WORLD TRADE WT/L/125/Rev.1
9February 1996
ORGANIZATION(96-0489)
OPERATION OFTHE INDEPENDENT ENTITY
ESTABLISHED UNDER ARTICLE 4OFTHE
AGREEMENT ONPRESHIPMENT INSPECTION
Decision of13December 1995
Revision*
TheGeneral Council,
Having regard totheMarrakesh Agreement Establishing theWorld Trade Organization (hereinafter
the"WTO Agreement") andinparticular Article IV,paragraphs 1,2and6,Article V,paragraph 2,
andArticle VIII, paragraph 3thereof;
Having regard toArticle 4oftheAgreement onPreshipment Inspection (hereinafter the"PSI
Agreement");
Whereas Article 4(a)ofthePSIAgreement provides thatprocedures foranindependent review of
disputes between preshipment inspection entities andexporters shallbeadministered byanindependent
entity (hereinafter the"Independent Entity");
Whereas theIndependent Entity shallbeconstituted jointly byanorganization representing preshipment
inspection entities andanorganization representing exporters forthepurposes ofthePSIAgreement;
Whereas theInternational Federation ofInspection Agencies (IFIA) represents preshipment inspection
entities andtheInternational Chamber ofCommerce (ICC) represents exporters;
Whereas itisappropriate, inorder toensure thefunctioning oftheprocedures contained inArticle 4
ofthePSIAgreement, toreach anagreement withthese organizations toentrust theWTO withthe
taskofsetting uptheIndependent Entity andorganising itsfunctioning within theframework ofthe
WTO andtodefine theterms andconditions ofthecooperation oftheICCandtheIFIA withthe
Independent Entity;
Whereas itisdesirable toapprove theagreement reached between theWTO, theICCandtheIFIA;
Whereas itisconsequently appropriate tosetuptheIndependent Entity asasubsidiary body ofthe
Council forTrade inGoods, andthattheexperts appointed toserve aspanelists pursuant toArticle 4,
paragraphs (c)through (e)ofthePSIAgreement shallbeconsidered asofficials oftheWTO within
themeaning ofArticle VIII, paragraph 3,oftheWTO Agreement;
Whereas itisappropriate todefine thestructure andorganization oftheIndependent Entity andthe
rules ofprocedure applicable todisputes brought before theIndependent Entity;
*Owing toatechnical error, theAppendices tothisDecision wereomitted indocument WT/L/125. Thepresent revision
reproduces theDecision infull.WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page2
Decides asfollows:
1. Theorganizations mentioned inArticle 4(a)ofthePSIAgreement shall, forthetimebeing,
bethefollowing:
- theorganization representing preshipment inspection entities forthepurposes ofthePSI
Agreement shallbetheInternational Federation ofInspection Agencies (IFIA), and
- theorganization representing exporters forthepurposes ofthePSIAgreement shallbethe
International Chamber ofCommerce (ICC).
2. TheAgreement between theWTO, theICCandtheIFIAattached inAnnex Iishereby approved
onbehalf oftheWTO.
3. TheIndependent Entity provided forinArticle 4(a)ofthePSIAgreement ishereby established
asasubsidiary body oftheCouncil forTrade inGoods. TheIndependent Entity shallreport
totheCouncil forTrade inGoods atleastonce ayear. Itshall beserviced bytheWTO
Secretariat.
4. Theexperts appointed toserve aspanelists pursuant toArticle 4,paragraphs (c)through (e)
ofthePSIAgreement shall, forthispurpose, beofficials oftheWTO andshallbeaccorded
byeachofitsMembers suchprivileges andimmunities asarenecessary fortheindependent
exercise oftheirfunctions inconnection withtheWTO, within themeaning ofArticle VIII,
paragraph 3,oftheWTO Agreement.
5. TheIndependent Entity shallbeorganized andshallfunction inaccordance withthe"Structure
andFunctions oftheIndependent Entity Established byArticle 4oftheWTO Agreement on
Preshipment Inspection" attached inAnnex II.
6. The"Rules ofProcedure fortheOperation ofIndependent Reviews under Article 4oftheWTO
Agreement onPreshipment Inspection" attached inAnnex IIIshallapply totheconduct of
independent reviews within themeaning ofArticle 4ofthePSIAgreement within theframework
oftheIndependent Entity.
7. TheAppendix andAnnexes tothisDecision areintegral parts ofthisDecision.WT/L/125/Rev.1
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APPENDIX
Basis fortheCalculation oftheInitial Costs fortheAdvance Deposit Tariff
Thefollowing isbased ontheassumption ofa3-person panel for8working days, without
meeting ofthepanelists orinspection ofthegoods (ifeither ameeting orinspection were required,
anadditional deposit would beassessed asappropriate).
SwF
1)Feesforpanelists
(3panelists for8days: SwF600x3x8) 14,400
2)Lump sums forcommunication costs
(mail, telephone, fax)
for(i)theChairman1
(ii)theother twopanelists (SwF250x2)SwF500
SwF500
1,000
Sub-total 15,400
3)WTO overhead costs: 14%2
Total 17,500
1Based ontheassumption oftwoconference callswiththeother panelists.
2Tobeautomatically adjusted bytheIEinaccordance withthepercentage provided forintheTrust Fund Rules.WT/L/125/Rev.1
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ANNEX I
Agreement between theWorld Trade Organization, theInternational Chamber ofCommerce (ICC)
andtheInternational Federation ofInspection Agencies (IFIA) withrespect totheImplementation
ofArticle 4oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection
TheWTO, theICCandtheIFIAhereby agree thattheICCandtheIFIAshalljointly constitute
anindependent entity toimplement theprovisions ofArticle 4oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment
Inspection (hereinafter the"PSIAgreement") onthefollowing terms:
1.TheICCandtheIFIAhereby entrust theWTO withthetaskofsetting uptheIndependent Entity
(hereinafter "IE"). TheWTO shallestablish theIEasasubsidiary bodyoftheCouncil forTrade
inGoods. TheWTO shallalsodefine thestructure andfunctioning oftheIEinconsultation with
theICCandtheIFIA. TheWTO shalldetermine therulesofprocedure applicable totheconduct
ofindependent reviews bytheIEinconsultation withtheICCandtheIFIA. TheWTO shallbe
freetoamend thestructure andfunctioning oftheIE,aswellastherulesofprocedure, inorder
toadapt them ifneedbe.
2.Intheperformance oftheirtasks relating totheestablishment andoperation oftheIEunder the
provisions ofArticle 4ofthePSIAgreement, theICCandtheIFIA shalljointly:
-drawup,andupdate annually, theirrespective listsofexperts asprovided forinparagraphs
(b)(i) and(ii)ofArticle 4ofthePSIAgreement, andassist theIEindrawing upandupdating
thelistofindependent trade experts asprovided forinparagraph (b)(iii) ofthatArticle;
-printIEdocumentation andmake itavailable attheIE,atNational Chambers ofCommerce
andattheinformation points maintained intheadministrative offices ofthepreshipment
inspection entities, itbeing understood thataminimal charge maybemade forsuch
documentation solely forthepurpose ofrecovering thecosts thereof;
-report annually totheIEtheviews oftheirconstituents ontheoperation oftheindependent
review procedures;
-keeptheIEinformed ofdevelopments intheareaofpreshipment inspection;
-perform anyother tasks asmaybeagreed jointly bytheWTO, theICCandtheIFIA.
3.Alloftheabove arrangements shallbereviewed attheendof1996, ontheoccasion ofthefirst
periodic review oftheprovisions, implementation andoperation ofthePSIAgreement, tobe
carried outbytheWTO Ministerial Conference pursuant totheprovisions ofArticle 6ofthe
PSIAgreement.
