RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE GPA/IC/W/16
9March 1995
ORGANIZATION(95-0524)
Interim Committee onGovernment Procurement
Working Group onStatistical Reporting
MAIN ARGUMENTS ADVANCED INPREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS HELD INTHE
COMMITTEE ONGOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT ONAUNIFORM CLASSIFICATION
SYSTEM FOR STATISTICAL REPORTING
Note bytheSecretariat
1. Atitsmeetingon15November1994,theWorkingGrouponStatisticalReportingoftheInterim
Committee onGovernment Procurement requested theSecretariat toprepare apaper onprevious
discussions heldintheCommittee onGovernment Procurement under theAgreement presently inforce,
summarizing thearguments advanced ontheadvantages anddisadvantages ofthevarious classification
systems. Thisnotehasbeenprepared bytheSecretariat inanattempt torespond totheabove.
2. Article VI:10(b) ofthepresent Agreement callsforstatistics tobereported under a"uniform
classification system tobedetermined bytheCommittee". Currently, statistics arebeing reported
by11ofthe12Parties totheAgreement presently inforce inaccordance withaCommittee decision,
takenwhenthatAgreementwasimplemented,touse26categoriesflowingfromtheCustomsCooperation
Council Nomenclature (CCCN) (GPR/M/1, Annex III).From 1987to1990, inconclusive discussions
tookplace intheCommittee onGovernment Procurement withaview todetermining auniform
classification system. Outofthese discussions, three major classifications came forward aspossible
bases forauniform classification system: (1)theUNCentral Product Classification (UNCPC); (2)
theHarmonized Commodity Description andCoding System oftheCustoms Cooperation Council (HS);
and(3)anadaptation oftheexisting 26product categories agreed upon bytheCommittee in
January 1981. However, noneofthesewascapable ofgiving aglobal answer toallconcerns expressed
bydelegations. These concerns related tothefunctionality ofthesystems, details required, inclusion
ofservices, simplicity, comparability andtransparency, andaminimum administrative burden. The
finalthrust ofthediscussions wasthattheUNCPC under thecircumstances wasthebestcandidate
butthatanysystem chosen bytheCommittee might needtobemodified inorder tomake itmore
appropriate forthepurposes oftheAgreement. Arguments advanced during these discussions onthe
advantages anddisadvantages ofthethree classification systems arereproduced below.
I. TheUNCPC
General
3. TheUNCentral Product Classification (UNCPC) constitutes acomplete product classification
covering goods, services andassets. Itisasystem ofcategories which isbothexhaustive andmutually
exclusive. Itsfinaldraftwasadopted in1989 bytheUnited Nations Statistical Commission andis
applied onaprovisional basisforaslongasimprovements toitcontinue tobesuggested. Itspurpose
istoprovide aframework forinternational comparison ofstatistics andtoserve asaguide forcountries
developing orrevising anexisting scheme inorder tomake itcompatible withtheinternational standard.
Itwasdesigned asaninstrument forassembling andtabulating allkinds ofstatistics thatneeded product
detail suchasproduction, intermediate andfinalconsumption, capital formation andforeign trade.
UNCPC wasdeveloped primarily toenhance harmonization among various fields ofeconomic andGPA/IC/W/16
Page2
related statistics. Inorder tofacilitate concordance, onlytheproducts thatareproduced byasingle
industry aregrouped intooneCPCsub-class. When dealing withtransportable goods, theUNCPC,
withoneexception (subdivision group 333, refined petroleum products), usestheheadings and
subheadings oftheHSasbuilding blocks, i.e.,eachCPC sub-class isanaggregate ofoneormore
headings orsubheadings oftheHS.Assuch, theUNCPC isanaggregation ofthemore detailed HS
nomenclature. Itconsists of10sections (identified bythefirstdigit), 69divisions (identified bythe
firstandsecond digits), 293groups (identified bythefirstthree digits), 1,050 classes (identified by
thefirstfourdigits), and1,811 subclasses (identified byallfivedigits, taken together). Acopyof
thebroad structure oftheUNCPC iscontained inAnnex 1.
4. Advantages identified bydelegations
- UNCPC isaproduct-based system which includes service classifications aswell.
- The26headingsoftheCCCN (CustomsCo-operationCouncilNomenclature)categories
inusecould beeasily transposed tothe39categories (39divisions oftransportable goods)
ofwhich theUNCPC consists.
5. Disadvantages identified bydelegations
- TheUNCPC system isamixture ofcommodity andindustry classification. UNCPC
isnotacommodity classification system based onthetypeofcommodity alone; itisrather
anindustry classification based onthetypeofbusiness ofthesupplier. Thesame product will
carry adifferent code, depending onthesupplier oftheproduct. Forinstance, amotor vehicle
purchased from amanufacturer iscoded 4911; ifitispurchased from awholesaler/dealer,
itiscoded 61111; andfrom aretailer/dealer, itiscoded 61112.
- TheUNCPC system doesnothaveaspecific classorclasses forclassifying "software
packages", amajor product procured bygovernments.
- While the39divisions (oftransportable goods) atthetwo-digit levelwould notbea
great improvement overthepresent system, the293divisions atthethree-digit level seem
excessive.
