   
  
G/L/1418  
 
10 November  2021 
(21-8452) Page: 1/14 
   
 
 
REPORT (20 21) OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS  
In accordance with the "Procedures for an Annual Overview of WTO  Activities and for Reporting 
under the WTO" (WT/L/105), the Council for Trade in Goods (CTG, or the Council) is to prepare an 
annual report each year to the General Council on the activities in the Council as well as those in its 
subsidiary bodies. The reports are to be "factual in nature, containing an indication of actions and 
decisions taken, with cross -references t o reports of subordinate bodies and could follow the model 
of the GATT  1947 Council reports to the CONTRACTING PARTIES".  
 
Since its 2020  Annual Report (G/L/1381) was issued, the CTG met three  times in formal session on 
the following dates: 31  March and 1  April 2021 (G/C/M/139 and G/C/M/139/Add.1); 8 -9 July 2021 
(G/C/M/140); and 1 -2 November  2021 (G/C/M/1411). Furthermore, the CTG met four  times in 
informal mode: on 11  February  2021 to discuss the issue of the functioning of the CTG and its 
subsidiary bodie s, and on 31  March, 14  July, and 26  July 2021 to consider the slate of names for 
the appointment of Chairpersons of the CTG's subsidiary bodies.  
 
The subject matters raised and/or acted upon in the Council were as follows:  
 
1   ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS  ........................  2 
2   APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS FOR TH E SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF THE COUNCIL  ...........  2 
3   MARKET ACCESS ISSUES  ................................ ................................ .............................  3 
3.1   Draft decision on the Procedure for the Introduction of Harmonized System 2022 Changes  
to Schedules of Concessions using the Consolidated Tariff Schedule s (CTS) database  .................  3 
3.2   Collective waiver requests on the introduction of the Harmonized System  2002, 2007,  
2012, and 2017  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  3 
4   WAIVERS UNDER ARTICLE  IX OF THE WTO  AGREEMENT  ................................ .............  3 
4.1   European Union – Request for a Waiver Extension – Application of Autonomous  
Preferential Treatment to the Western Balkans (G/C/W/794)  ................................ ...................  3 
4.2   Cuba - Request for an Extension of the Waiver concerning Article  XV:6 of the GATT  1994 
contained in the Decision of 7  December  2016 (WT/L/1003) (G/C/W/803 ) ................................  3 
5   NOTIFICATION OF REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS  ................................ ....................  4 
6   STATUS OF NOTIFICATIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENTS IN 
ANNEX  1A OF THE WTO  AGREEMENT (G/L/223/REV.28)  ................................ .................  5 
7   ACCESSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AND OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC TO THE 
EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION (EAEU): PROCEDURES UNDER ARTICLE  XXVIII:3  
OF THE GATT  1994  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  5 
7.1   Accession of the Republic of Armenia and of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Eurasian Economic 
Union (EAEU): Procedures under Article  XXVIII:3 of GATT  1994 – Request from the  
European Union  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  5 
7.2   Accession of the Republic of Armenia to the Eurasian Economic Union: Procedures Under 
Article  XXVIII:3 of the GATT  1994 – Communic ation from Armenia (G/L/1110/Add.7)  ................  5 
 
1 To be issued.  G/L/1418  
 
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  7.3   Accession of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Eurasian Economic Union: Procedures under 
Article  XXVIII:3 of the GATT  1994 – Communication from  
the Kyrgyz Republic (G/L/1137/Add.6)  ................................ ................................ .................  5 
8   MEASURES TO ALLOW GRADUATED LDCS, WITH GNP BELOW US$1,000, BENEFITS 
PURSUANT TO ANNEX  VII(B) OF THE AGREEMENT ON SUBSIDIES AND  
COUNTERVAILING MEASURES (WT/GC/W/742 -G/C/W/752)  ................................ .........  5 
9   PROCEDURES UNDER ARTICLE  XXVIII OF THE GATT  1994: WITHDRAWAL OF THE 
UNITED KINGDOM FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION (G/L/1385, G/L/1385/ADD.1, 
G/L/1386, AND G/L/ 1386/ADD.1)  ................................ ................................ ..................  6 
10   EUROPEAN UNION - RECTIFICATION AND MODIFICATION OF SCHEDULES – 
SCHEDULE  CLXXV  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  6 
11   UPDATE ON PROCEDURES TO ENHANCE TRANSPARENCY AND STRENGTHEN 
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER WTO  AGREEMENTS – ARGENTINA; AUSTRALIA; 
CANADA; CHILE; COSTA RICA; EUR OPEAN UNION; ISRAEL; JAPAN; REPUBLIC OF KOREA; 
NEW ZEALAND; NORWAY; THE PHILIPPINES; SINGAPORE; SWITZERLAND; 
THE SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU; 
UNITED  KINGDOM; AND UNITED STATES  ................................ ................................ .........  6 
12   TRADE CONCERNS  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..... 7 
13   WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE  ................................ .....................  7 
14   FUNCTIONING OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS AND ITS SUBSIDIARY 
BODIES  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  8 
15   CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL REPORTS OF SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF THE  
COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS  ................................ ................................ ......................  8 
16   SECRETARIAT STAFF CHANGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COUNCIL FOR  
TRADE IN GOODS  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  8 
ANNEX  1:  TRADE CONCERNS CONSIDERED AT THE CTG  MEETING OF 31  MARCH  2021  .... 9 
ANNEX  2:  TRADE CONCERNS CONSIDERED AT THE CTG  MEETING OF 8  JULY  2021  ....... 11 
ANNEX  3:  TRADE CONCER NS CONSIDERED AT THE CTG  MEETING OF  
1 NOVEMBER  2021  ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  13 
 
