RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/ACC/YEM/16 
23 May 2006 
 (06-2484) 
Working Party on the 
Accession of Yemen Original:   English 
 
 
 
ACCESSION OF YEMEN 
 
Priorities and Specific Needs for Technical Assistance in  
the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Field  
 
 The following submission, dated 12 May 2006, is being circulated at the request of the Delegation of the Republic of Yemen.  
_______________ 
  
  WT/ACC/YEM/16 
Page 2  Points for Consideration to A ssist the Identification and 
Prioritisation of Specifi c Needs in the TBT Field Current Situation Specific Problems, Difficulties and/or 
Interests Technical Assistance and/or 
Cooperation Acti vities Required 
I. IN RELATION TO TH E IMPLEMENTATION OF 
THE TBT AGREEMENT     
A. General Implementation and Administration Issues     
1. Submission of the statements  on the implementation and 
administration of the Agre ement under Article 15.2 
 - To submit the statement following the guidelines 
contained in document G/ TBT/1/Rev.7 to provide 
the information covered and specified The committee shall be notified by the 
inquiry point of YSMO concerning the 
statement related to the implementation 
and administration of the Agreement 
according to Article 15.2 of the same Difficulty in implementing and 
administering TBT Agreement Technical assistance for preparing, 
implementing and administering  
TBT Agreement 
2 Measures and arrangements which could assist the 
implementation and administrat ion of the Agreement by 
relevant authorities and no n-governmental bodies, e.g.:   
(a)  To put in place Arra ngements (e.g. legislative, 
regulatory and administrativ e action) to achieve an 
effective implementation and administration of the 
provisions of the Agreement 
 Measures and arrangements: 
1. Laws & regulations concerning 
the implementation and 
administration of the Agreement 
 - Law No. (44) of 1999 
regarding Specifications 
Standards and Quality Control 
 
The responsibility of implementing and 
administering the Agreement: 
YSMO is the responsible authority for 
implementation and administration of 
the Agreement according to the 
provisions of laws: 
- Article (4) of Law No. (44) of 
1999, Article (3) of the 
Republican Decree No. (52) of 
2000 regarding the establishment 
of YSMO 
- The following provisions of 
articles of the Republican 
Decree (52) of 2000: Article (8) 
Tasks and Duties of YSMO, 
Articles (2-8) which state that 
YSMO is responsible for the 
preparation, approval and 
implementation of standards, 
technical rules and conformity 
assessment procedures 
- Currently, YSMO is the inquiry 
point for WTO  
-  Difficulties of implementation and 
management of the Agreement 
due to overlapping of functions 
and duties of the related 
governmental agencies 
- Lack of adequate and necessary 
funding to attend and participate 
in external workshops, seminars 
and some meetings regarding the 
administration of the agreement so 
as to gain skills and knowledge of 
all the agreement's articles and its 
annexes 
-  The lack of funding needed for 
acquiring international standards, 
approved references, journals, 
publications, etc related to the 
various activities within the 
YSMO 
-  Lack of awareness of advantages, 
benefits and obligations of the 
Agreement 
-  Difficulty of  establishing a legal 
framework and an action plan to 
implement and manage the 
Agreement 
- Lack of adequate and necessary 
financing in line with the 
necessary requirements to 
administer and activate the 
agreement in terms of effective 
and advanced database that could 
be dealt with easily by users 
whether nationals or foreigners  
- Technical assistance and advice in 
reviewing the laws and making 
them compliant with the 
requirements of WTO and ensure 
implementation through 
workshops, seminars, foreign 
experts and appropriate financing  
   WT/ACC/YEM/16
 Page 3 Points for Consideration to A ssist the Identification and 
Prioritisation of Specifi c Needs in the TBT Field Current Situation Specific Problems, Difficulties and/or 
Interests Technical Assistance and/or 
Cooperation Acti vities Required 
 (b)  To cooperate and coordi nate at the domestic level, 
and inter alia  for the achievement of increased 
awareness of the TBT requirements at the national 
level 
(c)  To involve all interested parties, including 
government agencies, authorities, voluntary standards 
bodies, the private sector and other interested parties 
to support implementation by national authorities (b)(c) According to Article 25 of the 
Law No. 44 of the 1999, the 
YSMO carry out cooperation & 
coordination to increase 
awareness about the requirements 
of the Agreement and 
involvement of all concerned 
parties at the national level in 
order to achieve awareness of the requirements of technical trade 
barriers and support the 
implementation of the Agreement 
like Ministry of Health, Ministry 
of Agriculture, Ministry of Public 
Works & Roads, the Private sector 
and civil society organizations - Lack of awareness of the 
requirement of the Agreement 
-  Lack of resources and difficulty of 
coordination between the 
concerned authorities - Workshops and seminars and 
issuing publications related to the 
agreement and coordinate 
between concerned authorities 
- Technical expertise is needed 
- Appropriate and necessary 
financing is needed 
3. Participation in TBT Committee activities 
 