6. Other observations ofdelegations
- Ifadopted, theUNCPC should beused asacommodity classification (i.e.no
consideration withrespect tothetypeofsupplier) withreporting based onthetwo-digit
39divisions oftransportable goods.
- Conversion programmes between theUNCPC andother systems currently being used
could bedeveloped incollaboration among signatories using thesamesystem, suchasCanada
andtheUnited States, inconverting theFederal Supply Classification (FSC) toUNCPC.GPA/IC/W/16
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II. HARMONIZED SYSTEM
General
7. The"Harmonized Commodity Description andCoding System" (HS)isaninternational product
nomenclature developed under theauspices oftheCustoms Co-operation Council (CCC).1Itisused
onaninternational basis intheclassification, description andcoding ofgoods forcustoms purposes,
forthecollection ofstatistical dataonimports andexports andforthedocumentation oftransactions
ininternational trade. Itwasadopted in1983andentered intoforce in1988. TheCONTRACTING
PARTIES totheGATT 1947, intheirDecision of12July1983, adopted certain procedures totranspose
theGATTSchedulesoftariffconcessionsintotheHarmonizedSystemNomenclature.Asecondrevision
oftheHSisduetobeimplemented in1996 andtheresulting work linked toGATT concessions will
beoverseen bytheCommittee onMarket Access in1995. TheHScontains 21sections, 97chapters
and1,241 headings atthefour-digit level, 930ofwhich arefurther divided intosubheadings. Intotal
thereare5,019 separate categories ofgoods identified byasix-digit code. Acopyofthebroad structure
oftheHSiscontained inAnnex 2.
8. TheHScovers onlygoods, notservices.
9. Twotypes ofideas forusing theHSforclassification purposes havebeendiscussed. Oneidea
wastheuseoftheHSitself. Thesecond ideaconsisted of"modernizing" thesystem of26product
categories bybasing them onHSrather thanonCCCN ashasbeenthecasehitherto.
10. Advantages identified bydelegations
- TheHarmonizedSystemwouldbringaboutharmonizationandcomparabilityofstatistics,
thisbeing oneofthesystem 'smain purposes.
11. Disadvantages identified bydelegations
- TheuseofHSrequiresreportingeitherby21sectionsorby97chapters.The21sections
provide limited details andwould infactbeastepbackward compared totheexisting system
of26categories ofproducts. The97chapters oftheHS(two-digit level) would provide
extensive details, butrequire substantial work ingathering andorganizing thedata.
- TheHSisoriented toward commercial items. Aclassification system forpurposes
ofstatistical reporting intheareaofgovernment procurement should reflect theneeds of
governments, including inproduct areas inwhich theprivate sector purchasers arelessactive.
TheHSincludes several classes forconsumer goods, butdoesnotprovide details forheavy
machinery ormilitary equipment, themainproducts purchased bygovernment. Fortextiles,
theHShasseveral chapters; foraircraft, ithasonlyonechapter.
- Atabulation involving theconversion of616(four-digit) classes fromtheFSCsystem
totheHS'stwo-digit levelshowed thattheFSCclasses werebarely compatible withtheHS
sections/chapters. Theunderlying reason relates tothefactthattheFSCandtheHShavebeen
designed toserve different purposes: HSisoriented towards commercial items; theFSCsystem
isorientedtowardsgovernmentprocurement.TheuseoftheHS,entailingacomplexconversion
oftheFSCsystem intotheHS,would therefore involve significant resources forprogramming
anddatacollection.
1Now theWorld Customs Organization.GPA/IC/W/16
Page4
- Fortheabove reasons, toadapt theHSforprocurement purposes would bedifficult
andrequire considerable resources. Assuming thatthesystem chosen bytheCommittee should
betheeasiest toadapt tothepurposes oftheCommittee, represent theleastamount ofwork,
andbethemost efficient, theHSdoesnotseem tobethemost appropriate system.
12. Other observations ofdelegations
- Intransposing totheHS,oneofthequestions toconsider would bewhether touse
HSatthetwo-orfour-digit level. Itwould bedifficult togobeyond thefour-digit level.
- Adrafttransposition ofthe26product categories fromtheCCCN totheHS,prepared
bythedelegation ofAustria, wascirculated indocument GPR/W/94 dated 3April 1989.
III. THE 26PRODUCT CATEGORIES, ADAPTED
13. Theexisting system of26product categories wasdesigned specifically forpurposes ofstatistical
reporting under theAgreement onGovernment Procurement andagreed upon bytheCommittee on
Government Procurement atitsfirstmeeting inJanuary 1981. Itisbased ontheCCCN (Customs
Cooperation Council Nomenclature). Acomplete listing ofthe26categories iscontained inAnnex 3.
14. Since itwasfeltthatthesystem didnotprovide enough detail toidentify allproducts relevant
togovernment procurement, ithasbeensuggested thatthenumber ofproduct categories could be
increased from theexisting 26through theinclusion ofcertain sub-categories forthemain products
groups purchased bygovernments. Asmentioned inparagraph 9,another ideainvolved basing the
system of26categories, intheirpresent form orasadapted, onHSrather thanonCCCN, ashas
beenthecaseupuntilnow.
