Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade - Twentieth annual review of the implementation and operation of the TBT Agreement - Note by the Secretariat

 

twentieth aNNUAL REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION AND
OPERATION OF THE TBT AGREEMENT

 

Note by the Secretariat[1]

 

 

The WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade (the Committee) will conduct its Twentieth Annual Review of the Implementation and Operation of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (the TBT Agreement) under Article 15.3 at its next meeting on 18-19 March 2015. This document contains information on developments in the Committee relating to the implementation and operation of the TBT Agreement from 1 January to 31 December 2014.

 

 

_______________

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

1   Meetings of the committee. 3

2   mechanisms for Review of TBT measures. 3

2.1   Notifications of technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures. 3

2.1.1   Trends in new notifications and follow-up (addenda, corrigenda, revision) 3

2.1.2   Members' engagement in notifications. 6

2.1.3   Notifications by region and development status. 7

2.1.4   Comment period provided in notifications. 9

2.1.5   Online submission of notifications (TBT NSS) 10

2.1.6   Stated objectives of notifications. 11

2.1.7   Other TBT Notifications. 12

2.2   Specific Trade Concerns (STCs) 13

2.2.1   Trends in STCs. 13

2.2.2   Members' engagement in STCs. 15

2.2.3   STCs by region and development status. 17

2.2.4   Types of concerns raised in STCs. 20

2.2.5   Stated objectives of measures subject to STCs. 21

2.2.6   Frequency – the number of times a given STC is raised in the Committee. 22

2.2.7   Relationship between notifications and STCs. 23

3   Disputes Involving Provisions of the TBT Agreement. 24

4   Technical assistance. 24

ANNEXES. 27

A. Notifications by Member, 1995-2014. 27

B. Summary of STCs Raised in 2014. 33

C. Overview of new STCs raised in 2014. 40


 

1  Meetings of the committee

1.1.  The Committee elected[2] Mr. Filipe Ramalheira (Portugal) as its Chairperson for 2014.

1.2.  Three regular meetings were held (19-20 March, 18-19 June and 5‑6 November 2014).[3] There was record engagement of Members in the review of TBT measures during the year, with the highest number of TBT notifications submitted (2,239) and new specific trade concerns (STCs) raised (47) in any given year since 1995.[4]  Developing Members notified 80% of new notifications in 2014, and raised more STCs than developed Members during the year (contrary to the general trend since 1995).

1.3.  Back-to-back with the regular meetings, the Committee held thematic sessions on various cross-cutting issues related to the operation and implementation of the Agreement, including: Standards[5], Good Regulatory Practice[6], Transparency[7], Conformity Assessment Procedures[8], and Technical Assistance and Special and Differential Treatment.[9]

1.4.  On 19-20 March 2014, the Committee adopted its report of the Nineteenth Annual Review of the Implementation and Operation of the TBT Agreement under Article 15.3.[10] At the same meeting, the Committee carried out the Nineteenth Annual Review of the Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards (hereafter 'the Code').

1.5.  At the meeting of 18-19 June 2014, the Committee adopted a recommendation on coherent use of notification formats (G/TBT/35).

1.6.  At the 5-6 November 2014 meeting, the Committee granted ad hoc observer status to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Standardization Organization (GSO).[11]

1.7.  Representatives of the BIPM, Codex, IEC, ISO, ITC, UNECE and WHO updated the Committee on activities relevant to the work of the TBT Committee, including on technical assistance.

2  mechanisms for Review of TBT measures[12]

2.1  Notifications of technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures

2.1.1  Trends in new notifications and follow-up (addenda, corrigenda, revision)

2.1.  In 2014, Members submitted 1,535 new notifications (including 29 revisions) of technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures. 619 addenda and 56 corrigenda to notifications were also submitted (Chart 1).[13] In total, 2,239 TBT notifications were submitted in 2014, the most in a single year since the entry into force of the Agreement on 1 January 1995. Since 2007, Members have submitted more than 1,000 notifications annually with that figure increasing to 1,500 since 2012 (Chart 2). Since the entry into force of the Agreement up to 31 December 2014, 18,886 new notifications, 4,379 addenda and corrigenda, and 148 revisions have been submitted by 126 Members.


Chart 1: Total TBT notifications, 1995-2014

Chart 2: New notifications, 1995-2014

2.2.  Over the last ten years there has been a marked growth in the use of addenda and corrigenda, with a record 675 notified in 2014 (Chart 3). The US (1,027), Brazil (462), Ecuador (435), Colombia (310) and the EU (303) have notified the most addenda and corrigenda since 1995.


Chart 3: Addenda and corrigenda notified, 1995-2014

 

2.3.  While the number of revisions has also grown, this format is used infrequently (Chart 4). China (25), Brazil (17), Canada (14), the Dominican Republic (10) and Korea (9) have notified most revisions since 1995.

Chart 4: Revisions notified, 1995-2014

 

2.4.  The share of new notifications to which one (or more) addendum, corrigendum, or revision was submitted increased by around 25% over the years 2008-2011 (Chart 5). More recently (2012-2014), this share decreased from around 15% to 13%. Since follow-up notifications (addenda, corrigenda and revisions) are counted in the year which their parent notification was issued, this decrease may reflect a time lag between a new notification and subsequent follow-up, according to the lifecycle of measures within Members' domestic regulatory processes.

Chart 5: Share of TBT notifications subject to follow-up notifications (Addenda, Corrigenda, or Revisions), 1995-2014[14]

 

2.1.2  Members' engagement in notifications

2.5.  The ten Members that submitted the most TBT notifications in 2014 (Chinese Taipei and Kuwait both notified 62 measures) are shown in Chart 6. Some Members were more active in submitting follow-up to previous notifications, while others submitted more new notifications.

Chart 6: Most active notifying Members, 2014


2.6.  From a historical perspective, the most active notifying Members in 2014 contrast with the trends observed over the period 1995-2013 (Chart 7). Some Members were particularly active in 2014; For example, Ecuador, the United Arab Emirates, Chinese Taipei, and Kuwait do not figure in the most active notifying Members since 1995. Other Members that have historically been the most active were less so in 2014 (e.g. China and Japan did not figure amongst the most active notifying Members in 2014).

 

Chart 7: Most active notifying Members, 1995-2013, and 2014

2.1.3  Notifications by region and development status

2.7.  The number of new notifications submitted by Members grouped by region is presented in Charts 8 and 9. More than half the new notifications in 2014 were submitted by Members from Middle East and South and Central America and Caribbean regions (Chart 8). Compared to previous years, Members in the South and Central America and Caribbean region increased their level of new notifications in 2014 (Chart 8). Growth in the number of new notifications submitted by Members in the Middle East region is one driver of the overall increase in new notifications since 2009 (Chart 8).


