REPORT (2022) 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 (30‑31 March and 18-19 October) and three informal meetings (1 February, 27 June, and 23 November). The minutes of the formal meetings are contained QR/in documents G/MA/M/76 and G/MA/M/77 (to be issued). In addition, the Committee organised a series of experience sharing sessions on trade in COVID-19 related goods, one workshop and two training sessions (see below).

2.       At its formal meeting of 30-31 March, the Committee took note that the consultations in the Council for Trade in Goods concerning the Chairpersons of the subsidiary bodies remained ongoing and agreed that the Secretariat would send a written communication with the proposed candidate and set a deadline for objections. On 24 May, the Secretariat informed Members that Mr Kenya UEHARA (Japan) had been nominated, and on 30 May a second communication confirmed that he had been elected. At its meeting of 18-19 October, the Committee took note that, in light of the statement made by one delegation, the Chairperson would continue consultations on the appointment of a vice-chairperson and would update the Committee as appropriate.

          hs related waivers

3.       At its formal meeting of 18-19 October, the Committee approved the extension of the HS2002 "collective" waiver (G/C/W/815), the HS2007 "collective" waiver (G/C/W/816), the HS2012 "collective" waiver (G/C/W/817), and the HS2017 "collective" waiver (G/C/W/818). The Committee also approved the waiver decision on the introduction of Harmonized System 2022 changes into WTO Schedules of Concessions (HS2022 "collective" waiver, G/C/W/180/Rev.2 to be issued). 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.4 and G/MA/W/158/Rev.5) 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 2022, 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.