4.ThisAgreement maybeterminated byanyparty bywritten notice totheothers. Unless otherwise
agreed, thisAgreement shallbeterminated 6months afterreceipt ofsuchnotice bytheother
parties.WT/L/125/Rev.1
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ANNEX II
Structure andFunctions ofthe
Independent Entity Established byArticle 4
oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection
I.MANAGEMENT
A.Management oftheIE
TheIEshallbeadministered byaprofessional staffmember oftheWTO (hereinafter referred
toasthe"Director") andadditional WTO staff, asrequired. Itwillbelocated inGeneva.
B.RoleofICCandIFIA
Intheorganization andfunctioning oftheIE,therespective rolesoftheICCandtheIFIAshall
beasdefined intheAgreement between theWTO, theICCandtheIFIA.
C.Reporting bytheIE
TheIEwillreport totheCouncil forTrade inGoods atleastonceayearbutmore frequently
ifnecessary.
D.Duties oftheDirector
Theduties oftheDirector shallinclude:
(i) toforward theIERules ofProcedure fortheOperation ofIndependent Reviews under
Article 4oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection (hereinafter the"Rules
ofProcedure") andother documents relevant fortheinformation ofexporters and
preshipment inspection entities onthefunctioning oftheIEtothenominated person(s)
inICC/IFIA forprinting anddissemination;
(ii) toreceive from ICCandIFIA theirrespective listsofexperts andannual updates
thereof andtheircontributions tothelistofindependent trade experts andannual
updates thereof;
(iii) toestablish thelistofexperts andannual updates thereof, forward ittothenominated
person(s) inICC/IFIA forprinting anddissemination andcirculate ittoallWTO
Members;
(iv) toreceive applications requesting anindependent review, andnotify themtotheother
party toeachdispute;
(v) toverify thatcomplainants haveconformed withthetimelimits forrequesting an
independent review prescribed inparagraph 2.3oftheRules ofProcedure;
(vi) toensure thatcomplainants haveproperly completed theIE'sStandard Application
Form foranindependent review, haveconformed totheprovisions laiddown in
thatForm andtheAdvance Deposit Tariff, andfollowed theExplanatory Notes
attached thereto;WT/L/125/Rev.1
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(vii) toestimate thelikely costsofindependent review anddetermine theAdvance Deposit
Tariff andadditional costs where necessary;
(viii) toensure ineachcasethatanamount sufficient tocover theinitial costs ofan
independent review inaccordance withtheIE'spublished "Advance Deposit Tariff"
hasbeenmade available totheIE;
(ix) toestablish athree-member panel ofexperts orselect asingle independent trade
expert1inaccordance withtheagreement reached between theparties tothedispute;
(x) toorganise thepayment offeesandthereimbursement ofexpenses toexperts, and
control thecosts theyincur incarrying outindependent reviews;
(xi) toensure thatdocuments submitted within theframework ofanindependent review
arenotified totheparties;
(xii) tonotify thedecisions ofthepanels totheparties andtoWTO Members;
(xiii) torefund (lessbank charges) theadvance deposit(s) orrelease bank guarantee(s)
against costs inaccordance withtheallocation ofcosts decided upon bythepanel;
(xiv) tomaintain aconfidential record ofsubmissions made inthecontext ofindependent
reviewsandconfidentialandnon-confidentialrecordsofthedecisionsreachedthereon;
(xv) tomaintain aregister ofindependent reviews, which shallnotinclude information
which aparty requested tobekeptconfidential;
(xvi) toensure thatdecisions aremade available inalltheofficial languages oftheWTO.
II.OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
A.Confidentiality
TheIEshallensure confidential treatment toinformation forwhich suchatreatment hasbeen
requested byaparty, provided thatanon-confidential summary oftheinformation hasbeen
submitted tothepanel bythatparty.
B.Languages oftheIE
Theofficial languages oftheIEshallbetheofficial languages oftheWTO. Communications
withtheIE,submissions toindependent review panels andindependent review proceedings shall
takeplace inanyofthese languages. During theproceedings oftheindependent review panels,
ifrequested, interpretation andtranslation shallbemade available inanyoftheofficial languages
oftheWTO. Panel decisions shallbecommunicated totheparties intheofficial language(s)
usedbythepanel. Incases where more thanoneofficial language isusedduring theindependent
review proceedings, thetime-frame provided forinArticle 4(g)ofthePSIAgreement maybe
extended withtheagreement oftheparties.
1Forthepurposes ofthisAnnex, theterm"panel" shallrefer toboththree-member panels andsingle independent trade
experts referred torespectively inArticle 4(c)and(e)ofthePSIAgreement. Theterm"panelist" shallrefertobothmembers
ofthree-member panels andsingle independent trade experts.WT/L/125/Rev.1
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C.Initiation ofanIndependent Review
1.Application Form andExplanatory Notes; Response Form
TheIEshallmake available toanyexporter orpreshipment inspection entity (asdefined
inArticle 1.4ofthePSIAgreement), upon request:
(i)aStandard Application Form forrequesting theinitiation ofanindependent review.
ThisStandard Application Form shallinclude inannex theExplanatory Notes containing
adescription oftheconditions under which theIEwillaccept arequest forindependent
review;
(ii)aStandard Response Form togivetheopportunity fortheother party tothedispute
torespond totheapplication foranindependent review.
2.Advance Deposits toCover Estimated Costs
(i)Anyparty which hasnotmade abank guarantee pursuant toparagraph 2(iii) below
shallberequired tomake aninitial deposit totheIEbank account according tothe
Advance Deposit Tariff published bytheIEandrevised from timetotime.
(ii)TheAdvance Deposit Tariff shallmake provision for:
-feesfor3panelists being utilised for8days.
(without anymeetings orinspection ofthegoods)
-lump sums forcommunication costs (mail, telephone, telefax)
-WTO overhead costs tobeautomatically adjusted
bytheIEinaccordance withthepercentage provided for
intheTrust Fund Rules.
(iii)Toexpedite theinitiation ofindependent reviews, eachpreshipment inspection entity
willarrange inadvance infavour oftheIEanautomatically renewable bankguarantee
inSwiss Francs, established onterms acceptable totheDirector, tocover theinitial
costs ofoneindependent review.
(iv)Assoonasanamount covering theinitial costoftheindependent review asestablished
intheAdvance Deposit Tariff isreceived, theWTO shallrecruit thepanelist(s) selected
bytheIE.
(v)Were thepanelist(s) inaspecific casetofindthattravel isneeded (either tomeetamong
themselves and/or tomeettheparties indispute and/or toinspect theshipment), the
Director shallinform theparties andrequest additional deposits. Upon receipt ofan
amount acceptable totheDirector tocover theadditional expenditure, thepanelist(s)
willbeauthorised totravel.
(vi)If,foranyother reason, thepanelist(s) anticipate thattheexpenditure willexceed the
initial amount made available, theDirector shallinform theparties indispute andrequest
additional deposits. Upon receipt ofanamount acceptable totheDirector tocover the
additional expenditure, thepanelists willbeauthorized toproceed withtheanticipated
expenditure.Iftheamountreceivedislessthantheanticipatedexpenditure,thepanelist(s)
shallproceed onthebasis ofthefunds available.WT/L/125/Rev.1
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(vii)Once theindependent review isconcluded, theIEshallprepare thefinalaccounts of
thecasetaking intoaccount thepanelist(s) actual feesandexpenses andincluding the
charge forWTO overheads required under theTrust Fund Rules.
(viii)The IEwillrefund theunspent balance ofthedeposit(s) orrelease theunspent balance
ofthebankguarantee(s) totheparties inaccordance withtheapportionment decided
bythepanel.
3.Panelists 'FeesandExpenses andother Costs
(i)Panelists willbepaidadailyfee,alumpsumforcommunication costs(mail, telephone,
fax)and,when authorised bytheDirector, travel expenses.
(ii)Expenses incurred bytheparties toanindependent review shallnotberecoverable from
theIEother thaninrelation tothefullorpartial refund ofdeposit(s) orrelease ofbank
guarantee(s) against thecosts incurred bytheIE.
