report (2021) of the committee on market
Access
to the council for trade in goods
1. Since the last review[1],
the Committee on Market Access held two formal meetings (29-30 April and 11 October)
and four informal meetings (28 January, 26 May, 16 June, and 21 September).
The Committee is expected to hold an informal meeting on 9 December. The minutes of the formal meetings are
contained in documents G/MA/M/74 and G/MA/M/75 (to be issued).
2. Mr Chakarin KOLMOSIRI (Thailand) was elected Chair of the
Committee on Market Access through written procedures in August 2021. At the
meeting of 11 October, the Chairperson noted that in light of comments made, he
would conduct consultations on the question of the Vice‑Chairpersonship of the Committee.
waivers
3. At its formal meeting of 11 October, the Committee approved the
extension of the HS2002 "collective" waiver (G/C/W/796), the
HS2007 "collective" waiver (G/C/W/797), the HS2012
"collective" waiver (G/C/W/798), and the HS2017
"collective" waiver (G/C/W/799). The Committee agreed to forward the
draft waiver decisions to the General Council, through the Council for Trade in
Goods, for appropriate action.
Introduction
of Harmonized System changes to schedules of concessions
4. At its formal meetings, the Committee took note of a revised report
by the Secretariat (G/MA/W/158/Rev.2 and G/MA/W/158/Rev.3) with a broad
overview of all HS transposition exercises.
Introduction
of Harmonized System 1996 (HS1996) changes to Schedules of concessions
5. At its meetings in 2021, the Committee took note of the status of
work concerning the introduction of HS96 changes to Schedules of
concessions. The Chairperson informed that the Schedules of concessions of all
the 64 Members that were listed in the Annex of the Decision of 27 May 2009
(WT/L/756) had been successfully transposed into HS96 and certified. Technical
work under the previous transposition procedures (GATT document L/6905)
remained pending for one Member.
[1] G/L/1377, dated 19 November 2020.