15. Advantages identified bydelegations
- Itwould benoproblem tofindconcordances between theFederal Supply Classification
andthe26product categories. Theexisting 26product categories weremanageable andParties
using NIPRO (Nomenclature Commune desProduits Industriels: classification system used
bytheEuropean Communities toreport statistics totheCommittee) andtheFSCsystems could
easily re-group commodities intothose 26groups.
- Since itwasimportant nottooverburden thereporting system, useofthe26product
categories asabasisforsubdividing oradding afewcategories incertain fields waspreferred.
- Discussion onextension ofthenumber ofproduct categories fromtheexisting 26could
focus ontheinclusion ofcertain sub-categories forthemain products groups purchased
bygovernments. Forexample, category no.14, "Office Machines andAutomatic Data
Processing Equipment", could bedivided toinclude asub-category entitled "computers". The
Committee could agree ontheextent ofthebreakdown based onthevalue andvolume of
procurement incertain product groups.
16. Disadvantages identified bydelegations
- The26product categories donotcover services.
- Thesystem of26product categories isnotusedbyallParties.GPA/IC/W/16
Page5
- Identification ofsome products relevant toprocurement requires amore extensive
breakdown thanthelevelofdetail provided bythecurrent system of26product categories.
17. Other observations ofdelegations
- Further consideration should begiven toasuggestion thatdelegations provide the
Secretariatwithconcordancesbetweenthecategoriesusedfordomesticclassificationofproducts
procured, andthecategories usedinthepreparation ofGATT statistical reports.GPA/IC/W/16
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ANNEX 1
UNCentral Product Classification
I. Broad structure: sections, divisions andnumber ofsubdivisions
Division code Groups Classes Sub-
classes
0AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERY
PRODUCTS
01 Products ofagriculture, horticulture andmarket
gardening 9 36 41
02 Liveanimals andanimal products 2 11 21
03 Forestry andlogging products 3 10 10
04 Fishandother fishing products 3 8 8
17 65 80
1ORES AND MINERALS; ELECTRICITY, GAS
AND WATER
11 Coalandlignite; peat 1 4 4
12 Crude petroleum andnatural gas 1 3 3
13 Uranium andthorium ores 1 1 1
14 Metal ores 2 6 6
15 Stone, sandandclay 4 8 8
16 Other minerals 3 8 8
17 Electricity, town gas,steam andhotwater 3 3 3
18 Water 1 1 1
16 34 34
2FOOD PRODUCTS, BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO;
TEXTILES, APPAREL AND LEATHER PRODUCTS
21 Meat, fish,fruit, vegetables, oilsandfats 8 34 47
22 Dairy products 2 11 11
23 Grain millproducts, starches andstarch products;
other foodproducts 8 30 39
24 Beverages 4 9 11
25 Tobacco products 1 2 2
26 Yarn andthread; woven andtufted textile fabrics 8 53 53GPA/IC/W/16
Page7
Division code Groups Classes Sub-
classes
27 Textile articles other thanapparel 4 18 29
28 Knitted orcrocheted fabrics; wearing apparel 3 11 30
29 Leather andleather products; footwear 6 17 17
44 185 239
3OTHER TRANSPORTABLE GOODS, EXCEPT METAL
PRODUCTS, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT
31 Products ofwood, cork, straw andplaiting materials 8 16 21
32 Pulp, paper andpaper products; printed matter and
related articles 7 22 45
33 Coke ovenproducts; refined petroleum products;
nuclear fuel 7 19 19
34 Basic chemicals 8 37 44
35 Other chemical products; man-made fibres 5 28 33
36 Rubber andplastics products 5 24 28
37 Glass andglass products andother non-metallic
products n.e.c. 7 33 50
38 Furniture; other transportable goods n.e.c. 8 41 58
39 Wastes orscraps 3 24 32
58 244 330
4METAL PRODUCTS, MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT
41 Basic metals 6 23 86
42 Fabricated metal products, except machinery and
equipment 4 15 35
43 General purpose machinery 6 27 57
44 Special purpose machinery 9 39 98
45 Office, accounting andcomputing machinery 2 15 15
46 Electrical machinery andapparatus 6 25 35
47 Radio, television andcommunication equipment and
apparatus 5 15 25
48 Medical appliances, precision andoptical instruments,
watches andclocks 4 26 52
49 Transport equipment 7 22 50
49 207 453GPA/IC/W/16
Page8
Division code Groups Classes Sub-
classes
5CONSTRUCTION WORK AND CONSTRUCTIONS;
LAND
51 Construction work 8 48 54
52 Constructions 2 10 31
53 Land 4 4 4
14 62 89
6TRADE SERVICES; HOTEL AND RESTAURANT
SERVICES
61 Sale, maintenance andrepair services ofmotor vehicles
andmotorcycles 3 6 7
62 Commission agents 'andwholesale trade services,
except ofmotor vehicles andmotorcycles 2 9 66
63 Retail trade services; repair services ofpersonal and
household goods 3 8 45
64 Hotel andrestaurant services 3 9 15
11 32 133
7TRANSPORT, STORAGE AND COMMUNICATIONS
