WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  TN/MA/S/21/Rev.4 
2 August 2010 
 (10-4110) 
Negotiating Group on Market Access  
 
 
 
GUIDE TO DOCUMENTATION CONTAINING TEXTUAL PROPOSALS ON NTBS, 
AND RELATED WRITTEN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 
 
Note by the Secretariat1 
 
Revision  
 
 
1. This document has been prepared at the requ est of the Negotiating Group on Market Access  
(NGMA) with a view to assisting Members in following the NTB discussions.  It has taken account of 
the latest textual proposals that have been s ubmitted up to 29 July 2010, as well as written questions 
posed to the sponsors and responses received.  Subm issions by the proponents combining the latest 
version of the proposal with accompanying questions and answers are identified as a "compendium".  
A section 5 has been added to the summary of some  proposals in order to identify other relevant 
documents, including textual modificati ons proposed by other Members.   
2. With a view to improving the user-friendlin ess of the document, the annex has been 
reorganized to separate the horizontal and the vertical  proposals.  The vertical proposals have been, in 
addition, grouped by the type of products covered and then sorted in alphabetical order.  This 
document is not meant to be an exhaustive list of  submissions on the NTB area, for which Members 
are invited to refer to the list in the TN/MA/S/16 series. 
 
 
                                                      
1 This document has been prepared under the Secret ariat's own responsibility and without prejudice to 
the positions of Members and to their rights and obligations under the WTO. TN/MA/S/21/Rev.4 
Page 2 
 
 
  ANNEX 
 
I. HORIZONTAL PROPOSALS 
1. Ministerial Decision on Procedures for the Facilitation of Solutions to  
Non-Tariff Barriers 
1. Sponsor(s): African Group, Canada, European Union, LDC Group, NAMA-11, 
New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan and Switzerland 
2. Textual proposal(s) TN/MA/W/106 (In Annex 5 of TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3) 
TN/MA/W/106/Rev.1 (03.02.2010) 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
United States1 JOB(09)/20 (13.03.2009) 
Korea JOB(09)/26 (18.03.2009) 
Singapore JOB(09)/22 (13.03.2009) 
Japan JOB(09)/27 (18.03.2009)  
 
     Co-sponsors  
 
TN/MA/W/110 + Corr.1 
(16.04.2009) 
Chile JOB(09)/38 (24.04.2009) 
United States TN/MA/W/111 (19.05.2009) 
Japan JOB(09)/46 (20.05.2009) 
China JOB(09)/60 (23.06.2009) 
United States JOB(09)/90 (18.08.2009) 
Japan JOB(09)/92 (19.08.2009) 
Malaysia JOB(09)/93 (25.08.2009)  
 
 
 
    Co-sponsors 
United States JOB(09)/185 (16.12.2009)  
Israel JOB/MA/9 (15.03.2010)  
United States JOB/MA/23 (17.05.2010)  
Saudi Arabia JOB/MA/32 (05.07.2010)   
 
 
 
TN/MA/W/110/Rev.1 
(29.10.2009) 
5. Textual modifications proposed by:  
Korea JOB/MA/1 (21.01.2010) 
United States JOB/MA/4 (05.02.2010) 
Thailand JOB/MA/7 (04.03.2010) 
Japan JOB/MA/22 (17.05.2010) 
Colombia; Hong Kong, China; 
Singapore; and Thailand JOB/MA/35 (09.07.2010) 
 
 2. Decision on the Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers Imposed as Unilateral Trade 
Measures 
1. Sponsor(s): Cuba 
2. Textual proposal(s) TN/MA/W/94/Rev.1 (In Annex 5 of TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3) 
TN/MA/W/94/Rev.2 (18.03.2009) 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
Nil  Nil  
 
 
 
                                                      
1 The US circulated its "Committee-First for the Ho rizontal Mechanism" proposal (JOB(08)/45), on 
which Chile raised a question in document JOB(09)/38.  TN/MA/S/21/Rev.4 
 Page 3 
 
