1. Transparency Procedures in the TBT Agreement
WTO, Trade and Environment Division

2. Transparency aids compliance Information assists industry
WTO and Transparency
“Its main function is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible”
Key WTO Principle
Transparency aids compliance
Information assists industry

3. Transparency in the TBT Agreement
For Technical Regulations
Articles 2, 3 and 10
For Conformity Assessment Procedures
Articles 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10
Article 10,
Annex 3: paras. J, L, M, N, O & P
For Standards

4. Transparency in the TBT Agreement
1. Notifications
2. Publication
3. Handling of comments
5. Maintenance of an enquiry point
4. Dissemination of information
6. The TBT Committee
This afternoon...

5. Notifications

6. Four Types of Notifications
Statement on the implementation and administration of the Agreement
Draft technical regulations and CAPs, and adopted urgent measures
Members have to notify what ?
Adherence to, or withdrawal from, the Code of Good Practice and the existence of a work programme
Bilateral and multilateral agreements

7. Statement on the implementation and administration of the Agreement

8. Relevant TBT Provision
TBT Art. 15.2
Each Member shall, promptly after the date on which the WTO Agreement enters into force for it, inform the Committee of measures in existence or taken to ensure the implementation and administration of the Agreement

9. Why?
Provide a quick overview of how individual Members have chosen to implement the Agreement
Assist Members in meeting their obligations under the Agreement, by enabling them to take stock of their existing legislation & institutional structure

10. Relevant Laws and Regulations
What?
Relevant Laws and Regulations
Publications
In 1995, the TBT Committee decided that the Statements should include
Time allowed for comments
THE COMMITTEE AGREED ON THE FOLLOWING DECISION CONCERNING THE CONTENTS OF THE STATEMENT.
1.IT SHOULD COVER THE LEGISLATIVE, REGULATORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION TAKEN AS A RESULT OF THE NEGOTIATION OF THE AGREEMENT OR CURRENTLY IN EXISTENCE TO ENSURE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENT ARE APPLIED. IF THE AGREEMENT ITSELF HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO DOMESTIC LAW, THE STATEMENT SHOULD INDICATE HOW THIS HAS BEEN DONE. IN OTHER CASES, THE STATEMENT SHOULD DESCRIBE THE CONTENT OF THE RELEVANT LAWS, REGULATIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS, ETC. ALL NECESSARY REFERENCES SHOULD ALSO BE PROVIDED.
2. IN ADDITION, THE STATEMENT SHOULD SPECIFY
(A)THE NAMES OF THE PUBLICATIONS USED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WORK IS PROCEEDING ON DRAFT TECHNICAL REGULATIONS OR STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES FOR ASSESSMENT OF CONFORMITY AND THOSE IN WHICH THE TEXTS OF TECHNICAL REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS OR PROCEDURES FOR ASSESSMENT OF CONFORMITY ARE PUBLISHED UNDER ARTICLES 2.9.1, 2.11; 3.1 (IN RELATION TO AND 2.11); , 5.8; 7.1, 8.1 AND 9.2 (IN RELATION TO AND 5.8); AND PARAGRAPHS J, L AND O OF ANNEX 3 OF THE AGREEMENT;
(B)THE EXPECTED LENGTH OF TIME ALLOWED FOR PRESENTATION OF COMMENTS IN WRITING ON TECHNICAL REGULATIONS, STANDARDS OR PROCEDURES FOR ASSESSMENT OF CONFORMITY UNDER ARTICLES 2.9.4 AND ; 3.1 (IN RELATION TO AND ); AND 5.7.3; 7.1, 8.1 AND 9.2 (IN RELATION TO AND 5.7.3); AND PARAGRAPH L OF ANNEX 3 OF THE AGREEMENT;
(C)THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE ENQUIRY POINT(S) FORESEEN IN ARTICLES 10.1 AND 10.3 OF THE AGREEMENT WITH AN INDICATION AS TO WHETHER IT IS/THEY ARE FULLY OPERATIONAL; IF FOR LEGAL OR ADMINISTRATIVE REASONS MORE THAN ONE ENQUIRY POINT IS ESTABLISHED, COMPLETE AND UNAMBIGUOUS INFORMATION ON THE SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH OF THEM;
(D)THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF ANY OTHER AGENCIES THAT HAVE SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS UNDER THE AGREEMENT, INCLUDING THOSE FORESEEN IN ARTICLES 10.10 AND OF THE AGREEMENT; AND
(E)MEASURES AND ARRANGEMENTS TO ENSURE THAT NATIONAL AND SUB-NATIONAL AUTHORITIES PREPARING NEW TECHNICAL REGULATIONS OR PROCEDURES FOR ASSESSMENT OF CONFORMITY, OR SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING ONES, PROVIDE EARLY INFORMATION ON THEIR PROPOSALS IN ORDER TO ENABLE THE MEMBER IN QUESTION TO FULFIL ITS OBLIGATIONS ON NOTIFICATIONS UNDER ARTICLES 2.9, 2.10, 3.2, 5.6, 5.7 AND 7.2 OF THE AGREEMENT.
Measures to ensure that national and sub-national authorities provide early information on their proposals
Other national authorities and agencies
Name & Address of Enquiry point(s) ,