SERVICES
71 Land transport services 3 9 28
72 Water transport services 2 8 15
73 Airtransport services 4 7 7
74 Supporting andauxiliary transport services 9 22 22
75 Postandtelecommunications services 4 16 27
22 62 99
8BUSINESS SERVICES; AGRICULTURAL, MINING
AND MANUFACTURING SERVICES
81 Financial intermediation services andauxiliary services
therefor 4 10 45
82 Realestate services 2 2 12
83 Leasing orrental services without operator 2 2 14
84 Computer andrelated services 6 14 14
85 Research anddevelopment services 3 3 12GPA/IC/W/16
Page9
Division code Groups Classes Sub-
classes
86 Legal, accounting, auditing andbook-keeping services;
taxation services; market research andpublic opinion
polling services; management andconsulting services;
architectural, engineering andother technical services 7 16 54
87 Business services n.e.c. 7 9 37
88 Agricultural, mining andmanufacturing services 7 33 39
89 Intangible assets 2 5 5
40 94 232
9COMMUNITY, SOCIAL AND PERSONAL SERVICES
91 Public administration andother services tothe
community asawhole; compulsory social security
services 3 17 32
92 Education services 5 10 10
93 Health andsocial services 3 6 18
94 Sewage andrefuse disposal, sanitation andother
environmental protection services 1 7 7
95 Services ofmembership organizations 3 6 9
96 Recreational, cultural andsporting services 4 13 34
97 Other services 1 4 10
98 Private households withemployed persons 1 1 1
99 Services provided byextraterritorial organizations and
bodies 1 1 1
22 65 122
Sections Divisions Groups Classes Sub-
classes
Totals:
Manufactured products
(sects. 2-4)3 27 151 636 1,022
Transportable goods
(sects. 0-4)5 39 184 735 1,136
Non-transportable goods andservices
(sects. 5-9)5 30 109 315 675
Overall total 10 69 293 1,050 1,811GPA/IC/W/16
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ANNEX 2
Harmonized System (HS)
SECTION 1
LiveAnimals; Animal Products
Section Notes.
1. Liveanimals
2. Meat andedible meatoffal
3. Fishandcrustaceans, molluscs andother aquatic invertebrates.
4. Dairy produce; bird'seggs; natural honey; edible products ofanimal origin, notelsewhere
specified orincluded.
5. Products ofanimal origin, notelsewhere specified orincluded.
SECTION II
Vegetable Products
Section Note.
6. Livetreesandother plants; bulbs, roots andthelike; cutflowers andornamental foliage.
7. Edible vegetables andcertain roots antubers.
8. Edible fruitandnuts; peelofcitrus fruitormelons.
9. Coffee, tea,matéandspices.
10. Cereals.
11. Products ofthemilling industry; malt; starches; inulin; wheat gluten.
12. Oilseeds andoleaginous fruits; miscellaneous grains, seeds andfruit; industrial ormedicinal
plants; straw andfodder.
13. Lac; gums, resins andother vegetable sapsandextracts.
14. Vegetable plaiting materials; vegetable products notelsewhere specified orincluded.
SECTION III
Animal orVegetable FatsandOilsandTheir Cleavage Products;
Prepared Edible Fats; Animal orVegetable Waxes
15. Animal orvegetable fatsanoilsandtheircleavage products; prepared edible fats; animal or
vegetable waxes.GPA/IC/W/16
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SECTION IV
Prepared Foodstuffs; Beverages, Spirits andVinegar;
Tobacco andManufactured Tobacco Substitutes
Section Note.
16. Preparations ofmeat, offishorofcrustaceans, molluscs orother aquatic invertebrates.
17. Sugars andsugar confectionery.
18. Cocoa andcocoa preparations.
19. Preparations ofcereals, flour, starch ormilk; pastrycooks 'products.
20. Preparations ofvegetables, fruit, nutsorother parts ofplants.
21. Miscellaneous edible preparations.
22. Beverages, spirits andvinegar.
23. Residues andwaste from thefoodindustries; prepared animal fodder.
24. Tobacco andmanufactured tobacco substitutes.
SECTION V
Mineral Products
25. Salt; sulphur; earths andstone; plastering materials, limeandcement.
26. Ores, slagandash.
27. Mineral fuels, mineral oilsandproducts oftheirdistillation; bituminous substances; mineral
waxes.
SECTION VI
Products oftheChemical orAllied Industries
Section Notes.
28. Inorganic chemicals; organic orinorganic compounds ofprecious metals, orrare-earth metals,
ofradioactive elements orofisotopes.
29. Organic chemicals.
30. Pharmaceutical products.
31. Fertilizers
32. Tanning ordyeing extracts; tannins andtheirderivatives; dyes, pigments andother colouring
matter; paints andvarnishes; putty andother mastics; inks.
33. Essential oilsandresinoids; perfumery, cosmetic ortoilet preparations.
34. Soap, organic surface-active agents, washing preparations, lubricating preparations, artificial
waxes,preparedwaxes,polishingorscouringpreparations,candlesandsimilararticles,modelling
pastes, "dental waxes" anddental preparations withabasis ofplaster.