 
1  ELECTION OF CHAIRPERSON OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS  
1.1.  At its meeting of 31 March , the Council elected by acclamation HE  Mr Lundeg Purevsuren 
(Mongolia) as its Chairperson for 2021 -2022.  
2  APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS FOR THE SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF THE COUNCIL  
2.1.  At its meeting of 31 March , the Council suspended this agenda item until further notice pen ding 
the consultations of the outgoing Chairperson of the CTG. The process was subsequently conducted 
by Ambassador  Dacio Castillo, Chairperson of the General Council.  
2.2.  The Council reverted to this agenda item on 26 July2, when the Chairperson reported tha t 
Members had not been able to reach consensus on the slate of names of the subsidiary bodies and 
that consultations would continue to be held by the Chairperson of the General Council. At its 
meeting of 27 -28 July3, the General Council agreed on the nomi nations of the following persons for 
election as Chairpersons of the subsidiary bodies of the Council for Trade in Goods for 2022:  
 
2 See document  G/C/M/139/Add.1.  
3 See document  WT/GC/M/192.  G/L/1418  
 
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  CTG SUBSIDIARY BODY  CHAIRPERSON  
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade 
in Information Technology Products  Ms Katarzyna Stecz (Poland)  
Committee on Agriculture  Mr Marcos Da Rosa Uranga (Uruguay)  
Committee on Anti -dumping Practices  Mr Ahmed Al -Sulaiti (Qatar)  
Committee on Customs Valuation  Mr Buddhi Prasad Upadhyaya (Nepal)  
Committee on Import Licensing  Mr Hsin-lung Hung (Chinese Taipei)  
Committee on Market Access  Mr Chakarin Komolsiri (Thailand)  
Committee on Rules of Origin  Mr Sulaiman Satari (Afghanistan)  
Committee on Safeguards  Ms Mary Lisa Madell (United Kingdom)  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Mr Juteau Deadjufo Tousse (Cameroon)  
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing 
Measures  Ms Noriko Teranishi (Japan)  
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Mrs Elisa Maria Olmeda de Alejandro (Mexico)  
Committee on Trade Facilitation  Mr Christopher O'Toole (Canada)  
Committee on TRIMs  Ms Vilma Peltonen (Finland)  
Working Party on State Trading Enterprises  Mr Sultan Alsharif (Saudi Arabia)  
 
3  MARKET ACCESS ISSUES  
3.1  Draft decision on the Procedure for the Introduction of Harmon ized System 2022 
Changes to Schedules of Concessions using the Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) 
database  
3.1.  At its meeting of 1 November , the Council considered  a draft decision on the Procedure for the 
Introduction of Harmonized System  2022 Changes to Sch edules of Concessions using the 
CTS database. The Council approved the draft decision contained in document  G/C/W/802 and 
recommended that it be forwarded to the General Council for adoption.  
3.2  Collective waiver requests on the introduction of the Harmonized System  2002, 2007, 
2012, and 2017  
3.2.  At its meeting of 1 November , the Council considered four  collective waiver requests for an 
extension of the waivers in connection with the introduction of Harmonized System  2002, 2007, 
2012, and 2017 changes into WTO  Schedules of Concessions. The Council approved the waiver 
requests and recommended that the draft decisions contained in documents  G/C/W/796, 
G/C/W/797, G/C/W/798, and G/C/W/799 be forwarded to the General Council for adoption.  
4  WAIVER S UNDER ARTICLE  IX OF THE WTO  AGREEMENT  
4.1  European Union – Request for a Waiver Extension – Application of Autonomous 
Preferential Treatment to the Western Balkans (G/C/W/794)  
4.1.  At its meeting of 8 July, the Council considered a request and draft decision by t he European 
Union to extend the Waiver for the Application of Autonomous Preferential Treatment to the Western 
Balkans (document  G/C/W/794), which would waive obligations under Article  I:1 and Article  XIII of 
the GATT  1994 for five  years, until 31  December  2026. The Council approved the request for an 
extension of the waiver and agreed to forward the draft decision to the General Council for adoption.  
4.2  Cuba - Request for an Extension of the Waiver concerning Article  XV:6 of the 
GATT  1994 contained in the Dec ision of 7  December  2016 (WT/L/1003) (G/C/W/803)  
4.2.  At its meeting of 1 November , the Council considered a request and draft decision by Cuba to 
extend the waiver granted to Cuba in order to facilitate its compliance with Article  XV:6 of the G/L/1418  
 