 
  3. Protocol on Transparency in Export Licensi ng to the General Agreement on Tariffs and 
Trade 1994 
1. Sponsor(s): Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, Ukraine, and the United States 
2. Textual proposal(s) TN/MA/W/15/Add.4/Rev.2 (In Annex 5 TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3) 
TN/MA/W/15/Add.4/Rev.3 + Corr.1 (19.03.2009)  
TN/MA/W/15/Add.4/Rev.4 (09.09.2009) 
TN/MA/W/130 (11.12.2009) (compendium) 
TN/MA/W/15/Add.4/Rev.5 (05.02.2010) 
 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
Singapore JOB(09)/22 (13.03.2009) Co-sponsors JOB(09)/41 (07.05.2009) 
Malaysia JOB(09)/93 (25.08.2009) Co-sponsors JOB(09)/127 (02.10.2009) 
African Group JOB/MA/36 (09.07.2010)   
 
 
4. Revised submission on Export Taxes 
1. Sponsor(s): European Union  
2. Textual proposal(s) TN/MA/W/101 (In Annex 5 TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3)   
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
African Group JOB/MA/36 (09.07.2010) Nil  
 
 5. Ministerial Decision on Trade in Remanufactured Goods 
1. Sponsor(s): Japan, Switzerland and the United States 
2. Textual proposal(s) TN/MA/W/18/Add.16/Rev.2 (In Annex 5 TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3)  
TN/MA/W/18/Add.16/Rev.3 (09.09.2009) 
TN/MA/W/124 (04.12.2009) (compendium) 
TN/MA/W/18/Add.16/Rev.4 (09/07/2010) 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
Singapore JOB(09)/22 (13.03.2009) Co-sponsors TN/MA/W/117 (27.05.2009) 
Korea JOB(09)/26 (18.03.2009) Co-sponsors TN/MA/W/112 (19.05.2009) 
China JOB(09)/60 (23.06.2009) Co-sponsors TN/MA/W/122 (23.11.2009) 
Malaysia JOB(09)/93 (25.08.2009) Co-sponsors JOB(09)/155 (30.10.2009) 
Brazil and India JOB(09)/183 (11.12.2009) Co-sponsors TN/MA/W/132 (22.01.2010) 
  Co-sponsors JOB/MA/3 (21.01.2010) 
Turkey JOB/MA/2 (21.01.2010) Co-sponsors JOB/MA/10 (15.03.2010) 
African Group JOB/MA/36 (09.07.2010)   
5. Other documents:  
Argentina, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Brazil, 
Ecuador and India JOB/MA/37 (12.07.2010) 
 TN/MA/S/21/Rev.4 
Page 4 
 
 
  6. Framework for Industry-specific NTB Proposals 
1. Sponsor(s): Brazil, European Union and India 
2. Textual proposal(s) JOB(09)/105 (24.09.2009) European Union and India 
TN/MA/W/128 (04.12.2009) European Union and India 
 
JOB(09)/103 (22.09.2009) Brazil 
TN/MA/W/127 (04.12.2009) Brazil 
 
TN/MA/W/136 (15.03.2010) Brazil, European Union and India 
 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
Korea JOB/MA/18 (11.05.2010) Nil  
Saudi Arabia JOB/MA/30 (05.07.2010)   
5. Other documents:  
India JOB/MA/33 (08.07.2010) 
India JOB/MA/34 (08.07.2010) 
 
 
  TN/MA/S/21/Rev.4 
 Page 5 
 
 
  II. VERTICAL PROPOSALS 
1. Autos:   Agreement on Non-Tariff Barriers P ertaining to Standards, Technical 
Regulations, and Conformity Assessment  Procedures for Automotive Products 
1. Sponsor(s): European Union 
2. Textual proposal(s) TN/MA/W/11/Add.9 (13.08.2009) 
TN/MA/W/118 + Corr.1 (09.09.2009) 
TN/MA/W/118/Rev.1 (04.12.2009) 
TN/MA/W/118/Rev.2 (23.06.2010) 
TN/MA/W/118/Rev.2+Corr.1 (23.06.2010 and 07.07.2010) 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
United States JOB(09)/163 (03.11.2009) European Union JOB(09)/180 (07.12.2009) 
Egypt JOB/MA/5 (08.02.2010) European Union JOB/MA/11 (19.03.2010) 
African Group JOB/MA/36 (09.07.2010)   
 
