RESTRICTED
ORGANIZACI ÓNMUNDIAL WT/ACC/PAN/3
9demayo de1995
DEL COMERCIO(95-1184)
Original: inglés
ADHESI ÓNDEPANAM Á
Comunicación dePanamá
Seharecibido delaMisión Permanente dePanamá lasiguiente comunicación.
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LaMisión Permanente dePanamá antelaOrganización Mundial delComercio porestemedio
tieneabienremitir lossiguientes documentos parainformación delospaíses Miembros queexaminan
laadhesión dePanamá aestaOrganización:
- Resumen delProyecto deLeysobre defensa delalibrecompetencia yprotección al
consumidor;
- Resumen delProyecto deDecreto deGabinete porelcualseestablece elsistema de
valoración delasmercancías aefectos aduaneros;
- Resumen delProyecto deLeyquereglamenta losprocedimientos delicencia de
importación;
- Resumen delProyecto deLeypormedio delcualsemodifican algunos artículos del
Código Fiscal yseelimina lafactura consular;
- Resumen delProyecto deLeysobre medidas fitosanitarias; y
- Resumen delProyecto deLeysobre medidas zoosanitarias.
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Acontinuación sereproducen losresúmenes mencionados. (Eninglés solamente)WT/ACC/PAN/3
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SUMMARY OFDRAFT LAWS SUBMITTED TOTHE WORKING PARTY
ON8FEBRUARY 1995
I. DRAFTLAWON"DEFENSEOFFREECOMPETITIONANDCONSUMERPROTECTION"
Contains provisions governing anti-dumping, countervailing measures andsafeguards. This
lawalsoprovides forthetotalabolition ofprice controls.
ThedraftLawinDefense ofFreeCompetition isdivided intoeight Titles which develop the
substance andprocess ofthelaw.
TitleI:Monopolies. ThisTitleestablishes theregulatory norms forpractices which diminish, damage
orimpede freecompetition inproduction, distribution, andtrade ofgoods andservices. Itseeks to
encourage competition andeliminate andprevent monopolies andcartels. Thelawcovers public and
private sectors entities, aswellasnon-profits, butexcludes unions anddoesnotdirectly apply topatents
andcopyrights. Italsoexcludes anyentity orpractice expressly allowed bytheConstitution.
Theprovisionsaredividedbetweennormsregulatingabsoluteandrelativemonopolisticpractices.
Thecriterion forrelevant markets andsubstantial economic power areestablished. Provisions are
established forthesubmission, approval anddenial ofpotential mergers.
TitleII:Consumer Protection. ThisTitleestablishes theconsumer protection norms astheyrelate
tocommercial contracts (andabuses therein), warranties, andtruthinadvertising norms. Thisincludes
theabsolute andrelative nullification ofabusive clauses found incontracts.
TheTitlealsoestablishesadministrativeprocedureforreconciliationbetweenbuyersandsellers,
aswellasestablishing legalrecourse byconsumers forrecovering damages.
TitleIII:Unfair Business Practices. ThisTitleestablishes theprotective norms fordomestic industry
andnational production relative toforeign subsidies anddumping. Itestablishes thecriterion for
determining thevalidity ofclaims ofunfair subsidies anddumping, theextent ofanyimportant damage,
andtheappropriate measures orsanctions tobetaken intheevent ofanyimportant damage.
Thedrafters ofthelawhavetaken particular caution inusing GATT compliant criteria to
determine theexistence ofdumping, theinjury test,andcausal linkbetween imports anddamage.
Deminimis rules andtheobligation toendinvestigations when ithasbeendetermined thatnoinjury
hasbeencaused arepartofthedraftlaw. Judicial procedures forremedies arealsoincluded.
TitleIV:Safeguard Measures. ThisTitleestablishes thetemporary protective measures fordomestic
industry andnational production against massive imports ofproducts resulting fromunforseen changes
inworld markets. Itestablishes thecriterion fordetermining thevalidity ofclaims regarding theimpact
ofsudden, massive imports onnational production ordomestic industry, theextent oftheimpact of
theseimports, andtheappropriate temporary measures tobetaken ifanimportant impact canbeproven.
Title V:Commission forFreeCompetition andConsumer Affairs. ThisTitlecreates aspecial
autonomous entity, which hasitsownjudicial standing. TheCommission willorganizationally beunder
theCommerce andIndustry Ministry, andwillhavetheroleofconsumer protection andconsumer
advocacy. TheCommission willbeledathree-member board, headed byaDirector General named
bytheExecutive.WT/ACC/PAN/3
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Title VI:General Provisions. ThisTitleestablishes theconversion andassimilation ofthePrice
Control Office andtheConsumer Protection Division intoanewentity called theCommission forFree
Competition andConsumer Affairs.
TitleVII: Judicial Procedure. ThisTitleestablishes thejudicial procedural norms applicable tothe
substantive norms established intheprevious Titles. Itcreates newcourts intheJudicial branch, and
introduces Anglo-American legalconcepts suchasthe"discovery" process and"class action" suits.