4.Rules ofProcedure fortheOperation ofIndependent Reviews
TheIEwillpublish andwillmake available upon request theRules ofProcedure forthe
operation ofindependent reviews. These Rules ofProcedure shallbeperiodically reviewed
bytheIE.
5.Questionnaires forExperts toBeNominated asPanelists
TheIEwillpublish questionnaires tobecompleted byexperts whowishtobeconsidered
fornomination aspanelists.
D.Documentation oftheIE
TheIEdocumentation which willbepublished andupdated, when applicable, shallinclude, but
notnecessarily belimited to,thefollowing :
-Structure andFunctions oftheIndependent Entity Established byArticle 4oftheWTO
Agreement onPreshipment Inspection
-Rules ofProcedure fortheOperation ofIndependent Reviews under Article 4oftheWTO
Agreement onPreshipment Inspection
-Standard Application Form forarequest foranindependent review
-Standard Response Form toarequest foranindependent review
-Questionnaire Forms forexperts tobenominated aspanelists
-Listofexperts forindependent reviews
-Advance Deposit TariffWT/L/125/Rev.1
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ANNEX III
RULES OFPROCEDURE FOR THE OPERATION OFINDEPENDENT REVIEWS
UNDER ARTICLE 4OFTHE WTO AGREEMENT ONPRESHIPMENT INSPECTION
1.Purpose andScope ofIndependent Review
1.1.Thepurpose ofanindependent review istoresolve disputes between exporters andPSIentities
inaccordance withtheprovisions ofthePSIAgreement.
1.2.Theobject ofanindependent review shallbelimited, pursuant toArticle 4(f)ofthePSIAgreement,
toestablishing whether, inthecourse oftheinspection indispute, theparties tothedispute havecomplied
withtheprovisions ofthePSIAgreement.
1.3.When reviewing price verification byaPSIentity, independent review panels shalldetermine
whether thePSIentity hascarried outprice verification inaccordance withtheprovisions ofthePSI
Agreement. Aspects ofpreshipment inspection involving elements ofcustoms valuation shallbesubject
totheappropriate provisions ofthePSIAgreement, inparticular footnote 4toArticle 2.20thereof.
2.Availability andTiming ofIndependent Review
2.1.Theentities entitled torequest independent review orbecome parties toproceedings before
independent review panels shallbeexporters ofgoods subject topreshipment inspection activities and
PSIentities, within themeaning ofthePSIAgreement.
2.2.Independent review shallbeavailable aftertheexporter hasfirstsubmitted acomplaint withthe
preshipment inspection entity under theappeals procedure provided forinArticle 2.21ofthePSI
Agreement.
2.3.Independent review shallnotberequested earlier thantwoworking daysafterthedispute was
submitted totheinternal appeals procedure ofthePSIentity. During aperiod ofsixmonths immediately
following theentry intoforce ofthepresent Rules ofProcedure, independent review shall notbe
requested laterthan180daysafter theissuance ofaClean Report ofFindings ornotification of
non-issuance ofaClean Report ofFindings. After theendofthesixmonth period referred toabove,
independent review shallnotberequested laterthan90daysaftertheissuance ofaClean Report of
Findings ornotification ofnon-issuance ofaClean Report ofFindings. TheIEshallnotaccept arequest
forindependent review unless itislodged within theforegoing timeperiod, except when bothparties
agree otherwise. IfnoClean Report ofFinding ornotification ofnon-issuance ofaClean Report of
Finding isissued within thetime-frame provided forinArticle 2.16ofthePSIAgreement, theparty
concerned shallbefreetorequest anindependent review atanytimethereafter.
3.ListofExperts forIndependent Review Panels
3.1.TheIEshallestablish andupdate annually apublicly available listofexperts divided intothree
sections asfollows:
3.1.1 asection ofexperts nominated bytheInternational Chamber ofCommerce (ICC);
3.1.2 asection ofexperts nominated bytheInternational Federation ofInspection Agencies (IFIA);WT/L/125/Rev.1
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3.1.3 asection ofindependent trade experts nominated bytheIE.
4.Procedure forInitiating anIndependent Review
4.1.Thecomplainant, when seeking anindependent review, shallsubmit totheIEacompleted Standard
Application Form (see:Appendix Ahereto) andsupporting documents.
4.2.Theapplication formsubmitted bythecomplainant maybewritten inanyoftheofficial languages
oftheWTO andshallinclude thefollowing :
4.2.1 identity ofthecomplainant, address, telephone, fax,telexnumbers andthename ofthecontact
person inthecomplainant 'soffice;
4.2.2 name andaddress oftheimporter;
4.2.3 name andaddress oftherespondent, itstelephone, fax,telexnumbers andthename ofthe
contact person intherespondent 'soffice;
4.2.4 preshipment inspection entity reference numbers andexporters 'contract, order, invoice
numbers asappropriate;
4.2.5 briefdescription ofthegoods;
4.2.6 indication oftheprovisions ofthePSIAgreement which haveallegedly beeninfringed and
description oftheelements onthebasis ofwhich itisalleged thattheinfringement tookplace;
4.2.7 copies ofalldocuments considered toberelevant bythecomplainant forreview;
4.2.8 details ofsubmission ofdispute tothePSIentity 'sinternal appeal procedure;
4.2.9 complainant 'sstatement astowhether itprefers thedispute tobedetermined byasingle
independent trade expert orbyathree-member panel. Ifthecomplainant wishes thereview tobe
conducted byasingle independent tradeexpert andtherespondent agrees, thesingle independent trade
expert willbeselected bytheIEfromtheindependent trade experts 'section ofthelistofexperts held
bytheIE.Ifthecomplainant wishes thereview tobeconducted byathree-member panel, itshall
propose initsapplication form three names from therelevant section ofthelistheldbytheIE.The
respondent shallpropose initsresponse form three names from therelevant section ofthelistheld
bytheIE.
4.2.10 When thecomplainant 'srequest forindependent review includes arequest tohavethematter
decided byasingle independent tradeexpert, therespondent shallstateinitsreply whether itconcurs.
Where therespondent doesnotconcur, thenames ofthree experts taken fromtherelevant section of
thelistmaintained bytheIEshallbeincluded intherespondent 'sreply.
4.3.Acopyoftherequest forindependent review andallaccompanying papers shallbenotified by
theIEtotherespondent.
4.4.Therespondent maysubmit areply ontheStandard Response Form (see:Appendix Bhereto).
Thereply shallbedelivered totheIE.TheIEshallnotify ittothecomplainant. Inaneffort toenable
thepanel tomake areasoned evaluation ofthematter presented based upontherequest forindependent
review andtheresponse without anyneedtoseekanyfurther information, anyresponse should includeWT/L/125/Rev.1
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astatement oftherespondent 'sposition andanyother relevant evidence orexplanatory material that
therespondent wishes tosubmit.
4.5.Further documentation maybesubmitted byeither party onlyupon request bytheindependent
review panel.
5.Appointment ofPanel Members
5.1.Upon receipt oftheapplication formfortherequest forindependent review fromthecomplainant,
theresponse form fromtherespondent, ifany,andreceipt ofanamount covering theinitial costs of
theindependent review, theIEwill,whether theparties haveagreed tothedispute being decided by
asingle independent tradeexpert orathree-member panel, appoint thesingle independent tradeexpert
orthechairperson ofthepanel, asthecasemaybe,fromtheindependent trade experts section ofthe
listmaintained bytheIE.1
5.2.Where there istobeathree-member panel, theIEwillinaddition select oneexpert torepresent
theexporter fromthethreenames submitted bytheexporter andoneexpert torepresent thePSIentity
from thethree names submitted bythePSIentity.
5.3.Inselectingthesingleindependenttradeexpertorthepanelistsofathree-memberpanel,thelocation
oftheexperts, thelocation oftheparties andthelocation ofthesiteofinspection ofthegoods shall
allbetaken intoaccount bytheIE.
