WORLD TRADE WT/TC/NOTIF/TBT/1
12August 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-3194)
Original: English
TECHNICAL COOPERATION HANDBOOK ONNOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade
1. Thissection oftheHandbook onNotification Requirements covers thenotification obligations
under theAgreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade. Itconsists ofthefollowing fiveparts:
PartI: Overview ofnotification requirements
PartII: Listing ofthenotification obligations
PartIII: Document concerning guidelines andformats
PartIV: "Mock" examples ofnotifications
PartV: TextoftheAgreement
2. Foracceding countries, thedeadlines forthesubmission oftheirnotifications willbegoverned
bytheirrespective Protocols ofAccession.
Note: TheHandbook onNotification Requirements doesnotconstitute alegalinterpretation of
thenotification obligations under therespective Agreement(s). Ithasbeen prepared bythe
Secretariat toassist Members incomplying withtheirnotification obligations.TBT-I -Page1
TBT-I
AGREEMENT ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TO
TRADE
OVERVIEW OFNOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTSTBT-I -Page2
THE WTO AGREEMENT ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TOTRADE (TBT)
i. Introduction
1. TheWTO Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade seeks toensure thattechnical regulations,
standards andconformity assessment procedures donotcreate unnecessary obstacles totrade.
2. Transparency through specific notifications obligations isoneoftheprinciples under the
Agreement tominimize trade barriers. WTO Members aresubject tofourkinds ofnotifications
requirements .
I. STATEMENTSONIMPLEMENTATIONANDADMINISTRATIONOFTHEAGREEMENT(ARTICLE15.2)
3 UnderArticle15.2,"[e]achMembershall,promptlyafterthedateonwhichtheWTOAgreement
enters intoforce forit,inform theTBTCommittee ofmeasures inexistence ortaken toensure the
implementation andadministration oftheAgreement. Anychanges tosuchmeasures thereafter shall
alsobenotified totheCommittee".
4. Following theDecisions adopted bytheTBTCommittee, suchinformation should besubmitted
intheform ofwritten statements indicating:
- allrelevant laws, regulations andadministrative orders, etc.,toensure thatprovisions
oftheAgreement areapplied;
- iftheAgreement hasbeenincorporated intodomestic law,thestatement should indicate
howthishasbeendone;
- thenamesofthepublicationsusedtoannouncethatworkisproceedingondrafttechnical
regulations orstandards andconformity assessment procedures andthose inwhich the
textsoftechnical regulations andstandards orconformity assessment procedures are
published;
- theexpected length oftimeforthepresentation ofwritten comments ontechnical
regulations, standards orconformity assessment procedures;
- thename andaddress oftheenquiry points under Article 10.Ifmore thanoneenquiry
point exist, thestatement should indicate clearly theresponsibilities ofeachofthem;
- thename andaddress ofanyother agencies having specific functions under the
Agreement; and
- measuresandarrangementstoensurethatnationalandsub-nationalauthoritiespreparing
newtechnical regulations orprocedures forassessment ofconformity, orsubstantial
amendments toexisting ones, provide early information ontheirproposals inorder
toenable theMember inquestion tofulfil itsobligations onnotifications.
5. TheaboveDecisionsarecontainedindocumentG/TBT/1/Rev.3(DecisionsandRecommendations
adopted bytheCommittee since January 1995).
6. Statements onImplementation andAdministration oftheAgreement submitted byMembers
arecirculated under document symbol G/TBT/2 andaddenda.TBT-I -Page3
II. NOTIFICATIONSOFPROPOSEDANDADOPTEDTECHNICALREGULATIONSORCONFORMITYASSESSMENT
PROCEDURESBYCENTRALANDLOCALGOVERNMENTS(ARTICLES2.9.2,5.6.2,2.10.1,5.7.1,3.2
AND 7.2)
7. Under these Articles, Members must notify when thetwofollowing conditions apply:
1) whenever arelevant standard orguide orrecommendation issued byaninternational
standardizing body doesnotexistorthetechnical content ofaproposed oradopted
technical regulation orprocedure isnotinaccordance withthetechnical content of
relevant international standards orguides orrecommendations;
2) andifthetechnicalregulationorconformityassessmentproceduremayhaveasignificant
effect onthetrade ofother Members .
8. Ifthatisthecase, Members shall:
- publish anotice inapublication atanearlyappropriate stagetoenable interested parties
inother Members tobecome acquainted withit;
- notify through theWTO Secretariat oftheproducts tobecovered bytheproposed or
adopted technical regulation orconformity assessment procedure withanindication
ofitsobjective andrationale;
- upon request, provide copies oftheregulation orprocedure;
- allow reasonable timeforother Members tomake written comments; and
- upon request, discuss these comments andtakethem intoaccount.
9. Forurgent problems ofsafety, health, environmental protection ornational security, Members
mustnotify immediately oftheadopted technical regulation orconformity assessment procedure with
anindication oftheproducts covered, itsobjective andrationale, including thenature oftheurgent
problems. However, Members should always provide areasonable timeforother Members tomake
comments inwriting andtakethese comments intoaccount (Articles 2.10and5.7).
10. Iftheabove conditions under paragraph 9apply, localGovernments ontheleveldirectly below
central government shallnotify technical regulations andconformity assessment procedures ofwhich
thetechnical content isnotsubstantially thesame oftechnical regulations orconformity assessment
procedures previously notified bythecentral government (Articles 3.2and7.2).
11. When notifying under theabove Articles, Members arenotrequired tosendthetextoftheir
proposed oradopted regulations orconformity assessment procedures totheSecretariat. Decisions,
recommendations, format andguidelines onthenotification procedures arecontained indocument
G/TBT/1/Rev.3.
III. NOTIFICATION OFBILATERAL ORPLURILATERAL AGREEMENTS (ARTICLE 10.7)
12. UnderArticle10.7,aMemberwhohasreachedanagreementwithanyothercountryorcountries
onissues related totechnical regulations, standards orconformity assessment procedures which may
haveasignificant effect ontrade, must notify other Members through theWTO Secretariat ofthe
products tobecovered bytheagreement including abriefdescription oftheagreement.
13. Theformat fornotifications under Article 10.7iscontained indocument G/TBT/W/25.TBT-I -Page4
IV. NOTIFICATIONSUNDERPARAGRAPHSCANDJOFTHECODEOFGOODPRACTICEONTHEPREPARATION,
ADOPTION AND APPLICATION OFSTANDARDS (ANNEX 3TOTHE AGREEMENT )
14. TheCode ofGood Practice forthePreparation, Adoption andApplication ofStandards provides
disciplinestocentralgovernment,localgovernment,non-governmentalandregionalstandardizingbodies
developing voluntary standards. TheCode isopenforacceptance toanyoftheabove standardizing
bodies. However, central government standardizing bodies areobliged toaccept andcomply withthe
provisions oftheCode.
15. Under paragraph CoftheCode, astandardizing bodyshallnotify itsacceptance oftheCode
using Form Aascontained indocument G/TBT/W/4/Rev.1. Theform shallinclude:
- name andaddress ofthestandardizing body (ifthere isanofficial translation ofthe
name inEnglish, French orSpanish itshould beprovided);
- thetypeofstandardizing body,whether central governmental, localgovernmental or
non-governmental; and
- thescope ofitscurrent andexpected activities.
Withdrawal fromtheCode mustbenotified withnotification Form B(G/TBT/W/4/Rev.1).
16. Notification ofacceptance orwithdrawal from theCode canbesenteither directly tothe
ISO/IEC Information Centre inGeneva, ortothenational member ofISO/IEC or,preferably, tothe
relevant national member orinternational affiliate ofISONET. TheISO/IEC Information Centre in
Geneva willtransmit thenotification received totheWTO Secretariat andsubsequently, theWTO
Secretariat willcirculate ittoallWTO Members under document symbol G/TBT/CS/N/.
17. Under paragraph JoftheCode, astandardizing bodywhich hasaccepted theCode isrequired
tonotify theexistence ofitswork programme atleastonceevery 6months. Thenotification shall
bemade using Form C(G/TBT/W/4/Rev.1) andshallinclude:
- thename andissue ofthepublication inwhich thework programme ispublished;
- theperiod towhich thework programme applies;
- theprice ofthework programme, ifany;and
- where andhowitcanbeobtained.
Thenotifications mustbesigned byresponsible persons ofthenotifying standardizing bodies.
18. Theinformation received under paragraphs CandJoftheCode ofGood Practice ispublished
annually byISO/IEC. ThefirstWTO TBTStandards Code Directory waspublished byISO/IEC
Information Centre inFebruary 1996. Alistofstandardizing bodies which hadaccepted theCode
in1995 iscontained indocument G/TBT/CS/1/Rev.1.TBT-II -Page1
TBT-II
AGREEMENT ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TO
TRADE
NOTIFICATION OBLIGATIONSTBT-II -Page2
AGREEMENT ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TOTRADE
NOTIFICATION OBLIGATIONS
Item Notification requirement Type ofmeasure Periodicity Format Members notifying ToWhom
1. Agreement onTechnical
Barriers toTrade, Art.2.9Technical regulations Adhoc G/TBT/1/Rev.3 WTO Members WTO
Secretariat
2. Agreement onTechnical
Barriers toTrade, Art.2.10Technical regulations
(urgent)Adhoc G/TBT/1/Rev.3 WTO Members WTO
Secretariat
3. Agreement onTechnical
Barriers toTrade, Art.3.2Technical regulations (local
government)Adhoc G/TBT/1/Rev.3 WTO Members WTO
Secretariat
4. Agreement onTechnical
Barriers toTrade, Art.5.6Conformity assessment
proceduresAdhoc G/TBT/1/Rev.3 WTO Members WTO
Secretariat
5. Agreement onTechnical
Barriers toTrade, Art.5.7Conformity assessment
procedures (urgent)Adhoc G/TBT/1/Rev.3 WTO Members WTO
Secretariat
6. Agreement onTechnical
Barriers toTrade, Art.7.2Conformity assessment
procedures (local
government)Adhoc G/TBT/1/Rev.3 WTO Members WTO
Secretariat
7. Agreement onTechnical
Barriers toTrade, Art.10.7Bilateral agreements;
technical regulations;
conformity assessment
procedures; standardsAdhoc G/TBT/W/25
(subject to
approval)WTO Members WTO
SecretariatTBT-II -Page3
AGREEMENT ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TOTRADE
NOTIFICATION OBLIGATIONS
Item Notification requirement Type ofmeasure Periodicity Format Members notifying ToWhom
8. Agreement onTechnical
Barriers toTrade, Art.15.2Administrative
arrangements; laws/
regulations measures in
existence ortaken toensure
theimplementation and
administration oftheTBT
AgreementOnce, upon entry
intoforce ofthe
WTO AgreementG/TBT/1/Rev.3 WTO Members Committee on
Technical
Barriers to
Trade
9. Agreement onTechnical
Barriers toTrade, Annex 3
paragraph CAcceptance of/withdrawal
from acode (Code ofGood
Practice forthePreparation,
Adoption andApplication of
Standards)Once G/TBT/W/4/
Rev.1
Forms AandBStandardizing Bodies
accepting theCode/
withdrawing from thecodeThrough
ISO/IEC
Information
Centre
10. Agreement onTechnical
Barriers toTrade, Annex 3
paragraph JWork programmes on
standardization activitiesBiannual G/TBT/W/4/
Rev.1
Form CStandardizing Bodies
accepting theCodeThrough
ISO/IEC
Information
CentreTBT-III -Page1
TBT-III
THE AGREEMENT ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TO
TRADE
DOCUMENTS
G/TBT/1/REV.3
G/TBT/W/4/Rev.1
G/TBT/W/25RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/TBT/1/Rev.3
28March 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-1107)
Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED
BYTHE COMMITTEE SINCE 1JANUARY 1995
Note bytheSecretariat
Revision
Thepresent document supersedes allprevious G/TBT/1 documents. Itreproduces the
decisions andrecommendations adopted bytheCommittee concerning itsrules ofprocedure and
theinterpretation, implementation andadministration oftheAgreement.
Page
A. omissis
B. STATEMENTS ONIMPLEMENTATION AND
ADMINISTRATION OFTHE AGREEMENT 8
C. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES 9
D. PROCEDURES FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE 17
E. omissis
F. omissisG/TBT/1/Rev.3
Page8
B. STATEMENTS ONIMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OFTHE
AGREEMENT
Background andpurpose:
Article 15.2oftheAgreement provides thateachMember shallinform theCommittee of
measures inexistence ortaken toensure theimplementation andadministration oftheAgreement.
Inresponse tothisprovision oftheAgreement Members shallsubmit therelevant information in
theform ofwritten statements. TheCommittee agreed onthefollowing decision concerning the
contents ofthese statements.
Decisions:
1. Thestatement should cover thelegislative, regulatory andadministrative action taken asa
result ofthenegotiation oftheAgreement orcurrently inexistence toensure thattheprovisions of
theAgreement areapplied. IftheAgreement itself hasbeenincorporated intodomestic law,the
statement should indicate howthishasbeendone. Inother cases, thestatement should describe
thecontent oftherelevant laws, regulations, administrative orders, etc.Allnecessary references
should alsobeprovided.