(a) To participate in Committee meetings and other 
activities, e.g. triennial reviews of the Agreement 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
(b) The possibility of using regional representation for 
participation    Participation in the activities of the TBT 
Committee: 
(a) Participation in the meeting of the 
committee and other meetings like 
review (every three years) for the 
agreement: lack of any kind of 
participation to attend the TBT 
conferences and seminars in 
Geneva; there is no participation 
in the periodical review of the 
agreement 
 
 
 
  
 
 
(b) The possibility of using regional 
representation for participation: 
regional representation not used 
for the purpose of participation 
 
  
 
- Lack of ability to participate in the 
work of international 
organizations and agencies 
working in the field of 
specification, standards and 
quality control due to the lack of 
the necessary financing to 
participate in the events of such 
organization 
- The difficulty to fund 
participation 
- Lack of comprehensive 
understanding of the documents and difficulty to translate them to 
Arabic. 
 
- No representation in regional 
bodies 
 
    
 
- Financing the participation in 
TBT seminars and conferences in 
Geneva 
- Translating the TBT documents 
into Arabic 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
- Financing participation and 
regional representation and use of 
regional representation for 
participation purposes 
4. Others     
  WT/ACC/YEM/16 
Page 4  Points for Consideration to A ssist the Identification and 
Prioritisation of Specifi c Needs in the TBT Field Current Situation Specific Problems, Difficulties and/or 
Interests Technical Assistance and/or 
Cooperation Acti vities Required 
B Transparency, Co nsultation and Notification Issues  
Enquiry point 
(a) To establish an enquiry point(s) as a contact point for 
information 1.  The Enquiry point 
(a) The establishment of enquiry 
point: The Yemeni enquiry point 
for WTO is: 
 - YSMO 
 
The information center  
The Yemeni enquiry point for WTO 
regarding the TBT Agreement, which is 
still in the set up process 
 
The Republic of Yemen, Sana'a, 
Zubairy St. / The Industrial Complex 
(Behind Banks Complex)  
Tel: 00967-1- 472557/202249/408608-9 
Fax: 00967-1-402636 or 219980 
e-mail:  ysmqco@y.net.ye  
  infoys@y.net.ye  
Website: www: ysmoqco.org 
Contact person: In formation center 
manager Ahmed Abutaleb  
- Lack of necessary financing for 
developing the information centre 
including the enquiry point 
- The lack of training on the 
agreement, notification and 
practical training on enquiry 
responding 
- Has been previously mentioned 
  
- The provision of the necessary 
financing and capacity building 
for translation in the information 
centre 
- Launching workshops, seminars 
needed for the operation of the 
enquiry point by specialised 
experts 
- Training on enquiries and 
notification preparation 
- Has been previously mentioned 
 
