. /.  RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  S/WPDR/M/45 
22 September 2010 
 (10-4824) 
Working Party on Domestic Regulation  
  
 
REPORT OF THE MEETING HELD ON 1 JULY 2010 
 
Note by the Secretariat
1 
  
1. The Working Party on Domestic Regulation (W PDR) held a meeting on 1 July 2010.  The 
agenda for the meeting is contained in Airg ram WTO/AIR/3575, dated 21  June 2010, and was 
adopted.
 
A. DEVELOPMENT OF REGULATORY DISCIPLINES UNDER GATS ARTICLE VI:4  
2. The Working Party addressed the above agenda ite m in informal mode.  The Chairman stated 
that he would prepare an informal summary of the deliberations, under his own responsibility.   
B. FUTURE WORK 
3. The Chairman  recalled that he had presented an indicative work plan, based on his 
consultations with delegations, dur ing the Working Party's informal meeting on 16 June 2010.  He 
noted that some delegations had expressed slightly different preferences regarding the order in which 
the various topics should be addressed, but he had su ggested to proceed on the basis of the indicative 
work plan, and to remain flexible and open to any suggested adjustments.  Following the proposed 
sequence, the next meeting would address "Licensi ng and Qualification Requi rements and Procedures 
as well as their respective definitions in paragraphs 5-8 of the Chairman's draft."  Any discussion of 
paragraphs 11, and 13-15 coul d also be continued.   
4. The representative of Australia  expressed comfort with th e proposed work plan, and 
suggested, as an additional element, to plan for a dedicated discussion with presentations from 
regulators to obtain practical information on regulation of services sectors and the key issues at stake.  To this end, a workshop or seminar could be or ganized in which practitioners would share their 
experiences with the regulation of services.  Australi a had an office of best practice regulation which 
looked at the conduct of regulation, as well as an ag ency called "Standards Australia".  She remained 
open-minded about the format of such an event,  which should be an additional element to the 
negotiations, and should follow the sort of format that had been followed in other bodies such as the 
CSC or the CTFS. 
5. The representatives of the European Union
 and Chinese Taipei  supported the idea of a 
workshop.  
6. The representative of Canada  noted that the momentum of the present meeting needed to be 
maintained.  It was difficult for Members to make real progress on an issue on which only 3-4 hours 
were dedicated per year.  She called for informal sessions in-between clusters to narrow down gaps 
                                                      
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. S/WPDR/M/45 
Page 2  
 
  and develop solutions.  She welcomed the idea for a workshop as a valuable exercise, provided the 
necessary time could be made available.  
7. The representative of Japan
 supported the work plan as well as the idea of a workshop and 
suggested to invite also representatives of industry to this event. 
8. The representative of the Philippines  supported the Chair's indicative work plan, as well as the 
idea of informal meetings in between clusters.  He supported the idea of a workshop and suggested 
that consultation take place on the idea.  It was impo rtant to draw on an accurate picture of reality.  
The presentations at the workshop should ensure that  there was a broad and balanced overview, and 
input was not limited to certain industries or regulat ory agencies.  In addition to geographical balance, 
the level of economic development and the regulator y systems needed to be taken into account .  
9. The representative of the United States  expressed his support for informal sessions, as long as 
they were held in conjunction with services cluste rs.   Meetings within clusters would allow his 
delegation to involve experts with  relevant experience and political  guidance, and would provide for 
sufficient time to consult in between meetings on the many technical and complex issues with the 
numerous different authorities involved.  He welcomed the idea to hear from regulators, as proposed 
by Australia, and urged the Chair to consult with th e other Chairs to develop a workable schedule of 
workshops in the fall. 
10. The representative of India  supported the idea of holding informal meetings to maintain the 
momentum of the discussions.  He requested that the September meeting on licensing and 
qualification requirements and procedures be scheduled for a full day.  
11. The representative of China  requested further details from Aust ralia in order to consult with 
capital.  Her delegation had proposed different work shops in different areas, some of which had been 
blocked.  She hoped to discuss this pr oposal in a cooperative and open manner.. 
12. The Chairman  stated that he would consult on the idea of a workshop and was looking 
forward to more input by Australia concerning cont ent, format, and timing of such an event, and 
suggested to discuss the idea in more detail at the next  cluster meeting.  He would seek to ensure that 
a full day was provided for the next meeting of the WPDR, due to the volume of issues on the table.  
As concerned the structure and timing of informal discussions, he would cons ult with Members with a 
view to finding a mutually agreeable way forward.  
C. OTHER BUSINESS 
13. No items were raised under this agenda item. 
 
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