RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/TBT/1/Rev.2
6November 1995
ORGANIZATION(95-3419)
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. RULES OFPROCEDURE FOR THE MEETINGS
OFTHE WTO COMMITTEE 2
ANNEX 1:GUIDELINES FOR OBSERVER STATUS FOR
GOVERNMENTS INTHE WTO 8
B. STATEMENTS ONIMPLEMENTATION AND
ADMINISTRATION OFTHE AGREEMENT 9
C. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES 10
D. PROCEDURES FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE 18
E. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 21
F. REGIONAL STANDARDS-RELATED ACTIVITIES 21G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page2
A. RULES OFPROCEDURE FOR THE MEETINGS OFTHE WTO COMMITTEE
ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TOTRADE
Atitsfirstmeeting on21April 1995, theCommittee adopted thefollowing Rules of
Procedure. Inaccordance withArticle IV:6oftheWTO Agreement, these Rules arebeing
submitted totheCouncil forTrade inGoods forapproval.
CHAPTER I—MEETINGS
Rule1
TheCommittee onTechnical Barriers toTrade (hereinafter theCommittee) shallmeetas
necessary, butnotlessthanonceayear.
Rule2
Meetings oftheCommittee shallbeconvened bytheDirector-General byanotice issued,
preferably three weeks, andinanyevent notlessthantencalendar days, prior tothedatesetfor
themeeting. Intheevent thatthetenth dayfallsonaweekend oraholiday, thenotice shallbe
issued nolaterthanthepreceding WTO working day. Meetings maybeconvened withshorter
notice formatters ofsignificant importance orurgency attherequest ofaMember concurred in
bythemajority oftheMembers.
CHAPTER II—AGENDA
Rule3
Alistoftheitems proposed fortheagenda ofthemeeting shallbecommunicated to
Members together withtheconvening notice forthemeeting. ItshallbeopentoanyMember to
suggest items forinclusion intheproposed agenda upto,andnotincluding, thedayonwhich the
notice ofthemeeting istobeissued.
Rule4
Requests foritems tobeplaced ontheagenda ofaforthcoming meeting shallbe
communicated totheSecretariat inwriting, together withtheaccompanying documentation tobe
issued inconnection withthatitem. Documentation forconsideration atameeting shallbe
circulated notlaterthanthedayonwhich thenotice ofthemeeting istobeissued.
Rule5
(willnotapply)
Rule6
Thefirstitemofbusiness ateachmeeting shallbetheconsideration andapproval ofthe
agenda. Representatives maysuggest amendments totheproposed agenda, oradditions tothe
agenda under "Other Business". Representatives shallprovide theChairperson ortheSecretariat,G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page3
andtheother Members directly concerned, whenever possible, advance notice ofitems intended to
beraised under "Other Business".
Rule7
TheCommittee mayamend theagenda orgivepriority tocertain items atanytimeinthe
course ofthemeeting.
CHAPTER III—REPRESENTATION
Rule8
Each Member shallberepresented byanaccredited representative.
Rule9
Each representative maybeaccompanied bysuchalternates andadvisers asthe
representative mayrequire.
CHAPTER IV—OBSERVERS
Rule10
Representatives ofStates orseparate customs territories mayattend themeetings as
observers ontheinvitation oftheCommittee inaccordance withtheguidelines inAnnex 1tothese
Rules.
Rule11
Representatives ofinternational intergovernmental organizations mayattend themeetings
asobservers ontheinvitation oftheCommittee inaccordance withtheguidelines inAnnex []to
these Rules.
CHAPTER V—OFFICERS
Rule12
TheCommittee shallelectaChairperson1andmayelectaVice-Chairperson from among
therepresentatives ofMembers. Theelection shalltakeplace atthefirstmeeting oftheyearand
shalltakeeffect attheendofthemeeting. TheChairperson andVice-Chairperson shallhold
office untiltheendofthefirstmeeting ofthefollowing year.
1TheCommittee shallapply therelevant guidelines contained inthe"Guidelines forAppointment ofOfficers
toWTO Bodies" (WT/L/31 dated 7February 1995).G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page4
Rule13
IftheChairperson isabsent from anymeeting orpartthereof, theVice-Chairperson shall
perform thefunctions oftheChairperson. IfnoVice-Chairperson waselected orifthe
Vice-Chairperson isnotpresent, theCommittee shallelectaninterim Chairperson forthatmeeting
orthatpartofthemeeting.
