Specific Trade concerns

Wines and spirits

Mexico expressed concerns about a Brazilian measure on quality standards for the production of Tequila (G/TBT/BRA/276). Mexico explained that Tequila was protected since 1977 as a geographical indication and is produced only within a specific area in Mexico where the agava plant is grown. Consequently, Tequila should be elaborated following very strict specifications which were not respected by the Brazilian regulation. According to Mexico, the measure would limit the type of Tequila that could be sold in Brazil and would allow the production of a lower quality product. The EC joined Mexico and said that if the measure was adopted as such, it could have a negative impact on European exports of gin and vodka to Brazil and would create unnecessary obstacles to trade. Brazil said that the draft regulation was under public consultation and added that all comments would be taken into account.

Two other new concerns were raised by Chile and the EC on wine labelling. Chile expressed concerns on Colombian standards for the labelling of wines and liquors. Chile said that Colombia did not proceed with any consultation prior to the publication of the regulation and added more information was needed about the nature and the objective of this measure. Colombia said it would respond to Chile's information request. The EC raised a new concern regarding Brazilian label and certification of origin requirements for imported wine (G/TBT/N/BRA/238). Brazil said it would examine the EC's concerns closely.

Old concerns were again raised on the EC's regulations on the use traditional terms on wine labels (raised by Argentina, the US, Canada and New Zealand) and on a Chinese regulation on sweet wines (raised by the EC — G/TBT/N/CHN/197).

Other trade concerns

Chemicals were also at the centre of the discussions. The debate around REACH (G/TBT/N/EEC/52 Add. 1-3; G/TBT/N/EEC/52/Add.3/Rev.1) continued and in particular on the implementation of the new rules by SMEs. Concerns were again raised on the EU’s draft regulation on dangerous chemical substances (G/TBT/N/EEC/151). Other concerns on chemicals related to the revision of the list of toxic chemicals restricted in China (raised by Japan and the EC ) and to the restriction on the use of deca-BDE by Sweden (G/TBT/N/SWE/59) and Norway (G/TBT/N/NOR/6 and Add.1 and Corr. 1). Regulations on explosives were also at the centre of members concerns. Israel raised two trade concerns about the classification by Germany and the US of some nitrate substances as explosives.

The type of other concerns raised ranged across issues such as:

• mandatory testing of toys in Brazil (G/TBT/N/BRA/259 — raised by Malaysia, Thailand, EC, China)

• labelling of snack foods in Thailand (G/TBT/N/THA/215 and Add.1 — raised by the US)

• EC's rules on labelling of organic products (G/TBT/N/EEC/101 — raised by Argentina G/TBT/W/284 and G/TBT/W/291)

• fish heads in Korea (raised by New Zealand)

• Germany's ban on seal products (G/TBT/N/DEU/5 and Add.1 — raised by Norway and Canada)

• Indian registration procedures of imported cosmetics (G/TBT/N/IND/33 — raised by the EC and the US)

• draft compositional standards for cheese in Canada (G/TBT/N/CAN/203 — raised by the EC, the US, Switzerland)

• technical specifications (colour, etc) of gas stoves in Indonesia (G/TBT/N/IDN/19 — raised by the EC)

• Chinese safety standards on mobile phones batteries (raised by Japan and the EC)

Fifth triennial review

The TBT Committee is due to adopt its Fifth Triennial Review on the implementation of the TBT Agreement in November 2009. Members began consideration of the Committee's next steps and discussions will continue at the next meeting of the Committee.

Technical assistance

From 27 October to 7 November 2008, the WTO will organise a two-week specialized course on the TBT Agreement. The course will address implementation issues as well as TBT-related market access concerns of developing countries. A number of 25 participants (members and observers) will be expected.

New Chair of the TBT committee

Ms Xueyan Guo — China

Next meeting

The next meeting of the TBT Committee will take place on 5 and 6 November 2008