2. Inaddition, thestatement should specify:
(a) thenames ofthepublications usedtoannounce thatwork isproceeding ondraft
technical regulations orstandards andprocedures forassessment ofconformity and
those inwhich thetextsoftechnical regulations andstandards orprocedures for
assessment ofconformity arepublished under Articles 2.9.1, 2.11; 3.1(in
relation to2.9.1 and2.11); 5.6.1, 5.8; 7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to5.6.1 and
5.8); andparagraphs J,LandOofAnnex 3oftheAgreement;
(b) theexpected length oftimeallowed forpresentation ofcomments inwriting on
technical regulations, standards orprocedures forassessment ofconformity under
Articles 2.9.4 and2.10.3; 3.1(inrelation to2.9.4 and2.10.3); 5.6.4 and5.7.3;
7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to5.6.4 and5.7.3); andparagraph LofAnnex 3of
theAgreement;
(c) thename andaddress oftheenquiry point(s) foreseen inArticles 10.1and10.3of
theAgreement withanindication astowhether itis/they arefullyoperational; if
forlegaloradministrative reasons more thanoneenquiry point isestablished,
complete andunambiguous information onthescope ofresponsibilities ofeachof
them;
(d) thename andaddress ofanyother agencies thathavespecific functions under the
Agreement, including those foreseen inArticles 10.10 and10.11 ofthe
Agreement; and
(e) measures andarrangements toensure thatnational andsub-national authorities
preparing newtechnical regulations orprocedures forassessment ofconformity,
orsubstantial amendments toexisting ones, provide early information ontheir
proposals inorder toenable theMember inquestion tofulfil itsobligations on
notifications under Articles 2.9,2.10, 3.2,5.6, 5.7and7.2oftheAgreement.G/TBT/1/Rev.3
Page9
C. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
1. Format andGuidelines:
Background andpurpose:
Theprocedures fornotification under theAgreement havebeenkeptunder constant
review bytheCommittee. Inorder toensure auniform andefficient operation ofthese
procedures theCommittee agreed onthefollowing format andguidelines.1
Recommendation:
Information contained inthenotification form should beascomplete aspossible andno
section should beleftblank. Where necessary, "notknown" or"notstated" should beindicated.
Decisions:
Item Description
(i)Member toAgreement notifying Government, including thecompetent
authorities oftheEuropean Communities, which
hasacceded totheAgreement andwhich is
making thenotification;
ifapplicable, name oflocal government
involved Articles 3.2and7.2)
(ii)Agency responsible Body elaborating aproposal foror
promulgating atechnical regulation orprocedures
forassessment ofconformity. Theauthority or
agency designated tohandle comments regarding
thespecific notification canbeindicated if
different from above.
(iii) Notified under Relevant provision oftheAgreement:
Article 2.9.2: proposed technical regulation by
central government body,
Article 2.10.1: adopted technical regulation by
central government body,
Article 3.2: proposed oradopted technical
regulation bylocal government (onthelevel
directly below thatofthecentral government,
Article 5.6.2: proposed procedures for
assessment ofconformity bycentral government
body,
1Where boxes appear under items 3and11oftheformat, notifiers arerequested tocheck therelevant box
ortoindicate relevant information under "other".G/TBT/1/Rev.3
Page10
Item Description
(iii) Notified under (cont'd) Article 7.2: proposed oradopted procedures for
assessment ofconformity bylocal government (on
thelevel directly below thatofthecentral
government),
Other Articles under which notification canarise
incases ofurgency setoutinthose Articles are:
Article 8.1: adopted procedures forassessment of
conformity bynon-governmental body,
Article 9.2: adopted procedures forassessment of
conformity byinternational orregional
organization
(iv)Products covered HSorCCCN (chapter orheading and
number) where applicable. National tariff
heading ifdifferent from HSorCCCN. ICS
numbers maybeprovided inaddition, where
applicable. Aclear description isimportant for
anunderstanding ofthenotification bydelegations
andtranslators. Abbreviations should beavoided.
(v)Title andnumber ofpages Title oftheproposed oradopted ofthenotified
document technical regulation orprocedures for
assessment ofconformity. Number ofpages in
thenotified document. Thelanguage(s) inwhich
notified documents areavailable.
(vi)Description ofcontent Anabstract oftheproposed oradopted technical
regulation orprocedures forassessment of
conformity clearly indicating itscontent. Aclear
description isimportant foranunderstanding of
thenotification bydelegations andtranslators.
Abbreviations should beavoided.
(vii) Objective andrationale Forinstance: health, safety, national
security, ...etc.
(viii) Relevant documents (1)Publication where notice appears,
including dateandreference number;
(2)Proposal andbasic document (with specific
reference number orother identification) towhich
proposal refers;
(3)Publication inwhich proposal willappear
when adopted;
(4)Whenever practicable, givereference to
relevant international standard. Ifitisnecessary
tocharge fordocuments supplied, thisfactshould
beindicated.
(ix)Proposed dates ofadoption andentry into
forceThedatewhen thetechnical regulation
orprocedures forassessment ofconformity is
expected tobeadopted, andthedatefrom which
therequirements inthetechnical regulation or
procedures forassessment ofconformity are
proposed ordecided toenter intoforce, taking
intoconsideration theprovisions ofArticle 2.12.G/TBT/1/Rev.3
Page11
Item Description
(x)Final dateforcomments Thedatebywhich Members maysubmit
comments inaccordance withArticles 2.9.4,
2.10.3, 3.1(inrelation to2.9.4 and2.10.3),
5.6.4, 5.7.3 and7.1(inrelation to5.6.4 and
5.7.3) oftheAgreement. Aspecific dateshould
beindicated. TheCommittee hasrecommended a
normal time limit forcomments onnotifications
of60days. AMember may, ifnecessary,
however, indicate initsnotification thatitwill
proceed toimplement theproposed measure after
45days ifnocomments orrequests forextension
ofthetime limit have been received from other
Members within thattime. AnyMember which is
abletoprovide atime limit beyond 60days is
encouraged todoso.
(xi)Texts available from Ifavailable from national enquiry point, puta
cross intheboxprovided. Ifavailable from
another body, giveitsaddress, telex andtelefax
number. Such indications should notinanyway
discharge therelevant enquiry point ofits
responsibilities under theprovisions ofArticle 10
oftheAgreement.G/TBT/1/Rev.3
Page12
WORLD TRADE G/TBT/Notif.96.
1996
ORGANIZATION
(96-0000)
Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
NOTIFICATION
Thefollowing notification isbeing circulated inaccordance withArticle 10.6.
1. Member toAgreement notifying:
Ifapplicable, name oflocalgovernment involved (Articles 3.2and7.2):
2. Agency responsible:
Agency orauthority designated tohandle comments regarding thenotification canbe
indicated ifdifferent from above:
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [],2.10.1 [],5.6.2 [],5.7.1 [],other:
4. Products covered (HSorCCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICSnumbers maybeprovided inaddition, where applicable):
5. Title, number ofpages andlanguage(s) ofthenotified document:
6. Description ofcontent:
7. Objective andrationale:
8. Relevant documents:
9. Proposed dateofadoption:
Proposed dateofentry intoforce:
10. Final dateforcomments:
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point []oraddress andtelefax number ofother
body:G/TBT/1/Rev.3
Page13
2. Timing ofnotifications:
Background:
TheCommittee dealtwiththisaspect ofnotification procedures inthefollowing way:
Recommendation:
When implementing theprovisions ofArticles 2.9.2, 3.2(inrelation toArticle 2.9.2),
5.6.2 and7.2(inrelation toArticle 5.6.2), anotification should bemade when adraftwiththe
complete textofaproposed technical regulation orprocedures forassessment ofconformity is
available andwhen amendments canstillbeintroduced andtaken intoaccount.
3. Application ofarticles 2.9And5.6(Preambular part):
Background andpurpose:
With aviewtoensuring aconsistent approach totheselection ofproposed technical
regulations andprocedures forassessment ofconformity tobenotified, theCommittee established
thefollowing criteria.
Recommendation:
Forthepurposes ofArticles 2.9and5.6,theconcept of"significant effect ontrade of
other Members" mayrefertotheeffect ontrade:
- ofonetechnical regulation orprocedure forassessment ofconformity only, orof
various technical regulations orprocedures forassessment ofconformity in
combination;
- inaspecific product, group ofproducts orproducts ingeneral; and
- between twoormore Members.
When assessing thesignificance oftheeffect ontrade oftechnical regulations, the
Member concerned should takeintoconsideration suchelements asthevalue orother importance
ofimports inrespect oftheimporting and/or exporting Members concerned, whether from other
Members individually orcollectively, thepotential growth ofsuchimports, anddifficulties for
producers inother Members tocomply withtheproposed technical regulations. Theconcept ofa
significant effect ontrade ofother Members should include bothimport-enhancing andimport-
reducing effects onthetrade ofother Members, aslongassucheffects aresignificant.
4. Translation ofdocuments relating tonotifications andaddress ofbody
supplying thedocuments:
Background andpurpose:
Inorder toavoid difficulties thatcanarisefrom thefactthatthedocumentation relevant to
technical regulations, standards andprocedures forassessment ofconformity isnotavailable inG/TBT/1/Rev.3
Page14
oneoftheWTO working languages andthatabody other thantheenquiry point maybe
responsible forsuchdocumentation, theCommittee agreed onthefollowing procedures:
Recommendation:
When aMember seeks acopyofadocument relating toanotification which doesnotexist
inthatMember 'sWTO working language, itwillbeadvised, onrequest, bythenotifying
Member ofother Members thathaverequested, asofthatdate, acopyofthedocument. The
Member seeking acopyofadocument relating toanotification maythencontact suchother
Members inorder todetermine whether thelatter areprepared toshare, onmutually agreed
terms, anytranslation thattheyhaveorwillbemaking intorelevant WTO working language(s).
Decisions:
(a) When atranslation ofarelevant document exists orisplanned, thisfactshallbe
indicated ontheWTO TBTnotification form nexttothetitleofthedocument. If
onlyatranslated summary exists, thefactthatsuchasummary isavailable shall
besimilarly indicated;
(b) Upon receipt ofarequest fordocuments, anytranslated summaries thatexistin
thelanguage oftherequester or,asthecasemaybe,inaWTO working language,
shallbeautomatically sentwiththeoriginal ofthedocuments requested;
(c) Members shallindicate under point 11oftheWTO TBTnotification form the
exact address, telephone andfaxnumbers ofthebody responsible forsupplying
therelevant documents ifthatbody isnottheenquiry point.
5. Processing ofrequests fordocumentation:
Background:
TheCommittee addressed theproblems ofsupplying andobtaining requested
documentation onnotified technical regulations andprocedures forassessment ofconformity as
follows:
Recommendations:
(a) requests fordocumentation should contain alltheelements permitting the
identification ofthedocuments andinparticular, theWTO TBTnotification
number (G/TBT/Notif. ...)towhich therequests refer. Thesame information
should appear onthedocuments supplied inresponse tosuchrequests;
(b) anyrequest fordocumentation should beprocessed ifpossible within fiveworking
days. Ifadelay insupplying thedocumentation requested isforeseen, thisshould
beacknowledged totherequester.G/TBT/1/Rev.3
Page15
6. Length oftimeallowed forcomments
Background:
TheCommittee setthefollowing timelimits forpresentation ofcomments onnotified
technical regulations andprocedures forassessment ofconformity.
Recommendation:
Thenormal timelimitforcomments onnotifications should besixty days. AMember
may, ifnecessary, however, indicate initsnotification thatitwillproceed toimplement the
proposed measure afterforty-five daysifnocomments orrequests forextension ofthetimelimit
havebeenreceived from other Members within thattime. AnyMember which isabletoprovide
atimelimitbeyond sixty daysisencouraged todoso.
7. Handling ofcomments onnotifications:
Background andPurpose
Inorder toimprove thehandling ofcomments onproposed technical regulations and
procedures forassessment ofconformity submitted under Articles 2.9.4, 2.10.3, 3.1(inrelation
to2.9.4 and2.10.3), 5.6.4, 5.7.3 and7.1(inrelation to5.6.4 and5.7.3) oftheAgreement, the
Committee agreed onthefollowing procedures.
Recommendations:
(a) eachMember should notify theWTO secretariat oftheauthority oragency
(e.g.itsenquiry point) which ithasdesignated tobeincharge forhandling of
comments received; and
(b) aMember receiving comments through thedesignated body should without further
request
(1) acknowledge thereceipt ofsuchcomments,
(2) explain within areasonable timetoanyMember from which ithas
received comments, howitwillproceed inorder totakethese comments
intoaccount and,where appropriate, provide additional relevant
information ontheproposed technical regulations orprocedures for
assessment ofconformity concerned, and
(3) provide toanyMember from which ithasreceived comments, acopyof
thecorresponding technical regulations orprocedures forassessment of
conformity asadopted orinformation thatnocorresponding technical
regulations orprocedures forassessment ofconformity willbeadopted for
thetimebeing.G/TBT/1/Rev.3
Page16
8. Decision Relating toNotifications:
Labelling Requirements
Background andpurpose:
With thepurpose ofclarifying thecoverage oftheAgreement withrespect tolabelling
requirements, theCommittee onTechnical Barriers toTrade tookthefollowing decision.
