. /.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/C/W/362
27 March 2002
(02-1581)
Council for Trade in Goods
INTRODUCTION OF HARMONIZED SYSTEM 1996 CHANGES
INTO WTO SCHEDULES OF TARIFF CONCESSIONS
ARGENTINA – SCHEDULE LXIV
Draft Waiver Decision
The General Council,
Considering  that the Members of the WTO, by their Decisions of 13 December 1995,
18 July 1996, 24 April 1997, 22 October 1997, 24 April 1998, 14 October 1998, 15 June 1999,
4 November 1999, 3 May 2000, 8 December 2000 and 8 May 2001,1 acting pursuant to the provisions
of paragraph 3 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement, suspended the application of the provisions of
Article II of GATT 1994 until 30 April 2002, for the purpose of enabling the Members listed in the
Annex to implement the recommended amendments to the Harmonized System nomenclature;
Considering  that by their Decision of 8 May 2001 the Members of the WTO also agreed that
it would be the last time an extension of the HS96 waiver would be granted on a collective basis, but
that this would not, however, preclude Members fr om requesting waivers on an individual basis;
Noting  that Argentina has requested a waiver for the reasons explained in its request;2
Considering  that Argentina would need more time to proceed with consultations in the light
of the reservations expressed by two Members;
Acting  pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement;
Decides , in view of the exceptional circumstances, to suspend the application of the
provisions of Article II of GATT 1994 until 31 October 2002, for the purpose of enabling Argentinato implement the recommended amendments to the Harmonized System nomenclature, subject to the
following conditions:
(i) Argentina shall, where necessary, promptly enter into negotiations and consultations
with interested Members, pursuant to paragraphs 1-3 of Article XXVIII ofGATT 1994;
(ii) the negotiations and consultations mentioned above shall be completed not later than
31 October 2002;
                                                     
1 WT/L/124 + Corr.1, WT/L/173, WT/L/216, WT/L/243, WT/L/268, WT/L/281, WT/L/303,
WT/L/338, WT/L/351, WT/L/379 and WT/L/400.
2 G/L/528.G/C/W/362
Page 2
(iii) pending the entry into force of the results of the negotiations or consultations
mentioned above pursuant to Article XXVIII:3, the other Members will be free to
suspend concessions initially negotiated with Argentina to the extent that they
consider that adequate compensation is not offered by Argentina.
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