(b) To handle requests and cooperate with relevant 
authorities so as to answ er enquiries within an 
adequate period of time 
 (b) Replying to enquiries, providing 
specific information and proposed 
or approved standards for the 
concerned authorities within a 
specific timeframe 
 - The difficulty to establish 
connection with the concerned 
authorities to reply on enquiries 
within an appropriate time frame. 
- The lack to ability to accede to 
international organisations and 
agencies working in the field of 
specifications, standards and 
quality control due to the lack of 
financing needed to participate in 
the activities of such organizations 
- The lack of awareness of the 
features and requirements of the 
Agreement - Building capacity and re-
qualification of the information 
centre 
- Launching workshops and 
seminars to build and develop 
skills and provision of the 
necessary fund for it 
- Identifying agencies involved in 
the enquiry points and their level 
at the previously mentioned 
authorities 1. 
(c) Possible means to facilitate  the functioning of enquiry 
points (e.g. access to tele communication network and 
equipment to enhance electronic transmission of 
information or regional cooperation) (c) Possible means to facilitate the 
functioning of enquiry points:  
 Writing – Phone – Fax – Mail – 
e-mail – internet 
 - The weakness in using electronic 
communication means for 
transmitting information.  
- Lack of experience in electronic 
communication with international 
organizations and exchange and 
circulation of information with the 
interested parties - Provision of necessary funds and 
technical experts to use electronic 
means of transmitting dart.  
- Assistance to obtain IT 
equipments and activation of 
database 
- Training and rehabilitation of the 
information centre staff  
   WT/ACC/YEM/16
 Page 5 Points for Consideration to A ssist the Identification and 
Prioritisation of Specifi c Needs in the TBT Field Current Situation Specific Problems, Difficulties and/or 
Interests Technical Assistance and/or 
Cooperation Acti vities Required 
2 Notifications  
(a) The designation of a single central government 
authority responsible fo r the implementation of 
notification procedures under the Agreement  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
(b) To put in place measures and arrangements to ensure 
that national and sub-national authorities preparing 
new technical regulations  or procedures for 
assessment of conformity, provide early information 
in order to enable to fulfil the notifications 
obligations 
 
(c) The preparation of notifications (e.g. to determine if a 
measure needs to be no tified and to fill in 
notifications in the right formats) 
 
 
 
 
(d) To provide opportunities for and consideration of 
comments from other Member s on notifications of 
drafts technical regula tions and conformity 
assessment procedures (e.g. to provide 60-90 day 
comment period, to reply to requests for documents 
or information in a timely manner, to handle and 
consider comments before adoption 
 Notifications: 
(a) The designation of a single central 
government authority responsible 
for the implementation of 
notification procedures under the 
Agreement: The YSMO is the 
central government authority 
responsible for the 
implementation of notification procedures under the Agreement. 
 
 
(b) The notification procedures 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(c) Through the enquiry point in 
YSMO, except for urgent cases 
stated in the articles (2, 10, 5 and 
7) and according to Article 2-9 of 
the agreement. The notification 
procedures shall be implemented   
- Lack of complete rules and 
technical regulations related to the 
Agreement 
- Lack of capacity to provide early 
information and the approved 
procedures in the relevant 
authorities 
   
- Technical assistance for training 
on the  preparation of notifications 
- Assistance in the preparation of 
rules and technical regulations 
related to the Agreement 
- Training and motivating the 
authorities to provide for prompt 
provision of information to YSMO 
  
  WT/ACC/YEM/16 
Page 6  Points for Consideration to A ssist the Identification and 
Prioritisation of Specifi c Needs in the TBT Field Current Situation Specific Problems, Difficulties and/or 
Interests Technical Assistance and/or 
Cooperation Acti vities Required 
3. Publications  
(a) To publish a notice in a publication at  an early 
appropriate stage, to enable interested parties in other 
Members to become acquainted with draft technical 
regulations, standards an d conformity assessment 
procedures  
 
 
  
(b) To promptly publish adop ted technical regulations, 
standards and conformity assessment procedures  Publications: 
(a) YSMO started publishing the 
specifications, conformity 
assessment procedures and the 
proposed standards through 
internet as a test 
 
 
  
(b) YSMO shall publish technical 
regulations, standards and 
conformity assessment procedures 
which have been approved, so that 
concerned authorities in the 
member countries can know 
specific information of the 
approved standards numbers, their 
date of entry to force, their 
address. Publicat ion also take 
place through two widely spread 
for five successive days according 
to the provisions of Articles 8-15 
of the Republican Decree No. (52) 
of 2000  
- Lack of sufficient financing to 
issue an official newsletter in 
English and Arabic  
- Weak capacity in the field of 
information 
- Weakness to use electronic 
communication means of 
information 
 