 

Chart 8: Distribution of new notifications by region, 2014

 

 

Chart 9: Number of new notifications by region, 1995-2014

 

 


2.8.  Developing Members continued to submit significantly more new notifications in 2014 than developed Members (Chart 10). In 2014, new notifications from developing Members represented 80% of the total (Chart 11). Least-developed country Members (LDCs) notified less frequently and in 2014 notifications from this group declined.[15]

Chart 10: New notifications by development status, 1995-2014

 

 

Chart 11: New notifications, by development status, 2014

 

 

2.1.4  Comment period provided in notifications

2.9.  The Committee has recommended that the normal time-limit for presentation of comments on notified technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures should be 60 days, and that any Member able to provide more than 60 days (such as 90 days) is encouraged to do so.[16] In 2014, Members on average provided 60 days for comments in the 1,345 cases where notifications specified a comment period (Chart 12). In total, 190 notifications did not specify a comment period, stated it as non-applicable, or had a comment period which had lapsed.

Chart 12: Average number of days allowed for comments, 1995-2014[17]

 

2.1.5  Online submission of notifications (TBT NSS)

2.10.  The TBT Committee formally launched the online TBT notification submission system (TBT NSS) at the 30-31 October 2013 TBT Committee meeting.[18] In 2014, a total of 779 notifications were submitted through the TBT NSS by 23 Members (Chart 13), representing 35% of the annual notification volume. Online submission has facilitated the submission and processing of notifications, leading to more rapid circulation and increasing the time available to Members to submit comments on notifications of interest. The Secretariat continued to prioritize processing of notifications received through the TBT NSS during 2014.


Chart 13: Members submitting notifications through TBT NSS, 2014

 

Member

Total TBT notifications submitted through

TBT NSS

United States

176

Brazil

120

European Union

87

Canada

61

Israel

50

Kenya

37

Korea

35

Indonesia

32

Rwanda

30

South Africa

29

Japan

26

Uganda

19

Chile

17

Turkey

17

United Arab Emirates

15

Malaysia

10

Czech Republic

5

Georgia

5

Ireland

2

Sweden

2

Ukraine

2

Germany

1

United Kingdom

1

Total

779

 

2.1.6  Stated objectives of notifications

2.11.  Chart 14 shows that amongst the 1,535 new notifications received in 2014, the objective of protection of human health or safety was predominately cited by Members, followed by: prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection; protection of the environment; and quality requirements. These main objectives are consistent with the overall trend since 1995 (Chart 15).


Chart 14: Notifications by objective, 2014[19]

Chart 15: Notifications by objective, 1995-201419

 

 

2.1.7  Other TBT Notifications

2.1.7.1  Notifications under Article 10.7

2.12.  In 2014, one agreement was notified under Article 10.7 between the Slovak Republic and Ukraine. Since the entry into force of the TBT Agreement, Members have submitted 140 notifications under Article 10.7 along with 6 corrigenda.

2.1.7.2  Notifications under Article 15.2

2.13.  In 2014, five notifications were made under Article 15.2 of the TBT Agreement of changes in measures to ensure the implementation and administration of the TBT Agreement. Mali and Tajikistan notified for the first time under Article 15.2, while Canada, Switzerland and Ukraine submitted revised statements.[20]

2.1.7.3  Notifications under the Code of Good Practice for the preparation, adoption and application of standards ("Code of Good Practice")

2.14.  In 2014, The Gambia notified acceptance of the Code of Good Practice, and no standardizing body withdrew. Since the entry into force of the Agreement and through December 2014, 164 standardizing bodies from 125 Members have notified acceptance of the Code of Good Practice.[21] Document G/TBT/CS/2/Rev.21 contains a list, by Member, of standardizing bodies that have accepted the Code of Good Practice since 1 January 1995 through December 2014.[22]

2.2  Specific Trade Concerns (STCs)

2.15.  Since its first meeting, Members have used the TBT Committee as a forum to discuss trade issues related to technical regulations, conformity assessment procedures and standards maintained by other Members. These discussions are referred to as "specific trade concerns" (STCs) and relate either to proposed measures, or to measures currently in force. TBT Committee meetings afford Members the opportunity to review STCs in a multilateral setting, to seek further clarification on the measures in question, and to work towards mutually acceptable solutions.

2.2.1  Trends in STCs

2.16.  In 2014 a record of 47 new STCs were raised, the most in any given year since 1995 (Chart 16).[23] In addition, 38 previously raised STCs were discussed during the year. (Annex B contains a full list, Annex C provides details on new STCs raised in 2014).


Chart 16: STCs raised, 1995-2014[24]

2.17.  Chart 17 illustrates, in a different way, the number of STCs discussed at each Committee meeting over the past ten years. The figures in Chart 17 are greater than those in Chart 16, since the latter only counts a "previously raised" STC once even though it may have been raised at all three regular meetings of any given year.[25] This shows that the total number of STCs discussed annually has grown significantly between 2005 and 2014 (from 33 to 148). This upward trend has meant that the Committee has used an increased amount of meeting time discussing STCs (only around 11 STCs were discussed per meeting in 2005 while that figure was 49 in 2014).


Chart 17: STCs discussed per committee meeting, 2005-2014

2.2.2  Members' engagement in STCs

2.18.  The Members that most frequently raised STCs in 2014 were the EU, the US and Canada, following the general trend since 1995 (Charts 18 and 19). Ukraine was particularly active in 2014, raising six specific trade concerns in just one year, whereas it had only raised five STCs before 2014.

Charts 18: Members most frequently raising STCs, 2014[26]

 

Charts 19: Members most frequently raising STCs, 1995-2013[27]

2.19.  Between the years 1995-2013, measures of the EU, China and the USA have been most frequently subject to concerns raised by other Members. In 2014, Ecuador and the Russian Federation were subject to a significant number of STCs, marking a break in the trend since 1995 (Charts 20 and 21). In six of the eleven new STCs raised against Ecuador, transparency-related issues were cited as a concern. The majority (five of six) of the STCs with measures maintained by the Russian Federation were raised by Ukraine.


Chart 20: Members most frequently subject to STCs, 2014[28]

Chart 21: Members most frequently subject to STCs, 1995-2013[29]

2.2.3  STCs by region and development status

2.20.  Members that have raised or been subject to STCs in the TBT Committee grouped by region and development status are presented in Charts 22 to 25. Members from the Asia, Europe and the North American regions raise most STCs, and are also most often subject to STCs (Chart 22 and 23). Members from South and Central America and the Caribbean region are also subject to, and have raised, a notable number of STCs since 1995. In 2014, Members in South and Central America, and the Caribbean region were subject to 15 STCs, the most of any regional group (Chart 22). Members from Africa, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Middle East regions are less frequently subject to and active in raising STCs.

Chart 22: STCs by region, 2014[30]

 


Chart 23: STCs by region, 1995-2013[31]

2.21.  Since 1995, developed Members have raised the majority of STCs. However, in 2014, developing countries raised more concerns than developed Members (Chart 24). Since 1995, as well as in 2014, developing Members were more frequently subject to STCs (Chart 25). No measures of LDC Members have been subject to STCs (Chart 25).

