RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/W/83
14  September 1998
(98-3447)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:  English
INFORMATION EXCHANGE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 2.7
RELATING TO EQUIVALENCY OF TECHNICAL REGULATION
Contribution from Thailand
1. Thailand notes that the concept of equivalency is emphasized throughout the TBT Agreement,
e.g. Article 2.7 provides that:
"Members shall give positive consideration to accepting technical regulations of other
Members as equivalent to their own, even though they are different, provided that they are
satisfied that these regulations adequately fulfill the objectives of their own regulations."
and would like to point out the acceptance as equivalent of technical regulations of other members is
provided in the Industrial Product Standards Act of Thailand.  However, in practice, consideration of
technical essence is required prior to conclusion as "equivalent".  In some cases, this must besubmitted to technical groups, and would take some time.  In other cases, establishment of
equivalency is proven difficult.  Therefore, equivalency would be best resolved with the adoption of
international standards.
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