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  GATT  1994 (docume nt G/C/W/803) . The Council approved the request for an extension of the waiver 
and agreed to forward the draft decision to the General Council for adoption.  
5  NOTIFICATION OF REGIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS  
5.1.  At its meetings of 31 March , 8 July, and 1 November , the Council was informed of the following 
notifications of regional trade agreements:  
• UK – Ghana, Goods (WT/REG449/N/1);  
• ASEAN – Hong Kong, China, Goods and Services (WT/REG448/N/1 -S/C/N/1043);  
• EU – UK, Goods and Services (WT/REG447/N/1 -S/C/N/1041);  
• Indonesia – Australia, Goods and Services (WT/REG446/N/1 -S/C/N/1040);  
• EU – ESA – Accession of Comoros, Goods (WT/REG445/N/1);  
• Ukraine – Israel, Goods (WT/REG444/N/1);  
• UK – SACU and Mozambique, Goods (WT/REG443/N/1);  
• China – Mauritius, Goods and Services (WT/REG442/N /1-S/C/N/1037);  
• 32 trade agreements notified by the UK: (1)  UK-Colombia (G&S); (2)  UK-Kosovo (G); 
(3) UK-Lebanon (G); (4)  UK-Pacific States (G); (5)  UK-Pacific States (Samoa) (G); 
(6) UK-Pacific States (Solomon Islands) (G); (7)  UK-Palestine (G); (8)  UK-Kenya (G); 
(9) UK-Cameroon (G); (10)  UK-Canada (G); (11)  UK-CARIFORUM (G&S); (12)  UK-Côte 
d'Ivoire (G); (13)  UK-Central America (G&S); (14)  UK-Chile (G&S); (15)  UK-Faroe Islands 
(Denmark) (G); (16)  UK-Ecuador and Peru (G&S); (17)  UK-Egypt (G); (18)  UK-ESA (G ); 
(19) UK-Israel (G); (20)  UK-Morocco (G); (21)  UK-Norway and Iceland (G); 
(22) UK-Republic of Korea (G&S); (23)  UK-Singapore (G&S); (24)  UK-Tunisia (G); 
(25) UK-Turkey (G); (26)  UK-Ukraine (G&S); (27)  UK-Viet Nam (G&S); 
(28) UK-Switzerland and Liechtenst ein (G); (29)  UK-North Macedonia (G&S); 
(30) UK-Republic of Moldova (G&S); (31)  UK-Georgia (G&S); (32)  UK-Japan (G&S) 
(WT/REG410/N/1 to WT/REG441/N/1);  
• Communication by the European Union and the United Kingdom (WT/REG/GEN/N/10) – 
Notification of Inactive Agreements;  
• EU Treaty (WT/REG39/N/1 -S/C/N/6/ADD.1) – Notification of Changes;  
• Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the United Kingdom and Serbia, 
Goods (WT/REG455/N/1);  
• Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the United Kingdom  and Albania, 
Goods (WT/REG454/N/1);  
• Association Agreement between the United Kingdom and Jordan, Goods (WT/REG453/N/1);  
• Free Trade Agreement between the Republic of Korea and Central America, Goods 
(WT/REG452/N/1);  
• Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (Pacer Plus), Goods (WT/REG451/N/1);  
• Trade Agreement between Namibia and Zimbabwe, Goods (WT/REG450/N/1);  
• Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the United Kingdom and Kosovo, 
Goods (WT/REG411/N/1/Rev.1);  
• Economic Part nership Agreement between the United Kingdom and the CARIFORUM  States, 
Goods (WT/REG420/N/1/Add.1);  
• Interim Agreement establishing an Economic Partnership Agreement between the United 
Kingdom and Cameroon, Goods (WT/REG418/N/1/Add.1);  
• Economic Partnership Agreement between the United Kingdom and Kenya, Goods 
(WT/REG417/N/1/Add.1);  
• Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America, Goods 
(WT/REG332/N/1/Add.1);  
• ASEAN  Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), Goods (WT/REG457/N/1);  
• ASEAN  Trade in Go ods Agreement (ATIGA), Goods (WT/REG457/N/1/Add.1);  
• Trade Continuity Agreement between the United Kingdom and Mexico, Goods and Services 
(WT/REG456/N/1 -S/C/N/1060); and  
• Agreement on Trade Continuity between the United Kingdom and Canada, Goods and 
Services  (WT/REG419/N/1/Add.1 -S/C/N/1061).  
 G/L/1418  
 
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  6  STATUS OF NOTIFICATIONS UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE AGREEMENTS IN 
ANNEX  1A OF THE WTO  AGREEMENT (G/L/223/REV.28)  
6.1.  At its meeting of 31 March , the Council took note of document  G/L/223/Rev.28 , informing 
Members about the s tatus of notifications under the provisions of the Agreements in Annex  IA of the 
WTO Agreement . 
7  ACCESSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA AND OF THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC TO THE 
EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION (EAEU): PROCEDURES UNDER ARTICLE  XXVIII:3 OF THE 
GATT  1994  
7.1  Access ion of the Republic of Armenia and of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Eurasian 
Economic Union (EAEU): Procedures under Article  XXVIII:3 of GATT  1994 – Request from 
the European Union  
7.1.  At its meeting of 31 March , the Council took note of the statement made by the  
European  Union, echoed by Switzerland, recalling the progress that had been achieved in 
negotiations with Armenia and the Kyrgyz Republic on tariffs for non -agricultural products, but noting 
that this had not been the case for agriculture. The European Un ion hoped that the parties would 
pursue talks with a view to concluding negotiations as soon as possible.  
7.2  Accession of the Republic of Armenia to the Eurasian Economic Union: Procedures 
Under Article  XXVIII:3 of the GATT  1994 – Communication from Armenia 
(G/L/1110/Add.7)  
7.2.  At its meeting of 1 November , the Council took note of the information provided by Armenia 
relating to its renegotiations under Article  XXVIII:3 of GATT  1994, following its accession to the 
Eurasian Economic Union ( EAEU ), and considered the  extension of the deadline set out in 
document  G/L/1110/Add.7. The Council took note of the statements made by the European Union 
and the Russian Federation  and approved the requested extension until 2  January  2023.  
7.3  Accession of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Eurasian Economic Union: Procedures under 
Article  XXVIII:3 of the GATT  1994 – Communication from the Kyrgyz Republic 
(G/L/1137/Add.6)  
7.3.  At its meeting of 1 November , the Council took note of the information provided by the Kyrgyz 
Republic relating to its ren egotiations under Article  XXVIII:3 of GATT  1994 following its accession to 
the EAEU and considered the extension of the deadline set out in document  G/L/1137/Add.6. The 
Council took note of the statement made by  the European Union  and approved the requeste d 
extension until 12  February  2023.  
8  MEASURES TO ALLOW GRADUATED LDCS, WITH GNP BELOW US$1,000, BENEFITS 
PURSUANT TO ANNEX  VII(B) OF THE AGREEMENT ON SUBSIDIES AND COUNTERVAILING 
MEASURES (WT/GC/W/742 -G/C/W/752)  
8.1.  At its meeting of 31 March , the Council took note of the statements made by Bangladesh, on 
behalf of the LDC  Group, and supported by Chad, Brazil, India, Nepal, Nigeria, Turkey, and Vanuatu, 
asking Members to consider the proposal to allow graduated LDC  Members to benefit from the 
exception provided under Article  27.2(a) of the SCM  Agreement to developing countries listed in 
Annex  VII(b). Additional information was requested by the European Union and the United States.  
8.2.  At its meeting of 8 July, the Council took note of the statements made by Chad and Bangladesh, 
on behalf of the LDC  Group, and supported by Brazil, India, Nepal, and Turkey, renewing their 
request for Members to consider the proposal. Additional information was requested by the European 
Union and the United States.  
8.3.  At its meeting of 1 November , the Council took note of the statements made by Bangladesh, 
on behalf of the LDC  Group, and supported by Angola, Brazil, India, Nepal, Nigeria, and Turkey, 
renewing their request for Members to consider the proposal. Additional statistical information was 
requested by the European Union and the United States with a view to determining the GNP for all 
Members.  G/L/1418  
 
