TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE: PROGRAMME AND PRESENTATIONS
TBT workshop on the different approaches to conformity assessment
(Geneva, 16-17 March 2006)
At the Third Triennial Review of the TBT Agreement, concluded in November 2003, the TBT Committee agreed to a Work Programme on conformity assessment to improve Members' implementation of Articles 5-9 of the TBT Agreement and to promote a better understanding of conformity assessment systems (1). In particular, Members agreed to organize a workshop on the different approaches to conformity assessment, including on the acceptance of conformity assessment results. At its March 2005 meeting, Members decided to hold this workshop in March 2006 (2).
The workshop was held on 16–17 March 2006, back-to-back with the regular meeting of the TBT Committee on 15 March and in the afternoon of 17 March 2006.
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Programme
Thursday 16 March 2006 back
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| 8:30–10:00 | Registration |
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10:00-10:20 |
Introduction
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| 10:20–13:00 | Session I Moderator: Mr. Margers Krams (Chairman of the TBT Committee) This session will give participants an
opportunity to share experiences of conformity assessment approaches
and procedures at the national level and to address considerations
that are to be taken into account for the use of conformity assessment
procedures. |
| 10:20–11:30 | National Considerations For The Preparation And Application Of Conformity Assessment Procedures Presenters will identify the various considerations that are relevant when deciding on the need for a conformity assessment procedure and on the type of procedure, including costs and benefits of alternatives, level of risk, incentives for users to comply, technical and physical infrastructure and existing monitoring and enforcement mechanisms.
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11:30–12:30 |
Sector — Specific Approaches to Conformity Assessment Speakers will identify the benefits and possible problems (including respective costs) of the different conformity assessment approaches and will focus their presentations on specific products or sectors.
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12:30–13:00 |
General Discussion on Conformity Assessment
Procedures
at the National Level |
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15:00–18:00 |
Session II Moderator: Mr. Juan Antonio Dorantes (Mexico) This session focuses on the implementation
of the obligations contained in Article 6 of the TBT Agreement
on the “Recognition
of Conformity Assessment by Central Government Bodies” and discusses
the effectiveness of the different mechanisms to facilitate the
acceptance of conformity assessment results. |
15:00–16:15 |
Approaches to Facilitate the Acceptance of Conformity Assessment Results Speakers will address the advantages of, and possible difficulties
with, various approaches to facilitate the acceptance of conformity
assessment results and in particular the use of accreditation.
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16:15–17:30 |
Mutual Acceptance of Conformity Assessment Results Speakers will address the merits and possible difficulties in negotiating government-to-government mutual recognition agreements. They will also discuss ways to promote acceptance by regulatory authorities of results by conformity assessment bodies participating in voluntary arrangements. Mutual recognition agreements:
Mutual recognition arrangements:
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17:30–18:00 |
General Discussion on Facilitating the
Acceptance of
Conformity Assessment Results |
Friday 17 March 2006 back to top
|
10:00–12:00 |
Session III Moderator: Ms. Brenda Dunbar (Canada) This session examines
ways to put in place an effective conformity assessment infrastructure
in developing country Members, taking into consideration the
resources available to them and their technical and infrastructural
concerns. |
| 10:00–11:15 | The Conformity Assessment Infrastructure of Developing country Members Presenters will examine
the existing infrastructure and particular concerns and
needs that developing country Members may have in evaluating
conformity.
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| 11:15–12:30 | Establishment of a Conformity Assessment Infrastructure Presenters are invited to share ideas on ways to put in place an effective conformity assessment infrastructure in developing country Members.
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12:30–13:00
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General Discussion and Concluding Remarks |
Notes:
1.— “Third Triennial Review of the Operation
and Implementation of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade”,
11 November 2003, G/TBT/13, para. 40.
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2.— “Minutes of the Meeting of 22-23 March 2005”,
24 May 2005, G/TBT/M/35, para. 57.
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