United States - Certain Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) Requirements - Request by the United States for arbitration under article 22.6 of the DSU

United States – CERTAIN COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELLING (COOL) REQUIREMENTS

REQUEST BY THE UNITED STATES FOR ARBITRATION UNDER ARTICLE 22.6 OF THE DSU

The following communication, dated 16 June 2015, from the delegation of the United States to the Chairperson of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated pursuant to Article 22.6 of the DSU.

 

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Regarding Canada's recourse to Article 22.2 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes ("DSU") in the dispute United States – Certain Country of Origin Labelling (COOL) Requirements (WT/DS384), my authorities have instructed me to inform you that, pursuant to Article 22.6 of the DSU, the United States objects to the level of suspension of concessions or other obligations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994 proposed by Canada in document WT/DS384/35.[1]

 

Accordingly, as required by Article 22.6 of the DSU[2] the matter has been referred to arbitration.

 

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[1] Canada's request in document WT/DS384/35 is limited to suspension of "concessions and obligations in the goods sector under the GATT 1994". Accordingly, any proposed suspension of concessions or obligations in another sector or under another agreement would not follow the principles and procedures set forth in Article 22.3 of the DSU.

[2] Pursuant to Article 22.6 of the DSU, "if the Member concerned objects to the level of suspension proposed, or claims that the principles and procedures set forth in paragraph 3 have not been followed where a complaining party has requested authorization to suspend concessions or other obligations pursuant to paragraph 3(b) or (c), the matter shall be referred to arbitration".