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  9  PROCEDURES UNDER ARTICLE  XXVIII OF THE GATT  1994: WITHDRAWAL OF THE 
UNITED KINGDOM FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION (G/L/1385, G/L/ 1385/ADD.1, 
G/L/1386, AND G/L/1386/ADD.1)  
9.1.  At its meeting of 31 March , the Council approved the European Union's request for a six -month 
extension to preserve Members' rights to withdraw substantially equivalent concessions under 
Article  XXVIII:3 of the GAT T 1994 made in relation to the apportionment of the EU's tariff rate quota 
concessions following the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union4 (G/L/1385). The 
Council also approved the United Kingdom's request for a six -month extension to prese rve Members' 
rights to withdraw substantially equivalent concessions under Article  XXVIII:3 of the GATT  1994 
made in relation to the ongoing renegotiations on the establishment of the United Kingdom's 
Schedule  of Concessions, following its withdrawal from the European Union5 (G/L/1386). The Council 
approved both extensions until 1  January  2022.  
9.2.  At its meeting of 1 November , the Council approved the European Union's request for a 
six-month extension to preserve Members' rights to withdraw substantially equi valent concessions 
under Article  XXVIII:3 of the GATT  19946 (G/L/1385/Add.1). The Council also approved the United 
Kingdom's request for a six -month extension (G/L/1386/Add.1). The Council approved both 
extensions until 1  July 2022.  
10  EUROPEAN UNION - RECTI FICATION AND MODIFICATION OF SCHEDULES – 
SCHEDULE  CLXXV  
10.1.  At its meeting of 1 November , the Council  took note of the statement made by the 
European  Union expressing concern over Russia's remaining reservation on the EU  draft 
Schedule  CLXXV following the Unit ed Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union . The Council 
also took note of the statement made by the Russian Federation.  
11  UPDATE ON PROCEDURES TO ENHANCE TRANSPARENCY AND STRENGTHEN 
NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER WTO  AGREEMENTS – ARGENTINA; AUSTRALIA; 
CANADA; CHILE; COSTA RICA; EUROPEAN UNION; ISRAEL; JAPAN; REPUBLIC OF KOREA; 
NEW ZEALAND; NORWAY; THE PHILIPPINES; SINGAPORE; SWITZERLAND; THE  SEPARATE 
CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF TAIWAN, PENGHU, KINMEN AND MATSU; UNITED  KINGDOM; 
AND UNITED STATES7 
11.1.  At its meetin g of 31 March , the United States, on behalf of the co -sponsors, informed the 
Council that they remained committed to advancing this proposal in 2021 as they considered 
transparency to be essential for the continued functioning and relevance of the WTO as a n institution.  
11.2.  At its meeting of 8 July, the United States introduced, on behalf of the co -sponsors, a revised 
transparency proposal (JOB/GC/204/Rev.5 -JOB/CTG/14/Rev.5), which was the result of extensive 
consultations with Members. The key changes included  the following: (i)  completely removing 
financial penalties from administrative measures; (ii)  expanding the role of the Working Group on 
Notifications to include opportunities for process improvements and other actions to help Members 
to comply with their  notification obligations; (iii)  adding a multi -year transition period between the 
adoption of a decision and the application of administrative measures; (iv)  suggesting changes to 
Trade Policy Reviews to include a focus on Members' compliance with notific ation obligations; 
(v) allowing any Member to request technical assistance and capacity -building support from the 
Secretariat to help it meet its notification obligations (that is, including developed countries); 
(vi) making the administrative measures mor e proportionate; and (vii)  making all notifications 
subject to administrative measures after the same amount of time following the relevant notification 
deadline (that is, no differentiation for notifications under the Agreement on Agriculture). Argentina,  
Chile, Norway, and Singapore took the floor to request to join the proposal as co -sponsors. A number 
of other Members supported the revision, noted that it was a step in the right direction, and 
congratulated the co -sponsors on their inclusive approach.  Other delegations again expressed their 
 