5.4.Noperson shallbenominated byeither party asapanelist ifthatperson hasanyaffiliation to
thenominating party. Aperson shallbedeemed tohaveanaffiliation toanominating party ifthat
person isadirector, employee, adviser, consultant oragent ofthatparty orthatperson hasafinancial
interest inthatparty orisinanywayrelated bybirth ormarriage tothatparty ortoanydirector,
employee orpartner ofthenominating party.
5.5.Ifeither party hasanyobjection totheproposal ofanypanelist bytheother party based onan
alleged affiliation totheother party, suchobjection shallbenotified totheIEwithin oneworking day
aftertheobjecting party hasreceived theother party'sform.
5.6.TheIEwillaskexperts whoareunder consideration forappointment aspanelists orassingle
independent trade experts toconfirm that:
5.6.1 theexpert hasnoaffiliation, asdefined inparagraph 5.4above, totheparty thathasput
his/her name forward or,inthecaseofanindependent trade expert, thathe/she hasnoaffiliation to
either party;
5.6.2 theexpert willtreatinconfidence allconfidential information made available during the
course ofanyreview.
5.7.Intheevent thattherespondent failstorespond toanapplication within twoworking daysof
theinitiation ofarequest foranindependent review, theIEwillappoint asingle independent trade
expert andthereview shallproceed despite thelackofresponse. However, ifthecomplainant insists
uponathree-member panel, theIEwill,inaddition toselecting thechairperson, appoint athirdpanel
member onbehalf ofthenon-participating party sothatthereview canproceed.
1Forthepurposes ofthisAnnex, theterm"panel" shallrefer toboththree-member panels andsingle independent trade
experts referred torespectively inArticle 4(c)and(e)ofthePSIAgreement. Theterm"panelist" shallrefertobothmembers
ofthree-member panels andsingle independent trade experts.WT/L/125/Rev.1
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6.Payment ofDeposits toCover Estimated Costs ofanIndependent Review
6.1.Anyparty which hasnotsecured anappropriate bankguarantee infavour oftheIEshalldeposit
inthebank account oftheIEcleared funds inSwiss Francs tocover theinitial costs ofthereview
inaccordance withtheAdvance Deposit Tariff published bytheIE.Such remittance shallbemade
bythecomplainant atthesametimeasthecomplainant submits theapplication forindependent review
totheIE.
6.2.Iftherespondent isnotaPSIentity thathasarranged abankguarantee onterms acceptable by
theDirector oftheIE,itshallmake thedeposit referred toabove forthwith onreceipt ofacopyof
thecomplainant 'sapplication forindependent review.
6.3.1 Oneoftheconditionsforthecommencementoftheindependentreviewprocessisthatdeposits
orbankguarantees ofanamount sufficient tocover theinitial costs ofanindependent review must
havebeenreceived from bothparties bytheIE.Thedecision oftheIEastowhether adeposit is
sufficient shallbefinal.
6.3.2 Notwithstanding paragraphs 6.1,6.2and6.3.1 above andparagraph II.C.(2) ofthe"Structure
andFunctions oftheIndependent Entity Established byArticle 4oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment
Inspection", apanel shallbeestablished uponreceipt ofadeposit orbankguarantee byonlyoneparty,
provided thattheamount issufficient, subject totheprior agreement ofthatparty. Itisunderstood
thatthecosts willbeborne bythatparty, intheevent thattheother party failstomake thedeposit
orsecure thebankguarantee required under paragraph 6.3.1 above.
6.4.After theconditions forthecommencement ofthereview havebeenmet,theIEwill,within one
working day,sendthedocuments ofthecasetothenominated panelists.
6.5.Ifuponitsinitial review, within oneworking dayofreceipt ofthedocuments, thepanel determines
that(a)itisnecessary totravel forthepurpose ofperforming itsduties, suchastheinspection ofthe
goods, or(b)additional expenditures arenecessary, suchastoprocure theservices ofanindependent
consultant withspecialist knowledge, thepanel shalladvise theIEaccordingly. TheIEshallestimate
theadditional deposits required andinform theparties.
6.6.Ifinexceptional circumstances, whilst thereview isinprocess, thepanel anticipates expenditure
inexcess oftheadvance deposits received inorder toreach adecision, itshalladvise theIEaccordingly.
TheIEshallestimate theadditional deposits required andinform theparties.
6.7.Attherequest ofthepanel, theIEshallalsoinform theparties thatthetime-frame setoutinArticle
4(g)ofthePSIAgreementwillbesuspendeduntilanamountsufficienttocovertheadditionalexpenditure
hasbeenreceived. Thepanel maydecide atanytimetoterminate thesuspension.
6.8.Ifneither party agrees toprovide further funds, thepanel shallproceed toadecision onthebasis
oftheinformation before it.Ifonlyoneparty makes anadditional deposit, thepanel mayproceed on
thebasisofthefunds available, subject totheagreement ofthatparty. Insuchacase, notwithstanding
paragraph 6.9,onlytheamount ofthedeposit orofthebankguarantee notusedtocover thecosts
incurred willberefunded orreleased.
6.9.Refunds ofdeposits orrelease ofguarantees willbemade inwhole orinpart,lessbankcharges,
bytheIEhaving regard tothetotalcosts oftheindependent review asassessed bytheIEandhaving
regard totheallocation ofcosts between theparties made bytheindependent review panel.WT/L/125/Rev.1
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7.Procedure before Independent Review Panels
7.1.Decisions willordinarily bemade onthebasisoftheinitial written submissions andanysubsequent
oralrepresentations. Either party shallbeentitled tomake oralrepresentations tothepanel subject
totheprovisions ofparagraph 7.5. Parties shallnotraiseclaims before thepanel which were not
previously raised intheappeals procedure before thepreshipment inspection entity provided forin
Article 2.21ofthePSIAgreement. Thepanel maydetermine whether aparticular claim waseffectively
raised during theappeals procedure.
7.2.Thechairperson ofthepanel orthesingle independent trade expert shall make allnecessary
decisions soastoensure thefairandexpeditious resolution ofthedispute submitted toindependent
review butalways having dueregard tothesumsavailable bywayofdeposit(s) orguarantee(s) tocover
thecostofthereview.
7.3.Ifanyparty failstoparticipate intheproceedings ortorespond inatimely manner torequests
from thepanel, thepanel shallnevertheless render adecision onthebasis oftheinformation before
it.
7.4.Exceptasotherwiseprovidedinparagraph9.2,copiesofallwrittencommunicationsanddocuments
submitted tothepanel byaparty shallbeforthwith notified bytheIEtotheother party. Anyparty
receiving anynewdocument from theother party shallhavetherighttocomment thereon.
7.5.Noexparte communication shallbeallowed.
7.6.Each panelist shallactasanindependent adjudicator inrespect ofthedispute under review and
shallinnowayactasanadvocate oragent foreither party.
7.7.Nopartyshallseektoinfluenceanypanelistconcerningthematterindisputeinanywaywhatsoever
except through theprocess ofsubmissions andevidence inthecourse ofanindependent review.
8.Evidence
8.1.Thepanel mayrequest documents andother relevant materials from theparties. Thefailure of
aparty torespond maybetaken intoaccount bythepanel inrendering itsdecision butshallnot,of
itself, beasufficient reason torender adecision against thatparty.
9.Confidentiality
9.1.Except asotherwise provided inparagraph 10.4, panelists andparties shallholdinstrictconfidence
allsubmissions andother materials provided tothepanel orotherwise received inthecourse ofthe
proceedings.