Rule14
IftheChairperson cannolonger perform thefunctions oftheoffice, theCommittee shall
designate theVice-Chairperson referred toinRule12or,ifnoVice-Chairperson waselected it
shallelectaninterim Chairperson toperform those functions pending theelection ofanew
Chairperson.
Rule15
TheChairperson shallnormally participate intheproceedings assuchandnotasthe
representative ofaMember. TheChairperson may, however, atanytimerequest permission to
actineither capacity.
CHAPTER VI—CONDUCT OFBUSINESS
Rule16
TheChairperson mayconsider postponing ameeting intheevent thatheorshefeelsthat
doing somayresult inamore representative levelofparticipation byWTO Members.
Rule17
Inaddition toexercising thepowers conferred elsewhere bythese rules, theChairperson
shalldeclare theopening andclosing ofeachmeeting, shalldirect thediscussion, accord theright
tospeak, submit questions fordecision, announce decisions, ruleonpoints oforder and,subject
tothese rules, havecomplete control oftheproceedings. TheChairperson mayalsocallaspeaker
toorder iftheremarks ofthespeaker arenotrelevant.
Rule18
During thediscussion ofanymatter, arepresentative mayraiseapoint oforder. Inthis
casetheChairperson shallimmediately statetheruling. Iftheruling ischallenged, the
Chairperson shallimmediately submit itfordecision anditshallstand unless overruled.
Rule19
During thediscussion ofanymatter, arepresentative maymove theadjournment ofthe
debate. Anysuchmotion shallhavepriority. Inaddition totheproponent ofthemotion, one
representative maybeallowed tospeak infavour of,andtworepresentatives against, themotion,
afterwhich themotion shallbesubmitted fordecision immediately.G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page5
Rule20
Arepresentative mayatanytimemove theclosure ofthedebate. Inaddition tothe
proponent ofthemotion, notmore thanonerepresentative maybegranted permission tospeak in
favour ofthemotion andnotmore thantworepresentatives maybegranted permission tospeak
against themotion, afterwhich themotion shallbesubmitted fordecision immediately.
Rule21
During thecourse ofthedebate, theChairperson mayannounce thelistofspeakers and,
withtheconsent ofthemeeting, declare thelistclosed. TheChairperson may, however, accord
therightofreply toanyrepresentative ifaspeech delivered afterthelisthasbeendeclared closed
makes thisdesirable.
Rule22
TheChairperson, withtheconsent ofthemeeting, maylimitthetimeallowed toeach
speaker.
Rule23
Representatives shallendeavour, totheextent thatasituation permits, tokeeptheiroral
statements brief. Representatives wishing todevelop theirposition onaparticular matter infuller
detail maycirculate awritten statement fordistribution toMembers, thesummary ofwhich, atthe
representative 'srequest, maybereflected intherecords oftheCommittee.
Rule24
Inorder toexpedite theconduct ofbusiness, theChairperson mayinvite representatives
thatwishtoexpress theirsupport foragiven proposal toshow theirhands, inorder tobeduly
recorded intherecords oftheCommittee assupporting statements; thus, onlyrepresentatives
withdissenting views orwishing tomake explicit points orproposals would actually beinvited to
make astatement. Thisprocedure shallonlybeapplied inorder toavoid undue repetition of
points already made, andwillnotpreclude anyrepresentative whosowishes from taking the
floor.
Rule25
Representatives should avoid unduly longdebates under "Other Business". Discussions on
substantive issues under "Other Business" shallbeavoided, andtheCommittee shalllimititself to
taking noteoftheannouncement bythesponsoring delegation, aswellasanyreactions tosuchan
announcement byother delegations directly concerned.
Rule26
While theCommittee isnotexpected totakeaction inrespect ofanitemintroduced as
"Other Business", nothing shallprevent theCommittee, ifitsodecides, totakeaction inrespect
ofanysuchitemataparticular meeting, orinrespect ofanyitemforwhich documentation was
notcirculated atleasttencalendar daysinadvance.G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page6
Rule27
Representatives should make every effort toavoid therepetition ofafulldebate ateach
meeting onanyissue thathasalready beenfullydebated inthepastandonwhich there appears to
havebeennochange inMembers 'positions already onrecord.
