DRAFT
REPORT (2014) OF THE COMMITTEE ON MARKET ACCESS
1. Since the last review[1],
the Committee on Market Access has held two formal meetings (15 May and 22
October 2014) and three informal meetings (13 March, 11 July and […November]). The minutes of the formal meetings are
contained in documents G/MA/M/59 and [G/MA/M/60].
2. At its meeting of 15 May, the Committee
took note of the nomination of Ms. Alana Hudson (New Zealand) as Chairperson of
the Committee for the current year and elected her by acclamation. At its meeting of 22 October, the Committee
elected […] as Vice Chairperson.
1 waivers
3. [At its meeting of 7 October, the Committee
approved the extension of the HS2002 "collective" waiver (G/C/W/702),
the HS2007 "collective" waiver (G/C/W/703) and the HS2012
"collective" waiver (G/C/W/704).
The Committee agreed to forward the draft waiver decisions to the
Council for Trade in Goods for appropriate action.]
2 Introduction of Harmonized System 1996 (HS1996) changes to schedules
of concessions
4. At its meetings in 2014, the Committee took
note of the status of the HS1996 transposition work undertaken pursuant to
the procedures contained in L/6905 and WT/L/756.
3 Introduction of Harmonized System 2002 (HS2002) Changes to schedules
of concessions
5. At its meetings in 2014, the Committee took
note of the status of work concerning the introduction of HS2002 changes to
schedules of concessions using the CTS database (WT/L/605 and WT/L/807) as well
as the outcomes of the informal dedicated sessions of the Committee during
which the files containing the HS2002 changes of Members were examined.
4 Introduction of Harmonized System 2007 (HS2007) changes to schedules
of concessions
6. At its meetings in 2014, the Committee took
note of the status of work concerning the introduction of HS2007 changes to
schedules of concessions using the CTS database (WT/L/673 and WT/L/830) as well
as the outcomes of the informal dedicated sessions of the Committee during
which the files containing the HS2007 changes of Members were examined.
5 Introduction of Harmonized System 2012 (HS2012) changes to schedules
of concessions
7. [At its meeting of 15 May, the Committee took
note that the Secretariat had not commenced the transposition work as the focus
was on moving ahead with the HS2007 exercise.]
6 Decision on notification procedures for quantitative restrictions
("QR Decision")
8.
[During its meetings in 2014, the Committee examined the quantitative
restriction notifications submitted by several Members and took note of the
document prepared by the Secretariat (G/MA/QR/2) which reflected the status of
such notifications. At its May session,
the Committee heard a presentation by the Secretariat on the QR database and
viewed a short video developed by the Information and External Relations
Division in collaboration with the Market Access Division and some delegations.
The video was intended to provide information on the QR decision to Members and
to the public.]
7 databases
9. [At
its meetings in 2014, the Secretariat reported on the status of work concerning
the Integrated Data Base (IDB) and the Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS)
database. The reports provided information on inter alia
the use of information in the databases, the status of software development and
technical assistance. The Committee also
took note of the documents which reflected the status of submissions to the IDB
(G/MA/IDB/2/Rev.39 and 40).]
8 DERESTRICTIon of negotiating material of earlier gatt rounds
10.
[At its formal meeting in May, the Committee approved the draft
decision in document G/MA/W/113 which proposed to derestrict on 1 August the
negotiating material of the Kennedy Round.
This decision had been elaborated pursuant to the procedures contained
in G/MA/287. The decision was transmitted
through the Council for Trade in Goods to the General Council for
adoption. The General Council adopted
the decision on 24 July 2014 and the decision was issued as WT/L/933]. [At its
meeting of 22 October, the Committee considered the procedures to
derestrict the negotiating material of the Tokyo Round (JOB/MA/112).]
9 Other Activities
11. [At its meeting in May, the Committee took
note of the Secretariat document entitled "Situation of Schedules of WTO
Members" (G/MA/W/23/Rev.10) which compiled in one place the legal
instruments relating to each Member's schedule. The Committee also took note of the specific
concerns raised by Russia and Switzerland.]
The report will be completed in
light of the discussions that will take place at the Committee meeting on 22
October 2014.
__________
[1] G/L/1049, dated 11 October 2013.