Decision:
Inconformity withArticle 2.9oftheAgreement, Members areobliged tonotify all
mandatory labelling requirements thatarenotbased substantially onarelevant international
standard andthatmayhaveasignificant effect onthetrade ofother Members. Thatobligation is
notdependent upon thekindofinformation which isprovided onthelabel, whether itisinthe
nature ofatechnical specification ornot.G/TBT/1/Rev.3
Page17
D. PROCEDURES FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE
1. Regular Meetings:
Background andpurpose:
Inorder togiveMembers theopportunity todiscuss theactivities andproblems relating to
information exchange theCommittee tookthefollowing action.
Decision:
Regular meetings ofpersons responsible forinformation exchange including persons
responsible forenquiry points willbeheldonabiennial basis. Representatives ofinterested
observers willbeinvited toparticipate insuchmeetings. Themeetings willdealonlywith
technical issues, leaving anypolicy matters forconsideration bytheCommittee itself.
2. Booklets onEnquiry Points:
Background andpurpose:
Inorder toimprove publicity concerning theroleofenquiry points inanswering queries
from Members asprovided inArticles 10.1and10.3oftheAgreement theCommittee tookthe
following action.
Recommendations:
(a) Theissuing ofbrochures onenquiry points would beofvalue.
(b) Allbooklets issued byMembers should contain theelements and,asfaras
possible, follow thelayout below:
(i) Objective, name andaddress ofWTO TBTenquiry point(s).
Objective:
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 10.1, 10.2and10.3ofthe
Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade.
Dateestablished, andname ofresponsible officer.
Whocanusetheenquiry point(s):
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 2.9.3 and2.10.2; 3.1(inrelation to
2.9.3 and2.10.2); 5.6.3 and5.7.2; 7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to
5.6.3 and5.7.2); 10.1and10.3; paragraphs MandPofAnnex 3of
theAgreement.G/TBT/1/Rev.3
Page18
(ii) Information available fromenquiry point(s).
Documentation:
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 2.9.3 and2.10.2; 3.1(inrelation to
2.9.3 and2.10.2); 5.6.3 and5.7.2; 7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to
5.6.3 and5.7.2); 10.4, 10.8.1 and10.8.2; paragraphs MandPof
Annex 3oftheAgreement
Documentation thatcanbeobtained from theenquiry point(s).
Procedures forhandling documentation onproposed oradopted domestic
regulations andstandards andprocedures forassessment ofconformity
Notifications: content, format, comment period:
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 2.9.2, 2.10.1, 3.2,5.6.2, 5.7.1, 7.2,
8.1,9.2andparagraphs CandJofAnnex 3oftheAgreement, andto
thedecisions oftheCommittee onTechnical Barriers toTrade regarding
format andcomment period.
Procedures forhandling notifications issued byother Members ofthe
Agreement, forissuing notifications from domestic sources, andfor
handling comments onnotifications received orissued.
Publication:
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 2.9.1 and2.11; 3.1(in relation to
2.9.1 and2.11); 5.6.1 and5.8; 7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to5.6.1
and5.8); 10.1.5; andparagraphs J,LandOofAnnex 3ofthe
Agreement
Procedures forensuring compliance withthese provisions ofthe
Agreement, including anypublications bytheenquiry point(s).
(iii) Facilities offered (including charges, ifany).
Databank(content andform ofdocuments, e.g.paper, microfilm, computer,
etc.).
Access todata(retrieval system: manual, tape, on-line; software used).
Languages used.
Translation, ifany.
Annex
Brief description oftheAgreement: objectives, dateofentry intoforce, datejoined, status in
domestic law.
ListofMembers oftheAgreement.
Listofenquiry points ofother Members.G/TBT/1/Rev.3
Page19
3. Enquiries which theEnquiry Points should bePrepared toAnswer:
Background andpurpose:
With aviewtoencouraging auniform application ofArticles 10.1and10.3ofthe
Agreement theCommittee tookthefollowing action.
Recommendation:
(a) (i) Anenquiry should beconsidered "reasonable" when itislimited toaspecific
product, orgroup ofproducts, butnotwhen itgoesbeyond thatandrefers to
anentire business branch orfieldofregulations, orprocedures forassessment
ofconformity.
(ii) When anenquiry refers toacomposite product, itisdesirable thattheparts or
components, forwhich information issought, aredefined totheextent
possible. When arequest ismade concerning theuseofaproduct itis
desirable thattheuseisrelated toaspecific field.
(b) TheEnquiry Point(s) ofaMember should beprepared toanswer enquiries regarding
themembership andparticipation ofthatMember, orofrelevant bodies within its
territory, ininternational andregional standardizing bodies andconformity
assessment systems aswellasinbilateral arrangements, withrespect toaspecific
product orgroup ofproducts. They should likewise beprepared toprovide
reasonable information ontheprovisions ofsuchsystems andarrangement.
4. Handling ofRequests:
Background andpurpose:
Thepurpose istoimprove thehandling ofrequests from other Members received under
Article 10.1and10.3.
Recommendation:
Anenquiry point should, without further request, acknowledge thereceipt oftheenquiry.WORLD TRADE G/TBT/W/4/Rev.1
15May1995
ORGANIZATION(95-1282)
Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES RELATED TOTHE CODE OFGOOD PRACTICE
FOR THE PREPARATION, ADOPTION AND APPLICATION OFSTANDARDS
CONTAINED INANNEX 3OFTHE WTO AGREEMENT
ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TOTRADE
Note bytheSecretariat
Subsequent totheMinisterial Decision taken inMarrakesh on15April 1994 on"Proposed
Understanding onWTO-ISO Standards Information System", anagreement wasreached between
theSecretary-General oftheISOCentral Secretariat andtheDirector-General oftheWTO to
establish aWTO Standards Information Service operated byISOregarding information on
standardizing bodies under Paragraphs CandJoftheCode ofGood Practice forthePreparation,
Adoption andApplication ofStandards contained inAnnex 3oftheWTO Agreement onTechnical
Barriers toTrade. TheMemorandum ofUnderstanding agreed upon hasbeencirculated in
document G/L/1.
Pursuant toParagraph 2oftheMemorandum ofUnderstanding, andinorder toensure the
uniform andefficient operation oftheprocedures fornotifications, theISOCentral Secretariat and
theWTO Secretariat havedeveloped notification formats andrelated guidelines thataretobeused
bystandardizing bodies which accept theCode ofGood Practice forthePreparation, Adoption
andApplication ofStandards.
Attached fortheinformation ofWTO Members aretheguidelines andformats for
notifications bystandardizing bodies under Paragraphs CandJoftheCode ofGood Practice.
These arealsobeing circulated tothemembers ofISOandISONET.G/TBT/W/4/Rev.1
Page2
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES RELATED TOTHE CODE OFGOOD PRACTICE
FOR THE PREPARATION, ADOPTION AND APPLICATION OFSTANDARDS
CONTAINED INANNEX 3OFTHE WTO AGREEMENT
ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TOTRADE
Background
TheCode ofGood Practice forthePreparation, Adoption andApplication ofStandards
presented inAnnex 3totheWTO Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade (referred toasWTO
TBT* Code ofGood Practice) contains thefollowing paragraphs withregard toinformation on
standardizing bodies thathaveaccepted theabove Code andontheirstandards work programmes:
"C. Standardizing bodies thathaveaccepted orwithdrawn from thisCode shallnotify thisfact
totheISO/IEC Information Centre inGeneva. Thenotification shallinclude thename and
address ofthebody concerned andthescope ofitscurrent andexpected standardization activities.
Thenotification maybesenteither directly totheISO/IEC Information Centre, orthrough the
national member body ofISO/IEC or,preferably, through therelevant national member or
international affiliate ofISONET, asappropriate.
J. Atleastonceevery sixmonths, thestandardizing body shallpublish awork programme
containing itsname andaddress, thestandards itiscurrently preparing andthestandards which it
hasadopted inthepreceding period. Astandard isunder preparation from themoment adecision
hasbeentaken todevelop astandard untilthatstandard hasbeenadopted. Thetitles ofspecific
draftstandards shall, upon request, beprovided inEnglish, French orSpanish. Anotice ofthe
existence ofthework programme shallbepublished inanational or,asthecasemaybe,regional
publication ofstandardization activities.
Thework programme shallforeachstandard indicate, inaccordance withanyISONET
rules, theclassification relevant tothesubject matter, thestage attained inthestandard 's
development, andthereferences ofanyinternational standards taken asabasis. Nolaterthanat
thetimeofpublication ofitswork programme, thestandardizing body shallnotify theexistence
thereof totheISO/IEC Information Centre inGeneva.
Thenotification shallcontain thename andaddress ofthestandardizing body, thename
andissue ofthepublication inwhich thework programme ispublished, theperiod towhich the
work programme applies, itsprice (ifany), andhowandwhere itcanbeobtained. The
notification maybesentdirectly totheISO/IEC Information Centre, or,preferably, through the
relevant national member orinternational affiliate ofISONET, asappropriate."
Guidelines
Thefollowing procedures fornotifying acceptance ofandwithdrawal from theWTO TBT
Code ofGood Practice andtheexistence ofthestandards work programmes arerecommended:
3. Standardizing bodies thathaveaccepted theWTO TBTCode ofGood Practice should
notify thisfacttotheISO/IEC Information Centre inGeneva bycompleting form Aannexed to
thisdocument.
_____________________
*WTO -World Trade Organization
TBT-Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTradeG/TBT/W/4/Rev.1
Page3
4. Standardizing bodies thathavedecided towithdraw from theWTO TBTCode ofGood
Practice should notify thisfacttotheISO/IEC Information Centre bycompleting form Bannexed
tothisdocument.
5. Standardizing bodies thathaveaccepted theWTO TBTCode ofGood Practice should
regularly notify theexistence oftheirstandards work programmes totheISO/IEC Information
Centre bycompleting form Cannexed tothisdocument.
6. Thenotification forms completed inEnglish, French orSpanish maybesentdirectly to
theISO/IEC Information Centre inGeneva (theforms contain thepostal address), orthrough the
national member body ofISO/IEC orthrough therelevant national member orinternational
affiliate ofISONET. Ifnotifications aresentdirectly totheISO/IEC Information Centre in
Geneva, copies oftheforms should alsobesenttotherelevant ISOorIECmember body andthe
respective national ISONET member ofthecountry concerned.
7. When completing form A,theofficial English, French and/or Spanish translation(s) ofthe
name ofastandardizing body should alsobeprovided, ifthese exist.
8. Ifawork programme isavailable inelectronic form, therelevant information should be
indicated accordingly under items 1-4ofform C.
9. Thenotifications forms A,BandCshould besigned byresponsible persons of
standardizing bodies andtheirtitles indicated.
10. TheISO/IEC Information Centre shallpromptly transmit totheWTO Secretariat acopy
ofanynotification received.
11. Under paragraph JoftheWTO TBTCode ofGood Practice, thestandards work
programme ofastandardizing body "shall foreachstandard indicate, inaccordance withany
ISONET rules, theclassification relevant tothesubject matter, thestage attained inthestandard 's
development, andthereferences ofanyinternational standards taken asabasis." The
corresponding ISONET rules areasfollows:
(a) Regarding theclassification relevant tothesubject matter, theInternational
Classification forStandards (ICS) should beused;
(b) Regarding thestage attained inthestandard 'sdevelopment, theInternational
harmonized stage codesystem forthedevelopment ofstandards should beused;
(c) Regarding thereference toanyinternational standards taken asabasis,
ISO/IEC Guide 3:1981 Identification ofnational standards thatareequivalent to
International Standards andISO/IEC Guide 21:1981 Adoption ofInternational
Standards innational standards anditsAddendum 1:1983 Indication ofthe
degree ofequivalence between national standards andInternational Standards are
recommended.
12. Information onstandardizing bodies thathaveaccepted orwithdrawn from theWTO TBT
Code ofGood Practice andonthework programmes ofstandardizing bodies shallbepublished
annually inanISO/IEC Information Centre periodical publication andmaybeupdated monthly in
theISOBulletin. Thispublication, forwhich areasonable feewillbecharged, shallbeavailable
toISONET members andthrough theWTO Secretariat toWTO members.Form A
ISO/IEC Information Centre
International Organization forStandardization
Case postale 56
CH-1211 GENEVA 20
Switzerland
NOTIFICATION
UNDER PARAGRAPH COFTHE WTO TBT* CODE OFGOOD PRACTICE
(Notification ofacceptance oftheWTO TBTCode ofGood Practice)
Country/Customs Territory/Regional Arrangement:
...........................................................................................................................
Name ofstandardizing body:
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
Address ofstandardizing body:
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
Telephone :.......................... Telefax: ........................... Telex: ..........................
E-mail: ...............................................................................................................
Type ofstandardizing body:
[]central governmental []localgovernmental []non-governmental
Scope ofcurrent andexpected standardization activities:
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
Theabove indicated standardizing body hereby notifies itsacceptance oftheCode ofGood
Practice forthePreparation, Adoption andApplication ofStandards presented inAnnex 3tothe
WTO Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade.
.............................................. ........................................... ........................
(Name) (Signature) (Date)
..............................................
(Title)
*WTO -World Trade Organization
TBT-Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTradeForm B
ISO/IEC Information Centre
International Organization forStandardization
Case postale 56
CH-1211 GENEVA 20
Switzerland
NOTIFICATION
UNDER PARAGRAPH COFTHE WTO TBT* CODE OFGOOD PRACTICE
(Notification ofwithdrawal from theWTO TBTCode ofGood Practice)
Country/Customs Territory/Regional Arrangement:
...........................................................................................................................
Name ofstandardizing body:
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
Theabove indicated standardizing body hereby notifies itswithdrawal from theCode ofGood
Practice forthePreparation, Adoption andApplication ofStandards presented inAnnex 3tothe
WTO Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade.
.............................................. ........................................... ........................
(Name) (Signature) (Date)
..............................................
(Title)
*WTO -World Trade Organization
TBT-Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTradeForm C
ISO/IEC Information Centre
International Organization forStandardization
Case postale 56
CH-1211 GENEVA 20
Switzerland
NOTIFICATION
UNDER PARAGRAPH JOFTHE WTO TBT* CODE OFGOOD PRACTICE
(Notification ofexistence ofwork programme)
Country/Customs Territory/Regional Arrangement:
...........................................................................................................................
Name ofstandardizing body:
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
Address ofstandardizing body:
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
Telephone :.......................... Telefax: ........................... Telex: ..........................
E-mail: ...............................................................................................................
1. Name andissue ofthepublication inwhich thework programme ispublished: ............
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
2. Theperiod towhich thework programme applies: ...............................................
3. Theprice ofthework programme (ifany): .........................................................
4. Howandwhere thework programme canbeobtained: ..........................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................
.............................................. ........................................... ........................
(Name) (Signature) (Date)
..............................................
(Title)
*WTO -World Trade Organization
TBT-Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTradeRESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/TBT/W/25
3May1996
ORGANIZATION(96-1725)
Original: English Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
DRAFT NOTIFICATION FORMAT UNDER ARTICLE 10.7OFTHE AGREEMENT
Atitsmeeting of1March, theTBTCommittee requested theSecretariat toprepare adraft
notification format under Article 10.7oftheAgreement forconsideration atthenextCommittee
meeting.
Attached isthedraftnotification format prepared bytheSecretariat.G/TBT/W/25
Page2
G/TBT/10.7/N/
AGREEMENT REACHED BYAMEMBER WITH ANOTHER COUNTRY ORCOUNTRIES
ONISSUES RELATED TOTECHNICAL REGULATIONS, STANDARDS
ORCONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
NOTIFICATION
Under Article 10.7oftheAgreement "Whenever aMember hasreached anagreement
withanyother country orcountries onissues related totechnical regulations, standards or
conformity assessment procedures which mayhaveasignificant effect ontrade, atleastone
Member party totheagreement shallnotify other Members through theSecretariat oftheproducts
tobecovered bytheagreement andinclude abriefdescription oftheagreement." Thefollowing
notification under Article 10.7hasbeenreceived.
1. Member notifying:
2. Titleofthebilateral orplurilateral Agreement:
3. Parties totheAgreement:
4. Dateofentry intoforce oftheAgreement:
5. Products covered (HSorCCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading):
6. Subject matter covered bytheAgreement (technical regulations, standards orconfor
mity
assessm
ent
procedu
res):
7. Brief description oftheAgreement:
8. Further information available from:TBT-IV -Page1
TBT-IV
AGREEMENT ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TO
TRADE
EXAMPLESTBT-IV -Page2
RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/TBT/Notif.95...
26June1995
ORGANIZATION
Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
NOTIFICATION
Thefollowing notification isbeing circulated inaccordance withArticle 10.6.
1. Member toAgreement notifying: .....
Ifapplicable, name oflocalgovernment involved (Articles 3.2and7.2):
2. Agency responsible: Department ofNational Health andWelfare
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X],2.10.1 [],5.6.2 [],5.7.1 [],other:
4. Products covered (HSorCCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICSnumbers maybeprovided inaddition, where applicable): Packaging (55.020)
5. Titleandnumber ofpages ofthenotified document: Proposed Amendment totheFood
andDrug Regulations (pages 1,913-1,915)
6. Description ofcontent: Thedefinition of"child-resistant package" intheFood andDrug
Regulations contains references tocertain standards towhich achild-resistant package
must comply.
These standards arerevised asrequired, bythesponsoring organizations tokeep
them uptodatewith newadvances inpackaging andscientific technology. This
regulatory amendment changes thereferences tothefollowing child-resistant package
standards tocontinually reflect themost recent edition, asamended from timetotime.
(1) ....., Recloseable Child-Resistant Packages, published January 1990.
(2) .....1992, Child-resistant packaging -requirements andtesting procedures for
recloseable packages, asadopted bythe.....forStandardization on30October
1992, andrecognized bythe....., andeffective 15February 1993.
(3) ....., Poison prevention packaging standards.
7. Objective andrationale: Prevention ofdeceptive practices
8. Relevant documents: .....TBT-IV -Page3
G/TBT/Notif.95...
Page2
9. Proposed dateofadoption andentry intoforce: Theamendments tothestandards from
timetotimebecome effective oneyearfrom thedateoftheiradoption bythecompetent
authority.
10. Final dateforcomments: 10July1995
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point [X]oraddress andtelefax number ofother
body:TBT-IV -Page4
WORLD TRADE G/TBT/Notif.96...
19March 1996
ORGANIZATION
Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
NOTIFICATION
Thefollowing notification isbeing circulated inaccordance withArticle 10.6.
1. Member toAgreement notifying: .....
Ifapplicable, name oflocalgovernment involved (Articles 3.2and7.2):
2. Agency responsible: Electrical andMechanical Services Department
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [],2.10.1 [],5.6.2 [X],5.7.1 [],other:
4. Products covered (HSorCCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICSnumbers maybeprovided inaddition, where applicable):
Room coolers (HS8415 1000, 8415 8100, 8415 8200)
5. Title andnumber ofpages ofthenotified document: "The .....Voluntary Energy
Efficiency Labelling Scheme forRoom Coolers" (available indraft, 60pages including
annexes)
6. Description ofcontent: .....willintroduce avoluntary energy efficiency labelling
scheme forroom coolers. Under thescheme, theparticipating manufacturers oragents
orretailers willaffix anenergy label inspecified format ontotheir products giving
information onenergy consumption andenergy efficiency grading, which aretobe
calculated inaccordance with thedocument "The .....Voluntary Energy Efficiency
Labelling Scheme forRoom Coolers". Thetesting methodology specified inthe
document follows theISO5151 Standard.
7. Objective andrationale: Topromote theawareness ofenergy efficiency among
consumers.
8. Relevant documents: -
9. Proposed dateofadoption andentry intoforce: 1June1996
10. Final dateforcomments: 15May1996
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point []oraddress andtelefax number ofother
body:
Electrical andMechanical Services Department
..... Fax .....TBT-IV -Page5
WORLD TRADE G/TBT/Notif.96...
28March 1996
ORGANIZATION
Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
NOTIFICATION
Thefollowing notification isbeing circulated inaccordance withArticle 10.6.
1. Member toAgreement notifying: .....
Ifapplicable, name oflocalgovernment involved (Articles 3.2and7.2):
2. Agency responsible: Ministry ofHousing, Spatial Planning andtheEnvironment
Agency orauthority designated tohandle comments regarding thenotification canbe
indicated ifdifferent from above:
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X],2.10.1 [],5.6.2 [],5.7.1 [],other:
4. Products covered (HSorCCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICSnumbers maybeprovided inaddition, where applicable): Wood-burning stoves
5. Title, number ofpages andlanguage(s) ofthenotified document: Type Approval
Regulation onWood-Burning Stoves Causing AirPollution intheForm ofCarbon
Monoxide
6. Description ofcontent: Inview oftheemission ofpolycyclical aromatic hydrocarbons
(PAC), theOrder ontypeapproval ofwood-burning stoves causing airpollution inthe
form ofcarbon monoxide stipulates that,following theentry intoforce oftheOrder,
wood-burning stoves shallnolonger bemanufactured orimported inthe.....ifthese are
notofanapproved type. During theapproval procedure, itwillbeassessed whether a
wood-burning stove meets thelimitvalues interms ofcarbon monoxide emission. The
relevant standards havebeenincluded intheOrder; these arebased onDINStandards
18891 and18895. With regard tomeasuring procedures, thisRegulation makes
reference tothesaidDINStandards.
7. Objective andrationale: Ithasproved necessary from anenvironmental health point of
view tosubject theemission ofcarbon monoxide (CO) from wood-burning stoves to
requirements, since highemission levels ofCOareaccompanied bytheemission of
considerable amounts ofPAC. Theemission ofPAC byhouseholds istobehalved,
alsowithin theframework of...... Wood-burning stoves arethemain source within
households.TBT-IV -Page6
G/TBT/Notif.96..
Page2
8. Relevant documents:
(a) Order onthetypeapproval ofwood-burning stoves causing airpollution inthe
form ofcarbon monoxide.
Note: Theexplanatory notetothenotified version ofthisOrder specifies DIN
Standard 18890 instead ofDINStandard 18895. Thismistake hassince
beencorrected.
(b) AirPollution Act.
(c) DINStandards 18891 and18895.
9. Proposed dateofadoption: 1September 1996
Proposed dateofentry intoforce:
10. Final dateforcomments: 29May1996
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point [X]oraddress andtelefax number ofother
body:TBT-IV -Page7
WORLD TRADE G/TBT/Notif.96...
12April 1996
ORGANIZATION
Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
NOTIFICATION
Thefollowing notification isbeing circulated inaccordance withArticle 10.6.
1. Member toAgreement notifying: .....
Ifapplicable, name oflocalgovernment involved (Articles 3.2and7.2):
2. Agency responsible: Ministry oftheEnvironment
Agency orauthority designated tohandle comments regarding thenotification canbe
indicated ifdifferent from above:
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X],2.10.1 [],5.6.2 [],5.7.1 [],other:
4. Products covered (HSorCCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICSnumbers maybeprovided inaddition, where applicable): Marine engines
5. Title, number ofpages andlanguage(s) ofthenotified document: LawonNoise and
Exhaust GasRequirements onMarine Engines. Regulation onNoise andExhaust Gas
Requirements onMarine Engines
6. Description ofcontent: TheLaw andRegulation stipulate noise andexhaust gas
requirements onmarine engines forships withahulllength notexceeding 24metres.
Therequirements arelimitvalues nottobeexceeded when theengines areplaced onthe
market. Themanufacturer orhisrepresentative in.....isliable forconformity tothe
requirements. Marine engines arenotsubject toprior approval byanauthority. Nordo
theyhave tobetested atspecial Notified Bodies. Ataninspection themanufacturer
mustinstead beprepared toprove thathisengines meettherequirements. Iftheengines
donotmeet therequirements thesupervisory authority caninstruct themanufacturer or
hisrepresentative toadopt themeasures necessary forremedying theshortcomings or
prohibit further sales. Every engine thatmeets therequirements shallbemarked. The
Law andtheRegulation willenter intoforce intwosteps, 1January 1998 and
1January 1999.
7. Objective andrationale: Thepurpose oftheLawandtheRegulation istodecrease the
emissions ofcarbon monoxide, hydrocarbons andnitrogen oxides from marine engines
andtoreduce noise from theengines.
8. Relevant documents: -
9. Proposed dateofadoption: 1January 1998
Proposed dateofentry intoforce: 1January 1999
10. Final dateforcomments: 17June1996
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point [X]oraddress andtelefax number ofother
body:TBT-IV -Page8
RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/TBT/CS/N/
daymonth year
ORGANIZATION
Original: English Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
Under paragraph CoftheCode ofGood Practice forthePreparation, Adoption and
Application ofStandards contained inAnnex 3totheWTO Agreement onTechnical Barriers to
Trade, "Standardizing bodies thathaveaccepted orwithdrawn from thisCode shallnotify thisfact
totheISO/IEC Information Centre inGeneva." Thefollowing notification conveyed tothe
Secretariat from theISO/IEC Information Centre isbeing circulated fortheinformation of
Members.
NOTIFICATION
UNDER PARAGRAPH COFTHE WTO TBT CODE OFGOOD PRACTICE
(Notification ofacceptance oftheWTO TBTCode ofGood Practice)
Country/Customs Territory/Regional Arrangement: X-LAND
Name ofstandardizing body: i.e.Standards Association ofX-land
or
National Institute forStandardization ofX-land
...
Address ofstandardizing body:
20,Main Street
5thfloor
X-town
Telephone: +(575) 1234 Telefax: +(575) 5678 Telex: ABCD 3
E-mail: xland.st@inst
Type ofstandardizing body:
[X]central governmental []local governmental []non-governmental
Scope ofcurrent andexpected standardization activities: Allfields ofstandardization or
Electrics andelectronics
...
Date: daymonth yearTBT-IV -Page9
Form C
ISO/IEC Information Centre
International Organization for
Standardization
Case postale 56
CH-1211 GENEVA 20
Switzerland
NOTIFICATION
UNDER PARAGRAPH JOFTHE WTO TBT* CODE OFGOOD PRACTICE
(Notification ofexistence ofwork programme)
Country/Customs Territory/Regional Arrangement: X-LAND
Name ofstandardizing body: i.e.Standards Association ofX-land
or
National Institute forStandardization ofX-land
Address ofstandardizing body: 20,Main Street
5thfloor
X-town
Telephone :+(575) 1234 Telefax: +(575) 5678 Telex: ABCD 3
E-mail: xland.st@inst
1. Name andissue ofthepublication inwhich thework programme ispublished:
NATIONAL GAZETTE OFX-LAND ................................................