35. Albuminoidal substances; modified starches; glues; enzymes.
36. Explosives;pyrotechnicproducts;matches;pyrophoricalloys;certaincombustiblepreparations.
37. Photographic orcinematographic goods.
38. Miscellaneous chemical products.GPA/IC/W/16
Page12
SECTION VII
Plastics andArticles Thereof; Rubber andArticles Thereof
Section Notes.
39. Plastics andarticles thereof.
40. Rubber andarticles thereof.
SECTION VIII
RawHides andSkins, Leather, Furskins andArticles Thereof;
Saddlery andHarness; Travel Goods, Handbags andSimilar Containers;
Articles ofAnimal Gut(other thansilk-worm gut)
41. Rawhides andskins (other thanfurskins) andleather.
42. Articles ofleather; saddlery andharness; travel goods, handbags andsimilar containers; articles
ofanimal gut(other thansilk-worm gut).
43. Furskins andartificial fur;manufactures thereof.
SECTION IX
Wood andArticles ofWood; Wood Charcoal;
Cork andArticles ofCork; Manufactures ofStraw, ofEsparto
orofOther Plaiting Materials; Basketware andWickerwork
44. Wood andarticles ofwood; wood charcoal.
45. Cork andarticles ofcork.
46. Manufactures ofstraw, ofesparto orother plaiting materials; basketware andwickerwork.
SECTION X
PulpofWood orofOther Cellulosic Material; Waste andScrap ofPaper orPaperboard;
Paper andPaperboard andArticles Thereof
47. Pulpofwood orofother fibrous cellulosic material; waste andscrap ofpaper orpaperboard.
48. Paper andpaperboard; articles ofpaper pulp, ofpaper orofpaperboard.
49. Printed books, newspapers, pictures andother products oftheprinting industry; manuscripts,
typescripts andplans.
SECTION XI
Textiles andTextile Articles
Section Notes.
50. Silk
51. Wool, fineorcoarse animal hair; horsehair yarnandwoven fabric.GPA/IC/W/16
Page13
52. Cotton.
53. Other vegetable textile fibres; paper yarnandwoven fabrics ofpaper yarn.
54. Man-made filaments.
55. Man-made staple fibres.
56. Wadding, feltandnon-wovens; special yarns; twine, cordage, ropes andcables andarticles
thereof.
57. Carpets andother textile floor coverings.
58. Special woven fabrics; tufted textile fabrics; lace; tapestries; trimmings; embroidery.
59. Impregnated, coated, covered orlaminated textile fabrics; textile articles ofakindsuitable for
industrial use.
60. Knitted orcrocheted fabrics.
61. Articles ofapparel andclothing accessories, knitted orcrocheted.
62. Articles ofapparel andclothing accessories, notknitted orcrocheted.
63. Other made uptextile articles; sets; worn clothing andworn textile articles; rags.
SECTION XII
Footwear, Headgear, Umbrellas, SunUmbrellas, Walking-Sticks, Seat-Sticks,
Whips, Riding Crops andParts Thereof; Prepared Feathers and
Articles made Therewith; Artificial Flowers; Articles ofHuman Hair
64. Footwear, gaiters andthelike; parts ofsucharticles.
65. Headgear andparts thereof.
66. Umbrellas, sunumbrellas, walking-sticks, seat-sticks, whips, riding crops andparts thereof.
67. Prepared feathers anddown andarticles made offeathers orofdown; artificial flowers; articles
ofhuman hair.
SECTION XIII
Articles ofStone, Plaster, Cement, Asbestos, Mica orSimilar Materials;
Ceramic Products; Glass andGlassware
68. Articles ofstone, plaster, cement, asbestos, micaorsimilar material.
69. Ceramic products.
70. Glass andglassware.
SECTION XIV
Natural orCultured Pearls, Precious orSemi-Precious Stones, Precious Metals,
Metals CladwithPrecious Metal andArticles Thereof; Imitation Jewellery; Coin
71. Natural orcultured pearls, precious orsemi-precious stones, precious metals, metals cladwith
precious metal andarticles thereof; imitation jewellery; coin.GPA/IC/W/16
Page14
SECTION XV
BaseMetals andArticles ofBaseMetal
Section Notes.
72. Ironandsteel.
73. Articles ofironandsteel.
74. Copper andarticles thereof.
75. Nickel andarticles thereof.
76. Aluminium andarticles thereof.
77. (Reserved forpossible future useintheHarmonized System )
78. Lead andarticles thereof.
79. Zincandarticles thereof.
80. Tinandarticles thereof.
81. Other basemetals; cermet; articles thereof.
82. Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons andforks, ofbasemetal; parts thereof ofbasemetal.
83. Miscellaneous articles ofbasemetal.
SECTION XVI
Machinery andMechanical Appliances; Electrical Equipment; Parts Thereof;
Sound Recorders andReproducers, Television Image andSound Recorders and
Reproducers, andParts andAccessories ofsuchArticles
Section Notes.
84. Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery andmechanical appliances; parts thereof.
