RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/TBT/W/2
10March 1995
ORGANIZATION(95-0533)
Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
DRAFT UPDATING OFTHE DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TAKEN BYTHE
TOKYO ROUND COMMITTEE ONTECHNICAL BARRIERS TOTRADE REGARDING
PROCEDURES FOR NOTIFICATION AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE
Note bytheSecretariat
TheTokyo Round Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade (TBT) adopted, overa
number ofyears, decisions andrecommendations onimplementation oftheprovisions ofthe
Tokyo Round TBTAgreement relating toprocedures fornotification andinformation exchange.
Those decisions andrecommendations havebeencompiled initems A,CandEofdocument
TBT/16/Rev.7.
Atitsmeeting of28October 1994, theTokyo Round TBTCommittee endorsed the
Chairman 'srecommendations regarding notification procedures during theperiod between entry
intoforce oftheWTO TBTAgreement andthefirstmeeting oftheWTO TBTCommittee
(TBT/M/47). Those recommendations were transmitted totheSub-Committee onInstitutional,
Procedural andLegal Matters (PC/IPL/10/Rev.1) andwere laterapproved bythePreparatory
Committee (PC/R). Pending thefirstmeeting oftheWTO TBTCommittee, theSecretariat was
instructed toundertake thework which wasnecessary toimplement them.
Item(iii)oftherecommendations states that:
"Notifications made under theobligations oftheWTO Agreement onTechnical Barriers to
Trade should, from thedateofentry intoforce oftheAgreement fortheMembers concerned:
- bemade using anewnotification form;
- besubmitted totheWTO Secretariat.
WTO Members shallfollow therecommendations andguidelines relating tonotification
procedures contained inTBT/16/Rev.7."
ThisNote hasbeenprepared bytheSecretariat withaviewtofacilitating discussion inthe
WTO TBTCommittee ofprocedures fornotification andinformation exchange. InthisNote, the
Secretariat hasupdated therelevant decisions andrecommendations contained inTBT/16/Rev.7 to
reflect theprovisions oftheWTO TBTAgreement. Theexercise hasbeenundertaken inpartina
purely mechanical way(e.g., toreflect differences between theTokyo Round andthe
WTO TBTAgreements inthenumbering ofArticles andparagraphs), butanattempt hasalso
beenmade toindicate hownewandadditional obligations regarding notification andinformation
exchange thathavebeenincluded intheWTO TBTAgreement might beincorporated intothe
procedures ifWTO Members feelthere isaneedtodoso(e.g., obligations relating tolocal
governments, standardizing bodies andonconformity assessment).G/TBT/W/2
Page2
DRAFT
A. STATEMENTS ONIMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OFTHE
AGREEMENT
Background andpurpose:
Article 15.2oftheAgreement provides thateachMember shallinform theCommittee of
measures inexistence ortaken toensure theimplementation andadministration oftheAgreement.
Inresponse tothisprovision oftheAgreement Members should submit therelevant information in
theform ofwritten statements. TheCommittee agreed onthefollowing decision concerning the
contents ofthese statements.
Decision:
1. Thestatement should cover thelegislative, regulatory andadministrative action taken asa
result ofthenegotiation oftheAgreement orcurrently inexistence toensure thattheprovisions of
theAgreement areapplied. IftheAgreement itself hasbeenincorporated intodomestic law,the
statement should indicate howthishasbeendone. Inother cases, thestatement should describe
thecontent oftherelevant laws, regulations, administrative orders, etc.Allnecessary references
should alsobeprovided.
