.7, 3.1, 7.1 Same as above (5).  
 
 (f)  the acceptance of th e results of conformity 
assessment procedures conducted by bodies in 
an exporting Member country;  (f)  Article 6, 7.1 Same as above (5).  
  
 (g)  non-discriminatory and cost-based fee 
structure.  (g)  Article 5.2, 7.1, 10.4 Same as above (5).  
   
  WT/ACC/LBR/8 
Page 4 Commitments WTO Reference Status (as of 16 May 2012) 
6.  Development and Application of Standards and 
Conformity Assessment Pr ocedures: Existence of 
legal and/or administrative underpinnings (or 
"reasonable measures" as appropriate) to ensure 
ongoing compliance with provisions of the agreement concerning, in particular: 6. Article 4 and Annex 3, Article 8 The Division of Standards within the Ministry of 
Commerce and Industry is  responsible for the 
development and application of technical regulations and 
conformity assessment procedures.  
  (a)  non-discrimination with respect to the 
treatment of products;  (a)  Annex 3 (D), Article 8.1 Same as above (6).  
 
 
 (b)  the prohibition of unnecessary obstacles to 
international trade;  (b)  Annex 3 (E), Article 8.1 Same as above (6).  
 
 (c)  the consideration of appropriate international 
standards, guides and recommendations as a 
basis for standards;  (c)  Annex 3 (F), Article 8.1 Same as above (6).  
 
 (d)  non-discriminatory and cost-based fee 
structure.  (d)  Annex 3 (M), Annex 3 (P), Articles 8.1, 10.4 Same as above (6).   
 
 
___________