WTOSlide 1 The WTO TBT Agreement ISO CASCO/DEVCO – BIS Regional Workshop on Certification and Conformity Assessment: Building Confidence for Developing Countries New Delhi, 6-7 December 2004 Erik Wijkström WTO Trade and Environment Division

WTOSlide 2 Avoid: unnecessary barriers to trade Allow: regulatory autonomy (legitimate objectives) Use: international standards!

WTOSlide 3

WTOSlide 4 40% > 4% Overall, import weighted tariff on industrial products

WTOSlide 5 % tariffs

WTOSlide 6 % ? NTBs tariffs

WTOSlide 7 GATT – WTO Trade Rounds YearPlace / nameSubjects covered# 1947GenevaTariffs AnnecyTariffs TorquayTariffs GenevaTariffs Geneva (Dillon Round) Tariffs Geneva (Kennedy Round) Tariffs and anti-dumping measures Geneva (Tokyo Round) Tariffs, NTBs, framework agreements Geneva (Uruguay Round) Tariffs, NTBs, rules, services, IP, DSU, textiles, agriculture, creation of WTO, etc Geneva (DDA)(the above) + environment, + ?148 Source: WTO

WTOSlide 8 TBT SPS

WTOSlide 9 Principles of the TBT Agreement?

WTOSlide 10 like product Non-discrimination MFN, NT…

WTOSlide 11 Non-discrimination MFN, NT…

WTOSlide 12 Unnecessary barriers to trade ?

WTOSlide 13 Unnecessary barriers to trade

WTOSlide 14 Balance between pursuing a regulatory policy objective (choice of measure) and discouraging Members from adopting or maintaining measures that unduly restrict trade Unnecessary barriers to trade

WTOSlide 15 Use of relevant international standards

WTOSlide 16 Technical Regulations Standards Conformity Assessment Procedures

WTOSlide 17 Definition (Annex 1 of TBT Agreement) 3.Conformity assessment procedures Any procedure used, directly or indirectly, to determine that relevant requirements in technical regulations or standards are fulfilled. Explanatory note Conformity assessment procedures include, inter alia, procedures for sampling, testing and inspection; evaluation, verification and assurance of conformity; registration, accreditation and approval as well as their combinations.

WTOSlide 18 TBT Committee work programme on CAP Triennial Review: November 2003 (G/TBT/12, paras 29-41) With a view to improving Members' implementation of Articles 5-9 of the Agreement and promoting a better understanding of Members conformity assessment systems, the Committee agrees to the following work programme...

WTOSlide 19 Why?

WTOSlide 20 renewed emphasis Not new: approaches discussed before To do what? TBT Committee work programme on CAP SDoC Accreditation Other SDoC Workshop 21 March 2005 Special Meeting 29 June 2004 Workshop early th TR, end- 2006

WTOSlide 21 Summing up on CAP DefinitionPrinciples Work program (experiences with implementation)

WTOSlide 22 A word on how the TBT Committee works

WTOSlide 23 forum

WTOSlide 24 specific trade concerns horizontal issues technical assistance TBT Triennial Reviews (Article 15.4)

WTOSlide 25 specific trade concerns Request explanation / clarification from Enquiry Point Bilateral consultations Raise issue at TBT Committee meeting Request formal consultations (Dispute Settlement) (Solution)

WTOSlide 26 approximately 120

WTOSlide 27 EC – Sardines (2002) EC – Trade Description of Sardines (Peru) (first TBT case)

WTOSlide 28 NTBs are growing in importance Quality and safety key competitive factors today TBT and SPS Agreements are relevant and important Basic principles are familiar: MFN, NT, etc. Work Programme CAP in 3 rd TR Summing up Key in TBT: use of international standards renewed emphasis on CAP

WTOSlide 29 DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT: