. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/C/W/412
13 September 2002
(02-4877)
Council for Trade in Goods
3-4 October 2002
INTRODUCTION OF HARMONIZED SYSTEM 1996 CHANGES
INTO WTO SCHEDULES OF TARIFF CONCESSIONS
Norway – Schedule XIV
Draft Waiver Decision
The General Council,
Considering  that the Members of the WTO, by their Decisions of 13 December 1995,
18 July 1996, 24 April 1997, 22 October 1997, 24 April 1998, 14 October 1998, 15 June 1999, 4
November 1999, 3 May 2000, 8 December 2000, 8 May 2001 and 13 May 20021, acting pursuant to
the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement, suspended the application of the
provisions of Article II of GATT 1994 until 31 October 2002, for the purpose of enabling Norway, asone of the Members listed in the Annex to the Decisions mentioned above, to implement the
recommended amendments to the Harmonized System nomenclature;
Recalling  that in its Decision of 8 May 2001, it was agreed that although no further extension
of a waiver on a collective basis would be granted, it would however not preclude Members from
requesting waivers on an individual basis;
Noting  that Norway has requested a waiver for reasons explained in its request
2;
Considering  that Norway would need more time to proceed with consultations, in case any
objections are raised to additional document ation circulated on 5 August 2002 by Norway;
Acting  pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 3 of Article IX of the WTO Agreement;
Decides , in view of the exceptional circumstances, to suspend the application of the
provisions of Article II of GATT 1994, until 30 April 2003, for the purpose of enabling Norway to
implement the recommended amendments to the Ha rmonized System nomenclature, subject to the
following conditions:
(i) Norway shall, if necessary, promptly enter into negotiations and consultations with
interested Members pursuant to paragraphs 1 – 3 of Article XXVIII of GATT 1994;
(ii) the negotiations and consultations mentioned above shall be completed no later than
30 April 2003;
                                                     
1 WT/L/124 + Corr.1, WT/L/173, WT/L/216, WT/L/243, WT/L/268, WT/L/281, WT/L303, WT/L/338,
WT/L/351, WT/L/379, WT/L/400 and WT/L/459.
2 G/L/562.G/C/W/412
Page 2
(iii) pending the entry into force of the results of the negotiations or consultations
mentioned above, the other Members will be free to suspend concessions initially
negotiated with Norway to the extent that they consider that adequate compensation
is not offered by Norway;
(iv) This would not preclude Norway from requesting a new waiver.
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