- Lack of a developed website 
- Publication is costly and takes 
time  
- Providing the necessary financing 
to issue newsletter and periodicals  
- Providing the necessary financing 
and consultative  and technical 
experts to use electronic means 
for communication of information 
- Training on such electronic means 
 - Developing the website to activate 
the role of enquiry point 
- Financial support to have effective 
publication 
 
4. Others    
C. Preparation,  Adoption and Application of Technical 
Regulations     
1. To put in place as well as  to maintain a mechanism 
and/or legal infrastructure (e .g. legislative, regulatory 
and administrative action) to en sure that Article 2 of the 
Agreement are applied  
- such as to ensure that regulatory authorities in your 
territory are aware of and comply with the disciplines 
as stated in provisions of Article 2 related to (e.g. 
non-discrimination, avoi dance of unnecessary 
obstacles to trade, ongoi ng review of technical 
regulations and the use of appropriate international 
standards as a basis fo r technical regulations) - To put in place as well as to 
maintain a mechanism and/or 
legal infrastructure - The current mechanism does not 
guarantee full implementation of 
Article (2) of the Agreement - Technical assistance to establish a 
mechanism that guarantees full 
implementation of Article (2) of 
the Agreement 
2. The awareness of Good regulatory practice 
- such as to avoid the promulgation of national 
technical regulations where they are not necessary, 
limit them to their specific requirements, minimizing 
the use of mandatory technical regulations and 
utilizing voluntary international standards, where 
appropriate, and in accordance  the relevant provisions 
of the Agreement - The awareness of good regulatory 
practice 
 - Lack of knowledge of good 
regulatory practice  - Training on good regulatory 
practices   
   WT/ACC/YEM/16
 Page 7 Points for Consideration to A ssist the Identification and 
Prioritisation of Specifi c Needs in the TBT Field Current Situation Specific Problems, Difficulties and/or 
Interests Technical Assistance and/or 
Cooperation Acti vities Required 
3. To coordinate between governmental regulatory 
authorities, trade officials and national standardizing 
bodies to ensure effectiv e implementation of the 
provisions of Article 2  - Coordination between concerned 
national authorities  
- No activation of the role of the 
technical committees  - Difficulty to coordinate between 
the concerned agencies to 
participate in the technical 
committees for preparing 
standards - Assistance to establish a national 
mechanism authority 
4. To establish appropriate regu latory bodies or bodies for 
the assessment of conformity with technical regulations 
(taking into account domestic  state of development) - To establish appropriate 
regulatory bodies or bodies for the 
assessment of conformity with 
technical regulations - Lack of capacity to activate the 
conformity assessment procedures 
due to lack of sufficient financing 
and lack of trained staff and the 
necessary consultative experts - Assistance to develop the current 
role of the Authority regarding the 
conformity assessment procedures 
- Internal and external staff training 
5. Others    
D. Preparation, Adoption a nd Application of Standards    
1. Standardizing bodies  
(a) The establishment of na tional standardizing body(s) 
 
 
 
 
 
(b) The awareness and accepta nce of  the Code of Good 
Practice (Annex 3 of the Agreement) by 
standardizing body(s) Standardizing bodies  
(a) The establishment of national 
standardizing body: YSMO the 
responsible authority for the 
preparation, adoption and 
application of standards  
 
(b) The awareness and acceptance - Lack of recourses and capacity to 
prepare, adopt, and apply 
standards 
 
 
 
