REPORT (2014) OF THE COMMITTEE ON MARKET ACCESS
 TO THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS

1.  Since the last review^[1], the Committee on Market Access has held two formal meetings (15 May and 22 October 2014) and two informal meetings (13 March and 11 July).  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 Mr Sebastián Ortiz Montaner (Paraguay) as Vice Chairperson.

1  waivers

3.  At its meeting of 22 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 pursuant to the procedures contained in 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 pursuant to the procedures contained in 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 HS2012 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.  At its October meeting, disappointment was expressed at the low number of notifications.    

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 approved the procedures to derestrict the negotiating material of the Tokyo Round (JOB/MA/112)^[2].

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.  At its meeting in October, Switzerland repeated the concern it had expressed earlier.

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