Chart 24: STCs raised, by development status, 1995-2014[32]

 

Chart 25: Subject to STCs, by development status, 1995–2014[33]

2.2.4  Types of concerns raised in STCs

2.22.  In 2014 the most frequently invoked concerns were those relating to the avoidance of unnecessary barriers to trade, slightly different from the long term trend (Chart 26). Issues relating to further information or clarification about the measure at issue and to transparency (or lack thereof) were also frequent, as were concerns about the rationale for measures or the use of relevant international standards. 


Chart 26: Types of concerns raised, 1995-2013, and 2014[34]

 

2.2.5  Stated objectives of measures subject to STCs

2.23.  Information about the stated objective of measures subject to STCs may be derived from the notification itself, or through the discussion of the particular measure in the Committee. Since 1995, the most commonly stated objectives of measures raised as STCs relate to the protection of human health and safety. This was also valid for 2014 (see Chart 27). Protection of the environment, an objective cited in many measures raising concern since 1995, was cited less frequently in 2014. The category 'other' (in Chart 27) covers a wide range of stated objectives including trade facilitation, enhancing the effectiveness of conformity assessment, or avoiding entry of illegal products. For some STCs, the objective is not readily apparent from discussions and there is no notification; these stated objectives have been classified as "not specified".


Chart 27: Stated objectives for the measures raised as STCs, 1995-2013, and 2014[35]

2.2.6  Frequency – the number of times a given STC is raised in the Committee

2.24.  Most STCs (61%) have been raised at one or two Committee meetings. Some (25%) have been raised between three and five times in Committee meetings, while a small number (14%) have been raised at 6 or more meetings (Chart 28), and have been the agenda of the Committee for several years.

Chart 28: Frequency of STCs (number of meetings raised), 1995-2014

 


2.2.7  Relationship between notifications and STCs

2.25.  Chart 30 illustrates the relationship between the number of new notifications and new STCs raised each year. In 2014, 62% of STCs discussed relate to notified measures, slightly lower than the overall share since 1995 of 66%.[36]

Chart 30: Trends in notifications and STCs

2.26.  Of those STCs that relate to notified measures, measures notified as technical regulations (Article 2.9.2) have been most frequently discussed (Chart 31).

Chart 31: Measures raised in STCs, 1995-2014, by frequency[37]

 

 

 

3  Disputes Involving Provisions of the TBT Agreement

3.1.  Since 1995, 50 disputes have cited the TBT Agreement in their respective requests for consultations, the first formal step to initiate a WTO case. In 2014, one such request was lodged concerning certain Indonesian measures affecting exports of chicken meat and products.  Other developments during the year included: the circulation of the appellate body report in two disputes involving EU measures regulating seal products; the circulation of a compliance panel ruling with respect to the original dispute over US country of origin labelling regulations for meats (still under appeal); the establishment of a panel to decide about the compliance with ruling on US measures on canned tuna labelling; the settlement ending compliance panel proceedings with respect to a ruling on a US tobacco control measure banning flavoured cigarettes; and the establishment of a single panel to decide on five disputes launched in 2013 against Australia's tobacco control measures ("plain packaging").[38]

4  Technical assistance

4.1.  The Secretariat significantly increased its TBT-related technical assistance activities in 2014. A total of 14 workshops were organized specifically on the TBT Agreement. Four of these were Regional[39] Workshops (beneficiaries appear in green in Chart 32) and ten were national[40] events (red) of which one was related to an accession process and three of which were joint TBT-SPS events. The programme of these events was designed to assist participating economies from the region – or individual economies (for the national events) – to consolidate knowledge of the principles and disciplines of the TBT Agreement, discuss implementation-related challenges and better engage in the work of the TBT Committee. In the national workshops, emphasis was put on transparency and national coordination. In total, participants from 80 developing country Members or Observers benefited from TBT-specific technical assistance activities in 2014.


Chart 32: TBT-specific Technical Assistance in 2014[41]

 

 

4.2.  In addition to the TBT-specific activities illustrated above (Chart 32), the Secretariat provided training on the TBT Agreement at three Geneva-based Advanced Trade Policy Courses as well as at seven regional trade policy courses. This is illustrated in Chart 33 (host countries in dark blue and beneficiaries in light blue). In total, participants from 112 developing country Members or Observer benefited from these activities in 2014.

 


Chart 33: Regional and Advance Trade Policy Courses with a TBT Component in 2014[42]

 

4.3.  Also, in 2014, three distance learning courses specifically on the TBT Agreement were held. A total of 222 participants successfully completed these courses (95 participants in English, 86 participants in French, and 41 participants in Spanish).[43]

 

 


 

ANNEXES

A. Notifications by Member, 1995-2014

Member

New Notifications 2014

Addenda and Corrigenda 2014

Revisions 2014

Total Notifications 2014

Total Notifications
1995 - 2014

Albania

0

0

0

0

66

Angola

0

0

0

0

0

Antigua and Barbuda

0

0

0

0

0

Argentina

1

4

0

5

543

Armenia

0

0

0

0

78

Australia

4

1

0

5

208

Austria

0

0

0

0

4

Bahrain, Kingdom of

53

0

0

53

387

Bangladesh

 

 

 

 

 