85. Electricalmachineryandequipmentandpartsthereof;soundrecordersandreproducers,television
image andsound recorders andreproducers, andparts andaccessories ofsucharticles.
SECTION XVII
Vehicles, Aircraft, Vessels andAssociated Transport Equipment
Section Notes.
86. Railway ortramway locomotives, rolling-stock andparts thereof; railway ortramway track
fixtures andfittings andpartsthereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling
equipment ofallkinds.
87. Vehicles other thanrailway ortramway rolling-stock, andparts andaccessories thereof.
88. Aircraft, spacecraft, andparts thereof.
89. Ships, boats andfloating structures.GPA/IC/W/16
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SECTION XVIII
Optical, Photographic, Cinematographic, Measuring, Checking, Precision, Medical orSurgical
Instruments andApparatus; Clocks andWatches; Musical Instruments;
Parts andAccessories Thereof
90. Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical orsurgical
instruments andapparatus; parts andaccessories thereof.
91. Clocks andwatches andparts thereof.
92. Musical instruments; parts andaccessories ofsucharticles.
SECTION XIX
Arms andAmmunition; Parts andAccessories Thereof
93. Arms andammunition; parts andaccessories thereof.
SECTION XX
Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles
94. Furniture; bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions andsimilar stuffed furnishings;
lamps andlighting fittings, notelsewhere specified orincluded; illuminated signs, illuminated
nameplates andthelike; prefabricated buildings.
95. Toys, games andsports requisites; parts andaccessories thereof.
96. Miscellaneous manufactured articles.
SECTION XXI
Works ofArt,Collectors 'Pieces andAntiques
97. Works ofart,collectors 'pieces andantiques.
*
* *
98. (Reserved forspecial usesbycontracting parties )
99. (Reserved forspecial usesbycontracting parties )
______________GPA/IC/W/16
Page16
ANNEX 3
TheSystem of26Product Categories
Grouping No. Classification1Product description2
1 CCCN chapters 01-24.
SITC 00-12; 22;268.51;
29; 41-43; 512.16-18;
592.1; 941.Products from agriculture andfrom agricultural andfoodprocessing
industries
including:
liveanimals; animal products; vegetable products; animal and
vegetable fatsandoilsandtheircleavage products; prepared edible
fats; animal andvegetable waxes; prepared foodstuffs;
beverages, spirit andvinegar; tobacco.
2 CCCN chapters 25-27.
SITC 27(exc. 271.1-2, 271.4;
277.1, 277.21); 28(exc. 282,
287.12, 22and32,288.2,
289.02); 32;33(exc.
334.52); 34-35; 661.1-2.Mineral products
including
salt; sulphur; stone; clay; lime; cement; metallic ores; coal;
coke; mineral fuels; mineral oils.
3 CCCN chapter 28,headings
29.01-16, 29.19, 29.21-31,
29.33-37, 29.43, 29.45,
chapters 31-36 and38.
SITC 271.1-2; 271.4; 287.32;
334.52; 51-53 (exc. 512.16-
18); 55-56; 572; 59(exc.
592.1); 662.33; 895.91;
899.31-32 and39.Products ofthechemical andallied industries
including:
inorganic chemicals; organic chemicals; fertilizers; colours;
paints; varnishes; waxes; essential oils; soap; washing,
polishing andlubricating preparations; enzymes; albuminoidal
substances; explosives; matches; disinfectants; insecticides.
excluding:
medicinal andpharmaceutical products.
4 CCCN headings 29.38-39,
29.41-42, 29.44 andchapter
30.
SITC 54.Medicinal andpharmaceutical products
including:
vitamins, antibiotics, vegetable alkaloids, hormones, medicaments
andother pharmaceutical goods.
5 CCCN chapters 39-41,
headings 42.01, 42.04-06,
chapter 43.
SITC 21;23;58;61(exc.
612.3); 62;848.2-3; 893;
899.91.Artificial resins andplastic materials, cellulose esters andethers, and
articles thereof; rubber, synthetic rubber, factice, andarticles thereof;
rawhides andskins; leather, furskins andarticles thereof, other than
articles ofapparel andclothing accessories ofleather; saddlery and
harness; articles ofanimal gut.
6 CCCN chapters 44-49.
SITC 24;25;63;64;
659.11; 659.7; 892.1-8;
899.71.Wood andarticles ofwood; wood charcoal; corkandarticles ofcork;
paper making material; paper andpaperboard andarticles thereof;
manufactures ofstraw, ofesparto andofother plaiting materials;
basketwork andwickerwork.
7 CCCN headings 42.02-03 and
chapters 50-66.
SITC 26(exc. 268.51);
612.3; 65(exc. 651.95,
654.6, 659.11, 659.7);
775.85; 83;84(exc. 848.2-
3);85;899.4.Textiles andtextile articles; footwear; headgear; umbrellas;
sunshades; walking sticks, whips, riding crops andparts thereof;
travel goods; hand-bags andsimilar containers; articles ofapparel and
clothing accessories, ofleather orcomposition leather
including:
electric blankets.GPA/IC/W/16
Page17
Grouping No. Classification1Product description2
8 CCCN chapter 68,headings
69.01-09, 69.11-14, 70.01,
70.03-13 and70.15-21.
