WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  TN/MA/W/18/Add.15 
28 February 2007 
 (07-0836) 
Negotiating Group on Market Access Original:   English 
  
 
  
MARKET ACCESS FOR NON-AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS 
 
Negotiating Text on Liberalizing Trade in Remanufactured Goods
 
 
Communication from the United States 
 
Addendum  
 
 
 The following communication, dated 27 February 2007, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of the United States. 
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  As affirmed in Annex B, Pa ragraph 26, of the Hong Kong Mini sterial Text non-tariff barriers 
(NTBs) are an integral and important part of the non-agricultural market access (NAMA) negotiations.  Consistent with pa ragraph 22 of the Ministerial Declaration, the United States now 
respectfully submits to WTO Members this dr aft negotiating text on liberalizing trade in 
remanufactured goods.     The United States first indicated its interest  in negotiating NTBs affecting remanufactured 
goods in its revised indicative list, tabled in November 2004 (TN/MA/W46/Add.8/Rev.1).  In two 
informal meetings in June and October of 2005,  the United States, along with international firms 
engaging in remanufacturing, briefed Members on the concept of remanufacturing and discussed 
general questions and concerns. Both devel oped and developing country members actively 
participated in these meetings.  On December 5, 2005, the United States tabled a concept paper that 
discusses the economic, environmental, and developm ent benefits of remanufacturing and identifies 
the types of NTBs impeding trade in remanufactured goods (TN/MA/W/18/Add.11).  Also on 
December 5, the United States tabled a progress report on discussions to date in the NAMA 
negotiating group related to remanufacturing (T N/MA/W/18/Add.10, TN/MA/W/18/Add.10/Corr.1). 
  The United States believes that levelling the pl aying field for trade in remanufactured goods 
presents Members with potential economic, envi ronmental and development benefits and 
opportunities.  As explained in the U.S. c oncept paper submitted 5 December, growth in 
remanufacturing resulting fro m liberalized trade in remanufactured goods will: 
 
• Offer consumers and businesses worldwide greater  access to low-cost, high quality products; 
 
• Facilitate less consumption of energy and ma terials during production, and reduce waste;  
 
• Extend the life of cores that would otherwise be consigned to landfills, thereby contributing to 
sound solid waste management and environmental stewardship;  
 TN/MA/W/18/Add.15 
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  • Help manufacturers of new goods fulfil warrant y and servicing commitments for an extended 
period by ensuring the availability of high-quality remanufactured replacement parts;   
 
• Create jobs, ranging from entry-level positions to those requiring highly skilled workers; and 
 
• Further economic growth and development among Members by expanding opportunities to 
purchase advanced products at reduced prices, facilitating investment, increasing 
employment, and encouraging the transfer of technology and skills.   
 
 The United States looks forward to conti nued discussions with Members on this draft 
negotiating text and on the consider able benefits of remanufacturing.  The United States is committed 
to an open and transparent process and is open to suggestions for improvement or additions to the 
draft negotiating text.    TN/MA/W/18/Add.15 
 Page 3 
 
 
  Ministerial Declaration 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 appropriate eliminating ta riffs 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 rema nufactured products by improving market 
access for 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, 
 
 Declare  as follows: 
 1.   Each Member’s trade regime should evol ve in a manner that enhances market access 
opportunities for remanufactured goods.  2.   Members should review their non-tariff measu res 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 periodically under th e auspices of the Council on Trade in Goods to 
review Members’ progress in enhancing market access for remanufactured goods, including by 
eliminating unnecessary non-tariff barriers on such g oods.  The reviews shall take fully into account 
the special needs and interests of developi ng and least-developed country participants. 
 4.   Members shall afford sympathetic consider ation to any request for consultation from other 
Members concerning their measures affecting remanuf actured goods.  Such consultations shall be 
without prejudice to a Member’s rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement.  
 
5.   For purposes of this Declaration, remanufactured good means  a non-agricultural good that is 
entirely or partially comprised of parts (i) that  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 condition.  
 
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