REPORT (2015) OF THE COMMITTEE ON MARKET
ACCESS
TO THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS
Revision
1. Since the last report[1],
the Committee on Market Access has held two formal meetings (4 June and 29
September 2015) and four informal meetings (9 March, 23 April, 7 July, and 28 September 2015).
The minutes of the formal meetings are contained in documents G/MA/M/61 and G/MA/M/62
(to be issued).
2. At its meeting of 4 June, the Committee took
note of the nomination of Ms. Krizia Matthews (Panama) as Chairperson of the
Committee for the current year and elected her by acclamation. At its meeting of 29 September, the Committee
elected Ms. Katarzyna Stecz (Poland) as Vice-Chairperson.
1 waivers
3. At its meeting of 29 September 2015, the
Committee approved the extension of the HS2002 "collective" waiver
(G/C/W/715), the HS2007 "collective" waiver (G/C/W/716) and the
HS2012 "collective" waiver (G/C/W/717). The Committee agreed to forward the draft
waiver decisions to the Council for Trade in Goods for appropriate action.[2]
2 Introduction of Harmonized System 1996 (HS1996) changes to schedules
of concessions
4. At its meetings in 2015, 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 2015, 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 2015, 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 4 June, the Committee took
note that the Secretariat had not commenced the transposition work as the focus
was on moving ahead with the HS2007 exercise.
At its meeting of 29 September, the Committee took note that only one HS2012 submission had been received: United States (3 October 2012). The Committee also took note that the
Secretariat has started the technical work for the HS2012 transposition
exercise.
6 Decision on notification procedures for quantitative restrictions
("QR Decision")
8. During its meetings in 2015, the Committee
examined the quantitative restriction notifications submitted by several
Members and took note of the document prepared by the Secretariat (G/MA/QR/3),
which reflected the status of such notifications. At its formal meeting of 4 June, the
Committee took note of a report by the Secretariat entitled "Quantitative
Restrictions: Factual Information on Notifications Received" (G/MA/W/114),
and agreed to a proposal by the European Union to organize a dedicated session
on QR notifications.
7 databases
9. At its
formal meetings in 2015, 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.41 and G/MA/IDB/2/Rev.42). At its formal meeting of 29
September, the Committee took note that the Secretariat would start working
with UNCTAD to develop a module that would enable Members using the ASYCUDA
platform to more easily prepare their notifications to the IDB.
8 DERESTRICTIon of negotiating material of earlier gatt rounds
10. At
its formal meeting of 4 June, the Committee considered a draft Decision (G/MA/W/115)
which had been elaborated pursuant to the procedures contained in G/MA/287 and that
proposed to derestrict the negotiating material of the Tokyo Round. The Committee approved the Decision on an ad referendum basis with a view to giving additional time to
one delegation. In a letter dated 7
September 2015, the delegation concerned informed the Secretariat that its
internal review had been concluded, and that it did not object to the
derestriction of the documents covered by the draft Decision in G/MA/W/115. Therefore, the Committee agreed on that date
to transmit the draft Decision through the Council for Trade in Goods to the
General Council for adoption. At its
formal meeting of 29 September, the Committee agreed to forward a modified
draft (G/MA/W/115/Rev.1) to the CTG for appropriate action.
9 Other Activities
11. At its meeting of 4 June, the Committee took
note of the Secretariat document entitled "Situation of Schedules of WTO
Members" (G/MA/W/23/Rev.11 and Corr.1), which compiled in one place the
legal instruments relating to each Member's schedule.
12. At its June and September meetings, the
Committee took note of the following specific concerns raised by:
·
European Union
(Argentina – tax discrimination against imported vehicles);
·
European Union
(Pakistan – discriminatory taxes; ),
·
Switzerland
(Kingdom of Bahrain – customs duties on cigarettes);
·
United States and
the European Union (Colombia - excise taxes on alcoholic beverages);
·
Dominican
Republic (Haiti – import restrictions); and
·
Chile (Nigeria –
import restrictions on imports of mackerel).
__________
[1] G/L/1084, dated 4 November 2014.
[2] The Committee instructed the Secretariat to update the draft HS2007
waiver and remove from the list in the Annex any file that was certified before
the CTG meeting.