Barbados

0

0

0

0

10

Belgium

0

0

0

0

210

Belize

0

0

0

0

5

Benin

0

0

0

0

2

Bolivia, Plurinational State of

2

0

0

2

24

Botswana

0

0

0

0

38

Brazil

51

66

11

130

1210

Brunei Darussalam

0

0

0

0

2

Bulgaria

0

0

0

0

0

Burkina Faso

0

0

0

0

0

Burundi

0

0

0

0

1

Cabo Verde

0

0

0

0

0

Cambodia

0

0

0

0

3

Cameroon

0

0

0

0

8

Canada

29

35

2

66

854

Central African Republic

0

0

0

0

10

Chad

0

0

0

0

0

Chile

44

13

0

57

451

China

47

2

0

49

1131

Colombia

10

15

0

25

561

Congo

0

0

0

0

3

Costa Rica

6

3

0

9

204

Côte d'Ivoire

0

0

0

0

0

Croatia

1

0

0

1

39

Cuba

7

1

0

8

20

Cyprus

0

0

0

0

1

Czech Republic

12

1

0

13

325

Democratic Republic of the Congo

0

0

0

0

0

Denmark

3

0

0

3

251

Djibouti

0

0

0

0

0

Dominica

0

0

0

0

11

Dominican Republic

0

0

0

0

266

Ecuador

154

266

0

420

723

Egypt

21

7

0

28

83

El Salvador

7

1

0

8

262

Estonia

0

0

0

0

11

European Union

81

6

1

88

1174

Fiji

0

0

0

0

1

Finland

0

0

0

0

74

France

6

0

0

6

225

Gabon

0

0

0

0

0

Georgia

13

0

0

13

88

Germany

0

0

1

1

23

Ghana

1

0

2

3

12

Greece

0

0

0

0

0

Grenada

1

0

0

1

17

Guatemala

3

0

0

3

108

Guinea

1

0

0

1

1

Guinea-Buissau

0

0

0

0

0

Guyana

0

0

0

0

20

Haiti

1

0

0

1

1

Honduras

4

0

0

4

95

Hong Kong, China

2

0

0

2

89

Hungary

3

0

0

3

31

Iceland

0

0

0

0

2

India

0

0

0

0

106

Indonesia

9

23

0

32

181

Ireland

1

1

0

2

2

Israel

81

16

0

97

978

Italy

0

0

0

0

26

Jamaica

7

0

0

7

77

Japan

26

2

0

28

750

Jordan

0

0

0

0

48

Kenya

42

1

0

43

453

Korea, Republic of

84

0

1

85

685

Kuwait, the State of

60

1

1

62

267

Kyrgyz Republic

0

0

0

0

33

Lao People's Democratic Republic

1

0

0

1

1

Latvia

1

0

0

1

32

Lesotho

0

0

0

0

0

Liechtenstein

0

0

0

0

0

Lithuania

3

1

0

4

28

Luxembourg

0

0

0

0

0

Macao, China

0

0

0

0

6

Madagascar

0

0

0

0

0

Malawi

0

0

0

0

0

Malaysia

17

2

1

20

218

Maldives

 

 

 

 

 

Mali

0

0

0

0

2

Malta

0

0

0

0

0

Mauritania

0

0

0

0

0

Mauritius

1

0

0

1

4

Mexico

12

27

0

39

763

Moldova, Republic of

4

0

0

4

25

Mongolia

0

0

0

0

6

Montenegro

0

0

0

0

0

Morocco

0

0

0

0

26

Mozambique

1

0

0

1

9

Myanmar

1

0

0

1

1

Namibia

0

0

0

0

0

Nepal

0

0

0

0

4

Netherlands

0

0

0

0

632

New Zealand

3

3

0

6

130

Nicaragua

11

0

0

11

169

Niger

0

0

0

0

0

Nigeria

0

0

0

0

1

Norway

2

0

0

2

87

Oman

49

1

0

50

203

Pakistan

0

0

0

0

57

Panama

44

1

0

45

86

Papua New Guinea

0

0

0

0

1

Paraguay

8

7

0

15

95

Peru

11

1

0

12

77

Philippines

11

2

0

13

252

Poland

0

0

0

0

8

Portugal

0

0

0

0

1

Qatar

52

0

2

54

406

Romania

0

0

0

0

94

Russian Federation

13

0

0

13

41

Rwanda

29

4

0

33

41

Saint Kitts and Nevis

0

0

0

0

0

Saint Lucia

0

0

0

0

51

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

0

0

0

0

13

Samoa

0

0

0

0

0

Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of

114

1

2

117

833

Senegal

0

0

0

0

12

Sierra Leone

0

0

0

0

0

Singapore

3

3

0

6

42

Slovak Republic

0

0

0

0

54

Slovenia

0

0

0

0

103

Solomon Islands

0

0

0

0

0

South Africa

12

17

4

33

279

Spain

0

0

0

0

69

Sri Lanka

1

0

0

1

47

Suriname

0

0

0

0

0

Swaziland

0

0

0

0

1

Sweden

2

0

0

2

226

Switzerland

11

0

0

11

269

Chinese Taipei

39

23

0

62

247

Tajikistan

0

0

0

0

0

Tanzania

0

0

0

0

45

Thailand

10

1

0

11

597

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

0

0

0

0

8

The Gambia

2

0

0

2

2

Togo

0

0

0

0

2

Tonga

0

0

0

0

0

Trinidad and Tobago

2

0

0

2

127

Tunisia

0

0

0

0

27

Turkey

15

1

1

17

72

Uganda

19

0

0

19

440

Ukraine

5

0

0

5

145

United Arab Emirates

63

2

0

65

247

United Kingdom

1

0

0

1

47

United States of America

69

112

0

181

2176

Uruguay

0

0

0

0

7

Vanuatu

0

0

0

0

0

Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of

0

0

0

0

35

Viet Nam

15

1

0

16

56

Yemen

0

0

0

0

0

Zambia

0

0

0

0

44

Zimbabwe

0

0

0

0

0

TOTAL

1535

675

29

2239

23401

 


 

B. Summary of STCs Raised in 2014

The following table lists the 85 specific trade concerns raised in the TBT Committee during 2014. The second column contains the name of specific trade concern, and in parentheses, its unique identification number in the online TBT IMS (IMS ID).[44]

The specific trade concerns are sorted according to the following criteria, in descending order (first by date, then frequency, then Members):

a.       Date: date of meeting when the specific trade concern was last raised (in reverse chronological order);

b.      Frequency: number of meetings at which the specific trade concern has been raised; and

c.       Members: number of Members that have expressed concern about the measure since it was first raised.

 

 

STC title

(a) Date

(b) Frequency

(c) Members

1

India - Pneumatic tyres and tubes for automotive vehicles (ID 133)

5 November 2014

25

4

2

India - Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 2007 (ID 167)

5 November 2014

18

3

3

China - Provisions for the Administration of Cosmetics Application Acceptance (ID 296)

5 November 2014

13

5

4

India - New Telecommunications related Rules (Department of Telecommunications, No. 842-725/2005-VAS/Vol.III (3 December 2009); No. 10-15/2009-AS-III/193 (18 March 2010); and Nos. 10-15/2009-AS.III/Vol.II/(Pt.)/(25-29) (28 July 2010); Department of Telecommunications, No. 10-15/2009-AS.III/Vol.II/(Pt.)/(30) (28 July 2010) and accompanying template, "Security and Business Continuity Agreement") (ID 274)

5 November 2014

13

4

5

China - Requirements for information security products, including, inter alia, the Office of State Commercial Cryptography Administration (OSCCA) 1999 Regulation on commercial encryption products and its on-going revision and the Multi-Level Protection Scheme (MLPS) (ID 294)

5 November 2014

12

5

6

Russian Federation - Draft on Technical Regulation of Alcohol Drinks Safety (published on  24 October 2011) (ID 332)

5 November 2014

9

7

7

Korea - Regulation on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Material (ID 305)

5 November 2014

9

5

8

Indonesia - Technical Guidelines for the Implementation of the Adoption and Supervision of Indonesian National Standards for Obligatory Toy Safety (ID 328)

5 November 2014

9

3

9

India - Food Safety and Standards Regulation - Food labelling requirements (ID 298)

5 November 2014

7

6

10

European Union - Draft Implementing Regulations amending Regulation (EC) No. 607/2009 laying down detailed rules for the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 479/2008 as regards protected designations of origin and geographical indications, traditional terms, labelling and presentation of certain wine sector products (ID 345)

5 November 2014

7

6

11

Chile - Proposed amendment to the Food Health Regulations, Supreme Decree No. 977/96 (ID 370)

5 November 2014

6

12

12

India - Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2012 (ID 367)

5 November 2014

6

7

13

Australia - Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011 (ID 304)