 
- Lack of awareness of  the Code of 
Good Practice (Annex 3 of the 
Agreement) - Provision of the necessary 
resources and raising the capacity 
of the YSMO to ensure 
compliance with international 
specifications including 
specifications and obligatory 
conditions 
- Training to raise awareness about 
these rules 
2. To put in place as  well as to main tain a mechanism 
and/orlegal infrastructure to ensure that Annex 3 of the 
Agreement are applied  
- Such as to ensure that standardizing body(s) in your 
territory are aware of and comply with the disciplines 
as stated in provisions of  Annex 3 related to (e.g. 
non-discrimination, avoi dance of unnecessary 
obstacles to trade, the use of appropriate international 
standards as a basis for th e standards they develop, 
the preparation of work programmes, the provision of 
information and opportunities for comments on 
drafts) To put in place as well as to maintain a 
mechanism and/or legal infrastructure -  Lack of awareness of the work 
disciplines mentioned in the 
Annex 3 and related to the subject  - Training to raise awareness about 
these rules 
3. Participation in international standardization 
(a) To participate in international standardizing activities 
in areas of particular domestic interest (e.g. to 
participate in technical co mmittees or working groups 
or to serve as chairs or secretariats) 
(b) Possible means to facilitate participation (e.g. to 
participate in e-format, to raise awareness of and 
coordinate with relevant  domestic bodies, regional 
cooperation and coordination,  or to put in place a 
national or regional standards strategy) Participation in the international  
(a) To participate in international 
standardizing activities in areas of 
particular domestic interest: not 
available  
(b) Possible means to facilitate 
participation:  
 Electronic communication with 
the agencies is weak - Lack of capacity and participation 
in international and regional 
organizations and agencies 
working in the field of 
specifications, st andards, and 
quality control due to lack of 
necessary financing in the 
activities of such  organizations. 
- Lack of financial recourses - Translation of international 
standards 
- Provision of sufficient needed 
financing 
- Assistance to join such 
organizations 
4. Others    
  
  WT/ACC/YEM/16 
Page 8  Points for Consideration to A ssist the Identification and 
Prioritisation of Specifi c Needs in the TBT Field Current Situation Specific Problems, Difficulties and/or 
Interests Technical Assistance and/or 
Cooperation Acti vities Required 
E. Preparation, Adoption a nd Application of Conformity 
Assessment Procedures Preparation, Adopti on and Application 
of Conformity Assessment Procedures - Lack of providing experts, 
training, rehabilitating and 
capacity building due to the lack 
of the necessary financing. 
- Lack of availability of technical 
consultative experts due to the 
lack of the necessary financing for 
bringing in such experts  
1. Infrastructure for conformity assessment 
(a) To establish appropriate bodies for the assessment of 
conformity with technical regulations and standards 
(e.g. testing laboratories, inspection, certification and 
accreditation bodies), taking into account domestic 
state of development and sectoral needs 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (b) To strengthen the technical competence of these 
bodies so as to enable the acceptance of their 
conformity assessment results and to participate in 
international or regional systems for conformity 
assessment 
 Infrastructure for conformity assessment 
(a) YSMO is the responsible body for 
the preparation, adoption and 
application of conformity 
assessment procedures with the 
technical rules and standards. 
YSMO is responsible for control, 
inspection, and sample-taking, 
testing, standardising and carrying 
out tests in any internal or external 
labs it may see appropriate, and 
approval and accreditation of the 
results of the labs and tests, 
approving test laboratories and 
standardising labs, issuing 
conformity certificates and 
granting quality mark and good 
industrial practice and registration 
certificates, issuing the necessary 
procedures to regulate the 
conformity procedures according 
to Law No. 44 and the Decree 
No. 21 of 2003 
(b) To strengthen the technical 
competence of the conformity 
assessment authority 
 - Lacking technical competence 
 - Lack of participation in 
international and regional 
regulations of conformity 
assessment  
- The lack of capacity to establish 
and activate the role of 
accreditation due to lack of 
necessary financing 
- Lack of capacity to activate the 
conformity certification system  
- Difficulty in the application of 
ISO/IEC and ISO/IEC 17025 
 
- Lack of equipments needed for 
test and examination 
 
- Lack of sufficient funds for 
buying equipment and 
apparatuses. Lack of experienced 
in the activation of certificating 
and accreditation 
 
 
 