11. A One-Time Notification In case of change, a revision must be provided
When?
A One-Time Notification
In case of change, a revision must be provided

12. 92 Members have submitted their statements under Article 15.2
Who?
92 Members have submitted their statements under Article 15.2

13. Notification of Draft Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures (CAPs), and of Adopted Urgent Measures

14. Why to notify? Assists industry Information Aids compliance
Country B drafts a technical regulation on lighters
Country A exports lighters
How to know the requirements in Country B?
Notification to the WTO!
How to comment on them?
Information
Aids compliance
Assists industry

15. Relevant TBT Provisions
TBT Art. 2&5
For Technical Regulations
Article 2
For Conformity Assessment Procedures
Article 5

16. What? Draft Technical Regulations
TBT Articles
Draft Technical Regulations
2.9.2
Draft Conformity Assessment Procedures
5.6.2
Technical Regulations already adopted for urgent reasons
2.10.1
Conformity Assessment Procedures already adopted for urgent reasons
5.7.1

17. What?
And also ...
TBT Articles
Technical Regulations of Local governments on the level directly below that of the central government
3.2
Conformity Assessment Procedures of Local governments on the level directly below that of the central government
7.2
Except when a technical regulation or a conformity assessment procedure is “substantially the same” as a measure already notified by the central government body

18. What? 6 Types of Documents Must Be Notified... Draft
Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures
Already adopted for urgent reasons
Of local governments on the level directly below that of the central government

19. What? Where urgent problems arise or threaten to arise….
Safety, Health
Environmental Protection
National Security
May omit such of the steps as necessary
Notification is upon adoption
2 differences
Notification mentions the nature of the urgent problem

20. Conditions?
Members must notify a measure when both sets of conditions apply
AND
A relevant international standard does not exist
The measure may have a significant effect on trade of other Members
What is it? OR
TBT Art. 2.9 and 5.6
The measure is not in accordance with the standard

21. Conditions?
The measure may have a significant effect on trade of other Members...
The value of imports in respect of the Members concerned
When assessing the significance of the effect on trade of technical regulations, such elements should be taken into consideration:
The potential growth of such imports
The difficulties for producers in other Members to comply with the proposed technical regulations

22. How? And And TBT 2.9.2 TBT 5.6.2 A notification must contain
Information on the products covered
A brief indication of the objective and rationale of the proposed measure
And
Guidelines developed by the TBT Committee

23. The Format

24. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form1.
Member to Agreement notifying:      
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):      
Who notifies?
If a local government is involved in the technical regulation or the conformity assessment procedure, it has to be mentioned in this section

25. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form2.
Agency responsible:
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, and web-site addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above:     
Which agency is responsible for elaborating a proposal or promulgating a technical regulation or a conformity assessment procedure
If a different agency handles comments, it must be indicated here

26. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form3.
Notified under Article [ ], [ ], [ ], [ ], other:     
2.9.2
Proposed TR by central body
2.10.1
Adopted TR by central body
5.6.2
Proposed CAP by central body
5 options
5.7.1
Adopted CAP by central body
3.2
Proposed/Adopted TR by local body
7.2
Proposed/Adopted CAP by local body
Other
8.1
Adopted CAP by Non gov body
9.2
Adopted CAP by int’al/reg’al body

27. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form
Proposed
Art
Technical Regulation
Adopted
Art
Central Government Body
Conformity Assessment Procedure
Proposed
Art
Adopted
Art
To summarize... the following may be notified...:
Proposed
Art. 3.2
Technical Regulation
Adopted
Art. 3.2
Local Government Body
Conformity Assessment Procedure
Proposed
Art. 7.2
Adopted
Art. 7.2
Non-Governmental Body
Conformity Assessment Procedure
Adopted
Art. 8.1
Intern’al/ regional organization
Conformity Assessment Procedure
Adopted
Art. 9.2

28. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form
In practice, almost all notifications are made under Articles and 5.6.2:
– Notifications from 1995 to 2003 (by article) –

29. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form4.
Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):    
Clear description of the products covered in the measure (including tariff headings)

30. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form5.
Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:    
Under this section, the following information is also provided:
the language(s) in which notified documents are available; and,
if a translation of the document is planned or available.

31. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form6.
Description of content:    
Contains a clear description of the content of the proposed or adopted technical regulation or conformity assessment procedure

32. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form7.
Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable:   
The “legitimate objective” of the measure may be indicated here.

33. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form
Protection of human health or safety
Notifications in 2003 – Legitimate objectives stated

34. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form8.
Relevant documents:   
A reference to the following documents may be provided:
the publication where a notice appears;
the proposal and basic document to which the proposal refers;
the publication in which the proposal will appear when adopted;
whenever practicable, the reference to a relevant international standard.

35. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form9.
Proposed date of adoption:
Proposed date of entry into force:  

36. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form
10.
Final date for comments:   
A specific and final date by which Members may submit comments.
The Committee has recommended a normal time limit for comments on notifications of 60 days.
Any Member which is able to provide a time limit beyond 60 days is encouraged to do so.
Members are encouraged to advise of any extension to the final date for comments.

37. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form
11.
Texts available from: National enquiry point [ ] or address, telephone and fax numbers, and web-site addresses, if available of the other body:   
Information on whether the text of the measure is available from the national enquiry point or from another body.
Members also indicate here the exact address, where available, address, telephone and fax numbers of the body responsible for supplying the relevant documents if that body is not the enquiry point.

38. How? 11 Sections in a Notification Form
To summarize...
Item 1 - Government making the notification
Item 2 - Body elaborating a proposal (TR or CAP)
Item 3 - Relevant provision of the Agreement
Item 4 - Clear description of the product
Item 5 - Title of proposal, number of pages, language. Indicate translations or summaries

39. How? Guidelines of the TBT Committee
To summarize...
Item 6 - Abstract, main features of the proposed/adopted measure
Item 7 - Legitimate objective
Item 8 - Any relevant document (publications). Reference to international standards
Item 9 - Adoption and entry into force
Item 10 - Final date for comments - normal time-limit of 60 days!
Item 11 - Where to find the text of the measure

40. When?
TBT 2.9.2
TBT 5.6.2
And
Notifications shall take place at an early appropriate stage, when
Amendments can still be introduced
Comments taken into account
And
TBT Committee: when a draft with the complete text is available

41. Notifications must be made immediately upon adoption
When?
For technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures adopted for urgent reasons….
TBT
TBT 5.7.1
And
Notifications must be made immediately upon adoption

42. Total number of TBT notifications, 1995-2003
How Many?
Total number of TBT notifications,
By 80 Members

43. Notifications by Region
How Many?
Notifications by Region

44. Notifications made by participating Members...
How Many?
Notifications made by participating Members...
49 notifications (articles 2.9 and 5.6)