2. Theperiod towhich thework programme applies:
daymonth year-daymonth year..........................................................
3. Theprice ofthework programme (ifany): 10X-land $.orfree................
4. Howandwhere thework programme canbeobtained: ..............................
Standards Association ofX-land or
.....................................................................................................
........... ...National Institute forStandardization ofX-land ....................
.........................................................................................................
JohnXman..................... ........................................... daymonth year
(Name) (Signature) (Date)
Director orActing Head etc.
*WTO -World Trade Organization
TBT-Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTradeTBT-IV -Page10
RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/TBT/10.7/N/
daymonth year
ORGANIZATION
Original: English Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
AGREEMENT REACHED BYAMEMBER WITH ANOTHER COUNTRY ORCOUNTRIES
ONISSUES RELATED TOTECHNICAL REGULATIONS, STANDARDS
ORCONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
NOTIFICATION
Under Article 10.7oftheAgreement "Whenever aMember hasreached anagreement withany
other country orcountries onissues related totechnical regulations, standards orconformity
assessment procedures which mayhaveasignificant effect ontrade, atleastoneMember party to
theagreement shallnotify other Members through theSecretariat oftheproducts tobecovered by
theagreement andinclude abriefdescription oftheagreement." Thefollowing notification under
Article 10.7hasbeenreceived.
1. Member notifying: X-LAND
2. Titleofthebilateral orplurilateral Agreement: X-Town Agreement
3. Parties totheAgreement: Y-LAND andZ-LAND
4. Dateofentry intoforce oftheAgreement: daymonth year
5. Products covered (HSorCCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading):
i.e.Electrical equipment orTerminal Equipment
6. Subject matter covered bytheAgreement (technical regulations, standards orconfor
mity
assessm
ent
7. Brief description oftheAgreement: Plurilateral Agreement fortheMutual
Recognition ofConformity Assessment Procedures
8. Further information available from: Ministry ofIndustry andTrade ofX-land
Y-land or
Z-landTBT-V -Page1
TBT-V
AGREEMENT ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TO
TRADE
TEXT OFTHE AGREEMENTTBT-V -Page2
AGREEMENT ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TOTRADE
Members,
Having regard totheUruguay Round ofMultilateral Trade Negotiations;
Desiring tofurther theobjectives ofGATT 1994;
Recognizing theimportant contribution thatinternational standards andconformity assessment systems
canmakeinthisregardbyimprovingefficiencyofproductionandfacilitatingtheconductofinternational
trade;
Desiring therefore toencourage thedevelopment ofsuchinternational standards andconformity
assessment systems;
Desiring however toensure thattechnical regulations andstandards, including packaging, marking
andlabelling requirements, andprocedures forassessment ofconformity withtechnical regulations
andstandards donotcreate unnecessary obstacles tointernational trade;
Recognizing thatnocountry should beprevented fromtaking measures necessary toensure thequality
ofitsexports, orfortheprotection ofhuman, animal orplant lifeorhealth, oftheenvironment, or
fortheprevention ofdeceptive practices, atthelevels itconsiders appropriate, subject totherequirement
thattheyarenotapplied inamanner which would constitute ameans ofarbitrary orunjustifiable
discrimination between countries where thesame conditions prevail oradisguised restriction on
international trade, andareotherwise inaccordance withtheprovisions ofthisAgreement;
Recognizing thatnocountry should beprevented fromtaking measures necessary fortheprotection
ofitsessential security interest;
Recognizing thecontribution which international standardization canmake tothetransfer oftechnology
from developed todeveloping countries;
Recognizing thatdeveloping countries mayencounter special difficulties intheformulation and
application oftechnical regulations andstandards andprocedures forassessment ofconformity with
technical regulations andstandards, anddesiring toassist them intheirendeavours inthisregard;
Hereby agree asfollows:
Article 1
General Provisions
1.1 General terms forstandardization andprocedures forassessment ofconformity shallnormally
havethemeaning given tothem bydefinitions adopted within theUnited Nations system andby
international standardizing bodies taking intoaccount theircontext andinthelightoftheobject and
purpose ofthisAgreement.
1.2 However, forthepurposes ofthisAgreement themeaning oftheterms given inAnnex 1applies.
1.3 Allproducts, including industrial andagricultural products, shallbesubject totheprovisions
ofthisAgreement.
1.4 Purchasing specifications prepared bygovernmental bodies forproduction orconsumption
requirementsofgovernmentalbodiesarenotsubjecttotheprovisionsofthisAgreementbutareaddressed
intheAgreement onGovernment Procurement, according toitscoverage.TBT-V -Page3
1.5 Theprovisions ofthisAgreement donotapply tosanitary andphytosanitary measures asdefined
inAnnex AoftheAgreement ontheApplication ofSanitary andPhytosanitary Measures.
1.6 Allreferences inthisAgreement totechnical regulations, standards andconformity assessment
procedures shallbeconstrued toinclude anyamendments thereto andanyadditions totherulesorthe
product coverage thereof, except amendments andadditions ofaninsignificant nature.
TECHNICAL REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Article 2
Preparation, Adoption andApplication ofTechnical Regulations
byCentral Government Bodies
With respect totheircentral government bodies:
2.1 Membersshallensurethatinrespectoftechnicalregulations,productsimportedfromtheterritory
ofanyMember shallbeaccorded treatment nolessfavourable thanthataccorded tolikeproducts of
national origin andtolikeproducts originating inanyother country.
2.2 Members shallensure thattechnical regulations arenotprepared, adopted orapplied witha
viewtoorwiththeeffect ofcreating unnecessary obstacles tointernational trade. Forthispurpose,
technical regulations shallnotbemore trade-restrictive thannecessary tofulfilalegitimate objective,
taking account oftherisks non-fulfilment would create. Such legitimate objectives are,interalia:
national security requirements; theprevention ofdeceptive practices; protection ofhuman health or
safety, animal orplant lifeorhealth, ortheenvironment. Inassessing suchrisks, relevant elements
ofconsideration are,inter alia: available scientific andtechnical information, related processing
technology orintended end-uses ofproducts.
2.3 Technical regulations shallnotbemaintained ifthecircumstances orobjectives giving rise
totheiradoption nolonger existorifthechanged circumstances orobjectives canbeaddressed in
alesstrade-restrictive manner.
2.4 Where technical regulations arerequired andrelevant international standards existortheir
completion isimminent, Members shallusethem, ortherelevant parts ofthem, asabasis fortheir
technical regulations except when suchinternational standards orrelevant partswould beanineffective
orinappropriate means forthefulfilment ofthelegitimate objectives pursued, forinstance because
offundamental climatic orgeographical factors orfundamental technological problems.
2.5 AMember preparing, adopting orapplying atechnical regulation which mayhaveasignificant
effect ontrade ofother Members shall, upontherequest ofanother Member, explain thejustification
forthattechnical regulation interms oftheprovisions ofparagraphs 2to4.Whenever atechnical
regulation isprepared, adopted orapplied foroneofthelegitimate objectives explicitly mentioned
inparagraph 2,andisinaccordance withrelevant international standards, itshallberebuttably presumed
nottocreate anunnecessary obstacle tointernational trade.
2.6 With aview toharmonizing technical regulations onaswide abasis aspossible, Members
shallplayafullpart,within thelimits oftheirresources, inthepreparation byappropriate international
standardizing bodies ofinternational standards forproducts forwhich theyeither haveadopted, or
expect toadopt, technical regulations.
2.7 Members shallgivepositive consideration toaccepting asequivalent technical regulations of
other Members, evenifthese regulations differ fromtheirown, provided theyaresatisfied thatthese
regulations adequately fulfil theobjectives oftheirownregulations.
2.8 Whereverappropriate,Membersshallspecifytechnicalregulationsbasedonproductrequirements
interms ofperformance rather thandesign ordescriptive characteristics.TBT-V -Page4
2.9 Whenever arelevant international standard doesnotexistorthetechnical content ofaproposed
technical regulation isnotinaccordance withthetechnical content ofrelevant international standards,
andifthetechnical regulation mayhaveasignificant effect ontradeofother Members, Members shall:
2.9.1 publish anotice inapublication atanearly appropriate stage, insuchamanner astoenable
interested parties inotherMembers tobecome acquainted withit,thattheypropose tointroduce
aparticular technical regulation;
2.9.2 notify other Members through theSecretariat oftheproducts tobecovered bytheproposed
technical regulation, together withabrief indication ofitsobjective andrationale. Such
notifications shall takeplace atanearly appropriate stage, when amendments canstillbe
introduced andcomments taken intoaccount;
2.9.3 uponrequest,providetootherMembersparticularsorcopiesoftheproposedtechnicalregulation
and,whenever possible, identify thepartswhich insubstance deviate fromrelevant international
standards;
2.9.4 without discrimination, allow reasonable timeforotherMembers tomake comments inwriting,
discuss thesecomments uponrequest, andtakethesewritten comments andtheresults ofthese
discussions intoaccount.
2.10 Subject totheprovisions inthelead-in toparagraph 9,where urgent problems ofsafety, health,
environmental protection ornational security ariseorthreaten toariseforaMember, thatMember
mayomitsuchofthestepsenumerated inparagraph 9asitfindsnecessary, provided thattheMember,
upon adoption ofatechnical regulation, shall:
2.10.1 notify immediately other Members through theSecretariat oftheparticular technical
regulation andtheproducts covered, withabriefindication oftheobjective andthe
rationale ofthetechnical regulation, including thenature oftheurgent problems;
2.10.2 upon request, provide other Members withcopies ofthetechnical regulation;
2.10.3 without discrimination, allow other Members topresent theircomments inwriting,
discuss thesecomments uponrequest, andtakethesewritten comments andtheresults
ofthese discussions intoaccount.
2.11 Members shallensure thatalltechnical regulations which havebeenadopted arepublished
promptly orotherwise made available insuchamanner astoenable interested parties inotherMembers
tobecome acquainted withthem.
2.12 Except inthose urgent circumstances referred toinparagraph 10,Members shall allow a
reasonable interval between thepublication oftechnical regulations andtheirentry intoforce inorder
toallow timeforproducers inexporting Members, andparticularly indeveloping country Members,
toadapt theirproducts ormethods ofproduction totherequirements oftheimporting Member.
Article 3
Preparation, Adoption andApplication ofTechnical Regulations
byLocal Government Bodies andNon-Governmental Bodies
With respect totheirlocalgovernment andnon-governmental bodies within theirterritories:
3.1 Members shalltakesuchreasonable measures asmaybeavailable tothemtoensure compliance
bysuchbodies withtheprovisions ofArticle 2,withtheexception oftheobligation tonotify asreferred
toinparagraphs 9.2and10.1ofArticle 2.
3.2 Members shallensure thatthetechnical regulations oflocalgovernments ontheleveldirectly
below thatofthecentral government inMembers arenotified inaccordance withtheprovisions ofTBT-V -Page5
paragraphs 9.2and10.1 ofArticle 2,noting thatnotification shall notberequired fortechnical
regulations thetechnical content ofwhich issubstantially thesameasthatofpreviously notified technical
regulations ofcentral government bodies oftheMember concerned.
3.3 Members mayrequire contact withother Members, including thenotifications, provision of
information, comments anddiscussions referred toinparagraphs 9and10ofArticle 2,totakeplace
through thecentral government.
3.4 Members shallnottakemeasures which require orencourage localgovernment bodies ornon-
governmental bodies within theirterritories toactinamanner inconsistent withtheprovisions of
Article 2.
3.5 Members arefullyresponsible under thisAgreement fortheobservance ofallprovisions of
Article 2.Members shallformulate andimplement positive measures andmechanisms insupport of
theobservance oftheprovisions ofArticle 2byother thancentral government bodies.
Article 4
Preparation, Adoption andApplication
ofStandards
4.1 Members shallensure thattheircentral government standardizing bodies accept andcomply
withtheCode ofGood Practice forthePreparation, Adoption andApplication ofStandards inAnnex 3
tothisAgreement (referred tointhisAgreement asthe"Code ofGood Practice"). They shalltake
suchreasonable measures asmaybeavailable tothem toensure thatlocal government andnon-
governmental standardizing bodies within theirterritories, aswellasregional standardizing bodies
ofwhich theyoroneormore bodies within theirterritories aremembers, accept andcomply with
thisCode ofGood Practice. Inaddition, Members shallnottakemeasures which havetheeffect of,
directly orindirectly, requiring orencouraging suchstandardizing bodies toactinamanner inconsistent
withtheCodeofGoodPractice.TheobligationsofMemberswithrespecttocomplianceofstandardizing
bodies withtheprovisions oftheCode ofGood Practice shallapply irrespective ofwhether ornot
astandardizing body hasaccepted theCode ofGood Practice.
4.2 Standardizing bodies thathaveaccepted andarecomplying withtheCode ofGood Practice
shallbeacknowledged bytheMembers ascomplying withtheprinciples ofthisAgreement.