Rule28
Proposals andamendments toproposals shallnormally beintroduced inwriting and
circulated toallrepresentatives notlaterthantwelve hours before thecommencement ofthe
meeting atwhich theyaretobediscussed.
Rule29
Iftwoormore proposals aremoved relating tothesame question, themeeting shallfirst
decide onthemost far-reaching proposal andthenonthenextmost far-reaching proposal andso
on.
Rule30
When anamendment ismoved toaproposal, theamendment shallbesubmitted for
decision firstand,ifitisadopted, theamended proposal shallthenbesubmitted fordecision.
Rule31
When twoormore amendments aremoved toaproposal, themeeting shalldecide firston
theamendment farthest removed insubstance from theoriginal proposal, then, ifnecessary, on
theamendment nextfarthest removed, andsoonuntilalltheamendments havebeensubmitted for
decision.
Rule32
Parts ofaproposal maybedecided onseparately ifarepresentative requests thatthe
proposal bedivided.
CHAPTER VII—DECISION -MAKING
Rule33
Where adecision cannot bearrived atbyconsensus, thematter atissue shallbereferred
totheCouncil forTrade inGoods.
Rule34
(willnotapply)G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page7
CHAPTER VIII—LANGUAGES
Rule35
English, French andSpanish shallbetheworking languages.
CHAPTER IX—RECORDS
Rule36
Records ofthediscussions oftheCommittee shallbeintheform ofminutes.2
CHAPTER X—PUBLICITY OFMEETINGS
Rule37
Themeetings oftheCommittee shallordinarily beheldinprivate. Itmaybedecided thata
particular meeting ormeetings should beheldinpublic.
Rule38
After aprivate meeting hasbeenheld, theChairperson mayissueacommuniqué tothePress.
CHAPTER XI—REVISION
Rule39
TheCommittee maydecide atanytimetorevise these rules oranypartofthem.
2Thecustomary practice under theGATT 1947, whereby representatives may, upon their request, verify
those portions ofthedraft records containing their statements, prior totheissuance ofsuch records, shall be
continued.G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page8
ANNEX 1
GUIDELINES FOR OBSERVER STATUS FOR GOVERNMENTS INTHE WTO
1. Thepurpose ofobserver status intheGeneral Council anditssubsidiary bodies istoallow
agovernment tobetter acquaint itself withtheWTO anditsactivities, andtoprepare andinitiate
negotiations foraccession totheWTO Agreement.
2. Observer governments shallhaveaccess tothemain WTO document series. They mayalso
request technical assistance from theSecretariat inrelation totheoperation oftheWTO system in
general, aswellastonegotiations onaccession totheWTO Agreement.
3. Representatives ofgovernments accorded observer status maybeinvited tospeak atmeetings
ofthebodies towhich theyareobservers normally afterMembers ofthatbody havespoken. The
righttospeak doesnotinclude therighttomake proposals, unless agovernment isspecifically invited
todoso,nortoparticipate indecision-making.G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page9
B. STATEMENTS ON IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OFTHE
AGREEMENT
Background andpurpose:
Article 15.2oftheAgreement provides thateachMember shall inform theCommittee of
measures inexistence ortaken toensure theimplementation andadministration oftheAgreement.
Inresponse tothisprovision oftheAgreement Members shallsubmit therelevant information inthe
formofwritten statements. TheCommittee agreed onthefollowing decision concerning thecontents
ofthese statements.
Decisions:
1. Thestatement should cover thelegislative, regulatory andadministrative action taken asaresult
ofthenegotiation oftheAgreement orcurrently inexistence toensure thattheprovisions ofthe
Agreement areapplied. IftheAgreement itselfhasbeenincorporated intodomestic law,thestatement
should indicate howthishasbeendone. Inother cases, thestatement should describe thecontent of
therelevant laws, regulations, administrative orders, etc.Allnecessary references should alsobe
provided.