5 November 2014

5

22

14

Peru - Act to Promote Healthy Eating Among Children and Adolescents (ID 383)

5 November 2014

5

8

15

Indonesia - Ministry of Health Regulation 30/2013 on the inclusion of sugar, salt and fat content information, as well as health messages on the label of processed foods (ID 389)

5 November 2014

5

6

16

European Union - Revised Proposal for the Categorization of Compounds as Endocrine Disruptors of 19 February 2013 by DG Environment (ID 393)

5 November 2014

5

3

17

Ireland - Proposal to introduce standardised / plain packaging of tobacco products in Ireland (ID 380)

5 November 2014

4

10

18

Ecuador - Resolution establishing the "General conformity assessment framework for Ecuador" and the "Handbook of procedures to be observed prior to all stages of the customs clearance, marketing and market surveillance of manufactured, imported and marketed goods subject to Ecuadorian technical regulations (ID 398)

5 November 2014

4

8

19

Russian Federation - Measure affecting import of Ukrainian confectionary products (ID 399)

5 November 2014

4

1

20

Ecuador - Resolution No. 116 of the Foreign Trade Committee of Ecuador of 19 November 2013 and Technical Regulation of the Ecuadorian Standardization Institute RTE INEN 022 on the labelling of processed and packaged food products (ID 411)

5 November 2014

3

11

21

France - Recycling Triman Mark: "Draft Decree on a common set of symbols informing the consumer about recyclable products subject to a system of extended producer responsibility associated with waste sorting instructions" (ID 420)

5 November 2014

3

4

22

Russian Federation - Safety of products for children and adolescents (ID 418)

5 November 2014

3

3

23

India - Labelling Regulations for Canola Oil (ID 413)

5 November 2014

3

2

24

Egypt - Bottled water (ID 421)

5 November 2014

3

1

25

United Kingdom - Proposal to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products (ID 424)

5 November 2014

2

9

26

Thailand - Draft Notification of the Alcoholic Beverages Control, Re: Rules, Procedure and condition for Labels of Alcoholic Beverages, issued under B.E. (ID 427)

5 November 2014

2

8

27

Indonesia - Regulation of Minister of Trade No. 10/M-DAG/PER/1/2014 concerning Amendment of Regulation of Minister of Trade No. 67/M-DAG/PER/11/2013 concerning Affixed Mandatory Label in Indonesian Language for Goods (ID 436)

5 November 2014

2

4

28

 China - Regulations for the Supervision and Administration of Medical Devices (Order No. 650 of the State Council) (ID 428)

5 November 2014

2

3

29

Ecuador - Draft Technical Regulation of the Ecuadorian Standardization Institute (PRTE INEN) No. 189: "Labelling of alcoholic beverages" (ID 433)

5 November 2014

2

3

30

China - Safety Requirement for Lithium Ion Cells and Batteries used in Portable Electronic Equipment (ID 425)

5 November 2014

2

2

31

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Certificate of Conformity (not notified) and GSO marking requirements for toys (ID 435)

5 November 2014

2

2

32

Russian Federation - Measure affecting import of Ukrainian dairy products (ID 426) (ID 426)

5 November 2014

2

1

33

European Union - Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996 laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic (COM(2013) 195 final) (ID 434)

5 November 2014

2

1

34

France - Proposal to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products (ID 441)

5 November 2014

1

9

35

Mexico - Draft Mexican Official Standard PROY NOM 142 SSA1/SCFI 2013: Alcoholic beverages. Health specifications. Health and commercial labelling (ID 445)

5 November 2014

1

3

36

South Africa - Labelling and advertising of pre-packaged foodstuff (ID 446)

5 November 2014

1

2

37

Russia - Draft of the Eurasian Economic Commission Collegium decision on amendments to Common sanitary-epidemiological and hygienic requirements for products, subjected to sanitary-epidemiological supervision (control) (ID 452)

5 November 2014

1

2

38

Ecuador - Equivalence Agreement N° 14.241 with the European Union regulations (ID 453)

5 November 2014

1

2

39

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Decree of the Saudi Arabian Ministerial Council on the sale and marketing of energy drinks of 4 March 2014 (ID 442)

5 November 2014

1

2

40

Brazil - Draft Technical Resolution nº 69, 9 September 2014, Regarding the Requirement of Describing the Chemical Composition, in Portuguese, in the Label of Personal Hygiene Products, Cosmetics and Perfumes (ID 443)

5 November 2014

1

1

41

China - National Standard of the P.R.C., Safety Technical Specifications for Children's Footwear (ID 444)

5 November 2014

1

1

42

United States - Tire Identification and Recordkeeping (ID 438)

5 November 2014

1

1

43

Russian Federation - Measure affecting imports of Ukrainian juice products (ID 439)

5 November 2014

1

1

44

Russian Federation - Measure affecting imports of Ukrainian beer products (ID 440)

5 November 2014

1

1

45

Ecuador - Draft Technical Regulation of the Ecuadorian Standardization Institute (RTE INEN) No. 047:  "Metal cable tray, electrical conduit and trunking systems") (ID 453)

5 November 2014

1

1

46

Ecuador - (PRTE INEN) No. 111: Energy efficiency. Clothes dryers. Labelling (ID 455)

5 November 2014

1

1

47

Israel - Resistance to ignition of mattresses, mattress pads, divans and bed bases (ID 447)

5 November 2014

1

1

48

European Union - Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation (Common Criteria) certification in the EU (448)

5 November 2014

1

1

49

European Union - Limits for hexavalent chromium in toys (2009/48/EC) (ID 449)

5 November 2014

1

1

50

European Union - Standard on safety of household and similar electrical appliances (EN60335-1:2012) (ID 450)

5 November 2014

1

1

51

European Union - Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) No 1925/2006, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC. 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004 (ID 451)

5 November 2014

1

1

52

European Communities - Regulation  on the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) (ID 88)

18 June 2014

35

34

53

China - China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) EMC Enforcement Notice for medical devices of 19 December 2012 (ID 387)

18 June 2014

4

2

54

Peru - Implementing Regulations of 14 November 2012 for Moratorium on Planting Genetically Engineered Crops (ID 392)

18 June 2014

4

1

55

Ecuador - Resolution No. SENAE-DGN-2013-0300-RE relating to post entry control of imported alcoholic beverages (ID 394)

18 June 2014

3

4

56

Italy - Testing requirement on import of steel cutlery products (ID 395)

18 June 2014

3

1

57

Thailand - Draft Thai Industrial Standard for Ceramic Tiles (TIS 2508-2555) (ID 401)

18 June 2014

3

1

58

Ecuador - Ministry of Public Health Executive Decree (Agreement) No. 00004522 amending the Sanitary Regulations for the Labelling of Processed Foods for Human Consumption (ID 416)

18 June 2014

2

4

59

China - China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) Notice 191 of 16 December 2013 Free Sales Certificate for Imported Cosmetics (ID 415)

18 June 2014

2

3

60

Ecuador - Draft Technical Regulation of the Ecuadorian Standardization Institute (PRTE INEN) No. 103: "Sugar confectionery" (ID 423)