SITC 651.95; 654.6; 66
(exc. 661.1-2, 662.33, 667).Articles ofstone, ofplaster, ofcement, ofasbestos, ofmica andsimilar
materials; ceramic products, other thansanitary fixtures; glass and
glassware, other thanilluminating andsignalling glassware andoptical
elements ofglass, notoptically worked norofoptical glass.
9 CCCN headings 73.01-27,
73.29-36, 73.38 and73.40.
SITC 282; 67;691.1,
692.11; 692.41, 692.43,
693.11, 693.2, 693.51;
694.01-02; 697.31-33;
697.41; 697.51; 699.2;
699.31-32; 699.41; 699.7.Ironandsteelandarticles thereof, other thanboilers andradiators for
central heating, airheaters andhotairdistributors, notelectronically
heated
including:
structures; containers; wire; cordage; reinforcing fabric; certain
domestic-type, non-electric heating andcooking apparatus.
10 CCCN chapters 74-82,
headings 83.01-06, 83.08-09,
83.11, 83.13-15.
SITC 287.12 and22;288.2;
682-689; 691.2; 692.13;
692.42; 692.44; 693.12-13;
693.52; 694.03; 695-696;
697.34; 697.42-43; 697.52-
53;697.8, 699.33; 699.42;
699.6; 699.8-9; 895.1.Non-ferrous metals andarticles thereof, other thanlamp andlighting
fittings
including:
containers; wire; cordage; reinforcing fabric; tools; cutlery;
domestic-type, non-electrical heating andcooking apparatus;
certain household appliances ofbasemetal; office andstationary
supplies ofbasemetal.
11 CCCN headings 84.01-02,
84.04-08, ex84.59*,85.01.
SITC 71;771.Power generating machinery andequipment
including:
nuclear reactors*;steam andvapour generating boilers; steam
engines andvapour power units; internal combustion piston
engines; rotating electrical plant; water turbines; various engines
andmotors; electric power machinery (transformers andothers).
12 CCCN headings 84.09, 84.23-
39,84.41-48, 84.50, 84.56-
57,ex84.59*,ex87.01**.
SITC 72(exc. 724.7); 73
(exc. 737.32).Machinery specialized forparticular industries
including:
agricultural machinery, tractors, other thanroadtractors forsemi-
trailers**,civilengineering andcontractors 'plant andequipment;
textile andleather machinery; machinery forthemanufacture of
paper articles; printing andbookbinding machinery; food-
processing machines; other machinery, equipment andparts
specialized forparticular industries; metalworking machinery.
excluding:
nuclear reactors; electric orlaser-operated welding, brazing,
soldering orcutting machines; certain machinery forwashing or
cleaning textiles etc.(incl. laundry anddry-cleaning machinery).
*Allmachines andappliances withindividual functions falling under CCCN 84.59 -except nuclear reactors -areplaced ingrouping
12inthislist.(Nuclear reactors fallinsubgroup 718.7 oftheSITC.)
**Tractors falling under CCCN 87.01 areplaced inthisgrouping. However, roadtractors forsemi-trailers (SITC 783.2) areplaced
ingrouping 17below.GPA/IC/W/16
Page18
Grouping No. Classification1Product description2
13 CCCN headings 84.03, 84.10-
14,84.16-18, 84.20-22,
84.49, 84.58, 84.60-65, 85.11
and87.07.
SITC 697.35; 737.32; 74
(exc. 741.4 and745.22-23).General industrial machinery andequipment, andmachine parts
including:
domestic instantaneous orstorage water heaters, non-electric;
electric welding, brazing, soldering machines andsimilar electric
apparatus forcutting; heating andcooling equipment (e.g. gas
generators, furnaces andovens; air-conditioning machines;
laboratory equipment); pumps; compressors; centrifuges;
filtering/purifying apparatus; fansandblowers; mechanical
handling equipment (e.g. works trucks, lifting, handling,
loading/unloading machinery, telphers andconveyors), other non-
electrical tools andmachinery (e.g. weighing machinery, fire
extinguishers, spray guns, jetprojecting machines).
14 CCCN headings 84.51-55,
90.10.
SITC 75;881.39.Office machines andautomatic dataprocessing equipment
including:
typewriters; calculating machines; computers; cashregisters;
postage-franking, ticket issuing andsimilar machines; duplicating
andphotocopying apparatus; apparatus andequipment ofakind
usedinphotographic orcinematographic laboratories; screens for
projectors.
15 CCCN headings 85.13-15,
92.11, 92.13.
SITC 76.Telecommunications andsound recording andreproducing apparatus
andequipment
including:
TVandradio receivers andtransmitters; gramophones; electrical
linetelephonic andtelegraphic apparatus; microphones; loud-
speakers; amplifiers; radio navigational aidapparatus, radar
apparatus.
16 CCCN headings 84.15, 84.19,
84.40, 85.02-09, 85.12,
85.16-28, ex90-20***.