9.2.Aparty mayrequest thatcertain information submitted tothepanel betreated asconfidential,
provided itsubmits anon-confidential summary oftheinformation concerned. Aparty maysubmit
confidential business information, which itisunable todisclose tothird parties byreason ofsuch
information having beenprovided onaconfidential basis fromparties notinvolved inthedispute, to
anindependent lawyer nominated bybothparties toenable thatlawyer toprovide tothepanel areport
ontheinformation sosubmitted. Thecosts ofthelawyer inproviding suchareport shallbeborne
bytheparty requesting thereport.WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page14
10.Decision oftheIndependent Review Panel
10.1. Thedecision ofathree-member panel shallbeadopted bymajority vote.
10.2. Eachdecision shallberendered within eightworking daysaftertherequest forindependent
review wasreceived bytheIE,unless bothparties agree toextend thistimelimit. Forthepurposes
ofcounting theeight working dayperiod forcompletion ofareview, arequest shallbedeemed to
havebeenreceived onlyafter:
10.2.1 theIEhasreceived aproperly completed Standard Application Form requesting areview;
and
10.2.2 bothparties tothereview havelodged financial deposits orbank guarantees which cover
theinitial costs ofthereview or,incaseonlyoneparty made adeposit orlodged abankguarantee,
thisparty agreed tobearthecostsoftheindependent review inaccordance withparagraph 6.3.2; and
10.2.3 therespondent hasresponded inwriting totheapplication ortwoworking dayshaveelapsed
without aresponse since thatparty wasnotified oftheapplication.
10.3. Thedecision shallstatewhether, intheopinion ofthepanel, theparties tothedispute have,
inthecourse oftheinspection indispute, complied withtheprovisions ofthePSIAgreement.
10.4. Eachdecision shallinclude abriefstatement giving reasons forthedecision. Decisions shall
beissued inalltheofficial languages oftheWTO.
10.5. Thepanel shallapportion thecostsofthereview based uponthemerits ofthereview. Such
costs shallbelimited tothecosts oftheIEforwhich deposits orbankguarantees havebeentaken by
theIE.Other expenses incurred bytheparties tothereview arenotrecoverable.
10.6. Panel decisions shallbeissued intwoversions: oneconfidential version fortheIEconfidential
record andonenon-confidential version forpublication. Non-confidential versions ofdecisions shall
bepublished bytheIFIAandtheICCfortheinformation ofPSIentities andexporters andmade available
toWTO Members bytheIE.Thepublished decisions maycontain non-confidential summaries of
informationforwhichapartyrequestedconfidentialtreatmentandprovidedanon-confidentialsummary.
11.Discontinuance ofanApplication forIndependent Review
11.1. Ifatanytime, priortothecommunication bytheIEofthedecision ofapanel totheparties,
theparties reach anamicable settlement, theymaywithdraw thereview application bygiving notice
totheIE,including notice astohowreview costs incurred todatearetobeborne bytheparties. In
theabsence ofanyagreement tothecontrary, thecosts willbedivided equally between theparties.
11.2. Ifthecomplainant unilaterally gives notice totheIEthattheapplication forindependent
review isdiscontinued, theIEwillrefund tothecomplainant itsdeposit orrelease itsbankguarantee
lessindependent review costs incurred tothatdateandbank charges. Ifhowever thecomplainant
withdraws hisapplication byreason ofthefactthattherespondent hasremedied thegrievance which
wasthesubject oftheoriginal application, therespondent shallbearalltheindependent review costs
incurred tothatdateinrespect ofthatapplication.
11.3. Thedecision oftheIEastotheamount ofcostsincurred intheindependent review process
uptothedateofanydiscontinuance shallbefinal.WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page15
12.Time
12.1. Time limits fordelivery ofdocuments pursuant tothese Rules ofProcedure shallinclude
onlynormal working daysinthecountry where theoffice oftherecipient ofthecommunication is
located.
12.2. Where documents arereceived byarecipient afternormal working hours inthecountry
oftherecipient, theyshallbedeemed tobereceived onthenextworking day.
12.3. Incalculating timelimits, thedayoftheactorevent from which thedesignated period of
timebegins torunshallnotbeincluded. Thelastdayofsuchtimeperiod shallbeincluded.
12.4. Anytimelimitprescribed bythese rulesmaybeextended withtheconsent ofbothparties.
Anyrequest forextension oftimeshallbemade tothepanel before theexpiration ofthetimeperiod
tobeextended unless itisimpractical todoso.
13.Information
13.1. TheIE,thePSIentities andtheNational Chambers ofCommerce shalluponrequest provide
information toenquirers ontheindependent review procedure. Anominal charge maybemade for
providing copies oftheIERules ofProcedure andrelated documents.WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page16
APPENDIX A
APPLICATION FORM
FOR A
REQUEST FOR ANINDEPENDENT REVIEW
(inaccordance withtheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection)
IMPORTANT
1.Thisformisforcompletion bythecomplainant oranauthorized employee
ofthecomplainant requesting anindependent review inaccordance with
theprovisions oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection,
Article 4.
2.Prior tocompleting thisform, complainants areadvised torefer tothe
Independent Entity publication "Preshipment Inspection Activities: Rules
ofProcedure fortheoperation ofIndependent Review Panels under
Article 4oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection".
IEREFERENCE NUMBER
Tobeallocated bytheIE
INDEPENDENT ENTITY
WTO Secretariat
Centre William Rappard
RuedeLausanne 154
CH-1211 Geneva 21
Tel.No.(022) 739.51.11
Fax.No.(022) 731.42.06WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page17
1. COMPLAINANT 2. IMPORTER
Company Name: Company Name:
Address:
Telephone No.:
Telefax No.:
Telex No.:
Contact person:Address:
3. RESPONDENT
Name:
Address:
Telephone No.:
Telefax No.:
Telex No.:
Contact Person:
4. WTO MEMBERS 6. DESCRIPTION OFGOODS
Member(s) inwhich preshipment inspection isperformed
Importing Member
5. REFERENCE NUMBERS
Inspection Order Reference No.:
(asadvised bythepreshipment inspection entity)
Contract/Order/Proforma Invoice/Final Invoice No.
(delete asapplicable)
7. NATURE OFTHE DISPUTE
Theobjective oftheIndependent Review istodetermine whether thePreshipment Inspection Entity andtheExporter have
complied withtheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection.
7.A. Article(s) oftheAgreement indispute:
Please indicate, bymarking an"X"intheboxes below, which Articles oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection
have, inyouropinion, beeninfringed.
WTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection
Section:
*Non-discrimination 2.1
*Site ofInspection 2.3
*Standards 2.4
*Transparency 2.5
2.6
2.7
*Protection ofConfidential 2.9
Business Information
2.11
2.12
*Conflicts ofInterest 2.14(a)
2.14(b)
2.14(c)Article No.: Section:
*Delays
*Price verification
*Appeals Procedures
*Other provisions ofthe
Agreement (please identify)Article No.:
2.15
2.16
2.17
2.18
2.19
2.20(a)
2.20(b)
2.20(c)
2.20(d)
2.20(e)
2.21
2.21(a)
2.21(c)WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page18
7.B. Disputes regarding Article 2.20"Price Verification"
Ifthedispute relates toprice verification, please indicate below whether thePSIEntity 'sprice opinion isfor:
(A) Foreign Exchange purposes
(B) Customs Valuation purposes
Important: Ifanswer (B)applies, please refer toparagraph 1.3oftheRules ofProcedure fortheOperation ofthe
Independent Review Panels under Article 4oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection.
7.C. Summary ofdispute:
Please describe theelements onthebasis ofwhich thealleged infringement tookplace.
Please provide sufficient detail and/or accompanying documentation toenable theIndependent Review Panel toreach a
conclusion. Aseparate attachment pagemaybeusedifnecessary.
Areyousubmitting additional documents withthisform?
YES/NO
Ifyes,please statenumber ofpages ofattachments
8. SUBMISSION OFTHE DISPUTE TOTHE
PRESHIPMENT INSPECTION ENTITY 'SINTERNAL
APPEAL PROCEDURES:
Theexporter isrequired tohavesubmitted thegrievance to
thepreshipment inspection entity 'sinternal appeal
procedures atleast2working daysbefore submission of
thecasetotheIndependent Entity.
1. Please provide thefollowing information:
a.Dateofdespatch
b.Means ofdespatch
.Hand delivery
.Special courier service
.Fax
2. Hasaresponse beengiven bythepreshipment
inspection entity?