45. Notification of Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements

46. Notification of bilateral and multilateral agreements
TBT Art.10.7
Whenever a Member has reached an agreement
With one or more countries
On issues related to technical regulations, standards or CAPs
That may have a significant effect on trade
Must NOTIFY it through the Secretariat

47. The Format

48. TBT notifications under Article 10.7
35 in total

49. Geographical Repartition of Bilateral and Multilateral Agreements Notified

50. Notification of Acceptance of, or Withdrawal from, the Code of Good Practice and the Existence of a Work Programme

51. What is the Code of Good Practice?
Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards
It lays down disciplines in respect of central government, local government, non-governmental and regional standardizing bodies developing voluntary standards

52. Who may accept the Code? A central government body
Any standardizing body within the territory of a Member, whether
A local government body
A non-government body
Any non-governmental regional standardizing body one or more members of which are situated within the territory of WTO Member
This Code is open to
Any governmental regional standardizing body one or more members of which are WTO Members

53. Which Provisions are contained in the Code?
Take "such reasonable measures" as may be available to them to ensure that standardization bodies, which are on their territory or to which they are related, accept and comply with the Code
Members must
Not take measures which have the effect of requiring or encouraging such standardizing bodies to act in a manner inconsistent with the Code
Standardization Bodies must
Assume the general disciplines of the TBT Agreement

54. Notification Obligations
Their acceptance of, or withdrawal from, the Code of Good Practice (Paragraph C)
Standardization Bodies must notify
The existence of a work programme (Paragraph J)
ISO/WTO Guidelines on Notifications

55. Notification Under Paragraph C
Standardizing bodies that have accepted or withdrawn from this Code shall notify this fact
Notifications are made through the ISO/IEC Information Center in Geneva, or through the national member body of ISO/IEC, or, preferably, through the relevant national member or international affiliate of ISONET.
Copies are sent by ISO/IEC to the WTO Secretariat, and are circulated to WTO Members.

56. Format of the Notification Under Paragraph C (Acceptance)

57. Format of the Notification Under Paragraph C (Withdrawal)

58. Standardizing bodies that have accepted the Code
74 central governmental standardizing bodies
61 non‑governmental standardizing bodies
2 statutory bodies
144 standardizing bodies from 104 Members
2 parastatal bodies
3 non-governmental regional bodies
1 central governmental/ non‑governmental body
1 autonomous body

59. Standardizing bodies that have accepted the Code

60. Notification Under Paragraph J
Standardization bodies, that have accepted the Code, have to notify the existence of a work programme no later than at the time of its publication, i.e. at least twice a year
Notifications are sent the ISO/IEC Information Center, or preferably, through the relevant national member or international affiliate of ISONET, as appropriate

61. Format of the Notification Under Paragraph J

62. General Notification Aspects

63. Who is Responsible? TBT Art. 10.10
Members shall designate a single central government authority that is responsible for the implementation on the national level of the provisions concerning notification procedures under this Agreement except those included in Annex 3
Code of Good Practice

64. Who is Responsible? TBT Art. 10.11
Where the responsibility for notification issues is divided among several central government authorities
Members must provide complete and unambiguous information on the scope of responsibility of each authority

65. Notify in which language?
TBT Art
The official languages of the WTO
English
Spanish or or
French

66. Where do I send notifications?
WTO Secretariat
Central Registry of Notifications
Fax:
1) Statement on implementation
and administration of the Agreement
2) Notifications of technical regulations
and CAPs
3) Notifications of bilateral or
plurilateral Agreements

67. And the WTO Secretariat?
Mission in Geneva
Circulates notifications among Members
WTO Website
Translates them into the three official languages
Monthly lists of notifications

68. Notifications: symbols
Statement on Implementation and Administration of the Agreement: G/TBT/2/Add.#
Notifications of technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures: G/TBT/N/Country Symbol/#
3. Notifications of bilateral or plurilateral agreements: G/TBT/N/10.7/#