 
2. Autos:  Agreement on Non-Tariff Barriers P ertaining to Standards, Technical 
Regulations, and Conformity Assessment  Procedures for Automotive Products 
1. Sponsor(s): Canada and United States 
2. Textual proposal(s) JOB(08)/46 (In Annex 5 of TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3) * 
TN/MA/W/120 (15.09.2009) * 
TN/MA/W/126 (04.12.2009) (compendium) * 
TN/MA/W/139 (09.07.2010) 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
Singapore JOB(09)/22 (13.03.2009) United States  TN/MA/W/121 (23.11.2009) 
Canada JOB(09)/31+Corr.1 (30.03.2009) United States JOB(09)/157 (30.10.2009) 
Japan JOB(09)/92 (19.08.2009) United States TN/MA/W/131 (22.01.2010) 
Egypt JOB/MA/5 (08.02.2010) United States JOB/MA/16 (11.05.2010) 
African Group JOB/MA/36 (09.07.2010)   
5. Other documents:  
United States TN/MA/W/138 (28.06.2010) 
* United States only 
 
 
 
  
 TN/MA/S/21/Rev.4 
Page 6 
 
 
  3. Chemicals: Negotiating Proposal on Non-Tariff Barriers in the Chemical Products and 
Substances Sector 
1. Sponsor(s): Argentina and Brazil 
2. Textual proposal(s) TN/MA/W/104 (In Annex 5 of TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3) (Argentina) 
TN/MA/W/135 (04.02.2010) (Argentina and Brazil) 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
Singapore JOB(09)/22 (13.03.2009)   
Israel JOB/MA/9 (15.03.2010) Co-sponsors JOB/MA/24 (20.05.2010) 
United States JOB/MA/17 (11.05.2010) Co-Sponsors JOB/MA/39 (20.07.2010) 
Korea JOB/MA/18 (11.05.2010) Co-sponsors JOB/MA/38 (20.07.2010) 
Canada JOB/MA/20 (12.05.2010) Co-sponsors JOB/MA/40 (20.07.2010) 
Saudi Arabia JOB/MA/29 (05.07.2010)   
African Group JOB/MA/36 (09.07.2010)   
 
 4. Chemicals:
 Understanding on Non-Tariff Barriers P ertaining to Standards, Technical 
Regulations, and Conformity Assessment Procedures for Chemicals 
1. Sponsor(s): European Union 
2. Textual proposal(s) TN/MA/W/137 (18.03.2010) 
TN/MA/W/137/Rev.1 (23.06.2010) 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
Korea JOB/MA/18 (11.05.2010)   
Canada JOB/MA/21 (12.05.2010)   
Argentina and Brazil JOB/MA /25 (21.05.2010) Nil  
Saudi Arabia JOB/MA/31 (05.07.2010)   
African Group JOB/MA/36 (09.07.2010)   
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
   TN/MA/S/21/Rev.4 
 Page 7 
 
 
  5. Electronics : Agreement on Non-Tariff Barriers Pert aining to the Electrical Safety and 
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) of Electronic Goods 
1. Sponsor(s): United States 
2. Textual proposal(s) TN/MA/W/105/Rev.1 (In Annex 5 TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3) 
TN/MA/W/105/Rev.2 (15.09.2009) 
TN/MA/W/125 (04.12.2009) (compendium) 
 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
Thailand JOB(08)/113 (04.11.2008) United States JOB(09)/37 (22.04.2009) 
Canada JOB(09)/31+Corr.1 (30.03.2009) United States JOB(09)/157 (30.10.2009) 
Singapore JOB(09)/22 (13.03.2009) United States TN/MA/W/115 (22.05.2009) 
Korea JOB(09)/26 (18.03.2009)   
China JOB(09)/60 (23.06.2009) United States JOB(09)/156 (30.10.2009) 
Japan JOB(09)/92 (19.08.2009) United States TN/MA/W/133 (22.01.2010) 
Egypt JOB/MA/5 (08.02.2010) United States JOB/MA/16 (11.05.2010) 
African Group JOB/MA/36 (09.07.2010)   
5. Other documents:  
United States TN/MA/W/138 (28.06.2010) 
 
6. Electronics : Understanding on the Interpretation of the Agreement on Technical 
Barriers to Trade as Applied to Trade in Electronics 
1. Sponsor(s): European Union and Switzerland 
2. Textual proposal(s) JOB(07)/42/Rev.1 +Add.1 (In Annex 5 TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3) 
TN/MA/W/119 (09.09.2009) 
TN/MA/W/129* (07.12.2009) 
TN/MA/W/129/Rev.1* (23.06.2010) 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
Thailand JOB(08)/112 (04.11.2008) 
Singapore JOB(09)/22 (13.03.2009) 
United States JOB(09)/20 (13.03.2009) 
Japan JOB(09)/27 (18.03.2009) 
Canada JOB(09)/31+Corr.1 (20.03.2009)  
 