YES/NO
3. Enclose copies oftheappeal submission tothe
preshipment inspection entity anditsreply, ifany.WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page19
9. FORMATION OFTHE INDEPENDENT REVIEW PANEL:
TheIndependent Review Panel normally consists ofthree members: onenominated bytheexporter butnotaffiliated tothe
exporter, onenominated bythepreshipment inspection entity butnotaffiliated tothepreshipment inspection entity andone
independent trade expert nominated bytheIndependent Entity whoserves asChairman ofthePanel.
9.A. Complainant 'schoice ofpanel member:
Complainants mayselect apanellist from therelevant section ofthe"List ofExperts forIndependent Reviews", established
bytheIndependent Entity, which isavailable from theIE,thePSIentity ortheChamber ofCommerce inthecomplainant 's
country. Although onlyoneexpert willbeappointed, please indicate, intheboxes below, three persons from thelisttaking
intoaccount theirgeographical location andlanguage. Please alsoensure thattheyarenotaffiliated toyourcompany
within themeaning ofparagraph 5.4oftheRules ofProcedure fortheOperation ofIndependent Review Panels under
Article 4oftheWTO Agreement onPSI.
TheIndependent Entity willchoose oneofthese persons.
Name: 1. 2. 3.
Country:
9.B. Single independent trade expert orthree-member panel:
Thecomplainant mayopt,ifalsomutually agreed bytherespondent, forasingle independent trade expert nominated bythe
Independent Entity, instead ofathree-member panel. Ifyouprefer thisoption, please indicate (bymarking an"X") inthe
boxbelow.
Whatever yourpreference, youmust complete Section 9.Aabove.
(Iwishtohaveasingle independent trade expert (ifmutually agreed bytherespondent)).
Note: ThecostoftheIndependent Review willbesignificantly lessifasingle independent trade expert isappointed.
9.C. Personal representation :
Boththecomplainant andrespondent maypresent theirviews, inperson totheIndependent Review Panel.
Ifyouwishtousethisfacility please indicate (bymarking an"X") inoneoftheboxes below.
Inanyevent: Only iftherespondent doesso:
10. PAYMENT OFTHE ADVANCE DEPOSIT:
Incaseabank guarantee hasnotbeensecured infavour oftheIE,payment oftheadvance deposit according tothecurrent
"Advance Deposit Tariff" (available from theIE,PSIentity ortheChamber ofCommerce inthecomplainant 'scountry),
should besentbybank transfer inSwiss Francs to:
Bank
IREAccount No.
IRESwift No.
Beneficiary
Please indicate inthefollowing boxes:
Thedateofsubmission oftransfer instructions toyourbank
Thebank reference No.
11. Please indicate ifyouareprepared tobearthefullcosts oftheindependent review, inaccordance withparagraph 6.3.2 of
theRules ofProcedure, intheevent therespondent failstomake thedeposit required orincaseabank guarantee hasnot
beensecured bytherespondent infavour oftheIE.
Yes NoWT/L/125/Rev.1
Page20
12. SUBMISSIONS REQUIRED FROM THE COMPLAINANT BYTHE INDEPENDENT ENTITY PRIOR TOTHE
COMMENCEMENT OFAREVIEW:
Your request forIndependent Review willnotbeprocessed untilthelisted documents, inaddition totheadvance deposit or
bank guarantee, havebeenreceived bytheIndependent Entity.
(I) ThisApplication Form dulycompleted andsigned.
(II) Acopy oftheexporter 'sappeal tothepreshipment inspection entity inaccordance withitsappeals procedures asper
Article 2.21oftheWTO Agreement onPSI. (SeeSection 8ofthisapplication form.)
(III) Acopy, ifapplicable, ofanyreply bythepreshipment inspection entity totheexporter 'sappeal asperpoint (II)above.
(IV) Copies ofallother documents submitted toandreceived from therespondent inconnection withthetransaction indispute.
(V) Anyadditional supporting evidence youwishtosubmit.
These documents, together withthisapplication form, maybesubmitted totheIndependent Entity byfax.
13. NOTIFICATION OFACOPY OFTHIS APPLICATION FORM AND ENCLOSURES TOTHE RESPONDENT:
TheIndependent Entity willnotify thisapplication andallattached documents totherespondent.
Ifanysubmitted information isconfidential, please provide anon-confidential summary, orifapplicable specify whether
youagree totheapplication oftheprocedure provided forinparagraph 9.2oftheRules ofProcedure fortheOperation of
Independent Review Panels under Article 4oftheWTO Agreement onPSI.
14. Please indicate below inwhich official language oftheWTO (English/French/Spanish) youwould likethedecision
communicated toyou:
15. COMPLAINANT 'SDECLARATION:
Ihereby declare that:
a. Iamthecomplainant/an authorized employee/an authorized representative ofthecomplainant.
b. Theinformation contained herein is,tothebestofmyknowledge, correct.
c. Theexperts nominated byme,inSection 9.Aofthisform, toserve aspanel members arenotaffiliated tomeormy
company.
d. Iormycompany wishtosubmit thiscaseforanIndependent Review andrecognize thattheRules ofProcedure for
theOperation ofIndependent Review Panels under Article 4oftheWTO Agreement onPSIshallapply tothis
review.
FULL NAME: ........................................................................... POSITION: ...........................................
COMPANY NAME: .................................................................................................................................
SIGNED: ..............................................................................................................................................
AT: .....................................................................................................................................................
ON: .....................................................................................................................................................WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page21
EXPLANATORY NOTES
1. Arequest foranIndependent Review requires thattheIndependent Entity ("IE") shallhavereceived thefollowing from the
complainant:
a. Completed Application Form.
b. Theadvance deposit (only incaseabank guarantee hasnotbeensecured infavour oftheIE).
c. Evidence thattheexporter submitted tothepreshipment inspection ("PSI") entity, atleasttwoworking daysearlier,
anAppeal inwriting inaccordance withArticle 2.21oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection.
d. Copies oftheother applicable documents aslisted inSection 12ofthisApplication Form.
2. TheIEwillonlyprocess applications forIndependent Review when (a)thepreshipment inspection activity wascarried out
ontheterritory ofaMember byaPSIentity contracted byanother Member; and(b)therequest isreceived notearlier than
twoworking daysafterthedispute wassubmitted totheinternal appeals procedure ofthePSIentity andnotlaterthanthe
number ofdaysforeseen inparagraph 2.3oftheRules ofProcedure fortheOperation ofIndependent Reviews under
Article 4oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection aftertheissuance oftheClean Report ofFindings or
notification ofnon-issuance oftheClean Report ofFindings unless bothparties agree otherwise.
3. Applications received bytheIEafterworking hours willbedeemed tohavebeensubmitted onthenextworking day.
4. Anytimeperiod in"working days" willtakeintoaccount, where applicable, theofficial working daysintheMembers
where theexporter, preshipment inspection entity, IEandpanel members ofIndependent Review arelocated.
5. Within twoworking daysofnotification bytheIEtotherespondent ofthecomplainant 'srequest foranindependent review,
therespondent willforthwith lodge, incaseabank guarantee hasnotbeensecured infavour oftheIE,anadvance deposit
inSwiss Francs inaccordance withthecurrent "Advance Deposit Tariff" acceptable totheIE.Within thesame two
working daystherespondent isinvited torespond totherequest bycompleting andsending totheIEaresponse form. In
theabsence ofaresponse:
a. TheIEwill,where applicable, select athirdpanel member, whoisnotaffiliated totherespondent, from the
respondent 'ssection oftheexperts list.
b. TheIndependent Review willproceed onthebasis oftheinformation submitted bythecomplainant.
6. By"exporter" ismeant theparty contracting tosellthegoods directly totheimporter intheimporting Member.
7. Aproposed panel member shallbedeemed tobeaffiliated toaparty iftheperson isadirector, employee, adviser,
consultant oragent ofanominating party oriftheperson hasafinancial interest inthenominating party orisrelated by
birthormarriage toanominating party ortoanydirector oremployee orpartner ofanominating party.
