Tenth Triennial Review of the operation and
implementation of the
Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade Under Article 15.4
_______________
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION.. 2
2 ACHIEVEMENTS. 2
3 RECOMMENDATIONS. 7
3.1 Good
Regulatory Practice. 7
3.2
Regulatory cooperation between Members. 7
3.3
Conformity Assessment Procedures. 8
3.4
Standards. 9
3.5
Transparency. 11
3.6
Technical assistance. 12
3.7
Special and Differential Treatment 13
3.8
Operation of the Committee. 14
ANNEX 1: SUMMARY OF EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCES. 16
ANNEX 2: SCHEDULING OF THEMATIC SESSIONS (2025 TO
2027). 41
ANNEX 3: SUBMISSIONS FROM MEMBERS BY TOPIC. 42
Annex 4: TBT THEMATIC SESSIONS (2022-2024). 48
1.1. The Tenth Triennial Review is being carried out in 2024 in
accordance with the mandate under Article 15.4 of the Agreement on
Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Agreement).[1] It was concluded on 7 November
2024.[2]
The Committee's previous nine triennial reviews were completed in 1997, 2000,
2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018 and 2021.[3] During the review
period (November 2021 – November 2024), the Committee has undertaken work to
follow up on specific decisions and recommendations agreed in previous reviews.[4]
1.2. Members recognize that the full implementation of the Committee's
existing decisions and recommendations is a process that may span over several
reviews. In this regard, Members reiterate the importance of following up on
previously agreed decisions and recommendations as contained in _G/TBT/1/Rev.15.
[1] Article 15.4 of the TBT
Agreement states: "Not later than the end of the third year from the date
of entry into force of the WTO Agreement and at the end of each three-year
period thereafter, the Committee shall review the operation and implementation
of this Agreement, including the provisions relating to transparency, with a
view to recommending an adjustment of the rights and obligations of this
Agreement where necessary to ensure mutual economic advantage and balance of
rights and obligations, without prejudice to the provisions of Article 12.
Having regard, inter alia, to the experience
gained in the implementation of the Agreement, the Committee shall, where
appropriate, submit proposals for amendments to the text of this Agreement to
the Council for Trade in Goods".
[2] A list of submissions
circulated in the TBT Committee relevant to the topics under review is
contained in the Annex to this document.
[3] Reports of these triennial
reviews are contained in: _G/TBT/5; _G/TBT/9; _G/TBT/13; _G/TBT/19; _G/TBT/26; _G/TBT/32; _G/TBT/37; _G/TBT/41 and _G/TBT/46.
[4] A compilation of the TBT
Committee's Decisions and Recommendations adopted since January 1995 is
contained in document _G/TBT/1/Rev.15. This document also contains the
Committee's Rules of Procedure, including Guidelines for Observer Status for
Governments and International Intergovernmental Organizations.