Deficiencies in existing laws are identified. In a significant number of instances, the country whose legislation was under review has been willing to accept that it still has further work to do in order to make its laws conform fully with the WTO's rules. Differences in interpretation have been identified . Some of these differences will be discussed bilaterally. If they are not resolved in that way, they could eventually turn into formal disputes under the WTO dispute settlement proceedings.
Countries drafting legislation learn from the reviews .
Some 20,000 pages of legislation were notified, and over 12,000 of these were circulated to all members. An opportunity is given for follow-up questions. The records of each review, the questions put and the responses given, are distributed in a separate document for each country reviewed and for each area. These are gradually being made available to the public, after derestriction which normally takes about six months. In November next year three new WTO members' laws will also be reviewed.