8. Thecosts incurred directly bytheparties, suchas,legal costs, administrative expenses orsending apersonal representative
toameeting withtheIndependent Review, willbefortheirownrespective account.
9. When reviewing price verification byaPSIentity, independent review panels shalldetermine whether thePSIentity has
carried outprice verification inaccordance withtheprovisions ofthePSIAgreement. Aspects ofpreshipment inspection
involving elements ofcustoms valuation shallbesubject totheappropriate provisions ofthePSIAgreement, inparticular
footnote 4toArticle 2.20thereof.
10. Thedecision oftheIndependent Review Panel isbinding onthepreshipment inspection entity andtheexporter, which are
parties tothedispute, andcosts willbeapportioned bythePanel onthemerits ofthecase. Thedecision ofthePanel and
allocation ofcosts willbecommunicated totheparties bytheIE.
11. Theabove notes haveexclusively explanatory purposes. TheRules ofProcedure fortheOperation ofIndependent Review
Panels under Article 4oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection areavailable from theIE,thePSIentities or
National Chambers ofCommerce.WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page22
APPENDIX B
RESPONSE FORM
TOA
REQUEST FOR ANINDEPENDENT REVIEW
(inaccordance withtheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection)
IMPORTANT
1.Thisform isforcompletion byanauthorized employee of
arespondent wishing torespond toacomplainant 's
request foranindependent review inaccordance with
Article 4oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment
Inspection.
2.Pages 2and3ofthiscompleted form should bereceived
bytheIndependent Entity within twoworking daysofthe
submission bythecomplainant ofhis/her Request for
Independent Review totheIndependent Entity.
Failure todosomay result intheIndependent Review
proceeding intheabsence ofanyresponse from the
respondent.
IEREFERENCE NUMBER
Tobeallocated bytheIE
INDEPENDENT ENTITY
WTO Secretariat
Centre William Rappard
RuedeLausanne 154
CH-1211 Geneva 21
Tel.No.(022) 739.51.11
FaxNo.(022) 731.42.06WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page23
1. RESPONDENT 2. COMPLAINANT
Company Name: Company Name:
Address: Town/Country:
Telephone No.: 3. REFERENCE NUMBERS
FaxNo.: Inspection Order Reference No.:
Telex No.:
Contact Person: Contract/Order/Proforma Invoice/Final Invoice No.
(Delete asapplicable)
4. RESPONSE BYTHE RESPONDENT
Weacknowledge receipt ofthecomplainant 'sApplication Form anddocuments insupport ofhis/her request foranIndependent
Review andwewishtoprovide thefollowing comments/additional information inresponse:
Areyousubmitting additional documents withthisform?
YES/NO
Ifyes,please statenumber ofpages ofattachments
5. RESPONDENT 'SCHOICE OFPANEL MEMBER
Although onlyoneexpert willbeappointed, please indicate, intheboxes below, three persons from therelevant section ofthe
"List ofExperts forIndependent Reviews" established bytheIndependent Entity, taking intoaccount theirgeographical location
andlanguage. Please alsoensure thattheyarenotaffiliated toyouoryourcompany within themeaning ofparagraph 5.4ofthe
Rules ofProcedure fortheoperation ofIndependent Review Panels under Article 4oftheWTO Agreement onPSI. The
Independent Entity willchoose oneofthese persons.
Name: 1. 2. 3.
Country:
6. SINGLE INDEPENDENT TRADE EXPERT ORTHREE-MEMBER PANEL
Ifmutually agreed, therespondent andthecomplainant mayoptforasingle independent trade expert nominated bythe
Independent Entity instead ofathree-member panel.
Ifyouprefer thisoption, please indicate (bymarking an"X") intheboxbelow.
Iwishtohaveasingle independent trade expert (ifmutually agreed bythecomplainant).
Note: ThecostoftheIndependent Review willbesignificantly lessifasingle independent trade expert isappointed.WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page24
7. PERSONAL REPRESENTATION
Boththecomplainant andrespondent maypresent theirviews, inperson totheIndependent Review Panel.
Ifyouwishtousethisfacility, please indicate (bymarking an"X") intheboxbelow:
8. PAYMENT OFTHE ADVANCE DEPOSIT
Incaseabank guarantee hasnotbeen secured infavour oftheIE,payment oftheadvance deposit according tothecurrent
"Advance Deposit Tariff" should besentbybank transfer inSwiss Francs to:
Bank
IREAccount No.
IRESwift No.
Beneficiary
Please indicate inthefollowing boxes:
Thedateofsubmission oftransfer instructions toyourbank.
Thebank reference No.
9. NOTIFICATION OFACOPY OFTHIS RESPONSE FORM AND ANY ENCLOSURES TOTHE COMPLAINANT
TheIndependent Entity willnotify acopy ofthisresponse form andanyenclosures tothecomplainant. Ifanyinformation
submitted isconfidential, please provide anon-confidential summary, orifapplicable specify whether youagree totheapplication
oftheprocedure provided forinparagraph 9.2oftheRules ofProcedure fortheOperation ofIndependent Review Panels under
Article 4oftheWTO Agreement onPSI.
10. Please indicate below inwhich official language oftheWTO (English/French/Spanish) youwould likethedecision
communicated toyou:
11. RESPONDENT 'SDECLARATION
Ihereby declare that:
a. Iamtherespondent/an authorized employee/an authorized representative oftherespondent.
b. Theinformation contained herein is,tothebestofmyknowledge, correct.
c. Theexperts nominated byme,inSection 5ofthisform, toserve aspanel members arenotaffiliated tomeormy
company.
d. Iormycompany recognize thattheRules ofProcedure fortheOperation ofIndependent Review Panels under
Article 4oftheWTO Agreement onPSIshallapply tothisreview.
FULL NAME:....................................................... POSITION: .................................................................
COMPANY NAME: .................................................................................................................................
SIGNED:................................................................................................................................................
AT:.......................................................................................................................................................
ON:......................................................................................................................................................WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page25
WTO AGREEMENT ONPRESHIPMENT INSPECTION
Article 4:Independent Review Procedures
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR EXPERTS TOBENOMINATED BYTHE
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OFINSPECTION AGENCIES
Thisform istobecompleted bypersons prepared tobenominated forinclusion inthelistof
experts, inaccordance withArticle 4oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection, from
which apreshipment inspection entity mayselect oneofthemembers ofapanel which willbe
formed toconduct anIndependent Review ofpreshipment inspection activities.
Theinformation provided inthisform, withtheexemption ofaddresses, telephone/fax/telex
numbers anddateofbirth, maybeincluded inthepublicly available listofexperts.
Personal Information :
Family Name: Title/Mr./Mrs./Miss:
First Name:
Date ofBirth: Nationality:
(day/month/year)
Qualifications (Academic andProfessional):
Present Position: Department:
(where applicable)
Business Name &Address:
Phone:
Mobile:
Fax:
Telex:
Personal Address:
Phone:
Mobile:
Fax:
Telex:
Please indicate below thelanguages youarefamiliar with, including yourmother tongue, and
yourlevelofproficiency ineachlanguage (i.e.fairorfluent)
Language Oral WrittenWT/L/125/Rev.1
Page26
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE :
Please list,inthespaces below, yourareas ofexpertise bothpastandpresent:
A.EMPLOYMENT SECTOR :
(i)Manufacturing industries: e.g.chemicals, pharmaceuticals, petroleum, agricultural,
minerals, machinery, electronics, consumer products, etc.
.......................................................
.......................................................
(ii)Service industries: e.g.legal, banking, insurance, accounting, freight forwarding,
inspection, etc.
.......................................................
.......................................................
(iii)General trading: e.g.general trader, buying agent, general importer/exporter, retailer
.......................................................
.......................................................
(iv)Government:
.......................................................
.......................................................
B.DISPUTE SETTLEMENTS: Please provide details below ifyouhaveexperience in
dispute settlements.