2. Inaddition, thestatement should specify:
(a) thenamesofthepublicationsusedtoannouncethatworkisproceedingondrafttechnical
regulationsorstandardsandproceduresforassessmentofconformityandthoseinwhich
thetexts oftechnical regulations andstandards orprocedures forassessment of
conformity arepublished under Articles 2.9.1, 2.11; 3.1(inrelation to2.9.1 and2.11);
5.6.1, 5.8;7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to5.6.1 and5.8); andparagraphs J,Land
OofAnnex 3oftheAgreement;
(b) theexpected length oftimeallowed forpresentation ofcomments inwriting ontechnical
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 3oftheAgreement;
(c) thename andaddress oftheenquiry point(s) foreseen inArticles 10.1and10.3ofthe
Agreement withanindication astowhether itis/they arefullyoperational; ifforlegal
oradministrative reasons more thanoneenquiry point isestablished, complete and
unambiguous information onthescope ofresponsibilities ofeachofthem;
(d) thename andaddress ofanyother agencies thathavespecific functions under the
Agreement, including those foreseen inArticles 10.10 and10.11 oftheAgreement;
and
(e) measuresandarrangementstoensurethatnationalandsub-nationalauthoritiespreparing
newtechnical regulations orprocedures forassessment ofconformity, orsubstantial
amendments toexisting ones, provide early information ontheirproposals inorder
toenable theMember inquestion tofulfil itsobligations onnotifications under
Articles 2.9,2.10, 3.2,5.6, 5.7and7.2oftheAgreement.G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page10
C. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
1.FORMAT AND GUIDELINES :
Background andpurpose:
Theprocedures fornotification under theAgreement havebeenkeptunder constant review
bytheCommittee. Inorder toensure auniform andefficient operation ofthese procedures the
Committee agreed onthefollowing format andguidelines.3
Recommendation:
Information contained inthenotification formshould beascomplete aspossible andnosection should
beleftblank. Where necessary, "notknown" or"notstated" should beindicated.
Decisions:
Item Description
(i)Member toAgreement Government, including thecompetent notifying
authorities oftheEuropean Communities, which has
acceded totheAgreement andwhich ismaking the
notification;
ifapplicable, name oflocalgovernment involved
(Articles 3.2and7.2)
(ii)Agency responsible Body elaborating aproposal fororpromulgating a
technical regulation orprocedures forassessment of
conformity.
(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,
Article3.2:proposedoradoptedtechnicalregulation
bylocalgovernment (ontheleveldirectly below that
ofthecentral government,
Article 5.6.2: proposed procedures forassessment
ofconformity bycentral government body,
Article 5.7.1: adopted procedures forassessment
ofconformity bycentral government body,
Article 7.2: proposed oradopted procedures for
assessment ofconformity bylocalgovernment
(ontheleveldirectly below thatofthecentral
government),
3Where boxes appear under items 3and11oftheformat, notifiers arerequested tocheck therelevant
boxortoindicate relevant information under "other".G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page11
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 (chapterorheadingandnumber)where
applicable. National tariffheading ifdifferent from
HSorCCCN. ICSnumbers maybeprovided in
addition, where applicable. Aclear description is
important foranunderstanding ofthenotification by
delegations andtranslators. Abbreviations should
beavoided.
(v)Titleandnumber ofpages ofthe Title oftheproposed oradopted ofthenotified
notified document technical regulation orprocedures forassessment of
conformity. Number ofpages inthenotified
document.
(vi)Description ofcontent An abstract ofthe proposed oradopted
technical regulation orprocedures forassessment of
conformity clearly indicating itscontent. Aclear
description isimportant foranunderstanding ofthe
notification bydelegations and translators.
Abbreviations should beavoided.
(vii)Objective andrationale Forinstance: health, safety, national security, ...etc.
(viii) Relevant documents (1)Publication where notice appears, including date
andreference 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 torelevant
international standard. Ifitisnecessary tocharge
fordocuments supplied, thisfactshould beindicated.
(ix)Proposed dates ofadoption Thedatewhen thetechnical regulation andentryinto
forceor procedures forassessment ofconformity is
expected tobeadopted, andthedatefromwhich the
requirementsinthetechnicalregulationorprocedures
forassessmentofconformityareproposedordecided
toenter intoforce, taking intoconsideration the
provisions ofArticle 2.12.
