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WTO: 2009 NEWS ITEMS
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In his opening speech, Deputy Director-General Singh emphasized the economic benefits of standardization and stressed the increasing importance of addressing non-tariff barriers to trade in the WTO, including in the negotiating context. The workshop was organized in four sessions: the first session focused on the economics of standardization, while in the second session several concrete case studies on the use of international standards were presented. The third session addressed the issue of building capacity to fully participate in, and benefit from, international standardizing activities, while the fourth session focused on the identification of key challenges. One of the key messages of the workshop was that in times of crisis it is particularly important to ensure that standards are not used for protectionist purposes. Standards should be seen as an opportunity as they can increase confidence in markets and serve to boost trade. Standards are also an important link between research, innovation and markets and an efficient tool for the transfer of technology. In her
summary report, the Chairperson of the TBT
Committee, Ms Xueyan GUO, highlighted some of the challenges in standardization:
in particular, quantifying the benefits of standards remains an area where
further work is needed, as well as involving all relevant stakeholders and
ensuring an effective participation of developing countries in international
standards-setting activities. Regular meeting of the TBT Committee (18-19 March) SPECIFIC TRADE CONCERNS Forty-four specific trade concerns — the highest number in a single meeting — were raised in the regular meeting of the TBT Committee. Some members said that, given the current economic crisis, the growth in the number of specific trade concerns brought before the Committee is worrying. Cotton A new issue was brought to the attention of the
Committee by the United States, Australia and the European Communities. This is
about the establishment, in China, of a government-run scheme to grade the
quality of imported cotton. The countries concerned stressed, among other
things, that this type of scheme is best addressed under market-based commercial
contracts, without the interference of state authorities. Toys In January 2009, India imposed a six-month ban on
Chinese toys. This ban was replaced in March with a measure allowing imports of
Chinese toys that conform to specific standards and conformity assessment
procedures. China argues that the measure is discriminatory because the same
requirements do not apply to domestic products or to products originating from
other WTO members (for an overview of concerns expressed by China, see
G/TBT/W/304). At the meeting, the Indian delegation noted that fruitful
bilateral discussions were being held and expressed confidence that the
discussion would soon have a successful outcome. Chemicals Discussions continued on the EC's measure on dangerous
chemical substances (G/TBT/N/EEC/212) and REACH (G/TBT/N/EEC/52, Adds. 1-5 and
Add.3/Rev.1). Several members reiterated their concerns about the complexity of
the measures and their trade impact, especially on small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs). The European Communities informed the Committee that the
Directive of dangerous chemical substances (31st ATP) had been adopted in
January 2009, and provided an update of the implementation of REACH. Wines and spirits Once again, several measures relating to alcoholic beverages were discussed in the Committee. The European Communities raised concerns on new requirements in Colombia for distilled spirits (G/TBT/N/COL/121) while Mexico reiterated its concerns on a Brazilian regulation on quality standards of ethyl alcohol and other spirits (G/TBT/N/BRA/276 and Suppl.1), potentially affecting trade in tequila. As well, a Chinese measure on sweet wine (G/TBT/N/CHN/197) establishing strict maximum levels of sulphur dioxide continues to create concerns in the European Communities while the United States, Argentina, Canada and New Zealand continue to be concerned about the EC regulation on certain wine sector products and its provisions on traditional terms (G/TBT/N/EEC/15, Corr.1-2 and G/TBT/N/EEC/57). Other trade concerns Several other measures were brought to the attention of the Committee. Among these:
Both at the workshop and in the regular meeting of the Committee, participants expressed concern about the proliferation of private standards that could result in unnecessary barriers to trade which created confusion in the market place. Some members were of the view that the TBT Committee should discuss the subject, while others disagreed, saying that this was not an issue for the TBT Committee. It was pointed out that the issue of private standards was being addressed by the WTO Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) Committee.
The Committee adopted its Fourteenth Annual Review of the TBT Agreement (G/TBT/25) and continued work on the Fifth Triennial Review, which is due to be concluded in November 2009.
The next meeting of the Committee will take place on 25-26 June 2009.
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