.......................................................
.......................................................
Iconfirm that:
1.Ihavecommercial orlegalexperience ininternational trade.
2.Iamnormally:
(A) Available toserve asanexpert atshort notice.
(B) sufficiently flexible tobeabletofindtimeforuptoeight working days.
(C) willing totravel onoccasions when panels havetomeetoron-site inspection is
unavoidable.
3.Iaccept thecurrent Scale ofFeesandExpenses forExperts ofIndependent Review
Panels, dated 1February 1995 andunderstand thatthismayberevised from timeto
time.
4.Allinformation made available during anIndependent Review willbetreated bymein
confidence andwillnotberevealed tothirdparties without theconsent ofbothparties to
thedispute.
5.Allinformation provided inthisform iscorrect tothebestofmyknowledge.
Signed ....................................... Date............................................WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page27
WTO AGREEMENT ONPRESHIPMENT INSPECTION
Article 4:Independent Review Procedures
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR EXPERTS TOBENOMINATED BYTHE
INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OFCOMMERCE
Thisform istobecompleted bypersons prepared tobenominated forinclusion inthelistof
experts, inaccordance withArticle 4oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection, from
which anexporter mayselect oneofthemembers ofapanel which willbeformed toconduct
anIndependent Review ofpreshipment inspection activities.
Theinformation provided inthisform, withtheexception ofaddresses, telephone/fax/telex
numbers anddateofbirth, maybeincluded inthepublicly available listofexperts.
Personal information :
Family Name: Title/Mr./Mrs./Miss:
First Name:
Date ofBirth: Nationality:
(day/month/year)
Academic Degrees:
Professional Qualifications:
Present Position: Department:
(where applicable)
Business Name andAddress:
Phone:
Mobile:
Fax:
Telex:
Personal Address:
Phone:
Mobile:
Fax:
Telex:
Please indicate below thelanguages youarefamiliar with, including yourmother tongue, and
yourlevelofproficiency ineachlanguage (i.e.fairorfluent).
Language Oral WrittenWT/L/125/Rev.1
Page28
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE :
Please list,inthespaces below, yourareas ofexpertise bothpastandpresent:
A.EMPLOYMENT SECTOR :
(i)Manufacturing industries: e.g.chemicals, pharmaceuticals, petroleum, agricultural,
minerals, machinery, electronics, consumer products, etc.
.......................................................
.......................................................
(ii)Service industries: e.g.legal, banking, insurance, accounting, freight forwarding,
inspection, etc.
.......................................................
.......................................................
(iii)General trading: e.g.general trader, buying agent, general importer/exporter, retailer
.......................................................
.......................................................
iv)Government
.......................................................
.......................................................
B.DISPUTE SETTLEMENTS: Please provide details below ifyouhaveexperience in
dispute settlements.
.......................................................
.......................................................
Iconfirm that:
1.Ihavecommercial orlegalexperience ininternational trade.
2.Iamnormally:
(A) Available toserve asanexpert atshort notice ofexport.
(B) sufficiently flexible tobeabletofindtimeforuptoeight working days.
(C) willing totravel onoccasions when panels havetomeetoron-site inspection is
unavoidable.
3.Iaccept thecurrent Scale ofFeesandExpenses forExperts ofIndependent Review
Panels, dated 1February 1995 andunderstand thatthismayberevised from timeto
time.
4.Allinformation made available during anIndependent Review willbetreated bymein
confidence andwillnotberevealed tothirdparties without theconsent ofbothparties to
thedispute.
5.Allinformation provided inthisform iscorrect tothebestofmyknowledge.
Signed ....................................... Date............................................WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page29
WTO AGREEMENT ONPRESHIPMENT INSPECTION
Article 4:Independent Review Procedures
QUESTIONNAIRE FOR EXPERTS TOBENOMINATED BYTHE
INDEPENDENT ENTITY
Thisform istobecompleted bypersons prepared tobenominated forinclusion inthelistof
experts, inaccordance withArticle 4oftheWTO Agreement onPreshipment Inspection, from
which theIndependent Entity mayselect chairpersons ofpanels which areformed toconduct
Independent Reviews ofpreshipment inspection activities.
Theinformation provided inthisform, withtheexception ofaddresses, telephone/fax/telex
numbers anddateofbirth, maybeincluded inthepublicly available listofexperts.
Personal information :
Family Name: Title/Mr./Mrs./Miss:
First Name:
Date ofBirth: Nationality:
(day/month/year)
Qualifications (Academic andProfessional):
Present position: Department:
(where applicable)
Business Name andAddress:
Phone:
Mobile:
Fax:
Telex:
Personal Address:
Phone:
Mobile:
Fax:
Telex:
Please indicate below thelanguages youarefamiliar with, including yourmother tongue, and
yourlevelofproficiency ineachlanguage (i.e.fairorfluent).
Language Oral WrittenWT/L/125/Rev.1
Page30
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE :
Please list,inthespaces below, yourareas ofexpertise bothpastandpresent:
A.EMPLOYMENT SECTOR :
(i)Manufacturing industries: e.g.chemicals, pharmaceuticals, petroleum, agricultural,
minerals, machinery, electronics, consumer products, etc.
.......................................................
.......................................................
(ii)Service industries: e.g.legal, banking, insurance, accounting, freight forwarding,
inspection, etc.
.......................................................
.......................................................
(iii)General trading: e.g.general trader, buying agent, general importer/exporter, retailer
.......................................................
.......................................................
(iv)Government
.......................................................
.......................................................
B.DISPUTE SETTLEMENTS: Please provide details below ifyouhaveexperience in
dispute settlements.
.......................................................
.......................................................
Iconfirm that:
1.Ihavecommercial orlegalexperience ininternational trade.
2.Iamnormally:
(A) Available toserve asanexpert atshort notice.
(B) sufficiently flexible tobeabletofindtimeforuptoeight working days.
(C) willing totravel onoccasions when panels havetomeetoron-site inspection is
unavoidable.
3.Iaccept thecurrent Scale ofFeesandExpenses forExperts ofIndependent Review
Panels, dated 1February 1995 andunderstand thatthismayberevised from timeto
time.
4.Allinformation made available during anIndependent Review willbetreated bymein
confidence andwillnotberevealed tothirdparties without theconsent ofbothparties to
thedispute.
5.Allinformation provided inthisform iscorrect tothebestofmyknowledge.
Signed ....................................... Date............................................WT/L/125/Rev.1
Page31
ADVANCE DEPOSIT TARIFF
Applications foranIndependent Review, inaccordance withArticle 4oftheWTO
AgreementonPreshipmentInspection,shouldbeaccompaniedbyanadvancedeposit
(incaseabank guarantee hasnotbeen secured infavour oftheIE),which is
currently fixed atSwF17,500.
Notes :
(1) TheIndependent Entity willalsorequire therespondent tolodge anadvance deposit, incaseabank guarantee
hasnotbeen secured bytherespondent infavour oftheIE,atthesame tariff.
(2) ThecostoftheIndependent Review willbeapportioned bytheIndependent Review Panel between theparties,
based onthemerits ofthecase.
Partoralloftheadvance deposit orbank guarantee (less costs) willberefunded orreleased, ifappropriate.
(3) Theadvance deposit:
(a)covers theestimated costs oftheIndependent Review Panel (i.e.feesandexpenses ofthepanel members,
incidental expenses, etc.) andtheattributable administrative costs oftheIndependent Entity;
(b)does notcover additional costs which maybeincurred bytheIndependent Review Panel
(4) Thecosts incurred directly bytheparties (such aslegal costs, administrative expenses orsending apersonal
representative toameeting withtheIndependent Review Panel) willbefortheir ownrespective accounts.
INDEPENDENT ENTITY
WTO Secretariat
Centre William Rappard
RuedeLausanne 154
CH-1211 Geneva 21
Tel.No.(022) 739.51.11
FaxNo.(022) 731.42.06