Three Circuit Courts, specialized incommercial law,willbeestablished, which willhandle
caseswhichariseunderthislaw,aswellasothercommerce-relatedcasessuchastrademarks,copyrights,
etc.Additionally, aSuperior Court willbeestablished toruleonappeals emanating from thelower
commercial Circuit Courts.
TheCourt willallow oralhearings, andwillestablish preliminary audiences inorder tosimplify
andstreamline court processes. TheCourt willallow the"discovery" process, aswellas"class action"
suits, which arenewtoPanamanian legislation.
TitleVIII: Rescissions .ThisTitlerescinds many previous Cabinet Decrees (including Decree No.15
which regulates dumping andsubsidies inthepresent), Executive Decrees andlawspertaining toprice
controls andother State-sanctioned barriers tofreecompetition, thusallowing thislawtohaveamore
substantive impact onfreecompetition inPanama. Itrepeals anyprovision which maybecontrary
tothislaw.
II. DRAFT CABINET DECREE ON"VALUATION PROCEDURES FOR CUSTOMS
PURPOSES"
ThedraftCabinet Decree onValuation Procedures forCustoms Purposes is,inmost cases,
aliteral transcription oftheWTO Valuation Code. Inthissense, thedefinition of"value" hasbeen
taken fromtheAgreement. Italsoincludes themethods ofvaluation established intheValuation Code
("transaction value", including identical orsimilar commodities, "deducted value", "constructed value",
andthese methods aretobeusedinthesame prelation order established bytheCode.
Article 8establishes that:"Ifthevalue cannot beobtained through anyoftheabove-mentioned
methods, itwillbedetermined bycustoms authorities, following reasonable criteria, complying with
theprinciples andgeneral provisions oftheAgreement related totheApplication ofArticle VII". The
value willnotbedetermined onthemethods described inArticle 7oftheValuation Code.
Alltheelements considered inArticles 9(toadjust thetransaction value) and10(insurance
andfreight) oftheValuation Code areincluded inthedraftCabinet Decree.
Allinformation obtained bycustoms authorities forvaluation purposes isconfidential andcannot
berevealed unless thereisajudicial order oranorder fromarepresentative oftheProsecutor 'soffice,
within acriminal procedure orduring investigations, orduetoexpressed authorization oftheowner
oftheinformation.
Thedrafttakes thesame cases ofArticle 15.4tobeconsidered transactions between related
parties.
Theimporter candemand awritten detailed explanation ofwhich method isusedtodetermine
thecustoms value. Thisexplanation must beprovided bythecustoms authority atthetimeofthe
appraisal. Iftheimporter doesnotagree withthewritten explanation, hecanrequest forreconsiderationWT/ACC/PAN/3
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within thefollowing five(5)daystothenotification. Theimporter canappeal within ten(10)days
from thedateofthenotification ofthereconsideration decision.
III. DRAFT LAW ON"REGULATION OFIMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES"
Draft lawonRegulation ofImport Licensing Procedures isaframework which determines
theprinciples toregulate bothautomatic andnon-automatic licences.
Article I.General Provisions. Thedefinition ofImport Licensing Procedures, Automatic Licences
andnon-automatic licences areincluded among these general provisions. Alldefinitions weretaken
from theWTO 'sLicensing Agreement.
Specificobligationsareestablishedforthoseinstitutionsresponsiblefortheissuanceofalicence:
updated public information concerning procedures torequest alicence, conditions oftheapplicant,
andcommodities subject tolicensing requirements. Thispublication must bedone, when possible,
21daysprior totheeffective dateoftherequisite andnever afterthatday.
Noapplication shallbedenied forminimal errors which donotalterbasic data. Applicants
willnotneedtogotomore thanthree (3)institutions tofulfil therequirements toobtain alicence.
Article II.Automatic Licences. TheAutomatic Licensing Procedures willnothaverestrictive import
effects. Inthissense, allpersons, enterprises orinstitutions withthelegal requirements toimport
commodities subject toimport licences willhavethesamerighttorequest andobtain animport licence;
Applications adequately presented andcomplete willbeapproved inamaximum of10working days.
Article III.Non-Automatic Licences. Thenon-automatic licences procedure willnothaverestrictive
ordistortive effects onimports other thanthose resulting from theestablishment oftherestriction.
There willbenomoreadministrative charges thanthose absolutely necessary toadminister themeasure.
When licensing requirements arenotrelated toquantitative restrictions, thecorresponding
institutions willpublish sufficient information onthebasis forthelicences 'assignation.
Thedraftlawcreates theInterministerial Commission toRegulate Import Licensing Procedures.
After theCommission concludes theregulatory work, eachinstitution willadminister itscorresponding
licences, according totheprinciples established inthisframework law.
IV. DRAFT LAW BYWHICH "SOME ARTICLES OFTHE FISCAL CODE ARE BEING
MODIFIED"
Thisbilldraftprovides fortheelimination oftheConsular invoice andestablishes aservices
feewhich isfullyGATT compliant. Ithasrecently beenapproved bytheCabinet andwaspresented
totheNational Assembly asDraft LawNo.9of18February 1995.
"Every person sending merchandise fromabroad totheRepublic, byother means thanmail,
willalsoprovide thefollowing documents:
1.Commercial Invoice
2.Billoflanding, airway billorcargo manifest, and
3.Thelicence, incaseofrestricted imports.
Shippers of"champagne" typewine must present alsoacertificate oforigin, issued bythe
competent authority oftheproduction site".WT/ACC/PAN/3
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Italsoeliminates theadvalorem feecharged oneachdeclaration, andreplaces itforafixed
rateofB70.00 (T.A.S.A. -Customs Services Fee)related tothecosts oftheservices rendered.
Declarations containing imports foratotalc.i.f.value under FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS (B500.00)
areexempt from thisfee.
Iftheconsignee isunable topresent thecommercial invoice orthebilloflanding, orboth,
withtheinformation andformalities established bylaw,orifhedoesnothavethem, hewillexpress
sointhecustoms declaration. Inthiscase, theconsignee willconstitute guarantee fortheamount
determined bytheregulations, tocover theimport dutyandulterior presentation ofthedocuments.
Theconsignee willlosetheguarantee ifdocuments arenotpresented within theestablished
period.
Commodities imported bymailrequire acommercial invoice dulylegalized.
Commodities imported bymailaresubject, besides theimport dutyandother customs charges,
tothefeesandpostal surcharges determined bytheregulations related toInternational Conventions.
V. DRAFT LAW FOR PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES
Phytosanitary protection measures areestablished.
TITLE I:
CHAPTER I.Develops itsprinciples: Toprevent theimport, establishment anddissemination of
pests ofquarantine relevance.
Also, toprevent health andenvironmental contamination caused bythewrong useofpesticides.
CHAPTER II.Developsitsobjectives:ToempowertheNationalPhytosanitaryDirectoratetoregulate
andenforce allpestprophylaxes andcontrol.
CHAPTER III.Establishes definitions. Itestablishes themeaning ofterms andexpressions used
inthislaw.
CHAPTER IV.Competence matters. TheNational Phytosanitary Directorate isempowered toadopt
alltechnical, administrative andlegalmeasures todevelop itsfunctions.
CHAPTER V.Revenues.TheDirectorate'srevenuessystemtocoveradministrativecostsforexecuting
andimproving phytosanitary measures isestablished.
CHAPTER VI.TheNational Consulting Council forPhytosanitary Measures isestablished. This
isaconsultative andadvisor national organism, integrated bygovernmental andnon-governmental
institutions related withphytosanitary measures.
TITLE II:
CHAPTER I.Vegetables 'transhipment, imports andexports regulations areestablished.
CHAPTER II.Inspection andquarantine aspects areregulated.
CHAPTER III.Control onrawmaterial, andphytosanitary activities andservices.WT/ACC/PAN/3
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CHAPTER IV.Establishes aspects related tophytosanitary approval, certification andverification.
TITLE III:
CHAPTER I.Establishesrulesrelatedtoinfringements,sanctions,environmentalcrimesandappeals.
VI. DRAFT LAW FOR ZOOSANITARY MEASURES
Thisdraftlawdevelops rules forveterinary services linked toanimal production within the
country.
Thescope ofapplication islinked toanimal health toassure efficiency inproduction; toavoid
disease transmission inthecohabitation ofhumans andanimals (zoonosis )andtoguarantee theabsence
ofdiseases inanimal trade, itsproducts andsub-products.
Toachieve these objectives, thelawestablishes:
-Allthelegalframework toprevent theentrance ofdiseases andpests; thisisquarantine;
-sanitary education ofproducers andconsumers, sothatproducers achieve good levels of
production andconsumers acquire healthy products;
-disease eradication campaigns, toavoid mortality andlowproduction;
-thespecial regime tolimitdevelopment ofspecies susceptible totheFootandMouth Disease
intheProvince ofDarien ismaintained. Thisiscomplemented bytheexistence ofahigh
security labforvesicular diagnosis toallcountries inCentral America. Thissystem of
surveillance andFootandMouth Disease prevention hasbenefitted allNorth America;
-thedraftlawdevelops thehumanitarian treatment ofanimals andenvironmental potentiality;
-thesystem ofaccreditation andapproval ofveterinaries isestablished;
-regardinganimaltrade,specificallyanimalimportsanditsproductsandsub-productsimports,
general rulesscientifically supported areestablished, withthesolepurpose offacilitating
trade without endangering domestic production;
-pharmaceutical, biological andchemical products forveterinary use,aswellasanimal
consumption foodisregulated;
-citizens havetherighttoexpress disagreement andtolodge acomplaint against infractors
ofzoosanitary lawsandregulations;
-sanctions forinfringement ofthelawareestablished, aswellastherightforreconsideration.