. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  TN/MA/W/18/Add.16/Rev.2 
11 April 2008 
 (08-1713) 
Negotiating Group on Market Access Original:   English 
  
 
MARKET ACCESS FOR NON-AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS 
 
Negotiating Text on Liberalizing Trade in Remanufactured Goods
1 
 
Communication from Japan, Switzerland and the United States 
 
Revision  
 
 
 The following communication, dated 4 April 2008, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of Japan, Switzerland and the United States. 
 
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Ministerial Decision on Trade in Remanufactured Goods 
 
Members,   
 Recalling  that pursuant to paragraph 16 of the Doha  Ministerial Declaration, Members agreed 
to negotiations aimed at reducing or as appropria te eliminating tariffs and non-tariff barriers on 
non-agricultural products;    
Recognizing  the objectives of protecting and preserving the environment, promoting 
sustainable development by preventing unnecessary w aste and conserving energy and raw materials, 
raising standards of living, and expanding  the production of and trade in goods; 
 
Noting  the development of remanufacturing as an important new field in manufacturing; 
 
Considering  the benefits to the environment and to consumers of the production of and trade 
in remanufactured goods; 
 Recognizing  that remanufacturing takes place in deve loped and developing countries alike, 
creating jobs and facilitating economic growth;   Desiring  to enhance opportunities for trade in remanufactured products by reducing or, as 
appropriate, eliminating non-tariff barriers in respect of those goods;   
  Mindful  of Members’ right to adopt measures for the protection of human, animal or plant life 
or health, or of the environment, consistent with the WTO Agreement; 
 
  
                                                     
 
1 The only change introduced to this version of the document in comparison to the previous one is the 
inclusion of Japan and Switzerland as co-sponsors. TN/MA/W/18/Add.16/Rev.2 
Page 2  
 
   Decide as follows: 
 1. Each Member’s trade regime should evolve in a manner that enhances market access 
opportunities for remanufactured goods.
2 
2. Members should review their non-tariff measures with a view to ensuring that they do not 
impose prohibitions or restrictions on the importati on of remanufactured goods that are proscribed by 
the Multilateral Agreements on Trade in Goods. 
3. Members shall meet every six months  under the auspices of the Council on Trade in Goods to 
discuss  Members’ progress in reducing or, as appropriate, eliminating non-tariff barriers in respect of 
remanufactured goods.  The discussions shall be c onducted using procedures that take fully into 
account the special needs and interests of developi ng and least-developed country participants.   
4. Members shall afford sympathetic considerati on to any request for consultation from other 
Members concerning their non-tariff measures aff ecting remanufactured goods.  Such consultations 
shall be without prejudice to a Member’s rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement.  
5. For purposes of this Decision, remanufactured good  means  [a non-agricultural good that (1) 
is entirely or partially comprised of parts (i) th at have been obtained from the disassembly of used 
goods; and (ii) that have been processed, cleaned, inspect ed, or tested to the ex tent necessary to ensure 
they are in original working c ondition; and (2) has a warranty.] 
[NB:  Definition subject to further discussion.]    
 
 
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2 This paragraph does not require a Member to redu ce or eliminate tariffs on  remanufactured goods.