 
 - Lack of experience and training 
for the staff due to the lack of 
sufficient financing for training 
and rehabilitation and capacity 
building 
- Lack of the necessary technical 
consultative experts due to the 
lack of sufficient financing for 
bringing in such experts  
- Technical assistance in the 
establishment of the system of 
accrediting laboratories 
- Provision of the necessary 
financing and facilitating 
participation in the international 
and regional organizations to 
assess conformity 
- Launching workshops and 
seminars and provide the 
necessary financing for them 
- Providing the necessary financing 
and the technical experts to use 
electronic means to transfer data  
- The sufficient funding for 
activating the role of accreditation 
and the certification system 
- Building the capacity of the labs 
to perform conformity assessment 
procedures 
 
 - Training of the specialised staff 
for the conformity assessment 
procedures  
- Sufficient financing to participate 
in regional and international 
meetings for the conformity 
assessment procedures 
  
   WT/ACC/YEM/16
 Page 9 Points for Consideration to A ssist the Identification and 
Prioritisation of Specifi c Needs in the TBT Field Current Situation Specific Problems, Difficulties and/or 
Interests Technical Assistance and/or 
Cooperation Acti vities Required 
2. To put in place a me chanism and/or legal infrastructure   
- To ensure that conformity assessment procedures are 
prepared, adopted and applied by relevant 
government and non-governmental bodies in such a 
way that they comply with the disciplines of the 
Agreement (e.g. non-discrimination, avoidance of 
unnecessary trade barriers, the use of relevant 
international standards, guides and recommendations 
as well as transparency) The General Principles of the 
Agreement and Work Rules 
YSMO seeks to apply the general 
principles of the agreement and abiding 
by work rules when preparing, adopting, 
and applying the conformity assessment 
procedures which particularly relates to:  
- Non-discrimination regarding the 
treatment of goods: YSMO works with the principle of  reciprocity 
for foreign  products which are 
similar or like  domestic products. 
The Authority shall apply this 
principle upon accession 
- Banning of unnecessary trade 
barriers: YSMO works to prepare, 
adopt and apply technical rules 
that do not constrain the 
international trade and do not 
create unnecessary barriers 
- The use of standards, evidence, 
and international recommendation 
issued by international 
standardization authorities as a 
base for conformity assessment 
procedures according to 
Article (4-5) of the agreement 
with the objective of conformity 
- Non-discriminatory fees based on 
cost: fees and wages are collected 
for conformity assessment in a 
non-discriminatory way between 
domestic and foreign products in 
such a way commensurate with 
the cost. The authority shall make 
sure that conformity assessment 
procedures are as fast as possible 
- The Authority guarantees that the 
locations of the Authority and its 
facilities used for conformity 
assessment procedures and 
sample-taking will not cause any 
unnecessary troubles for the 
requesters and their representatives     
  WT/ACC/YEM/16 
Page 10  Points for Consideration to A ssist the Identification and 
Prioritisation of Specifi c Needs in the TBT Field Current Situation Specific Problems, Difficulties and/or 
Interests Technical Assistance and/or 
Cooperation Acti vities Required 
3. Recognition of Conformity Assessment  
(a) To adopt appropriate approaches to facilitate 
acceptance of the results of conformity assessment 
(e.g. unilateral recognition of  results of conformity 
assessment procedures condu cted by bodies in other 
Members, the negotiation, conclusion and 
implementation of mutual recognition agreement, the 
use of accreditation, government designation and 
suppliers' declaration) 
 
(b) To permit the participation of bodies located in the 
territories of other Members in your conformity 
assessment procedures Recognition of Conformity Assessment 
(a) To adopt appropriate approaches 
to facilitate acceptance of the 
results of conformity assessment: 
 - Lack of unilateral recognition 
for the results of conformity 
assessment procedures 
 - Lack or mutual recognition 
agreement  
 - Lack of accreditation system  
(b) To permit the participation of 
bodies located in the territories 
 Not available  
- Lack of capacity on negotiations 
to conclude a bilateral and 
multilateral agreements for mutual 
recognition of the results of 
conformity assessment due to the 
shortage in the infrastructure, 
equipment, laboratory tools and 
qualified and trained technical staff 
- Lack of the necessary financing to 
establish and equip such 
infrastructure and train the 
necessary staff to operate it  
- Sufficient financing and 
assistance to complete the 
infrastructure, equipment, 
laboratory tools and training and 
rehabilitating 
- Training on how to negotiate and 
conclude bilateral and multilateral 
agreements for mutual recognition  
- Setting up a program to establish 
comprehensive conformity 
assessment system 
4. Participation in international and regional systems 
(a) To establish the institutions/legal framework to 
enable domestic conformity assessment bodies 
(governmental or non-governmental) to fulfil the 
obligations of membership or participation in such 
systems 
 