18 June 2014

2

1

61

European Union - Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers establishes the general principles, requirements and responsibilities governing food information, and in particular food labelling (ID 431)

18 June 2014

1

2

62

Colombia - Draft Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Decree "Restructuring the National Quality Subsystem and amending Decree No. 2269 of 1993"  (ID 432)

18 June 2014

1

2

63

Brazil - Higher Risk Medical Devices Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certification (ID 429)

18 June 2014

1

1

64

United States - Formaldehyde; Emissions Standards for Composite Wood Products; Third-Party Certification Framework for the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products (ID 430)

18 June 2014

1

1

65

Republic of Moldova - Tobacco (IMS ID 437)

18 June 2014

1

1

66

Korea - KS C IEC61646:2007 Standard for Thin-film Solar Panels (IMS ID 271)

19 March 2014

11

2

67

European Union - Directive 2009/28/CE, Renewable Energy Directive (EU - RED) (ID 307)

19 March 2014

7

4

68

Kenya - Alcohol Labelling: The Alcoholic Drinks Control (Licensing) Regulations, 2010: Legal Notice No. 206: 2010 (ID 311)

19 March 2014

6

3

69

China - Testing and certification requirements for medical devices (ID 143)

19 March 2014

6

3

70

Brazil - Draft ANVISA Resolution on used, refurbished, rented and lent medical devices (ID 362)

19 March 2014

5

2

71

European Union - Tobacco products, nicotine containing products and herbal products for smoking. Packaging for retail sale of any of the aforementioned products (ID 377) 

19 March 2014

4

14

72

New Zealand - Proposal to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products in New Zealand (ID 361) (ID 361)

19 March 2014

4

12

73

Indonesia - Ministry of Trade Regulation 82/M-DAG/PER/12/2012 on imported cell phones, handheld and tablet computers (ID 388)

19 March 2014

3

3

74

European Union - Proposal for a Regulation on Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases (ID 391)

19 March 2014

3

3

75

Turkey - Draft Communiqué on Warning Messages Placed on Containers of Alcoholic Beverages; and, Draft Regulation Amending the Regulation on Procedures and Principles Concerning Domestic and Foreign Trading of Alcohol and Alcoholic Beverages (ID 407)

19 March 2014

2

4

76

United States - EPA Palm Oil Biofuels Regulatory Program (ID 408)

19 March 2014

2

2

77

Mexico - Draft Mexican Official Standard PROY-NOM-032-ENER-2013: Maximum electrical power limits for equipment and appliances requiring standby power. Test methods and labelling (ID 406)

19 March 2014

2

2

78

Chile - Safety for Printers and Energy Efficiency for Printers (ID 403) (ID 403)

19 March 2014

2

1

79

Ecuador - Systematic failure to publish notices at an early appropriate stage (ID 414)

19 March 2014

1

6

80

Ecuador - Cosmetic products (ID 417)

19 March 2014

1

4

81

Ecuador - Certification of Ceramic Tiles II (ID 419)

19 March 2014

1

2

82

Ecuador - Proposed Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatory Requirements (RTE INEN 034) (ID 409)

19 March 2014

1

2

83

United States - Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Commercial Refrigeration Equipment (ID 410)

19 March 2014

1

1

84

Colombia - Steel (ID 422)

19 March 2014

1

1

85

Russian Federation - Federal Service for Market Regulation (FSR) - New Provisions for the Mandatory Notification of Liquor Products (ID 412)

19 March 2014

1

1

 


 

C. Overview of new STCs raised in 2014

The following table provides additional detail about the new specific trade concerns raised in 2014.

 

Member subject to STC[45]

STC title

Stated objective

Product coverage

Member(s) raising the concern

Brazil

Brazil - Higher Risk Medical Devices Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certification (ID 415)

Protection of Human Health or Safety

Higher risk medical devices

India

Brazil

Brazil – Draft Technical Resolution nº 69, 9 September 2014, Regarding the Requirement of Describing the Chemical Composition, in Portuguese, in the Label of Personal Hygiene Products, Cosmetics and Perfumes (ID 443)

Protection of human health or safety

Personal hygiene products, cosmetics and perfumes

EU, Mexico

China

China – China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) Notice 191 of 16 December 2013 – Free Sales Certificate for Imported Cosmetics (ID 415)

Protection of human health or safety

Cosmetics

EU, Canada, US

China

China - Safety Requirement for Lithium Ion Cells and Batteries used in Portable Electronic Equipment (ID 425)

Protection of human health or safety

Lithium Ion Cells and Batteries used in Portable Electronic Equipment

Japan, Korea

China

China – Regulations for the Supervision and Administration of Medical Devices (Order No. 650 of the State Council) (ID 428)

Protection of human health or safety

Medical Devices

Canada, EU, US

China

China - National Standard of the P.R.C., Safety Technical Specifications for Children's Footwear (ID 444)

Protection of human health or safety;

Protection of the environment

Children's Footwear

EU

Colombia

Colombia – Steel (ID 422)

Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection

Plain and deformed steel wire and electrically welded mesh

Turkey

Colombia

Colombia - Draft Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Decree "Restructuring the National Quality Subsystem and amending Decree No. 2269 of 1993" (ID 432)

Protection of human health or safety;

Protection of animal or plant life or health;

Protection of the environment;

National security requirements;

Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection

n/a

Japan, Mexico

Ecuador

Ecuador – Proposed Motor Vehicle Safety Regulatory Requirements (RTE INEN 034) (ID 409)

Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection;

Protection of human health and safety

Motor vehicles

Brazil, Japan, Mexico

Ecuador

Ecuador – Resolution No. 116 of the Foreign Trade Committee of Ecuador of 19 November 2013 and Technical Regulation of the Ecuadorian Standardization Institute RTE INEN 022 on the labelling of processed and packaged food products (ID 411)

Protection of human health or safety;

Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection

Processed food products for human consumption

Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, EU, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Switzerland, US

Ecuador

Ecuador – Systematic failure to publish notices at an early appropriate stage (ID 414)

n/a

n/a

Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, EU, US

Ecuador

Ecuador – Ministry of Public Health Executive Decree (Agreement) No. 00004522 amending the Sanitary Regulations for the Labelling of Processed Foods for Human Consumption (ID 416)

Protection of human health or safety;

Consumer information; labelling

 

Processed Foods for Human Consumption

Brazil, Canada, EU, US

Ecuador

Ecuador – Cosmetic products (ID 417)

Protection of human health or safety;

Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection;

Protection of the environment

Cosmetic products

Brazil, Chile, EU, Korea

Ecuador

Ecuador – Certification of Ceramic Tiles II (ID 419)

Protection of human health or safety;

Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection;

Protection of the environment

Ceramic tiles

Brazil, EU

Ecuador

Ecuador – Draft Technical Regulation of the Ecuadorian Standardization Institute (PRTE INEN) No. 103: "Sugar confectionery" (ID 423)

Protection of human health or safety;

Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection

Sugar confectionery

Panama

Ecuador

Ecuador - Draft Technical Regulation of the Ecuadorian Standardization Institute (PRTE INEN) No. 189: "Labelling of alcoholic beverages" (ID 433)

Protection of human health or safety;

Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection

Alcoholic beverages

Canada, Mexico, US

Ecuador

Ecuador - Draft Technical Regulation of the Ecuadorian Standardization Institute (RTE INEN) No. 047:  "Metal cable tray, electrical conduit and trunking systems") (ID 454)

Protection of human health or safety;

Protection of animal life and safety;

Protection of the environment

Metal cable tray, electrical conduit and trunking systems

Mexico

Ecuador

Ecuador - Equivalence Agreement N° 14 241 with the European Union regulations (ID 453)

n/a

n/a

Mexico

Ecuador

Ecuador - (PRTE INEN) No. 111: Energy efficiency. Clothes dryers. Labelling (ID 455)

Protection of human health or safety;

Protection of the environment;

Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection

Clothes dryers

Mexico

Egypt

Egypt – Bottled water (ID 421)

Food safety

Bottled water

Turkey

European Union

European Union - Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of food information to consumers establishes the general principles, requirements and responsibilities governing food information, and in particular food labelling (ID 431)

Consumer information; labelling

All foods

Indonesia, Malaysia

European Union

European Union – Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996 laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic (COM(2013) 195 final) (ID 434)

Protection of the environment

Heavy goods vehicles, long distance coaches and urban buses.

US

European Union

European Union – Common Criteria for Information Technology Security Evaluation (Common Criteria) certification in the EU

n/a

n/a

China

European Union

European Union – Limits for hexavalent chromium in toys (2009/48/EC) (ID 449)

n/a

Toys

China

European Union

European Union – Standard on safety of household and similar electrical appliances (EN60335-1:2012) (ID 450)

n/a

Household and similar electrical appliances

China

European Union

European Union – Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers, amending Regulations (EC) No 1924/2006 and (EC) No 1925/2006, and repealing Commission Directive 87/250/EEC, Council Directive 90/496/EEC, Commission Directive 1999/10/EC. 2002/67/EC and 2008/5/EC and Commission Regulation (EC) No 608/2004 (ID 451)

Consumer information; labelling

Foods containing spelt and khorasan; foods and food ingredients with added phytosterol, phytosterol esters, phytostanols and/or phytostanol esters

Indonesia


France

France – Recycling Triman Mark: "Draft Decree on a common set of symbols informing the consumer about recyclable products subject to a system of extended producer responsibility associated with waste sorting instructions" (ID 420)

Protection of the environment

Recyclable products

Canada, Mexico, New Zealand, US

France

France – Proposal to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products (ID 441)

n/a

Tobacco products

Cuba, Malawi, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Indonesia, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Ukraine, Zimbabwe

India

India – Labelling Regulations for Canola Oil (ID 413)

Consumer information, labelling

Canola Oil

Canada

Indonesia

Indonesia – Regulation of Minister of Trade No. 10/M-DAG/PER/1/2014 concerning Amendment of Regulation of Minister of Trade No. 67/M-DAG/PER/11/2013 concerning Affixed Mandatory Label in Indonesian Language for Goods (ID 436)

Consumer information; labelling

n/a

EU, Japan, Korea, US

Israel

Israel – Resistance to ignition of mattresses, mattress pads, divans and bed bases (ID 447)

Protection of human health or safety

Mattresses

EU

Mexico

Mexico – Draft Mexican Official Standard PROY NOM 142 SSA1/SCFI 2013: Alcoholic beverages. Health specifications. Health and commercial labelling (ID 445)

Protection of human health or safety

Alcoholic beverages

Chile, EU, US

Republic of Moldova

Republic of Moldova – Tobacco (IMS ID 437)

Protection of human health and safety;

Consumer information; labelling

Tobacco products and boxes, cases, covers and any other device that is intended to fully or partially conceal or disguise the health warnings.

Ukraine

Russian Federation

Russian Federation – Federal Service for Market Regulation (FSR) - New Provisions for the Mandatory Notification of Liquor Products (ID 412)

Simplified notification requirements

Liquor Products

(alcohol)

Canada

Russian Federation

Russian Federation – Safety of products for children and adolescents (ID 418)

Protection of human health and safety;

Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection

Products for children and adolescents

EU, Norway, Ukraine

Russian Federation

Russian Federation – Measure affecting import of Ukrainian dairy products (ID 426)

Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection

Dairy products

Ukraine

Russian Federation

Russian Federation – Measure affecting imports of Ukrainian juice products (ID 439)

n/a

Juice products

Ukraine

Russian Federation

Russian Federation – Measure affecting imports of Ukrainian beer products (ID 440)

n/a

Beer products

(alcohol)

Ukraine

Russian Federation

Russian Federation – Draft of the Eurasian Economic Commission Collegium decision on amendments to Common sanitary-epidemiological and hygienic requirements for products, subjected to sanitary-epidemiological supervision (control) (ID 452)

Food Safety

Meat, palm oil, pesticides.

Indonesia, Ukraine

South Africa

South Africa – Labelling and advertising of pre-packaged foodstuff (ID 446)

Protection of human health or safety;

Consumer information; labelling

Pre-packaged foodstuff

EU, New Zealand

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - Certificate of Conformity (not notified) and GSO marking requirements for toys (ID 435)

Protection of human health and safety

Toys

EU, US

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Decree of the Saudi Arabian Ministerial Council on the sale and marketing of energy drinks of 4 March 2014 (ID 442)

Food safety

Energy drinks

EU, Switzerland



Thailand

Thailand – Draft Notification of the Alcoholic Beverages Control, Re: Rules, Procedure and condition for Labels of Alcoholic Beverages, issued under B.E. (ID 427)

Consumer information, labelling;

Protection of human health and safety

Alcoholic beverages

Canada, EU, Mexico, New Zealand, US

United Kingdom

United Kingdom – Proposal to introduce plain packaging of tobacco products (ID 424)

Protection of human health and safety

Tobacco products

Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, Malawi, Nicaragua, Nigeria

United States

United States – Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Commercial Refrigeration Equipment (ID 410)

Protection of the environment

Commercial refrigeration equipment

China

United States

United States - Formaldehyde; Emissions Standards for Composite Wood Products; Third-Party Certification Framework for the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products (ID 430)

Protection of the environment;

Protection of human health or safety

Composite wood products

Indonesia

United States

United States Tire Identification and Recordkeeping (ID 438)

Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection

Motor vehicle tires

Thailand, Korea

 

__________



[1] This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice to the position of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.

[2] Pursuant to Article 13.1 of the TBT Agreement and to its Rules of Procedure.

[3] G/TBT/M/62-64.

[5] The Chairman's report is contained in G/TBT/GEN/144/Add.1.

[6] The Chairman's report is contained in G/TBT/GEN/143/Add.2.

[7] The Chairman's report is contained in G/TBT/GEN/167.

[8] The Chairman's report is contained in G/TBT/GEN/174.