4 Document  G/SECRET/42.  
5 Document  G/SECRET/44.  
6 Document  G/SECRET/42 . 
7 At the time of this report, the latest version of the proposal is contained in  
document  JOB/GC/204/Rev.7 -JOB/CTG/14/Rev.7.  G/L/1418  
 
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  concerns with respect to certain aspects of the proposal, and in particular the administrative 
measures that remained.  
12  TRADE CONCERNS  
12.1.  At its meeting of 31 March , 32 trade concerns were brought to the Council's attention, 
including the following five  new trade concerns: (i)  the European Union's COVID -19 vaccine export 
transparency and authorization measure; (ii)  India's mandatory certification for steel products; 
(iii) India's import restrictions on air  conditioners; (iv)  Mexico's conformity assessment procedures 
for cheese under a 2018  Mexican official standard; and (v)  Sweden's Discriminatory Market Access 
Prohibition on 5G  Equipment. Detailed information is provided in Annex  1. 
12.2.  At its meeting of 8 July, 35 trade concerns were brought to the Council's attention, including 
the following ten  new trade concerns: (i)  India's Caustic Soda Quality Control Order; (ii)  India's 
import policy on tyres; (iii)  Sri Lanka's import ban on palm oil; (iv)  India's standa rds and import 
restrictions in the automotive sector; (v)  India's Plain Copier Paper Quality Order  2020; (vi)  China's 
Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulations (CSAR); (vii)  China's subsidy transparency 
and publication and inquiry point obligati ons under its Protocol of Accession; (viii)  the EU's Green 
Deal; (ix)  the UK's extension of safeguard measures on certain steel products; and (x)  the EU's 
extension of safeguard measures on certain steel products. Detailed information is provided in 
Annex  2. 
12.3.  At its meeting of 1 November , 37 trade concerns were brought to the Council's attention, 
including the following five  new trade concerns: (i)  China's Administrative Measures for Registration 
of Overseas Producers of Imported Foods; (ii)  India's Order Re lated to Requirement of Non -GM Cum 
GM Free Certificate Accompanied with Imported Food Consignment; (iii)  Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's 
Saber Conformity Assessment Online Platform/Saleem Product Safety Program; (iv)  Panama's 
Onions and Potatoes Harvest Life and  Sprouting Requirements; and (v)  Indonesia's Import 
Substitution Programme. Detailed information is provided in Annex  3. 
13  WORK PROGRAMME ON ELECTRONIC COMMERCE  
13.1.  At its meeting of 31 March , the Council took note of the statements made by Chad (on behalf 
of th e LDC  Group), India, Pakistan, and Ukraine, calling  for the reinvigoration of the Work 
Programme and discussions on the Moratorium on electronic transmissions. Members referred to the 
impact of the COVID -19 pandemic on international trade, and to the negat ive health, economic, and 
social impact on LDCs. They noted that, in light of the unfolding digital revolution, it was important 
to first understand the issues surrounding E -Commerce, such as its effects on competition and 
market structures, transfer of te chnology, data storage, and automation, as well as its impact on 
traditional jobs and gaps in regulatory frameworks in developing countries. Therefore, it was 
necessary to analy se the financial and policy implications of the Moratorium for developing count ries 
before any attempt was made at rule -making, in order to avoid a further widening of the digital 
divide.  
13.2.  At its meeting of 8 July, the Council took note of the statements made by Chad ( on behalf of 
the LDC  Group), India, Nepal, Pakistan, Norway, and In donesia. Members again highlighted the 
importance of comprehending the full implications of the effects of E -Commerce. In light of the 
COVID -19 pandemic, immediate interventions were essential through the Work Programme and a 
comprehensive approach was nec essary to ensure that weaker economies benefitted from 
E-Commerce in a just manner. One  Member expressed its strong support for the Work Programme, 
including the Moratorium, and welcomed all discussions, both in the CTG and in other relevant fora.  
13.3.  At its m eeting of 1 November , the Council took note of the statements made by Norway, 
Pakistan, and the United States. The  United States noted that this item was not a standing agenda 
item; rather, it should be requested by a Member . Norway and Pakista n expressed their support for 
the reinvigoration of the Work Programme . Norway recalled that a group of Members had submitted 
a proposal to the General Council requesting  the renewal of the Moratorium of tariffs on electronic 
transmissions.  G/L/1418  
 
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  14  FUNCTIONING OF THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS AND ITS SUBSIDIARY BODIES  
14.1.  At its meeting of 31 March , the Council's Chairperson recalled the discussions at the informal 
meeting in February  2021, including those on a year plan of meetings, the possible introduction of 
a draft collectiv e eAgenda, the conduct of CTG  meetings, and regular Secretariat induction meetings 
for new CTG  delegates, and he encouraged delegations to continue reflecting on these issues.  
14.2.  At its meetings of 8 July and 1  November , the Council's Chairperson provided inf ormation on 
his coordination with the Chairpersons and Secretaries of the CTG's subsidiary bodies with a view to 
avoiding meeting overlaps and to improving the sequencing of meeting dates of the CTG and its 
subsidiary bodies in 2021 and 2022.8 
15  CONSIDERATION OF ANNUAL REPORTS OF SUBSIDIARY BODIES OF THE COUNCIL FOR 
TRADE IN GOODS  
15.1.  At its meeting of 1 November , the Council took note of the annual reports of its subsidiary 
bodies.9 Since their meetings took place after the last Council meeting of 2 021, the Annual Reports 
of the TBT and SPS  Committees would be submitted directly to the General Council at its next regular 
meeting.  
16  SECRETARIAT STAFF CHANGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN 
GOODS  
16.1.  At its meeting of 31 March , the Council was in formed that Mr  Alejandro Gamboa -Alder would 
retire from the Secretariat by end -May 2021, and that Mr  Roy Santana would replace him as 
Secretary to the Council.  
_______________  
 
