thirteenth BIENNIAL REVIEW OF THE
IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION
OF THE AGREEMENT ON IMPORT LICENSING PROCEDURES[1]
Article 7.1
of the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures provides that "the
Committee shall review as necessary, but at least once every two years,
the implementation and operation of this Agreement, taking into account the
objectives thereof, and the rights and obligations contained therein".
The main
objectives of the Agreement are those listed in the preamble of the Agreement.
The
information contained in this document covers the period from 23 October 2018 to 9 October 2020.
Table of
Contents
1
COMMITTEE ON IMPORT LICENSING. 2
1.1 Officers. 2
1.2 Members. 2
1.3 Observers. 3
2 Work of the
Committee during the review period (2019‑2020). 3
2.1 Formal Committee meetings. 3
2.1.1 Review of notifications. 3
2.1.2 Discussion of specific trade
concerns. 4
2.1.3 Review and adoption of the
Committee's Annual Report to the Council for Trade in Goods. 6
2.1.4 Thirteenth biennial review on the
implementation and operation of the Agreement 6
2.1.5 Improving transparency in
notification procedures of the Agreement 6
2.2 Informal Committee meetings. 6
3 TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE ACTIVITIES. 7
4 consultation
and dispute settlement. 8
5 ANALYSIS OF
DEVELOPMENTs IN MEMBERS' NOTIFICATION COMPLIANCE. 8
5.1 Significant increase of notifications
submitted under Article 5.1-5.4. 8
5.2 More Members beginning to use the new
notification form.. 9
5.3 A few
WTO Members out-performed others in N/2 notification submissions. 9
5.4 The majority of
new N/2 notifications provided information on unnotified legislation
in force. 10
5.5 Protecting
human, animal or plant life and health, and protection of the environment as
primary reasons for using import licensing measures. 11
5.6 Specific changes to legislation/procedures
introduced by Members focussing on licensing terms, product coverage, and document requirements. 11
ANNEX I. 13
ANNEX II. 16
ANNEX III. 17
ANNEX IV. 19
ANNEX V. 21
[1] This
document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is
without prejudice to the positions of Members or to their rights and
obligations under the WTO.