(x)Final dateforcomments Thedatebywhich Members maysubmit comments
inaccordance withArticles 2.9.4, 2.10.3, 3.1(in
relation to2.9.4 and2.10.3), 5.6.4, 5.7.3 and7.1
(inrelation to5.6.4 and5.7.3) oftheAgreement.G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page12
Aspecific dateshould beindicated. TheCommittee
hasrecommended anormal timelimitforcomments
onnotifications ofsixty days. AMember may, if
necessary, however, indicate initsnotification that
itwillproceed toimplement theproposed measure
afterforty-five daysifnocomments orrequests for
extension ofthetimelimithavebeenreceived from
otherMemberswithinthattime.AnyMemberwhich
isabletoprovide atimelimitbeyond sixtydaysis
encouraged todoso.
(xi)Texts available from Ifavailable fromnational enquiry point, putacross
intheboxprovided. Ifavailable fromanother body,
giveitsaddress, telex andtelefax number. Such
indications should notinanywaydischarge the
relevant enquiry point ofitsresponsibilities under
theprovisions ofArticle 10oftheAgreement.RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/TBT/Notif.95.
1995
ORGANIZATION
(95-0000)
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:
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. Titleandnumber ofpages ofthenotified document:
6. Description ofcontent:
7. Objective andrationale:
8. Relevant documents:
9. Proposed dateofadoption andentry intoforce:
10. Final dateforcomments:
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point []oraddress andtelefax number ofother
body:G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page14
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 adraftwiththecomplete
textofaproposed technical regulation orprocedures forassessment ofconformity isavailable and
when amendments canstillbeintroduced andtaken intoaccount.
3.APPLICATION OFARTICLES 2.9AND 5.6(PREAMBULAR PART):
Background andpurpose:
Withaviewtoensuring 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 ofother
Members" mayrefertotheeffect ontrade:
- ofonetechnicalregulationorprocedureforassessmentofconformityonly,orofvarious
technical regulations orprocedures forassessment ofconformity incombination,
- inaspecific product, group ofproducts orproducts ingeneral, and
- between twoormore Members.
When assessing thesignificance oftheeffect ontrade oftechnical regulations, theMember
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 forproducers inother
Members tocomply withtheproposed technical regulations. Theconcept ofasignificant effect on
tradeofother Members should include bothimport-enhancing andimport-reducing effects onthetrade
ofother Members, aslongassucheffects aresignificant.
4.TRANSLATIONOFDOCUMENTSRELATINGTONOTIFICATIONSANDADDRESSOFBODYSUPPLYINGTHE
DOCUMENTS :
Background andpurpose:
Inorder toavoid difficulties thatcanarisefrom thefactthatthedocumentation relevant to
technical regulations, standards andprocedures forassessment ofconformity isnotavailable inone
oftheWTO working languages andthatabody other thantheenquiry point mayberesponsible for
suchdocumentation, theCommittee agreed onthefollowing procedures:G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page15
Recommendation:
When aMember seeks acopy ofadocument relating toanotification which doesnotexist
inthatMember 'sWTO working language, itwillbeadvised, onrequest, bythenotifying Member
ofother Members thathaverequested, asofthatdate,acopyofthedocument. TheMember seeking
acopy ofadocument relating toanotification maythencontact suchother Members inorder to
determine whether thelatter areprepared toshare, onmutually agreed terms, anytranslation thatthey
haveorwillbemaking intorelevant WTO working language(s).
Decisions:
(a) When atranslation ofarelevant document exists orisplanned, thisfactshall be
indicated ontheWTO TBTnotification formnexttothetitleofthedocument. Ifonly
atranslated summary exists, thefactthatsuchasummary isavailable shallbesimilarly
indicated;
(b) Upon receipt ofarequest fordocuments, anytranslated summaries thatexistinthe
language oftherequester or,asthecasemaybe,inaWTO working language, shall
beautomatically sentwiththeoriginal ofthedocuments requested;
(c) Members shallindicate under point 11oftheWTO TBTnotification form theexact
address, telephone andfaxnumbers ofthebodyresponsible forsupplying therelevant
documents ifthatbody isnottheenquiry point.
5.PROCESSING OFREQUESTS FOR DOCUMENTATION :
Background:
TheCommittee addressed theproblems ofsupplying andobtaining requested documentation
onnotified technical regulations andprocedures forassessment ofconformity asfollows:
Recommendations:
(a) requests fordocumentation should contain alltheelements permitting theidentification
ofthedocuments and inparticular, theWTO TBT notification 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 be
acknowledged totherequester.
6.LENGTH OFTIME ALLOWED FOR COMMENTS :
Background:
TheCommittee setthefollowing timelimits forpresentation ofcomments onnotified technical
regulations andprocedures forassessment ofconformity.G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page16
Recommendation:
Thenormal timelimitforcomments onnotifications should besixtydays. AMember may,
ifnecessary, however, indicate initsnotification thatitwillproceed toimplement theproposed measure
afterforty-five daysifnocomments orrequests forextension ofthetimelimithavebeenreceived
fromother Members within thattime. AnyMember which isabletoprovide atimelimitbeyond sixty
daysisencouraged todoso.
7.HANDLING OFCOMMENTS ONNOTIFICATIONS :
Background andPurpose
Inorder toimprove thehandling ofcomments onproposed technical regulations andprocedures
forassessmentofconformitysubmittedunderArticles2.9.4,2.10.3,3.1(inrelationto2.9.4and2.10.3),
5.6.4, 5.7.3 and7.1(inrelation to5.6.4 and5.7.3) oftheAgreement, theCommittee agreed onthe
following procedures.
Recommendations:
(a) eachMember should notify theWTO Secretariat oftheauthority oragency (e.g.its
enquiry point) which ithasdesignated tobeincharge forhandling ofcomments
received, and
(b) aMember receiving comments through thedesignated body should without further
request
(1) acknowledge thereceipt ofsuchcomments,
(2) explain within areasonable timetoanyMember from which ithasreceived
comments, howitwillproceed inorder totakethese comments intoaccount
and,whereappropriate,provideadditionalrelevantinformationontheproposed
technical regulations orprocedures forassessment ofconformity concerned,
and
(3) provide toanyMember fromwhich ithasreceived comments, acopyofthe
corresponding technical regulations orprocedures forassessment ofconformity
asadopted orinformation thatnocorresponding technical regulations or
procedures forassessment ofconformity willbeadopted forthetimebeing.
8.DECISION RELATING TONOTIFICATIONS :
Labelling Requirements
Background andpurpose:
With thepurpose ofclarifying thecoverage oftheAgreement withrespect tolabelling
requirements, theCommittee onTechnical Barriers toTrade tookthefollowing decision.G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page17
Decision:
Inconformity withArticle 2.9oftheAgreement, Members areobliged tonotify allmandatory
labelling requirements thatarenotbased substantially onarelevant international standard andthatmay
haveasignificant effect onthetrade ofother Members. Thatobligation isnotdependent upon the
kindofinformation which isprovided onthelabel, whether itisinthenature ofatechnical specification
ornot.G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page18
D. PROCEDURES FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE
1.REGULAR MEETINGS :
Background andpurpose:
Inorder togiveMembers theopportunity todiscuss theactivities andproblems relating to
information exchange theCommittee tookthefollowing action.
Decision:
Regularmeetingsofpersonsresponsibleforinformationexchangeincludingpersonsresponsible
forenquiry points willbeheldonabiennial basis. Representatives ofinterested observers willbe
invited toparticipate insuchmeetings. Themeetings willdealonlywithtechnical issues, leaving any
policy 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 tookthefollowing
action.
Recommendations:
(a) Theissuing ofbrochures onenquiry points would beofvalue.
(b) Allbooklets issued byMembers should contain theelements and,asfaraspossible,
follow thelayout below:
(i) Objective, name andaddress ofWTO TBTenquiry point(s).
Objective:
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 10.1, 10.2and10.3oftheAgreement
onTechnical Barriers toTrade.
Dateestablished, andname ofresponsible officer.
Whocanusetheenquiry point(s):
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 2.9.3 and2.10.2; 3.1(inrelation to2.9.3
and2.10.2); 5.6.3 and5.7.2; 7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to5.6.3 and
5.7.2); 10.1and10.3; paragraphs MandPofAnnex 3oftheAgreement.
(ii) Information available fromenquiry point(s).
Documentation:G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page19
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 2.9.3 and2.10.2; 3.1(inrelation to2.9.3
and2.10.2); 5.6.3 and5.7.2; 7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to5.6.3 and
5.7.2); 10.4, 10.8.1 and10.8.2; paragraphs MandPofAnnex 3ofthe
Agreement
Documentation thatcanbeobtained from theenquiry point(s).
Proceduresforhandlingdocumentationonproposedoradopteddomesticregulations
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, andtothe
decisions oftheCommittee onTechnical Barriers toTrade regarding format
andcomment period.
Procedures forhandling notifications issued byother Members ofthe
Agreement,forissuingnotificationsfromdomesticsources,andforhandling
comments onnotifications received orissued.
Publication:
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 2.9.1 and2.11; 3.1(in relation to2.9.1
and2.11); 5.6.1 and5.8;7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to5.6.1 and5.8);
10.1.5; andparagraphs J,LandOofAnnex 3oftheAgreement
Procedures forensuring compliance withtheseprovisions oftheAgreement,
including anypublications bytheenquiry point(s).
(iii) Facilities offered (including charges, ifany).
Databank(content andformofdocuments, e.g.paper, microfilm, computer, etc.).
Access todata(retrieval system: manual, tape, on-line; software used).
Languages used.
Translation, ifany.
Annex
Briefdescription oftheAgreement: objectives, dateofentry intoforce, datejoined, status indomestic
law.
ListofMembers oftheAgreement.
Listofenquiry points ofother Members.G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page20
3.ENQUIRIES WHICH THE ENQUIRY POINTS SHOULD BEPREPARED TOANSWER :
Background andpurpose:
With aviewtoencouraging auniform application ofArticles 10.1and10.3oftheAgreement
theCommittee tookthefollowing action.
Recommendation:
(a) (i) Anenquiry should beconsidered "reasonable" when itislimited toaspecific
product, orgroup ofproducts, butnotwhen itgoesbeyond thatandrefers toan
entire business branch orfieldofregulations, orprocedures forassessment of
conformity.
(ii) When anenquiry refers toacomposite product, itisdesirable thattheparts or
components, forwhich information issought, aredefined totheextent possible.
When arequest ismade concerning theuseofaproduct itisdesirable thatthe
useisrelated toaspecific field.
(b) TheEnquiry Point(s) ofaMember should beprepared toanswer enquiries regarding the
membership andparticipation ofthatMember, orofrelevant bodies within itsterritory,
ininternational andregional standardizing bodies andprocedures forassessment of
conformity aswellasinbilateral arrangements, withrespect toaspecific product orgroup
ofproducts. They should likewise beprepared toprovide reasonable information onthe
provisions ofsuchprocedures 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.G/TBT/1/Rev.2
Page21
E. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Procedures forexchange ofinformation:
Background andpurpose:
Inconsidering theways inwhich theprovisions ofArticle 11could begiven operational significance,
theCommittee agreed toexchange information ontechnical assistance asfollows:
Decision:
Specific needs fortechnical assistance aswellasinformation thatmaybeprovided bypotential donor
Members ontheirtechnical assistance programmes maybecommunicated toMembers through theSecretariat.
Inagreement withrequesting Members orpotential donor Members, asthecasemaybe,theinformation
concerning specific needs andtechnical assistance programmes would becirculated bytheSecretariat toall
Membersonaninformalbasis.Whilstinformationwouldbemultilateralizedinthismanner,technicalassistance
would continue tobeprovided onabilateral basis. TheSecretariat would reflect theinformation circulated
under thisprocedure inthedocumentation prepared forannual reviews oftheimplementation andoperation
oftheAgreement iftheMembers concerned soagree.
Technical assistance would remain asanItemoftheagenda oftheCommittee onapermanent basis
andwould beincluded ontheagenda ofaregular meeting oftheCommittee when sorequested byaMember
inaccordance withtheagreed procedures.
F. REGIONAL STANDARDS-RELATED ACTIVITIES
Address byrepresentatives:
Background andpurpose:
TheAgreement contains anumber ofprovisions onregional standardizing bodies andsystems for
conformity assessment. Inorder tokeepabreast oftheactivities ofsuchbodies andsystems, theCommittee
decided asfollows.
Decision:
Representatives ofregional standardizing bodies andsystems forconformity assessment maybeinvited
toaddress theCommittee ontheirprocedures andhowtheyrelate tothose embodied intheAgreement, on
thebasis ofagreed listsofquestions.