  
 
8 Documents  RD/CTG/13 , RD/CTG/14 , and RD/CTG/14 /Corr.1 . 
9 Anti-Dumping Practices (G/ L/1415); Customs Valuation (G/L/ 1410); Import Licensing (G/L/1406); 
ITA (G/L/ 1412); Market Access (G/L/1407); Pre-shipment Inspection  and Independent Entity (G/L/1411) ; Rules 
of Origin (G/L/1405); Safeguards (G/L/ 1417) ; Subsidies and Countervailing Measur es (G/L/ 1414); Trade 
Facilitation (G/L/ 1416); TRIMs (G/L/1404); and Working Party on State Trading Enterprises (G/L/1403).  G/L/1418  
 
- 9 - 
 
  ANNEX  1:  
TRADE CONCERNS CONSIDERED AT THE CTG  MEETING OF 31 MARCH  2021  
No. Trade concern  Member(s) raising the 
concern  Other Member(s) 
intervening  
1 Angola – Import Restricting Practices  Russian Federation  United States  
2 Australia – Discriminatory Market 
Access Prohibition on 5G  Equipment  China   
3 China – Customs Duties on Certain 
Integrated Circuits  European Union and Japan  Chinese  Taipei  
4 China – Export Control Law  European Union and Japan   
5 China – Implementation of Trade 
Disruptive and Restrictive Measures  Australia   
6 China – Measures Restricting the Import 
of Scrap Materials  United States  Canada and New Zealand  
7 Egypt – Import Restrictions for Sugar  European Union  Brazil  
8 Egypt – Manufacturer Registration 
System  European Union and 
Russian Federation  Republic of Korea and 
Turkey  
9 European  Union – Carbon Border 
Adjustment Mechanism (the European 
Green Deal of December  2019)  Armenia, China, 
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz 
Republic, Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and 
Russian Federation  Argentina, Australia, 
Kingdom of Bahrain, Brazil, 
Canada, Egypt, Republic of 
Korea, Mexico, Pakistan, 
Paraguay, Philippines, 
Chinese Taipei, Turkey, 
United States, and Uruguay  
10 European  Union  - COVID -19 Vaccine 
Export Transparency and Authorization 
Measure  Australia  Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, 
Egypt, India, Japan, Republic 
of Korea, Mexico, New 
Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, 
Paraguay, Saint Lucia, 
Switzerland, Turkey, United 
Kingdom, and Vanuatu  
11 European  Union  – Draft Implementing 
Regulations Regarding Protected 
Designations of Origin and Geogra phical 
Indications, Traditional Terms, Labelling 
and Presentation of Certain Wine Sector 
Products  United States  Argentina and New Zealand  
12 European  Union  – Implementation of 
Non-Tariff Barriers on Agricultural 
Products  Australia, Brazil, Canada, 
Colombi a, Costa Rica, 
Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador, 
Guatemala, Honduras, 
Jamaica, Panama, 
Paraguay, Peru, United 
States, and Uruguay  Argentina, Chile, and India  
13 European  Union  – Proposed Modification 
of TRQ  Commitments: Systemic 
Concerns  Australia, Brazil, China, 
New Zealand, and Uruguay  Canada, India, Mexico, 
Paraguay, Switzerland  
14 European  Union  – Quality Schemes for 
Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs – 
the Registration of Certain Terms of 
Cheese as Geographical Indications  Uruguay  Argentina and New Zealand  
15 European  Union  – Regulation (EU) 
No. 2017/2321 and Regulation (EU) 
No. 2018/825  China and Russian 
Federation   
16 European  Union  – Regulation EC 
No. 1272/2008 (CLP  Regulation)  Russian Federation   
17 European  Union  – Sweden's 
Discriminatory Market Access 
Prohibition on 5G  Equipment  China   
18 India – Import Restrictions on Air 
Conditioners  Japan   
19 India – Mandatory Certification for Steel 
Products  Japan   
20 India – Restrictions on Imports of 
Certain Pulses  Australia, Canada, 
European Union, Russian 
Federation, Ukraine, and 
United States  Argentina and India  G/L/1418  
 
- 10 - 
 
  No. Trade concern  Member(s) raising the 
concern  Other Member(s) 
intervening  
21 Indonesia – Import and Export 
Restricting Policies and Practices  Australia, European Union, 
Japan, New Zealand, and 
United States   
22 Kingdom of Saud i Arabia – Trade 
Restrictive Policies and Practices 
Concerning Turkey  Turkey   
23 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of 
Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, State of 
Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar – Selective 
Tax on Certain Imported Products  European Union, Japan, 
Switzerland, and United 
States   
24 Mexico – Conformity Assessment 
Procedure for Cheese under Mexican 
Official Standard  NOM-223-
SCFI/SAGARPA -2018 United States   
25 Mongolia – Measures Applied with 
Respect to Certain Agricultural Products  Russian Federatio n  
26 Russian Federation – Trade Restricting 
Practices  European Union and United 
States  Australia and Ukraine  
27 Sri Lanka – Import Ban on Various 
Products  Australia and European 
Union  Argentina and Japan  
28 United Kingdom – Draft Goods Schedule 
and Proposed UK  TRQ Commitments: 
Systemic Concerns  Australia, Brazil, China, 
New Zealand, Russian 
Federation, and Uruguay  China, India, Mexico, 
Paraguay, Switzerland, and 
United Kingdom  
29 United States – Executive Order on 
Securing the Bulk -Power System  China   
30 United States  – Export Control 
Measures for ICT  Products  China   
31 United States  – Import Restrictions on 
Apples and Pears  European Union   
32 United States  – Measures Regarding 
Market Access Prohibition for 
ICT Products  China   
 