69. Notifications: symbols
Notifications of acceptance of or withdrawal from the Code of Good Practice: G/TBT/CS/N/#
Monthly list of notifications (prepared by
the Secretariat): G/TBT/GEN/#
List of Enquiry Points (prepared by the
Secretariat) G/TBT/ENQ/#

70. Other TBT Transparency Procedures

71. Transparency in the TBT Agreement
1. Notifications
2. Publication
3. Handling of comments
4. Dissemination of information
5. Maintenance of an enquiry point
6. The TBT Committee

72. Publication

73. Publication Obligations of Members Pre-Adoption Stage
Members must publish a notice of the measure when both sets of conditions apply
AND
A relevant international standard does not exist
The measure may have a significant effect on trade of other Members OR
TBT Art and 5.6.1
The measure is not in accordance with the standard
This obligation may be waived in case of emergency

74. Publication Obligations of Members Post-Adoption Stage
Members must publish promptly all a adopted technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures
Including...
those which did not have a significant effect on trade of other Members or those which were in accordance with an international standard
The measure is not in accordance with the standard
TBT Art and 5.8

75. Publication Obligations of Members Post-Adoption Stage
Members must leave a reasonable interval between the publication of technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures and their entry into force, except in case of urgent circumstances
TBT Art and 5.9

76. Definition of a “reasonable interval”
TBT Art. 2.12
Not less than 6 months
Publication
Entry into force
When this would be ineffective in fulfilling the legitimate objectives pursued
Except
In urgent circumstances

77. Publication Obligations of Standardization Bodies Related to the Work Programme
Their work programme
Standardization bodies must publish
A notice of the existence of the work programme
Code of Good Practice, Paragraph J
What is contained in the work programme?
The TBT Committee agreed in 1999 that the communication of the work programmes of standardizing bodies via the internet would be another possibility to fulfill Paragraph J obligations

78. Publication Obligations of Standardization Bodies Related to the Work Programme
Standardizing bodies must publish, at least every six months, a work programme containing the following information
The standards they are currently preparing
The standards they have adopted in the preceding period
Their name and address

79. Publication Obligations of Standardization Bodies Related to Standards
A notice specifying the comment period of a standard
Standardization bodies must publish
The text of the standard
Code of Good Practice, Paras. L & O

80. Procedures for Dissemination and Exchange of Information

81. Procedures for Dissemination and Exchange of Information
Provision of copies
Provision and sharing of translations
Electronic tools
Regular Meetings of Persons Responsible for Information Exchange

82. Members must, upon request,
Provision of copies
Provide copies of proposed technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures
Members must, upon request,
And, whenever possible, identify the parts of the measure which in substance deviate from relevant international standards
Articles and 5.6.3

83. How to handle requests for documentation?
Provision of copies
How to handle requests for documentation?
Requests for documentation should include all the elements permitting the identification of the documents and in particular, the WTO TBT notification number (G/TBT/Notif.)
All the elements permitting the identification of the documents and the notification number should also appear on the documents supplied in response to such requests
Any request for documentation should be processed if possible within 5 working days
If a delay in supplying the documentation is foreseen, this should be acknowledged to the requester, along with an estimate of when the documents can be provided

84. Standardization Bodies must, upon request,
Provision of copies
Provide hard copies of draft and adopted standards, and of the most recent work programme
Standardization Bodies must, upon request,
Afford national treatment to requests from foreign interested parties, with due adjustments to be made for differential costs of delivery
Code Paras. M and P

85. Process them within 5 working days
To summarize...
Requests contain the elements permitting the identification of a document
Process them within 5 working days

86. Provision of Translations
Developed country Members must, upon request, provide in 1 of the 3 official WTO languages, translations of
The documents covered by a specific notification
In case of voluminous documents, summaries of such documents OR
The publication of texts/the provision of details/copies of drafts other than in the language of the Member is not required (except for developed country Members)
Article 10.5, 10.8

87. Sharing of Translations
Recommendation of the TBT Committee
Other Requesting Members are Encouraged to Share Existing Translations in WTO Languages
Document Request
Any Translated Summary in Requester’s Language or in WTO Language must be Automatically Sent
Translation/ Summary Exists or planned
Must be Indicated in the Notification Form