(b) To meet the requirements in confidence building or 
proficiency testing progra mmes in such systems  
 
 
(c) To address common concerns at the regional level Participation in international and 
regional systems for conformity 
assessment: 
(a) Participation in international and 
regional systems: 
 Not available  
 
(b) To meet the requirements in 
confidence building or proficiency 
testing programmes: 
 Not available  
(c) Presenting general concerns at the 
regional level: 
 Not available - Lack of capacity to participate in 
the international and regional 
organizations due to lack of 
necessary financing and lack of 
trained and consultative staff 
- Lack of financing for participation 
in regional and international 
organizations 
- Lack of necessary financing to 
accede to international forums 
concerning conformity assessment 
procedures 
 - Facilitate participation and 
membership in international and 
regional organizations for 
conformity assessment 
- Assistance to facilitate accession 
to international and regional 
institutions for conformity 
assessment procedures 
 
 
5. Others Others   
II. IN RELATION TO BENEFITING FROM THE TBT 
AGREEMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING    
A Benefiting from the Agreements Benefiting from the Agreements   
1 Raising awareness 
- Such as by the private sector, about the  rights and 
benefits of the Agreement, including those relating to 
the adoption of international standards and the use of 
enquiry points 1. Raising awareness: 
 Not available  - Lack of awareness about the 
benefits and rights of the 
agreement  - Technical activities to increase 
awareness for the private sector 
about the benefits and rights of the 
agreement  
   WT/ACC/YEM/16
 Page 11 Points for Consideration to A ssist the Identification and 
Prioritisation of Specifi c Needs in the TBT Field Current Situation Specific Problems, Difficulties and/or 
Interests Technical Assistance and/or 
Cooperation Acti vities Required 
2. Dissemination of Information 
(a) On draft and adopted domes tic, foreign, regional and 
international standards, technical regulations or 
conformity assessment pro cedures to assist producers 
to adapt products and production methods to new 
requirements and to e nhance market access 
possibilities  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(b) On notifications to interested parties to obtain their 
comments 
 
(c) Possible means to e nhance dissemination of 
information (e.g. to establ ish chambers of commerce 
or other industry associations to act as conduit for 
information or using electronic transmission of 
information) 2.  Dissemination of Information 
(a) On draft and adopted domestic, 
foreign, regional and international 
standards, technical  regulations or 
conformity assessment 
procedures. 
 YSMO started dissemination of 
specifications, conformity 
assessment procedures and proposed standards through 
internet as a test. 
 The Authority guarantees the 
publication of technical 
regulations and conformity 
assessment procedures and 
standards which have been 
adopted so that concerned 
authorities in the member 
countries can know them. Specific 
data of the numbers of the 
accredited standards, their date of 
entry to force and their addresses 
are published through two widely-
spread pages daily for five 
consecutive days in according to 
the provision of Articles (8-15) of 
the Republican Decree (52) of 
2000 
(b) On notifications to interested 
parties to obtain their comments:   
 Not available  
(c) Possible means to enhance 
dissemination of information 
 Available electronic means are 
weak.   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
- Current website does not meet the 
needed 
- Weakness of using electronic 
means   - Training of the staff on the field 
of the agreement 
- Training on technical regulations  
- Training on building database.  
- Training on web design  
- Developing the current website of 
YSMO 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
- Technical assistance (PCs, 
printers and export machines  
- Supporting the existing network  
- Developing current systems in the 
information centre  
- Equipping branches with 
apparatuses and equipment of 
information centre 
3.  Cooperation and coordination with the private sector 
- Such as to on the MRAs, equivalence and 
harmonization arrangements with trading partners, or 
to assist on the step to be taken if they wish to have 
access to conformity assessment systems operated by 
bodies in other Members territories 3.  Cooperation and coordination 
with the private sector: 
 Currently weak - Lack of resources - Assistance to spread awareness 
for the target group 
4. Others     
  WT/ACC/YEM/16 
Page 12  Points for Consideration to A ssist the Identification and 
Prioritisation of Specifi c Needs in the TBT Field Current Situation Specific Problems, Difficulties and/or 
Interests Technical Assistance and/or 
Cooperation Acti vities Required 
B.  Market Access and Capacity Building     
1. Market access issues 
(a) Specific experience in e xports being denied access 
for reasons relating to standards, technical regulations 
and conformity assessment requirements of markets 
(e.g. marking, labelling, sampling, certificates or 
testing requirements)  
 