  G/L/1418  
 
- 11 - 
 
  ANNEX  2:  
TRADE CONCERNS CONSIDERED AT THE CTG  MEETING OF 8  JULY  2021  
No. Trade concern  Member(s) raising the 
concern  Other Member(s) 
intervening  
1 Angola – Import Restricting Practices  Russian Federation  European Union and United 
States  
2 Australia – Discriminatory Market 
Access Prohibition on 5G  Equipment  China   
3 China – Cosmetics Supervision and 
Administration Regulations (CSAR)  Australia, Japan, and United 
States  European Union, Republic 
of Korea, and  New Zealand  
4 China – Export Control Law  European Union and Japan  Australia and United States  
5 China – Implementation of Trade 
Disruptive and Restrictive Measures  Australia  Canada, European Union, 
Japan, New Zealand, 
United Kingdom, and 
United States  
6 China – Measures Restr icting the 
Import of Scrap Materials  United States  New Zealand  
7 China – Subsidy Transparency and 
China's Publication and Inquiry Point 
Obligations under China's Protocol of 
Accession  Australia, Canada, European 
Union, Japan, United 
Kingdom, and United States   
8 Egypt – Manufacturer Registration 
System  European Union and Russian 
Federation  Turkey  
9 European Union – Carbon Border 
Adjustment Mechanism (the European 
Green Deal of December  2019)  Armenia, Kingdom of Bahrain, 
China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz  
Republic, Qatar, Russian 
Federation, and Kingdom of 
Saudi Arabia  Argentina, Australia, Brazil, 
India, Japan, Republic of 
Korea, New Zealand, 
Pakistan, Chinese Taipei, 
Turkey, Uruguay, and 
United States  
10 European Union  – Extension of 
Safeguard Measures on Certain Steel 
Products * Brazil   
11 European Union  – Implementation of 
Non-Tariff Barriers on Agricultural 
Products  Argentina, Australia, Brazil, 
Canada, Colombia, Costa 
Rica, Dominican Republic, 
Ecuador, Honduras, Jamaica, 
Panama, Paraguay, Peru, 
United States, and Uruguay  Chile, Guatemala, and 
India 
12 European Union  – Proposed 
Modification of TRQ  Commitments: 
Systemic Concerns  Brazil, China, and Uruguay  Canada, Chile, India, 
Mexico, New Zealand, and 
Paraguay  
13 European Union  – Quality Schemes for 
Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs – 
the Registration of Certain Terms of 
Cheese as Geographical Indications  Argentina and Uruguay  New Zealand  
14 European Union  – Regulation (EU) 
No. 2017/2321 and Regulation (EU) 
No. 2018/825  China and Russian Federation   
15 European Union  – Regulation EC 
No. 1272/2008 (CLP  Regulation)  Russian Federation   
16 European Union  – Sweden's 
Discriminatory Market Access 
Prohibition on 5G  Equipment  China   
17 European Union  – the European Green 
Deal Russian Federation  Brazil, Paraguay, and 
Uruguay  
18 India – Caustic Soda Quality Control 
Order  Chinese Taipei   
19 India – Import Policy on Tyres  European Union, Indonesia, 
and Chinese Taipei  Republic of Korea  
20 India – Import Restrictions on Air 
Conditioners  Japan   
21 India - Indian Standards and Import 
Restriction in the Automotive Sector 
(Quality Control Orders): Wheel Rims, 
Safety Glass, Helmet  Indonesia   
22 India – Mandatory Certification for 
Steel Products  Japan   G/L/1418  
 
- 12 - 
 
  No. Trade concern  Member(s) raising the 
concern  Other Member(s) 
intervening  
23 India - Plain Copier Pa per Quality 
Order  2020 Indonesia   
24 India – Restrictions on Imports of 
Certain Pulses  Australia, Canada, European 
Union, Russian Federation, 
and United States  Ukraine  
25 Indonesia – Import and Export 
Restricting Policies and Practices  European Union, Japan, New 
Zealand, and United States  Norway  
26 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of 
Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, the 
State of Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar – 
Selective Tax on Certain Imported 
Products  European Union, Japan, 
Switzerland, and United 
States   
27 Mexico – Conformity Assessment 
Procedure for Cheese under Mexican 
Official Standard  NOM-223-
SCFI/SAGARPA -2018 United States   
28 Russian Federation – Trade Restricting 
Practices  European Union and United 
States  Australia  
29 Sri Lanka - Import Ban on Palm Oil  Indonesia  Colombia and Malaysia  
30 Sri Lanka – Import Ban on Various 
Products  Australia and European Union  Japan  
31 United Kingdom – Draft Goods 
Schedule and Proposed 
UK TRQ Commitments: Systemic 
Concerns  Brazil, China, Russian 
Federation, and Uruguay  Australia, Canada, and 
India 
32 United Kingdom – Extension of 
Safeguard Measures on Certain Steel 
Products * Brazil and Switzerland  Republic of Korea, Russian 
Federation, Turkey  
33 United States – Export Control 
Measures for ICT  Products  China   
34 United States  – Import Restrictions on 
Apples and Pears  European Union   
35 United States  – Measures Regarding 
Market Access Prohibition for 
ICT Products  China   
 
* Raised under agenda item "Other Business".  
 