2. Inaddition, thestatement should specify:
(a) thenames ofthepublications usedtoannounce thatwork isproceeding ondraft
technical regulations orstandards andprocedures forassessment ofconformity and
those inwhich thetextsoftechnical regulations andstandards orprocedures for
assessment ofconformity arepublished under Articles 2.9.1, 2.11; 3.1(in
relation to2.9.1 and2.11); 5.6.1, 5.8; 7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to5.6.1 and
5.8); andparagraphs J,LandOofAnnex 3oftheAgreement;
(b) theexpected length oftimeallowed forpresentation ofcomments inwriting on
technical regulations, standards orprocedures forassessment ofconformity under
Articles 2.9.4 and2.10.3; 3.1(inrelation to2.9.4 and2.10.3); 5.6.4 and5.7.3;
7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to5.6.4 and5.7.3); andparagraph LofAnnex 3of
theAgreement;
(c) thename andaddress oftheenquiry point(s) foreseen inArticles 10.1and10.3of
theAgreement withanindication astowhether itis/they arefullyoperational;
(d) thename andaddress oftheagency withwhich togetintouch ifconsultations are
toberequested under Article 14;
(e) thename andaddress ofanyother agencies thathavespecific functions under the
Agreement, including those foreseen inArticles 10.10 and10.11 ofthe
Agreement; and
(f) measures andarrangements toensure thatnational andsub-national authorities
preparing newtechnical regulations orprocedures forassessment ofconformity,
orsubstantial amendments toexisting ones, provide early information ontheirG/TBT/W/2
Page3
proposals inorder toenable theMember inquestion tofulfil itsobligations on
notifications under Articles 2.9,2.10, 3.2,5.6, 5.7and7.2oftheAgreement.
C. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
1. Format andGuidelines:
Background andpurpose:
Theprocedures fornotification under theAgreement havebeenkeptunder constant
review bytheCommittee. Inorder toensure auniform andefficient operation ofthese
procedures theCommittee agreed onthefollowing format andguidelines.*
Recommendation:
Information contained inthenotification form should beascomplete aspossible andno
section should beleftblank. Where necessary, "notknown" or"notstated" should beindicated.
Decisions:
Item Description
(i)Member toAgreement Government, including thecompetent
notifying authorities oftheEuropean Communities, which
hasacceded totheAgreement andwhich is
making thenotification;
ifapplicable, name oflocalgovernment involved
(Articles 3.2and7.2)
(ii)Agency responsible Body elaborating aproposal foror
promulgating atechnical regulation orprocedures
forassessment ofconformity.
(iii)Notified under Relevant provision oftheAgreement:
Article 2.9.2: proposed technical regulation by
central government body,
Article 2.10.1: adopted technical regulation by
central government body,
Article 3.2: proposed andadopted technical
regulation bylocalgovernment (onthelevel
directly below thatofthecentral government,
Article 5.6.2: proposed procedures for
assessment ofconformity bycentral government
body,
Article 5.7.1: adopted procedures forassessment
ofconformity bycentral government body,
Article 7.2: proposed andadopted procedures for
_______________
*Where boxes appear under items 3and11oftheformat, notifiers arerequested tocheck the
relevant boxortoindicate relevant information under "other".G/TBT/W/2
Page4
assessment ofconformity bylocal government
(ontheleveldirectly below thatofthecentral
government),
Other Articles under which notification canarise
incases ofurgency setoutinthose Articles are:
Article 8.1: adopted procedures forassessment
ofconformity bynon-governmental body,
Article 9.2: adopted procedures forassessment
ofconformity byinternational orregional
organization.
(iv)Products covered HSorCCCN (chapter orheading and
number) where applicable. National tariff
heading ifdifferent from HSorCCCN. ICS
numbers maybeprovided inaddition, where
applicable. Aclear description isimportant for
anunderstanding ofthenotification by
delegations andtranslators. Abbreviations should
beavoided.
(v)Titleandnumber ofpages Titleoftheproposed oradopted
ofthenotified document technical regulation orprocedures forassessment
ofconformity. Number ofpages inthenotified
document.
(vi)Description ofcontent Anabstract oftheproposed oradopted
technical regulation orprocedures forassessment
ofconformity clearly indicating itscontent. A
clear description isimportant foran
understanding ofthenotification bydelegations
andtranslators. Abbreviations should beavoided.
(vii)Objective andrationale Forinstance: health, safety, national
security, ...etc.