SITC 724.7; 741.4; 745.22-
23;772-773; ex774.2; 775
(exc. 775.85); 776; 778.Electrical machinery, apparatus andappliances, andelectrical parts
thereof
excluding:
electric blankets; electro-medical apparatus; electric power
machinery.
including:
refrigerators andrefrigerating equipment; machinery forcleaning
ordrying bottles orother containers; machinery forfilling,
closing, sealing orlabelling bottles, cans, boxes orother
containers; other packing orwrapping machinery; laundry ordry-
cleaning machinery; switches, relays, switchboards (other than
telephone); control panels; resistors; equipment fordistributing
electricity; machinery based ontheuseofX-rays, orofradiations
from radio-active substances; X-ray generators, tubes; screens,
etc.,other thanformedical purposes***;household-type
equipment; electro-thermic appliances; valves, tubes; transistors;
microcircuits, batteries, accumulators; starting andignition
equipment; electrical traffic-control equipment; electric sound or
visual signalling apparatus (e.g. bells, sirens, firealarms), etc.
***X-ray andradiological apparatus etc.ofCCCN 90.20 formedical purposes (SITC ex774.2) areplaced ingrouping 22.GPA/IC/W/16
Page19
Grouping No. Classification1Product description2
17 CCCN headings ex87.01****,
87.02-06, 87.09-12, 87.14.
SITC 78(exc. 786.13).Road vehicles
including:
roadtractors forsemi-trailers****;air-cushion vehicles
18 CCCN chapter 86.
SITC 786.13; 791.Railway vehicles andassociated equipment
including:
railway andtramway locomotives; rolling-stock andparts thereof;
railway andtramway track fixtures andfittings; traffic signalling
equipment ofallkinds (notelectrically powered); containers
specially designed andequipped forcarriage byoneormore modes
oftransport.
19 CCCN chapter 88.
SITC 792; 899.98.Aircraft andassociated equipment
including:
aircraft andparts thereof; parachutes; catapults andsimilar
aircraft launching gear; ground flying trainers.
20 CCCN chapter 89.
SITC 793.Ships, boats andfloating structures.
21 CCCN headings 69.10, 70.14,
73.37, 83.07, 85.10.
SITC 81.Sanitary, plumbing, heating andlighting fixtures andfittings, n.e.s.
including:
boilers; radiators; airheaters andhotairdistributors, not
electrically heated; sinks; wash basins; lamps andlanterns;
illuminating glassware, signalling glassware; lamps andlight
fittings ofbasemetal.
22 CCCN headings 90.03-04,
90.17-18, ex90.20*****,94.02.
SITC 774.1; ex774.2;
821.21; 872; 884.2.Medical, dental, surgical andveterinary equipment
including:
electro-medical apparatus; apparatus based ontheuseofX-rays or
ofradiations from radio-active substances, X-ray generators, tubes,
screens, control panels, examination tables etc.formedical
purposes*****;spectacles andspectacle frames, mountings andparts
thereof; medical instruments andappliances; mechano-therapy
appliances; respirators etc;medical, dental, surgical orveterinary
furniture andparts thereof.
23 CCCN headings 94.01,
94.03-04.
SITC 82(exc. 821.21).Furniture andparts thereof
including:
bedding, mattresses, mattress supports, cushions andsimilar stuffed
furnishings.
excluding:
medical, dental, surgical andveterinary furniture.
****Seefootnote "**"under grouping 12.
*****X-ray andradiological apparatus etc.ofCCCN 90.20 forlaboratory andindustrial purposes (SITC ex7742) areplaced ingrouping 16.GPA/IC/W/16
Page20
Grouping No. Classification1Product description2
24 CCCN headings 90.05-06,
90.11-16, 90.21-29.
SITC 87.Professional, scientific andcontrolling instruments andapparatus
including:
optical instruments andapparatus; meters andcounters; precision,
measuring, checking, analysing andcontrolling instruments.
25 CCCN chapter 37,headings
90.01-02, 90.07-09,
Chapter 91.
SITC 88(exc. 881.39).Photographic apparatus, equipment andsupplies andoptical goods;
watches andclocks
including:
optical lenses, prisms, mirrors; photographic andcinematographic
cameras, cinematographic projectors, sound recorders andsound
reproducers andanycombination ofthese articles; image
projectors; photographic enlargers andreducers; photographic and
cinematographic film, watches andclocks.
excluding:
apparatus andequipment ofakindusedinphotographic or
cinematographic laboratories; spectacles andframes, mountings
andparts thereof.
26 CCCN chapters 67,71,and
72,headings 87.08, 87.13,
90.19, 92.01-08, 92.10,
92.12, chapters 93and95-99.
SITC 277.1; 277.21; 289.02;
667; 681; 894; 895(exc.
895.1, 895.91); 896-898;
899(exc. 899.31-32, 899.39,
899.4, 899.71, 899.91,
899.98); Section 9(exc. 941).Miscellaneous articles.
____________________________
1Theclassification attempts toavoid subdividing CCCN 4-digit headings. However, products classified inheadings 84.59, 87.01 and
90.20 clearly belong todifferent categories andareimportant enough tojustify maintaining thesubdivisions. These products havebeen
defined infootnotes.
2Apart from product descriptions, thiscolumn alsocontains some examples ofproducts.