 
Co-sponsors JOB(09)/35 + Corr.1 
(16.04.2009) 
Korea JOB(09)/26 (18.03.2009)   
Japan JOB(09)/46 (20.05.2009)   
China JOB(09)/60 (23.06.2009) JOB(09)/181 
(07.12.2009) 
United States JOB(09)/91 (18.08.2009)   
Japan JOB(09)/92 (19.08.2009)    
United States JOB(09)/160 (02.11.2009)  
 
  
European Union 
  
  
 
United States JOB(09)/160/Rev.1 (04.11.2009)   
Egypt JOB/MA/5 (08.02.2010) European Union JOB/MA/12 + Corr.1 
(28.04.2010) 
Israel JOB/MA/9 (15.03.2010)   
African Group JOB/MA/36 (09.07.2010)   
* European Union only. TN/MA/S/21/Rev.4 
Page 8 
 
 
  7. Fireworks : Understanding on the Interpretation of the Agreement on Technical 
Barriers to Trade as Applied to Trade in Fireworks 
1. Sponsor(s): China 
2. Textual proposal(s) TN/MA/W/102 (In Annex 5 of TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3) + Add.1 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
Malaysia JOB(09)/93 (25.08.2009) Nil  
African Group JOB/MA/36 (09.07.2010)   
 
 
8. Forestry products :  Decision on Non-Tariff Barriers Affecting Forestry Products Used 
in Building Construction 
1. Sponsor(s): New Zealand 
2. Textual proposal(s) JOB(07)/158 (In Annex 5 TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3) 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
Thailand JOB(09)/42 +Rev.1 (07.05.2009) New Zealand JOB(09)/44 (15.05.2009) 
Malaysia JOB(09)/93 (25.08.2009)   
African Group JOB/MA/36 (09.07.2010)   
 
 
9. Lighters :  Understanding on the Interpretation of  the Agreement on  Technical Barriers 
to Trade as Applied to Trade in Lighter Products 
1. Sponsor(s): China 
2. Textual proposal(s) TN/MA/W/90/Add.1 (In Annex 5 of TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3) 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
African Group JOB/MA/36 (09.07.2010) Nil   
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
  TN/MA/S/21/Rev.4 
 Page 9 
 
 
  10. Textiles, clothing, footwear, travel goods :  Understanding on the Interpretation of  the 
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade with respect to the Labelling of Textiles, 
Clothing, Footwear, and Travel Goods 
1. Sponsor(s): European Union, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, and the United States. 
2. Textual proposal(s) TN/MA/W/93 + Add.1 + Add.2 (In Annex 5 TN/MA/W/103/Rev.3)    
TN/MA/W/93/Rev.1 (15.09.2009) + Add.1 (05.02.2010) 
TN/MA/W/123 (27.11.2009) (compendium) 
 
3. Written questions raised by: 4. Written answers provided by: 
Korea JOB(09)/26 (18.03.2009) Co-sponsors TN/MA/W/113 (22.05.2009) 
Singapore JOB(09)/22 (13.03.2009) Co-sponsors TN/MA/W/116 (27.05.2009) 
China JOB(09)/60 (23.06.2009) 
Switzerland JOB(09)/68 (10.07.2009) 
New Zealand JOB(09)/89 (18.08.2009) Co-sponsors JOB(09)/162 (03.11.2009) 
Japan   Co-sponsors TN/MA/W/134 (28.01.2010) 
Egypt JOB/MA/5 (08.02.2010) Co-sponsors JOB/MA/19 (12.05.2010) 
Hong Kong, China 
and India JOB/MA/8 (15.03.2010) Co-sponsors JOB/MA/27 (11.06.2010) 
Switzerland JOB/MA/15 (28.04.2010) Co-sponsors JOB/MA/26 (11.06.2010) 
African Group JOB/MA/36 (09.07.2010)   
5. Textual modifications proposed by:  
Korea JOB/MA/1 (21.01.2010) 
Israel JOB/MA/9 (15.03.2010) 
 
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