CONFORMITY WITH TECHNICAL REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Article 5
Procedures forAssessment ofConformity byCentral Government Bodies
5.1 Members shallensure that,incases where apositive assurance ofconformity withtechnical
regulations orstandards isrequired, theircentral government bodies apply thefollowing provisions
toproducts originating intheterritories ofother Members:
5.1.1 conformity assessment procedures areprepared, adopted andapplied soastogrant access for
suppliers oflikeproducts originating intheterritories ofother Members under conditions no
lessfavourable thanthose accorded tosuppliers oflikeproducts ofnational origin ororiginating
inanyother country, inacomparable situation; access entails suppliers 'righttoanassessment
ofconformity under therulesoftheprocedure, including, when foreseen bythisprocedure,
thepossibility tohaveconformity assessment activities undertaken atthesiteoffacilities and
toreceive themark ofthesystem;
5.1.2 conformity assessment procedures arenotprepared, adopted orapplied withaviewtoorwith
theeffect ofcreating unnecessary obstacles tointernational trade. Thismeans, interalia,thatTBT-V -Page6
conformity assessment procedures shallnotbemore strict orbeapplied more strictly thanis
necessary togivetheimporting Member adequate confidence thatproducts conform withthe
applicable technical regulations orstandards, taking account oftherisksnon-conformity would
create.
5.2 When implementing theprovisions ofparagraph 1,Members shallensure that:
5.2.1 conformity assessment procedures areundertaken andcompleted asexpeditiously aspossible
andinanolessfavourable order forproducts originating intheterritories ofother Members
thanforlikedomestic products;
5.2.2 thestandard processing period ofeachconformity assessment procedure ispublished orthat
theanticipated processing period iscommunicated totheapplicant uponrequest; when receiving
anapplication, thecompetent bodypromptly examines thecompleteness ofthedocumentation
andinforms theapplicant inaprecise andcomplete manner ofalldeficiencies; thecompetent
bodytransmits assoonaspossible theresults oftheassessment inaprecise andcomplete manner
totheapplicant sothatcorrective action maybetaken ifnecessary; evenwhen theapplication
hasdeficiencies, thecompetent body proceeds asfaraspracticable withtheconformity
assessment iftheapplicant sorequests; andthat,upon request, theapplicant isinformed of
thestage oftheprocedure, withanydelay being explained;
5.2.3 information requirements arelimited towhatisnecessary toassess conformity anddetermine
fees;
5.2.4 theconfidentiality ofinformation about products originating intheterritories ofotherMembers
arising fromorsupplied inconnection withsuchconformity assessment procedures isrespected
inthesame wayasfordomestic products andinsuchamanner thatlegitimate commercial
interests areprotected;
5.2.5 anyfeesimposed forassessing theconformity ofproducts originating intheterritories ofother
Members areequitable inrelation toanyfeeschargeable forassessing theconformity oflike
products ofnational origin ororiginating inanyother country, taking intoaccount
communication, transportation andother costs arising from differences between location of
facilities oftheapplicant andtheconformity assessment body;
5.2.6 thesiting offacilities usedinconformity assessment procedures andtheselection ofsamples
arenotsuchastocause unnecessary inconvenience toapplicants ortheiragents;
5.2.7 whenever specifications ofaproduct arechanged subsequent tothedetermination ofits
conformity totheapplicable technical regulations orstandards, theconformity assessment
procedure forthemodified product islimited towhatisnecessary todetermine whether adequate
confidence exists thattheproduct stillmeets thetechnical regulations orstandards concerned;
5.2.8 aprocedure exists toreview complaints concerning theoperation ofaconformity assessment
procedure andtotakecorrective action when acomplaint isjustified.
5.3 Nothing inparagraphs 1and2shallprevent Members fromcarrying outreasonable spotchecks
within theirterritories.
5.4 Incaseswhere apositive assurance isrequired thatproducts conform withtechnical regulations
orstandards, andrelevant guides orrecommendations issued byinternational standardizing bodies exist
ortheircompletion isimminent, Members shallensure thatcentral government bodies usethem, or
therelevant parts ofthem, asabasis fortheirconformity assessment procedures, except where, as
dulyexplained uponrequest, suchguides orrecommendations orrelevant partsareinappropriate for
theMembers concerned, for,interalia,suchreasons as:national security requirements; theprevention
ofdeceptive practices; protection ofhuman health orsafety, animal orplant lifeorhealth, orthe
environment; fundamental climatic orother geographical factors; fundamental technological or
infrastructural problems.TBT-V -Page7
5.5 Withaviewtoharmonizing conformity assessment procedures onaswideabasisaspossible,
Members shallplayafullpart,within thelimits oftheirresources, inthepreparation byappropriate
internationalstandardizingbodiesofguidesandrecommendationsforconformityassessmentprocedures.
5.6 Whenever arelevant guide orrecommendation issued byaninternational standardizing body
doesnotexistorthetechnicalcontentofaproposedconformityassessmentprocedureisnotinaccordance
withrelevant guides andrecommendations issued byinternational standardizing bodies, andifthe
conformity assessment procedure mayhaveasignificant effect ontrade ofother Members, Members
shall:
5.6.1 publish anotice inapublication atanearly appropriate stage, insuchamanner astoenable
interested parties inotherMembers tobecome acquainted withit,thattheypropose tointroduce
aparticular conformity assessment procedure;
5.6.2 notify other Members through theSecretariat oftheproducts tobecovered bytheproposed
conformity assessment procedure, together withabriefindication ofitsobjective andrationale.
Such notifications shalltakeplace atanearly appropriate stage, when amendments canstill
beintroduced andcomments taken intoaccount;
5.6.3 uponrequest, provide toother Members particulars orcopies oftheproposed procedure and,
whenever possible, identify theparts which insubstance deviate from relevant guides or
recommendations issued byinternational standardizing bodies;
5.6.4 without discrimination, allow reasonable timeforotherMembers tomake comments inwriting,
discuss thesecomments uponrequest, andtakethesewritten comments andtheresults ofthese
discussions intoaccount.
5.7 Subject totheprovisions inthelead-in toparagraph 6,where urgent problems ofsafety, health,
environmental protection ornational security ariseorthreaten toariseforaMember, thatMember
mayomitsuchofthestepsenumerated inparagraph 6asitfindsnecessary, provided thattheMember,
upon adoption oftheprocedure, shall:
5.7.1 notify immediately other Members through theSecretariat oftheparticular procedure andthe
products covered, withabriefindication oftheobjective andtherationale oftheprocedure,
including thenature oftheurgent problems;
5.7.2 upon request, provide other Members withcopies oftherules oftheprocedure;
5.7.3 without discrimination, allow other Members topresent theircomments inwriting, discuss
these comments upon request, andtakethese written comments andtheresults ofthese
discussions intoaccount.
5.8 Members shallensure thatallconformity assessment procedures which havebeenadopted are
published promptly orotherwise made available insuchamanner astoenable interested parties in
other Members tobecome acquainted withthem.
5.9 Except inthose urgent circumstances referred toinparagraph 7,Members shall allow a
reasonableintervalbetweenthepublicationofrequirementsconcerningconformityassessmentprocedures
andtheirentry intoforce inorder toallow timeforproducers inexporting Members, andparticularly
indeveloping country Members, toadapt theirproducts ormethods ofproduction totherequirements
oftheimporting Member.
Article 6
Recognition ofConformity Assessment byCentral Government Bodies
With respect totheircentral government bodies:TBT-V -Page8
6.1 Without prejudice totheprovisions ofparagraphs 3and4,Members shallensure, whenever
possible, thatresults ofconformity assessment procedures inother Members areaccepted, evenwhen
those procedures differ from theirown, provided theyaresatisfied thatthose procedures offer an
assurance ofconformity withapplicable technical regulations orstandards equivalent totheirown
procedures. Itisrecognized thatprior consultations maybenecessary inorder toarrive atamutually
satisfactory understanding regarding, inparticular:
6.1.1 adequate andenduring technical competence oftherelevant conformity assessment bodies in
theexporting Member, sothatconfidence inthecontinued reliability oftheir conformity
assessment results canexist; inthisregard, verified compliance, forinstance through
accreditation, withrelevant guides orrecommendations issued byinternational standardizing
bodies shallbetaken intoaccount asanindication ofadequate technical competence;
6.1.2 limitation oftheacceptance ofconformity assessment results tothose produced bydesignated
bodies intheexporting Member.
6.2 Members shallensure thattheirconformity assessment procedures permit, asfaraspracticable,
theimplementation oftheprovisions inparagraph 1.
6.3 Membersareencouraged,attherequestofotherMembers,tobewillingtoenterintonegotiations
fortheconclusion ofagreements forthemutual recognition ofresults ofeachother'sconformity
assessment procedures. Members mayrequire thatsuchagreements fulfil thecriteria ofparagraph 1
andgivemutual satisfaction regarding theirpotential forfacilitating trade intheproducts concerned.
6.4 Members areencouraged topermit participation ofconformity assessment bodies located in
theterritories ofother Members intheirconformity assessment procedures under conditions noless
favourable thanthose accorded tobodies located within theirterritory ortheterritory ofanyother
country.
Article 7
Procedures forAssessment ofConformity byLocal Government Bodies
With respect totheirlocalgovernment bodies within theirterritories:
7.1 Members shalltakesuchreasonable measures asmaybeavailable tothemtoensure compliance
bysuchbodies withtheprovisions ofArticles 5and6,withtheexception oftheobligation tonotify
asreferred toinparagraphs 6.2and7.1ofArticle 5.
7.2 Members shallensure thattheconformity assessment procedures oflocalgovernments onthe
level directly below thatofthecentral government inMembers arenotified inaccordance withthe
provisions ofparagraphs 6.2and7.1ofArticle 5,noting thatnotifications shallnotberequired for
conformity assessment procedures thetechnical content ofwhich issubstantially thesame asthatof
previously notified conformity assessment procedures ofcentral government bodies oftheMembers
concerned.
7.3 Members mayrequire contact withother Members, including thenotifications, provision of
information, comments anddiscussions referred toinparagraphs 6and7ofArticle 5,totakeplace
through thecentral government.
7.4 Members shallnottakemeasures which require orencourage localgovernment bodies within
theirterritories toactinamanner inconsistent withtheprovisions ofArticles 5and6.
7.5 Members arefullyresponsible under thisAgreement fortheobservance ofallprovisions of
Articles 5and6.Members shallformulate andimplement positive measures andmechanisms insupport
oftheobservance oftheprovisions ofArticles 5and6byother thancentral government bodies.TBT-V -Page9
Article 8
Procedures forAssessment ofConformity byNon-Governmental Bodies
8.1 Members shalltakesuchreasonable measures asmaybeavailable tothemtoensure thatnon-
governmental bodies within theirterritories which operate conformity assessment procedures comply
withtheprovisionsofArticles5and6,withtheexceptionoftheobligationtonotifyproposedconformity
assessment procedures. Inaddition, Members shallnottakemeasures which havetheeffect of,directly
orindirectly, requiring orencouraging suchbodies toactinamanner inconsistent withtheprovisions
ofArticles 5and6.
8.2 Members shall ensure thattheircentral government bodies relyonconformity assessment
procedures operated bynon-governmental bodies onlyiftheselatter bodies comply withtheprovisions
ofArticles 5and6,withtheexception oftheobligation tonotify proposed conformity assessment
procedures.
Article 9
International andRegional Systems
9.1 Where apositive assurance ofconformity withatechnical regulation orstandard isrequired,
Members shall, wherever practicable, formulate andadopt international systems forconformity
assessment andbecome members thereof orparticipate therein.
9.2 Members shall takesuchreasonable measures asmaybeavailable tothem toensure that
international andregional systems forconformity assessment inwhich relevant bodies within their
territories aremembers orparticipants comply withtheprovisions ofArticles 5and6.Inaddition,
Members shallnottakeanymeasures which havetheeffect of,directly orindirectly, requiring or
encouraging suchsystems toactinamanner inconsistent withanyoftheprovisions ofArticles 5and6.
9.3 Members shallensure thattheircentral government bodies relyoninternational orregional
conformity assessment systems onlytotheextent thatthese systems comply withtheprovisions of
Articles 5and6,asapplicable.
INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE
Article 10
Information About Technical Regulations, Standards and
Conformity Assessment Procedures
10.1 EachMember shallensure thatanenquiry point exists which isabletoanswer allreasonable
enquiries fromotherMembers andinterested parties inotherMembers aswellastoprovide therelevant
documents regarding:
10.1.1 anytechnical regulations adopted orproposed within itsterritory bycentral orlocal
government bodies, bynon-governmental bodies which havelegalpower toenforce
atechnical regulation, orbyregional standardizing bodies ofwhich suchbodies are
members orparticipants;
10.1.2 anystandards adopted orproposed within itsterritory bycentral orlocalgovernment
bodies, orbyregional standardizing bodies ofwhich suchbodies aremembers or
participants;
10.1.3 anyconformity assessment procedures, orproposed conformity assessment procedures,
which areoperated within itsterritory bycentral orlocalgovernment bodies, orbyTBT-V -Page10
non-governmental bodies which havelegalpower toenforce atechnical regulation,
orbyregional bodies ofwhich suchbodies aremembers orparticipants;
10.1.4 themembership andparticipation oftheMember, orofrelevant central orlocal
governmentbodieswithinitsterritory,ininternationalandregionalstandardizingbodies
andconformity assessment systems, aswellasinbilateral andmultilateral arrangements
within thescope ofthisAgreement; itshall alsobeabletoprovide reasonable
information ontheprovisions ofsuchsystems andarrangements;
10.1.5 thelocation ofnotices published pursuant tothisAgreement, ortheprovision of
information astowhere suchinformation canbeobtained; and
10.1.6 thelocation oftheenquiry points mentioned inparagraph 3.