  G/L/1418  
 
- 13 - 
 
  ANNEX  3:  
TRADE CONCERNS CONSIDERED AT THE CTG  MEETING OF 1  NOVEMBER  2021  
No. Trade concern  Member(s) raising the 
concern  Other Member(s) 
intervening  
1 Angola – Import Restricting Practices  Russian Federation  European Union and United 
States  
2 Australia – Discriminatory Market 
Access Prohibition on 5G  Equipment  China   
3 China – Administrative Measures for 
Registration of Overseas Producers of 
Imported Foods  United States  Australia,  Brazil,  Canada, 
European Union, Republic of 
Korea, Mexico,  Norway, 
Switzerland, Chinese  Taipei , 
and United Kingdom  
4 China – Cosmetics Supervision and 
Administration Regulations (CSAR)  Australia, European 
Union, Japan, and the 
United States  New Zealand and Republic of 
Korea  
5 China – Export Control Law  European Union and 
Japan  Australia, Canada, and United 
States  
6 China – Implementation of Trade 
Disruptive and Restrictive Measures  Australia  Canada, European Union, 
Japan, New Zealand, United 
Kingdom, and United States  
7 China – Subsidy Transparency and 
China's Publication and Inquiry Point 
Obligations under China's Protocol of 
Accession  Australia, European 
Union, United Kingdom, 
and United States  Canada and Japan  
8 Egypt – Manufacturer Registration 
System  European Union  Turkey and United States  
9 European Union – Carbon Border 
Adjustment Mechanism (the European 
Green Deal of December  2019)  China and Russian 
Federation  Australia, Brazil, Canada, 
India, Japan, Kazakhstan, 
Republic of Korea, 
Mozambique, New Zealand, 
Paraguay, Qatar, Saudi 
Arabia, Turkey, and Uruguay  
10 European Union – Implementation of 
Non-Tariff Barriers on Agricult ural 
Products  Argentina, Australia, 
Brazil, Canada, Colombia, 
Costa Rica, Ecuador, 
Jamaica, Panama, 
Paraguay, United States, 
and Uruguay  Guatemala, India, and Nigeria  
11 European Union – Proposed 
Modification of TRQ  Commitments: 
Systemic Concerns  Brazil, China, and 
Uruguay  Canada, India, Mexico, New 
Zealand, and Paraguay  
12 European Union – Quality Schemes for 
Agricultural Products and Foodstuffs – 
the Registration of Certain Terms of 
Cheese as Geographical Indications  Uruguay  Argentina and New Zealand  
13 European Union – Regulation 
(EU) 2017/2321 and Regulation 
(EU) 2018/82 5 China and Russian 
Federation   
14 European Union – Regulation 
EC No. 1272/2008 (CLP  Regulation)  Russian Federation   
15 European Union - Sweden's 
Discriminatory Market Access 
Prohibition on 5G  Equipment  China   
16 European Union – The European Green 
Deal Russian Federation  Brazil, Paraguay, and Qatar  
17 India – Import Policy on Tyres  European Union, 
Indonesia, and Chinese 
Taipei  Republic of Korea and 
Thailand  
18 India - Import Restriction on Air 
Conditioners  Japan  Thailand  
19 India - Indian Standards and Import 
Restriction in the Automotive Sector 
(Quality Control Orders): Wheel Rims, 
Safety Glass, Helmets  Indonesia   
20 India - Mandatory Certification for Steel 
Products  Japan  Republic of Korea  G/L/1418  
 
- 14 - 
 
  No. Trade concern  Member(s) raising the 
concern  Other Member(s) 
intervening  
21 India – Order Related to Requirement 
of Non -GM Cum GM Free Certificate 
Accompanied with Imported Food 
Consignment  United States  Canada and Uruguay  
22 India - Plain Copier Paper Quality 
Order  2020 Indonesia   
23 India – Restrictions on Imports of 
Certain Pulses  Australia, Canada, 
European Union, Russian 
Federation, and United 
States  Argentina  
24 Indonesia – Import and Export 
Restricting Policies and Practices  European Union, Japan, 
New Zealand, and United 
States  Norway  
25 Indonesia – Import Substitution 
Programme  European Union  Japan, Switzerland, and 
United States  
26 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – Saber 
Conformity Assessment Online 
Platform/Saleem Product Safety 
Program  United States  Switzerland  
27 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of 
Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, the 
State of Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar – 
Selective Tax on Certain Imported 
Products  European Union, 
Switzerland, and United 
States   
28 Mexico – Conformity Assessment 
Procedure for Cheese Under Mexican 
Official Standard NOM-223-
SCFI/SAGARPA -2018 United States   
29 Mongolia – Measures Applied with 
Respect to Certain Agricultural Products  Russian Federation   
30 Panama – Onions and Potatoes Harvest 
Life and Sprouting Requirements  United States   
31 Russian Federation – Trade Restricting 
Practices  European Union and 
United States  Australia  
32 Sri Lanka – Import Ban on Palm Oil  Indonesia  Colombia  
33 Sri Lanka – Import Ban on Various 
Products  Australia and European 
Union  Argentina, Japan, and 
Thailand  
34 United Kingdom – Draft Goods 
Schedule and Proposed 
UK TRQ Commitments: Systemic 
Concerns  Brazil, China, Russian 
Federation, and Uruguay  Canada, India, New Zealand, 
and Paraguay  
35 United States – Export Control 
Measures for ICT  Products  China   
36 United States – Import Restrictions on 
Apples and Pears  European Union   
37 United States – Measures Regarding 
Market Access Prohibition for 
ICT Products  China   
 
__________  
 