[9] The Chairman's report is contained in G/TBT/GEN/174.

[10] G/TBT/34

[11] G/TBT/GEN/2/Rev.7.

[12] The data for the graphs in this section are drawn from the TBT IMS, more detail is contained in Annex  A.

[13] This document uses the terminology adopted by the TBT Committee in the recommendation on "Coherent use of notification formats", G/TBT/35, 18 June 2014.

[14] Follow-up notifications (addenda, corrigenda and revisions) are counted in the year that their parent new notification was issued, not the year in which they were issued.

[15] The LDC which has notified most since 1995 is Uganda (456). Other LDCs notify much less frequently: Tanzania (44), Zambia (44) and Rwanda (36). All other LDCs have submitted 12 or fewer new notifications since 1995.

[16] G/TBT/1/Rev.12, Section 4.3.1.6, page 23-24.

[17] This chart covers only those notifications that specify a comment period. The chart does not take into account notifications where the comment period was not specified, was stated as non-applicable, or had lapsed at the time of circulation ("lapsed" means that the deadline for comments stated on the notification was earlier than the date of circulation of the notification).

[18] G/TBT/M/61, Section 2.3.3.2, page 49.

[19] The objectives as indicated by Members in Item 7 of the new notification template. Note that notifications may cite to multiple objectives.

[20] The full list of statements of Members having submitted a statement on implementation and administration of the TBT Agreement under Article 15.2 (since January 1995) is contained in document G/TBT/GEN/1/Rev.13. The new statements were received from Tajikistan (G/TBT/2/Add.112) and Mali (G/TBT/2/Add.113). Ukraine (G/TBT/2/Add.100/Rev.3), Switzerland (G/TBT/2/Add.7/Rev.2) and Canada (G/TBT/2/Add.6/Rev.3) submitted a revision to their statements.

[21] Notifications of acceptance of the Code by standardizing bodies of Members are contained in

documents G/TBT/CS/N/1-183.

[22] The ISO/IEC Information Centre prepares the WTO TBT Standards Code Directory which lists all

standardizing bodies that have notified their acceptance of the Code. See: http://www.standardsinfo.net/info/inttrade.html

[23] More detail on specific trade concerns raised in the TBT Committee is available through the TBT IMS (http://tbtims.wto.org).

[24] New STCs are those which are raised for the first time in a given year. Previous STCs are those which were first raised in any past year, and were re-raised in the year in question.

[25] In other words, in Chart 16 if the same STC is raised at multiple Committee meetings during the year, it is counted as only one STC. In Chart 17, an STC is counted each time it is raised at a Committee meeting – this figure thus more accurately reflects the time used by the Committee to discuss STCs.

[26] This chart indicates the number of new STCs in respect of which a Member has expressed concern (e.g. the EU expressed concern with respect to 16 different new STCs in 2014). This chart includes only those Members that have raised concern with respect to three or more new STCs during the year.

[27] This chart indicates the number of STCs in respect of which a Member has expressed concern (e.g. the US expressed concern with respect to 172 different STCs from 1995-2013). This chart includes only those Members that have raised concern with respect to thirty-two or more STCs during the period in question.

[28] This chart indicates the number of times that a Member was subject to a STC raised by one or more Member(s). This chart includes only those Members subject to two STCs or more during 2014.

[29] This chart indicates the number of times that a Member was subject to a STC raised by one or more Member(s). This chart includes only those Members subject to ten STCs or more between 1995-2013.

[30] "Subject to STCs" indicates that a measure of a Member in a given region has been subject to a STC raised by one or more Member(s). Note that this category totals to 47, reflecting the breakdown of the 47 new STCs raised in 2014, by region of the Member that was subject to the STC. "STCs Raised" indicates the number of times that a Member in a given region raised concern with respect to a STC in 2014. A given STC may be raised by several Members.

[31] "Subject to STCs" indicates that a measure of a Member in a given region has been subject to a STC raised by one or more Member(s). Note that this category totals to 47, reflecting the breakdown of the 47 new STCs raised in 2014, by region of the Member that was subject to the STC. "STCs Raised" indicates the number of times that a Member in a given region raised concern with respect to a STC in 2014. A given STC may be raised by several Members.

[32] "STCs Raised" indicates the number of times that a Member of a given development status raised a concern with respect to a STC. A given STC may be raised by several Members.

[33] "Subject to STCs" indicates that a measure of a Member of a given development status has been subject to a STC raised by one or more Member(s). Note that this category totals 47, reflecting the breakdown of the 47 new STCs raised in 2014 by development status of the Member subject to the STC.

[34] For each specific trade concern covered there may be more than one type of concern raised.

[35] For each specific trade concern there may be more than one stated objective.

[36] Eight specific trade concerns discussed in the TBT Committee were also notified to the SPS Committee.

[37] Some measures have been notified both as technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures, and some concerns have been raised against multiple notified measures. Chart 31 counts each time an Article cited in a notified measures is raised as an STC.

[38] More detailed information on disputes is available on:  https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_agreements_index_e.htm?id=A22

[39] These regional workshops were held in: Brazil (for the Latin American Region), Namibia (for English-speaking African Region), Austria (for the Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus Region) and UAE (for the Arab and Middle East Region).

[40] These national workshops were held in: Brazil, Chile, Chinese Taipei, Ecuador, El Salvador (joint TBT and SPS), Lao (PDR), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (joint TBT and SPS), Seychelles (accession related), Tanzania (joint TBT and SPS) and Uruguay.

[41] The colours, boundaries and names shown and the designations used on these maps do not imply and judgment, official endorsement or acceptance by the World Trade Organization as to the legal status or frontier of any territory. This map intends to make information on WTO Members more accessible by organizing such information visually. The map does not intend to show WTO Members' non-metropolitan/overseas territories or the status of such territories in regard to the WTO Agreement. A full disclaimer is available at: http://www.wto.org/english/info_e/disclaimer_e.htm.

[42] The colours, boundaries and names shown and the designations used on these maps do not imply any judgment, official endorsement or acceptance by the World Trade Organization as to the legal status or frontier of any territory. This map intends to make information on WTO Members more accessible by organizing such information visually. The map does not intend to show WTO Members' non-metropolitan/overseas territories or the status of such territories in regard to the WTO Agreement. A full disclaimer is available here: http://www.wto.org/english/info_e/disclaimer_e.htm.

[43] The TBT-online course is addressed to government officials from Members and Observers and covers all aspects of the TBT Agreement. The TBT online course is available throughout the year in all three languages. While the WTO E-Learning material is freely available in the WTO E-Learning website, participants have to register and submit a nomination form in order to participate in a monitored course, access the exam module and obtain a WTO certificate.  More information can be obtained at http://ecampus.wto.org/.

 

[44] To access additional information related to an STC enter the IMS ID number into the 'item number' field of the TBT IMS 'specific trade concern' search (http://tbtims.wto.org/web/pages/search/stc/Search.aspx).

[45] Listed in alphabetical order.