(viii) Relevant documents (1)Publication where notice appears,
including dateandreference number;
(2)Proposal andbasic document (with specific
reference number orother identification) towhich
proposal refers;
(3)Publication inwhich proposal willappear
when adopted;
(4)Whenever practicable, givereference to
relevant international standard. Ifitisnecessary
tocharge fordocuments supplied, thisfactshould
beindicated.
(ix)Proposed dates ofadoption Thedatewhen thetechnical regulation
andentry intoforce orprocedures forassessment ofconformity is
expected tobeadopted, andthedatefrom which
therequirements inthetechnical regulation or
procedures forassessment ofconformity areG/TBT/W/2
Page5
proposed ordecided toenter intoforce, taking
intoconsideration theprovisions ofArticle 2.12.
(x)Final dateforcomments Thedatebywhich Members maysubmit
comments inaccordance withArticles 2.9.4,
2.10.3, 3.1(inrelation to2.9.4 and2.10.3),
5.6.4, 5.7.3 and7.1(inrelation to5.6.4 and
5.7.3) oftheAgreement. Aspecific dateshould
beindicated. TheCommittee hasrecommended a
normal timelimitforcomments onnotifications
ofsixty days. AMember may, ifnecessary,
however, indicate initsnotification thatitwill
proceed toimplement theproposed measure after
forty-five daysifnocomments orrequests for
extension ofthetimelimithavebeenreceived
from other Members within thattime. Any
Member which isabletoprovide atimelimit
beyond sixty daysisencouraged todoso.
(xi)Texts available from Ifavailable from national enquiry
point, putacross intheboxprovided. If
available from another body, giveitsaddress,
telexandtelefax number. Such indications
should notinanywaydischarge therelevant
enquiry point ofitsresponsibilities under the
provisions ofArticle 10oftheAgreement.
2.Timing ofNotifications:
Background:
TheCommittee dealtwiththisaspect ofnotification procedures inthefollowing way:
Recommendation:
When implementing theprovisions ofArticles 2.9.2, 3.2(inrelation toArticle 2.9.2),
5.6.2 and7.2(inrelation toArticle 5.6.2), anotification should bemade when adraftwiththe
complete textofaproposed technical regulation orprocedures forassessment ofconformity is
available andwhen amendments canstillbeintroduced andtaken intoaccount.
3. Application ofArticles 2.9and5.6(Preambular Part):
Background andpurpose:
With aviewtoensuring aconsistent approach totheselection ofproposed technical
regulations andprocedures forassessment ofconformity tobenotified, theCommittee established
thefollowing criteria.
Recommendation:
Forthepurposes ofArticles 2.9and5.6,theconcept of"significant effect ontrade of
other Members" mayrefertotheeffect ontrade:G/TBT/W/2
Page6
- ofonetechnical regulation orprocedure forassessment ofconformity only, orof
various technical regulations orprocedures forassessment ofconformity in
combination,
- inaspecific product, group ofproducts orproducts ingeneral, and
- between twoormore Members.
When assessing thesignificance oftheeffect ontrade oftechnical regulations, the
Member concerned should takeintoconsideration suchelements asthevalue orother importance
ofimports inrespect oftheimporting and/or exporting Members concerned, whether from other
Members individually orcollectively, thepotential growth ofsuchimports, anddifficulties for
producers inother Members tocomply withtheproposed technical regulations. Theconcept ofa
significant effect ontrade ofother Members should include bothimport-enhancing andimport-
reducing effects onthetrade ofother Members, aslongassucheffects aresignificant.