88. The use of electronic tools
The TBT Agreement does not contain provisions relating to the use of electronic tools
However, since 1999, the use of the Internet as a means to facilitate access to, and exchange of, information has been a constant theme of discussion in the TBT Committee
The TBT Committee encouraged Members, whenever possible, to file notifications by downloading, filling out and returning the complete form by to the Secretariat
Second Triennial
Review

89. Electronic transmission of information
Third Triennial
Review
Electronic circulation of notifications encouraged
Feasibility of creating a central depository for notifications on the WTO website
Paragraph L of the Code: electronic publication of the notice can constitute another possibility of fulfilling the transparency obligations

90. Regular Meetings of Persons Responsible for Information Exchange
To give Members the opportunity to discuss the activities and problems relating to information exchange and to review periodically the functioning of notification procedures
Why?
How often?
Every 2 years
Persons responsible for information exchange, including persons responsible for enquiry points and notifications
Who can participate?
When is the next one?
2-3 November 2004

91. Comments on Proposed Technical Regulations and Conformity Assessment Procedures

92. Length of time allowed for comments
Members are required prior to the adoption of a technical regulation or of a conformity assessment procedure to
Allow reasonable time for other Members to make comments in writing
Take these written comments and the results of these discussions into account
Discuss these comments upon request
Articles and 5.6.4

93. Length of time for comments
The TBT Committee decided that the normal time limit for presentation of comments on notified technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures should be 60 days
Second Triennial
Review

94. Length of time for comments
Length of time for comments on notified technical regulations and CAPS
60 days or beyond
 Indicated in the notification

95. Handling of comments Acknowledge receipt Explain
How taken into account
Provide additional relevant information
Copy of regulation as adopted
Provide
Or, information of non-adoption

96. Results of the Third Triennial Review (2003)
On Handling of comments
More than 60 day comment period should be provided to developing countries
Requests to Enquiry Points should be in one of the WTO languages
Disseminate comments and responses by means of national websites
Art – developed countries should provide translations of documents covered by notifications without being requested
Responses to comments in writing, and possibly shared with the TBT Committee (on a voluntary basis)
Electronic transmission to the Secretariat

97. TBT Notifications
Average time allowed for comments

98. ...Time... Entry into Force of the Measure Publication of the Measure
Min. 6 months
Publication of the Measure
Adoption of the Measure
Discussion of the Comments
...Time...
Provision of Copies
Notification to other Members
Publication of a Notice
Drafting of the Measure

99. Enquiry Points

100. Establishment of an Enquiry Point
WTO Members must set up a national enquiry point
Concerns institutions that are in a position to answer queries on documents issued by bodies with regulatory authority, that is central and local government bodies, and non-governmental bodies, which are entrusted with the legal power to enforce a technical regulation
Article 10.1
Relates to enquiries on documents issued by other non-governmental bodies and regional bodies of which they are members
Article 10.3
If more than one enquiry point is established, Members must provide “complete and unambiguous information” on the scope of responsibility of each enquiry point

101. Functioning of Enquiry Points
Technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures
Art. 10.1, 10.2, 10.3
Membership and participation in international and regional standardizing bodies and conformity assessment systems / bilateral and multilateral arrangements
Enquiry Points must respond to reasonable enquiries and provide relevant documents regarding:
Location of other Enquiry Points
Location of notices published

102. Enquiry Points: Related obligations
Supply copies of requested documents to Members and interested parties of Members at an equitable price
Provide translations or summaries of the documents related to a notification

103. What is a reasonable enquiry?
Articles 10.1 and 10.3
An enquiry point is mandated to answer all "reasonable enquiries"
When it is limited to a specific product, or group of products

104. Using the Enquiry Point: Beyond Obligations
Collect/disseminate TBT information
TBT documents
TBT notifications received
Inform other government agencies, private sector
Coordinate comments on other countries’ notifications
Submit comments – follow-up