10.2 If,however, forlegal oradministrative reasons more thanoneenquiry point isestablished
byaMember, thatMember shallprovide totheotherMembers complete andunambiguous information
onthescope ofresponsibility ofeachofthese enquiry points. Inaddition, thatMember shallensure
thatanyenquiries addressed toanincorrect enquiry point shallpromptly beconveyed tothecorrect
enquiry point.
10.3 EachMember shalltakesuchreasonable measures asmaybeavailable toittoensure thatone
ormore enquiry points existwhich areabletoanswer allreasonable enquiries from other Members
andinterested parties inother Members aswellastoprovide therelevant documents orinformation
astowhere theycanbeobtained regarding:
10.3.1 anystandardsadoptedorproposedwithinitsterritorybynon-governmentalstandardizing
bodies, orbyregional standardizing bodies ofwhich suchbodies aremembers or
participants; and
10.3.2 anyconformity assessment procedures, orproposed conformity assessment procedures,
which areoperated within itsterritory bynon-governmental bodies, orbyregional
bodies ofwhich suchbodies aremembers orparticipants;
10.3.3 themembershipandparticipationofrelevantnon-governmentalbodieswithinitsterritory
ininternational andregional standardizing bodies andconformity assessment systems,
aswellasinbilateral andmultilateral arrangements within thescope ofthisAgreement;
theyshallalsobeabletoprovide reasonable information ontheprovisions ofsuch
systems andarrangements.
10.4 Members shalltakesuchreasonable measures asmaybeavailable tothemtoensure thatwhere
copies ofdocuments arerequested byother Members orbyinterested parties inother Members, in
accordance withtheprovisions ofthisAgreement, theyaresupplied atanequitable price(ifany)which
shall, apart from therealcostofdelivery, bethesame forthenationals1oftheMember concerned
orofanyother Member.
10.5 Developed country Members shall, ifrequested byotherMembers, provide, inEnglish, French
orSpanish, translations ofthedocuments covered byaspecific notification or,incaseofvoluminous
documents, ofsummaries ofsuchdocuments.
10.6 TheSecretariat shall, when itreceives notifications inaccordance withtheprovisions ofthis
Agreement, circulate copies ofthenotifications toallMembers andinterested international standardizing
andconformity assessment bodies, anddraw theattention ofdeveloping country Members toany
notifications relating toproducts ofparticular interest tothem.
1"Nationals" hereshallbedeemed, inthecaseofaseparate customs territory Member oftheWTO,
tomean persons, natural orlegal, whoaredomiciled orwhohavearealandeffective industrial or
commercial establishment inthatcustoms territory.TBT-V -Page11
10.7 Whenever aMember hasreached anagreement withanyother country orcountries onissues
related totechnical regulations, standards orconformity assessment procedures which mayhavea
significant effect ontrade, atleastoneMember party totheagreement shallnotify other Members
through theSecretariat oftheproducts tobecovered bytheagreement andinclude abriefdescription
oftheagreement. Members concerned areencouraged toenter, uponrequest, intoconsultations with
otherMembers forthepurposes ofconcluding similar agreements orofarranging fortheirparticipation
insuchagreements.
10.8 Nothing inthisAgreement shallbeconstrued asrequiring:
10.8.1 thepublication oftextsother thaninthelanguage oftheMember;
10.8.2 theprovision ofparticulars orcopies ofdrafts otherthaninthelanguage oftheMember
except asstated inparagraph 5;or
10.8.3 Members tofurnish anyinformation, thedisclosure ofwhich theyconsider contrary
totheiressential security interests.
10.9 Notifications totheSecretariat shallbeinEnglish, French orSpanish.
10.10 Members shall designate asingle central government authority thatisresponsible forthe
implementation onthenational leveloftheprovisions concerning notification procedures under this
Agreement except those included inAnnex 3.
10.11 If,however, forlegaloradministrative reasons theresponsibility fornotification procedures
isdivided among twoormore central government authorities, theMember concerned shallprovide
totheother Members complete andunambiguous information onthescope ofresponsibility ofeach
ofthese authorities.
Article 11
Technical Assistance toOther Members
11.1 Membersshall,ifrequested,adviseotherMembers,especiallythedevelopingcountryMembers,
onthepreparation oftechnical regulations.
11.2 Membersshall,ifrequested,adviseotherMembers,especiallythedevelopingcountryMembers,
andshall grant them technical assistance onmutually agreed terms andconditions regarding the
establishmentofnationalstandardizingbodies,andparticipationintheinternationalstandardizingbodies,
andshallencourage theirnational standardizing bodies todolikewise.
11.3 Members shall, ifrequested, takesuchreasonable measures asmaybeavailable tothem to
arrange fortheregulatory bodies within their territories toadvise other Members, especially the
developing country Members, andshallgrant themtechnical assistance onmutually agreed terms and
conditions regarding:
11.3.1 theestablishment ofregulatory bodies, orbodies fortheassessment ofconformity with
technical regulations; and
11.3.2 themethods bywhich theirtechnical regulations canbestbemet.
11.4 Members shall, ifrequested, takesuchreasonable measures asmaybeavailable tothem to
arrange foradvice tobegiven toother Members, especially thedeveloping country Members, and
shallgrantthemtechnicalassistanceonmutuallyagreedtermsandconditionsregardingtheestablishment
ofbodies fortheassessment ofconformity withstandards adopted within theterritory oftherequesting
Member.TBT-V -Page12
11.5 Membersshall,ifrequested,adviseotherMembers,especiallythedevelopingcountryMembers,
andshallgrant themtechnical assistance onmutually agreed terms andconditions regarding thesteps
thatshould betaken bytheirproducers iftheywishtohaveaccess tosystems forconformity assessment
operated bygovernmental ornon-governmental bodies within theterritory oftheMember receiving
therequest.
11.6 Members which aremembers orparticipants ofinternational orregional systems forconformity
assessment shall, ifrequested, advise other Members, especially thedeveloping country Members,
andshall grant them technical assistance onmutually agreed terms andconditions regarding the
establishment oftheinstitutions andlegalframework which would enable themtofulfiltheobligations
ofmembership orparticipation insuchsystems.
11.7 Members shall, ifsorequested, encourage bodies within theirterritories which aremembers
orparticipants ofinternational orregional systems forconformity assessment toadvise otherMembers,
especially thedeveloping country Members, andshould consider requests fortechnical assistance from
themregarding theestablishment oftheinstitutions which would enable therelevant bodies within their
territories tofulfil theobligations ofmembership orparticipation.
11.8 Inproviding advice andtechnical assistance toother Members interms ofparagraphs 1to7,
Members shallgivepriority totheneeds oftheleast-developed country Members.
Article 12
Special andDifferential Treatment ofDeveloping Country Members
12.1 MembersshallprovidedifferentialandmorefavourabletreatmenttodevelopingcountryMembers
tothisAgreement, through thefollowing provisions aswellasthrough therelevant provisions ofother
Articles ofthisAgreement.
12.2 MembersshallgiveparticularattentiontotheprovisionsofthisAgreementconcerningdeveloping
country Members 'rights andobligations andshalltakeintoaccount thespecial development, financial
andtradeneedsofdevelopingcountryMembersintheimplementationofthisAgreement,bothnationally
andintheoperation ofthisAgreement 'sinstitutional arrangements.
12.3 Members shall, inthepreparation andapplication oftechnical regulations, standards and
conformity assessment procedures, takeaccount ofthespecial development, financial andtradeneeds
ofdeveloping country Members, withaview toensuring thatsuchtechnical regulations, standards
andconformity assessment procedures donotcreate unnecessary obstacles toexports fromdeveloping
country Members.
12.4 Members recognize that,although international standards, guides orrecommendations may
exist, intheirparticular technological andsocio-economic conditions, developing country Members
adopt certain technical regulations, standards orconformity assessment procedures aimed atpreserving
indigenous technology andproduction methods andprocesses compatible withtheirdevelopment needs.
Members therefore recognize thatdeveloping country Members should notbeexpected touse
international standards asabasis fortheirtechnical regulations orstandards, including testmethods,
which arenotappropriate totheirdevelopment, financial andtrade needs.
12.5 Members shall takesuchreasonable measures asmaybeavailable tothem toensure that
international standardizing bodies andinternational systems forconformity assessment areorganized
andoperated inawaywhich facilitates active andrepresentative participation ofrelevant bodies in
allMembers, taking intoaccount thespecial problems ofdeveloping country Members.
12.6 Members shall takesuchreasonable measures asmaybeavailable tothem toensure that
internationalstandardizingbodies,uponrequestofdevelopingcountryMembers,examinethepossibility
of,and,ifpracticable, prepare international standards concerning products ofspecial interest to
developing country Members.TBT-V -Page13
12.7 Members shall, inaccordance withtheprovisions ofArticle 11,provide technical assistance
todeveloping country Members toensure thatthepreparation andapplication oftechnical regulations,
standards andconformity assessment procedures donotcreate unnecessary obstacles totheexpansion
anddiversification ofexports from developing country Members. Indetermining theterms and
conditions ofthetechnical assistance, account shallbetaken ofthestageofdevelopment oftherequesting
Members andinparticular oftheleast-developed country Members.
12.8 Itisrecognized thatdeveloping country Members mayfacespecial problems, including
institutional andinfrastructural problems, inthefieldofpreparation andapplication oftechnical
regulations, standards andconformity assessment procedures. Itisfurther recognized thatthespecial
development andtrade needs ofdeveloping country Members, aswellastheirstage oftechnological
development, mayhinder their ability todischarge fully their obligations under thisAgreement.
Members, therefore, shalltakethisfactfullyintoaccount. Accordingly, withaviewtoensuring that
developing country Members areabletocomply withthisAgreement, theCommittee onTechnical
Barriers toTrade provided forinArticle 13(referred tointhisAgreement asthe"Committee") is
enabled togrant, uponrequest, specified, time-limited exceptions inwhole orinpartfromobligations
under thisAgreement. When considering suchrequests theCommittee shalltakeintoaccount thespecial
problems, inthefieldofpreparation andapplication oftechnical regulations, standards andconformity
assessment procedures, andthespecial development andtradeneeds ofthedeveloping country Member,
aswellasitsstage oftechnological development, which mayhinder itsability todischarge fullyits
obligations under thisAgreement. TheCommittee shall, inparticular, takeintoaccount thespecial
problems oftheleast-developed country Members.
12.9 During consultations, developed country Members shallbearinmind thespecial difficulties
experienced bydeveloping country Members informulating andimplementing standards andtechnical
regulations andconformity assessment procedures, andintheirdesire toassist developing country
Members withtheirefforts inthisdirection, developed country Members shalltakeaccount ofthespecial
needs oftheformer inregard tofinancing, trade anddevelopment.
12.10 TheCommittee shallexamine periodically thespecial anddifferential treatment, aslaiddown
inthisAgreement, granted todeveloping country Members onnational andinternational levels.
INSTITUTIONS, CONSULTATION AND DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
Article 13
TheCommittee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
13.1 ACommittee onTechnical Barriers toTrade ishereby established, andshallbecomposed
ofrepresentatives fromeachoftheMembers. TheCommittee shallelectitsownChairman andshall
meetasnecessary, butnolessthanonceayear, forthepurpose ofaffording Members theopportunity
ofconsulting onanymatters relating totheoperation ofthisAgreement orthefurtherance ofits
objectives, andshallcarry outsuchresponsibilities asassigned toitunder thisAgreement orbythe
Members.
13.2 TheCommittee shallestablish working parties orother bodies asmaybeappropriate, which
shallcarry outsuchresponsibilities asmaybeassigned tothembytheCommittee inaccordance with
therelevant provisions ofthisAgreement.
13.3 Itisunderstood thatunnecessary duplication should beavoided between thework under this
Agreementandthatofgovernmentsinothertechnicalbodies.TheCommitteeshallexaminethisproblem
withaviewtominimizing suchduplication.
Article 14
Consultation andDispute SettlementTBT-V -Page14
14.1 Consultations andthesettlement ofdisputes withrespect toanymatter affecting theoperation
ofthisAgreement shalltakeplace under theauspices oftheDispute Settlement Body andshallfollow,
mutatis mutandis ,theprovisions ofArticles XXII andXXIII ofGATT 1994, aselaborated andapplied
bytheDispute Settlement Understanding.
14.2 Attherequest ofaparty toadispute, oratitsowninitiative, apanel mayestablish atechnical
expert group toassist inquestions ofatechnical nature, requiring detailed consideration byexperts.
14.3 Technical expert groups shallbegoverned bytheprocedures ofAnnex 2.
14.4 Thedispute settlement provisions setoutabove canbeinvoked incases where aMember
considers thatanother Member hasnotachieved satisfactory results under Articles 3,4,7,8and9
anditstradeinterests aresignificantly affected. Inthisrespect, suchresults shallbeequivalent tothose
asifthebody inquestion were aMember.
FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 15
Final Provisions
Reservations
15.1 Reservations maynotbeentered inrespect ofanyoftheprovisions ofthisAgreement without
theconsent oftheother Members.
Review
15.2 Each Member shall, promptly afterthedateonwhich theWTO Agreement enters intoforce
forit,inform theCommittee ofmeasures inexistence ortaken toensure theimplementation and
administration ofthisAgreement. Anychanges ofsuchmeasures thereafter shallalsobenotified to
theCommittee.
15.3 TheCommitteeshallreviewannuallytheimplementationandoperationofthisAgreementtaking
intoaccount theobjectives thereof.
15.4 Notlaterthantheendofthethirdyearfromthedateofentry intoforce oftheWTO Agreement
andattheendofeachthree-year period thereafter, theCommittee shall review theoperation and
implementation ofthisAgreement, including theprovisions relating totransparency, withaviewto
recommending anadjustment oftherights andobligations ofthisAgreement where necessary toensure
mutual economic advantage andbalance ofrights andobligations, without prejudice totheprovisions
ofArticle 12.Having regard, interalia, totheexperience gained intheimplementation ofthe
Agreement, theCommittee shall, where appropriate, submit proposals foramendments tothetextof
thisAgreement totheCouncil forTrade inGoods.
Annexes
15.5 Theannexes tothisAgreement constitute anintegral partthereof.TBT-V -Page15
ANNEX 1
TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS FOR THE
PURPOSE OFTHIS AGREEMENT
Theterms presented inthesixthedition oftheISO/IEC Guide 2:1991, General Terms andTheir
Definitions Concerning Standardization andRelated Activities, shall, when usedinthisAgreement,
havethesame meaning asgiven inthedefinitions inthesaidGuide taking intoaccount thatservices
areexcluded from thecoverage ofthisAgreement.
Forthepurpose ofthisAgreement, however, thefollowing definitions shallapply:
1. Technical regulation
Document which laysdown product characteristics ortheirrelated processes andproduction methods,
including theapplicable administrative provisions, withwhich compliance ismandatory. Itmayalso
include ordealexclusively withterminology, symbols, packaging, marking orlabelling requirements
astheyapply toaproduct, process orproduction method.
Explanatory note
Thedefinition inISO/IEC Guide 2isnotself-contained, butbased ontheso-called "building block"
system.
2. Standard
Document approved byarecognized body, thatprovides, forcommon andrepeated use,rules,
guidelines orcharacteristics forproducts orrelated processes andproduction methods, withwhich
compliance isnotmandatory. Itmayalsoinclude ordealexclusively withterminology, symbols,
packaging, marking orlabelling requirements astheyapply toaproduct, process orproduction method.
Explanatory note
Theterms asdefined inISO/IEC Guide 2cover products, processes andservices. ThisAgreement
deals onlywithtechnical regulations, standards andconformity assessment procedures related to
products orprocesses andproduction methods. Standards asdefined byISO/IEC Guide 2maybe
mandatory orvoluntary. Forthepurpose ofthisAgreement standards aredefined asvoluntary and
technical regulations asmandatory documents. Standards prepared bytheinternational standardization
community arebased onconsensus. ThisAgreement covers alsodocuments thatarenotbased on
consensus.
3. Conformity assessment procedures
Anyprocedure used, directly orindirectly, todetermine thatrelevant requirements intechnical
regulations orstandards arefulfilled.
Explanatory note
Conformityassessmentproceduresinclude,interalia,proceduresforsampling,testingandinspection;
evaluation, verification andassurance ofconformity; registration, accreditation andapproval aswell
astheircombinations.
4. International bodyorsystem
Body orsystem whose membership isopentotherelevant bodies ofatleastallMembers.
5. Regional bodyorsystemTBT-V -Page16
Body orsystem whose membership isopentotherelevant bodies ofonlysome oftheMembers.
6. Central government body
Central government, itsministries anddepartments oranybodysubject tothecontrol ofthecentral
government inrespect oftheactivity inquestion.
Explanatory note:
InthecaseoftheEuropean Communities theprovisions governing central government bodies apply.
However, regional bodies orconformity assessment systems maybeestablished within theEuropean
Communities, andinsuchcases would besubject totheprovisions ofthisAgreement onregional
bodies orconformity assessment systems.
7. Local government body
Government other thanacentral government (e.g.states, provinces, Länder, cantons, municipalities,
etc.), itsministries ordepartments oranybodysubject tothecontrol ofsuchagovernment inrespect
oftheactivity inquestion.
8. Non-governmental body
Body otherthanacentral government bodyoralocalgovernment body, including anon-governmental
body which haslegalpower toenforce atechnical regulation.TBT-V -Page17
ANNEX 2
TECHNICAL EXPERT GROUPS
Thefollowing procedures shallapply totechnical expert groups established inaccordance withthe
provisions ofArticle 14.
1. Technical expert groups areunder thepanel'sauthority. Their terms ofreference anddetailed
working procedures shallbedecided bythepanel, andtheyshallreport tothepanel.
2. Participation intechnical expert groups shallberestricted topersons ofprofessional standing
andexperience inthefieldinquestion.
3. Citizens ofparties tothedispute shallnotserve onatechnical expert group without thejoint
agreement oftheparties tothedispute, except inexceptional circumstances when thepanel considers
thattheneedforspecialized scientific expertise cannot befulfilled otherwise. Government officials
ofparties tothedispute shallnotserve onatechnical expert group. Members oftechnical expert groups
shallserve intheirindividual capacities andnotasgovernment representatives, norasrepresentatives
ofanyorganization. Governments ororganizations shalltherefore notgivethem instructions with
regard tomatters before atechnical expert group.
4. Technical expert groups mayconsult andseekinformation andtechnical advice fromanysource
theydeem appropriate. Before atechnical expert group seeks suchinformation oradvice fromasource
within thejurisdiction ofaMember, itshallinform thegovernment ofthatMember. AnyMember
shallrespond promptly andfullytoanyrequest byatechnical expert group forsuchinformation as
thetechnical expert group considers necessary andappropriate.
5. Theparties toadispute shallhaveaccess toallrelevant information provided toatechnical
expert group, unless itisofaconfidential nature. Confidential information provided tothetechnical
expert group shallnotbereleased without formal authorization from thegovernment, organization
orperson providing theinformation. Where suchinformation isrequested fromthetechnical expert
group butrelease ofsuchinformation bythetechnical expert group isnotauthorized, anon-confidential
summary oftheinformation willbeprovided bythegovernment, organization orperson supplying
theinformation.
6. Thetechnical expert group shallsubmit adraftreport totheMembers concerned withaview
toobtaining theircomments, andtaking them intoaccount, asappropriate, inthefinalreport, which
shallalsobecirculated totheMembers concerned when itissubmitted tothepanel.TBT-V -Page18
ANNEX 3
CODE OFGOOD PRACTICE FOR THE PREPARATION, ADOPTION AND
APPLICATION OFSTANDARDS
General Provisions
A. Forthepurposes ofthisCode thedefinitions inAnnex 1ofthisAgreement shallapply.
B. ThisCode isopentoacceptance byanystandardizing body within theterritory ofaMember
oftheWTO, whether acentral government body, alocalgovernment body, oranon-governmental
body; toanygovernmental regional standardizing bodyoneormore members ofwhich areMembers
oftheWTO; andtoanynon-governmental regional standardizing bodyoneormore members ofwhich
aresituated within theterritory ofaMember oftheWTO (referred tointhisCode collectively as
"standardizing bodies" andindividually as"thestandardizing body").
C. Standardizing bodies thathaveaccepted orwithdrawn fromthisCode shallnotify thisfactto
theISO/IEC Information Centre inGeneva. Thenotification shallinclude thename andaddress of
thebodyconcerned andthescope ofitscurrent andexpected standardization activities. Thenotification
maybesenteither directly totheISO/IEC Information Centre, orthrough thenational member body
ofISO/IEC or,preferably, through therelevant national member orinternational affiliate ofISONET,
asappropriate.
SUBSTANTIVE PROVISIONS
D. Inrespect ofstandards, thestandardizing body shallaccord treatment toproducts originating
intheterritory ofanyother Member oftheWTO nolessfavourable thanthataccorded tolikeproducts
ofnational origin andtolikeproducts originating inanyother country.
E. Thestandardizing body shallensure thatstandards arenotprepared, adopted orapplied with
aviewto,orwiththeeffect of,creating unnecessary obstacles tointernational trade.
F. Where international standards existortheircompletion isimminent, thestandardizing body
shallusethem, ortherelevant parts ofthem, asabasis forthestandards itdevelops, except where
suchinternational standards orrelevant partswould beineffective orinappropriate, forinstance, because
ofaninsufficient levelofprotection orfundamental climatic orgeographical factors orfundamental
technological problems.
G. With aviewtoharmonizing standards onaswideabasis aspossible, thestandardizing body
shall, inanappropriate way,playafullpart,within thelimits ofitsresources, inthepreparation by
relevant international standardizing bodies ofinternational standards regarding subject matter forwhich
iteither hasadopted, orexpects toadopt, standards. Forstandardizing bodies within theterritory
ofaMember, participation inaparticular international standardization activity shall, whenever possible,
takeplacethrough onedelegation representing allstandardizing bodies intheterritory thathaveadopted,
orexpect toadopt, standards forthesubject matter towhich theinternational standardization activity
relates.
H. Thestandardizing body within theterritory ofaMember shallmake every effort toavoid
duplication of,oroverlap with, thework ofother standardizing bodies inthenational territory orwith
thework ofrelevant international orregional standardizing bodies. They shallalsomake every effort
toachieve anational consensus onthestandards theydevelop. Likewise theregional standardizing
bodyshallmake every effort toavoid duplication of,oroverlap with, thework ofrelevant international
standardizing bodies.
I. Wherever appropriate, thestandardizing body shall specify standards based onproduct
requirements interms ofperformance rather thandesign ordescriptive characteristics.TBT-V -Page19
J. Atleastonce every sixmonths, thestandardizing body shall publish awork programme
containing itsname andaddress, thestandards itiscurrently preparing andthestandards which ithas
adopted inthepreceding period. Astandard isunder preparation from themoment adecision has
beentaken todevelop astandard untilthatstandard hasbeenadopted. Thetitles ofspecific draft
standards shall, upon request, beprovided inEnglish, French orSpanish. Anotice oftheexistence
ofthework programme shallbepublished inanational or,asthecasemaybe,regional publication
ofstandardization activities.
Thework programme shallforeachstandard indicate, inaccordance withanyISONET rules, the
classification relevant tothesubject matter, thestage attained inthestandard 'sdevelopment, andthe
references ofanyinternational standards taken asabasis. Nolaterthanatthetimeofpublication of
itsworkprogramme,thestandardizingbodyshallnotifytheexistencethereoftotheISO/IECInformation
Centre inGeneva.
Thenotification shallcontain thename andaddress ofthestandardizing body, thename andissue
ofthepublication inwhich thework programme ispublished, theperiod towhich thework programme
applies, itsprice(ifany), andhowandwhere itcanbeobtained. Thenotification maybesentdirectly
totheISO/IECInformationCentre,or,preferably,throughtherelevantnationalmemberorinternational
affiliate ofISONET, asappropriate.
K. Thenational member ofISO/IEC shallmake every effort tobecome amember ofISONET
ortoappoint another body tobecome amember aswellastoacquire themostadvanced membership
typepossible fortheISONET member. Other standardizing bodies shallmake every effort toassociate
themselves withtheISONET member.
L. Before adopting astandard, thestandardizing body shallallow aperiod ofatleast60days
forthesubmission ofcomments onthedraftstandard byinterested parties within theterritory ofa
Member oftheWTO. Thisperiod may, however, beshortened incases where urgent problems of
safety, health orenvironment ariseorthreaten toarise. Nolaterthanatthestartofthecomment period,
thestandardizing bodyshallpublish anotice announcing theperiod forcommenting inthepublication
referred toinparagraph J.Such notification shallinclude, asfaraspracticable, whether thedraft
standard deviates from relevant international standards.
M. Ontherequest ofanyinterested party within theterritory ofaMember oftheWTO, the
standardizing body shallpromptly provide, orarrange toprovide, acopy ofadraftstandard which
ithassubmitted forcomments. Anyfeescharged forthisservice shall, apart from therealcostof
delivery, bethesame forforeign anddomestic parties.
N. Thestandardizing body shalltakeintoaccount, inthefurther processing ofthestandard, the
commentsreceivedduringtheperiodforcommenting.Commentsreceivedthroughstandardizingbodies
thathaveaccepted thisCode ofGood Practice shall, ifsorequested, bereplied toaspromptly aspossible.
Thereplyshallinclude anexplanation whyadeviation fromrelevant international standards isnecessary.
O. Once thestandard hasbeenadopted, itshallbepromptly published.
P. Ontherequest ofanyinterested party within theterritory ofaMember oftheWTO, the
standardizing body shallpromptly provide, orarrange toprovide, acopy ofitsmost recent work
programme orofastandard which itproduced. Anyfeescharged forthisservice shall, apart from
therealcostofdelivery, bethesame forforeign anddomestic parties.
Q. Thestandardizing body shallafford sympathetic consideration to,andadequate opportunity
for,consultation regarding representations withrespect totheoperation ofthisCode presented by
standardizing bodies thathaveaccepted thisCode ofGood Practice. Itshallmake anobjective effort
tosolve anycomplaints.