4. Translation ofdocuments relating tonotifications andaddress ofbody supplying the
documents:
Background andpurpose:
Inorder toavoid difficulties thatcanarisefrom thefactthatthedocumentation relevant to
technical regulations, standards andprocedures forassessment ofconformity isnotavailable in
oneoftheWTO working languages andthatabody other thantheenquiry point maybe
responsible forsuchdocumentation, theCommittee agreed onthefollowing procedures:
Recommendation:
When aMember seeks acopyofadocument relating toanotification which doesnotexist
inthatMember 'sWTO working language, itwillbeadvised, onrequest, bythenotifying
Member ofother Members thathaverequested, asofthatdate, acopyofthedocument. The
Member seeking acopyofadocument relating toanotification maythencontact suchother
Members inorder todetermine whether thelatter areprepared toshare, onmutually agreed
terms, anytranslation thattheyhaveorwillbemaking intorelevant WTO working language(s).
Decisions:
(a) When atranslation ofarelevant document exists orisplanned, thisfactshallbe
indicated ontheWTO TBTnotification form nexttothetitleofthedocument. If
onlyatranslated summary exists, thefactthatsuchasummary isavailable shall
besimilarly indicated;
(b) Upon receipt ofarequest fordocuments, anytranslated summaries thatexistin
thelanguage oftherequester or,asthecasemaybe,inaWTO working language,
shallbeautomatically sentwiththeoriginal ofthedocuments requested;
(c) Members shallindicate under point 11oftheWTO TBTnotification form the
exact address ofthebody responsible forsupplying therelevant documents ifthat
body isnottheenquiry point.G/TBT/W/2
Page7
5. Processing ofrequests fordocumentation:
Background:
TheCommittee addressed theproblems ofsupplying andobtaining requested
documentation onnotified technical regulations andprocedures forassessment ofconformity as
follows:
Recommendations:
(a) requests fordocumentation should contain alltheelements permitting the
identification ofthedocuments andinparticular, theWTO TBTnotification
number (G/TBT/Notif. ...)towhich therequests refer. Thesame information
should appear onthedocuments supplied inresponse tosuchrequests;
(b) anyrequest fordocumentation should beprocessed ifpossible within fiveworking
days. Ifadelay insupplying thedocumentation requested isforeseen, thisshould
beacknowledged totherequester.
6. Length oftimeallowed forcomments
Background:
TheCommittee setthefollowing timelimits forpresentation ofcomments onnotified
technical regulations andprocedures forassessment ofconformity.
Recommendation:
Thenormal timelimitforcomments onnotifications should besixty days. AMember
may, ifnecessary, however, indicate initsnotification thatitwillproceed toimplement the
proposed measure afterforty-five daysifnocomments orrequests forextension ofthetimelimit
havebeenreceived from other Members within thattime. AnyMember which isabletoprovide
atimelimitbeyond sixty daysisencouraged todoso.
7. Handling ofcomments onnotifications
Background andPurpose
Inorder toimprove thehandling ofcomments onproposed technical regulations and
procedures forassessment ofconformity submitted under Articles 2.9.4, 2.10.3, 3.1(in relation to
2.9.4 and2.10.3), 5.6.4, 5.7.3 and7.1(inrelation to5.6.4 and5.7.3) oftheAgreement, the
Committee agreed onthefollowing procedures.
Recommendations:
(a) eachMember should notify theWTO secretariat oftheauthority oragency (e.g.
itsenquiry point) which ithasdesignated tobeincharge forhandling of
comments received, and
(b) aMember receiving comments through thedesignated body should without further
requestG/TBT/W/2
Page8
(1) acknowledge thereceipt ofsuchcomments,
(2) explain within areasonable timetoanyMember from which ithas
received comments, howitwillproceed inorder totakethese comments
intoaccount and,where appropriate, provide additional relevant
information ontheproposed technical regulations orprocedures for
assessment ofconformity concerned, and
(3) provide toanyMember from which ithasreceived comments, acopyof
thecorresponding technical regulations orprocedures forassessment of
conformity asadopted orinformation thatnocorresponding technical
regulations orprocedures forassessment ofconformity willbeadopted for
thetimebeing.G/TBT/W/2
Page9
RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE G/TBT/Notif.95.
1995
ORGANIZATION
(95-0000)
Committee onTechnical Barriers toTrade
NOTIFICATION
Thefollowing notification isbeing circulated inaccordance withArticle 10.6.