 
 
 
(b) Specific experience in products having difficulties in 
meeting foreign  requirements (e.g. due to the lack of 
domestic technical resources and infrastructure such 
as metrology, calibration or accredited laboratories) 1.  Market access issues 
(a) Specific experience in exports 
being denied access for reasons 
relating to standards, technical 
regulations and conformity 
assessment requirements of 
markets (are there any experts)  
 
 
 
(b) Specific experience in products 
having difficulties in meeting 
foreign  requirements 
 (are there any experts) 
 - Lack of mutual recognition 
for conformity certificates 
 - Lack of awareness of the 
exporter about the conformity 
procedures    
- Support field visits to external 
markets targeted for studying the 
possibility of development  
 
 
 
 
 
 
- Technical assistance to confront 
such difficulties  
2. Development of a National Strategy  
- Such as a national strategy to promote awareness of 
quality and metrology among stakeholders (e.g. 
policy makers, conformity assessment practitioners 
and industry), as well as market surveillance and 
product liability requirements  2.  Development of a National 
Strategy  
 There isn't any current or future 
strategy for increasing awareness 
of quality and standards for the 
interested parties  - Request of technical assistance to 
prepare such a strategy 
3. Others    
 
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  WT/ACC/YEM/16 
 Page 13 
 
 
  Prioritisation of Needs  
A. What are your top prioritised TBT-related t echnical assistance, technical cooperation or 
capacity building needs? (Please also provide explanation or justification for such needs.) 
Answer:  
1.  Raising the capacity of YSMO to prepar e, adopt, and apply standards and technical 
regulations including the equipment of the labor atories (completing YSMO head office labs 
and providing inspection labs to the entry points). 
2.  Supporting the information centre (technical assistance (PCs, printers, photocopiers) – 
supporting the existing network – developing the current systems in the information centre – 
equipping the branches with tools related to th e information centre – training of the staff 
about the agreement – training on technical regulations- training on building database – 
training on web designing – developing the current YSMO website. 
3.  Training of the staff on TBT and SPS agreemen ts – technical regulations (like conformity 
assistance, good manufacturing, HACCP, risk, and other technical guidelines) – qualifying inspectors and controllers on systems. 
4.  Increasing awareness about the agreement. 
5.  Building the capacity of YSMO in the operations of conformity assessment procedures. 
B. Where do these needs fit in terms of your overall trade related technical assistance and 
capacity building needs (i.e. are any of these needs considered to be a priority at the national 
level, by relevant domestic authorities, agencies and interested parties)? 
Answer:
 
These needs are priorities at the national level. 
C Have you received assistance in these prioritised  areas in the past?  If yes, when and by 
whom? 
Answer:  
Yes.  There was one day national seminar on th e TBT Agreement held by WTO in Sana’a on 
21 July 2003. 
D. Are you currently receiving any assistance in these prioritised areas?  If yes, by whom? 
Answer:  
No. 
E. Have you approached any donors to assist you in meeting these needs?  If yes, when and 
to whom? 
Answer:  
No. WT/ACC/YEM/16 
Page 14  
 
  F. Can you identify, in your opinion, the dono rs which would be well suited to assist you 
with these specific needs?  or if you consider technical cooperation or regional arrangement 
possible solution? 
Answer:
 
Integrated Framework, WB, bila teral (US, EU and others). 
G. Any other issues to be addressed. 
Answer:  
No. 
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