1. Member toAgreement notifying:
Ifapplicable, name oflocalgovernment involved (Articles 3.2and7.2):
2. Agency responsible:
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [],2.10.1 [],5.6.2 [],5.7.1 [],other:
4. Products covered (HSorCCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICSnumbers maybeprovided inaddition, where applicable):
5. Titleandnumber ofpages ofthenotified document:
6. Description ofcontent:
7. Objective andrationale:
8. Relevant documents:
9. Proposed dateofadoption andentry intoforce:
10. Final dateforcomments:
11. Texts available from: National enquiry point []oraddress andtelefax number ofother
body:G/TBT/W/2
Page10
E. PROCEDURES FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE
1. Regular meetings:
Background andpurpose:
Inorder togiveMembers theopportunity todiscuss theactivities andproblems relating to
information exchange theCommittee tookthefollowing action.
Decision:
Regular meetings ofpersons responsible forinformation exchange including persons
responsible forenquiry points willbeheldonabiennial basis. Representatives ofinterested
observers willbeinvited toparticipate insuchmeetings. Themeetings willdealonlywith
technical issues, leaving anypolicy matters forconsideration bytheCommittee itself.
2. Booklets onenquiry points:
Background andpurpose:
Inorder toimprove publicity concerning theroleofenquiry points inanswering queries
from Members asprovided inArticles 10.1and10.3oftheAgreement theCommittee tookthe
following action.
Recommendation:
(a) Theissuing ofbrochures onenquiry points would beofvalue.
(b) Allbooklets issued byMembers should contain theelements and,asfaras
possible, follow thelayout below:
(i) Objective, name andaddress ofWTO TBTenquiry point(s).
Objective:
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 10.1, 10.2and10.3ofthe
Agreement onTechnical Barriers toTrade.
Dateestablished, andname ofresponsible officer.
Whocanusetheenquiry point(s):
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 2.9.3 and2.10.2; 3.1(inrelation to
2.9.3 and2.10.2); 5.6.3 and5.7.2; 7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to
5.6.3 and5.7.2); 10.1and10.3; paragraphs MandPofAnnex 3of
theAgreement.
(ii) Information available from enquiry point(s).
Documentation:G/TBT/W/2
Page11
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 2.9.3 and2.10.2; 3.1(inrelation to
2.9.3 and2.10.2); 5.6.3 and5.7.2; 7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to
5.6.3 and5.7.2); 10.4, 10.8.1 and10.8.2; paragraphs MandPof
Annex 3oftheAgreement
Documentation thatcanbeobtained from theenquiry point(s).
Procedures forhandling documentation onproposed oradopted domestic
regulations andstandards andprocedures forassessment ofconformity
Notifications: content, format, comment period:
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 2.9.2, 2.10.1, 3.2,5.6.2, 5.7.1, 7.2,
8.1,9.2andparagraphs CandJofAnnex 3oftheAgreement, andto
thedecisions oftheCommittee onTechnical Barriers toTrade regarding
format andcomment period.
Procedures forhandling notifications issued byother Members ofthe
Agreement, forissuing notifications from domestic sources, andfor
handling comments onnotifications received orissued.
Publication:
Refer totheprovisions ofArticles 2.9.1 and2.11; 3.1(in relation to
2.9.1 and2.11); 5.6.1 and5.8; 7.1,8.1and9.2(inrelation to5.6.1
and5.8); 10.1.5; andparagraphs J,LandOofAnnex 3ofthe
Agreement
Procedures forensuring compliance withthese provisions ofthe
Agreement, including anypublications bytheenquiry point(s).
(iii) Facilities offered (including charges, ifany).
Databank(content andform ofdocuments, e.g.paper, microfilm, computer,
etc.).
Access todata(retrieval system: manual, tape, on-line; software used).
Languages used.
Translation, ifany.
Annex
Brief description oftheAgreement: objectives, dateofentry intoforce, datejoined, status in
domestic law.
ListofMembers oftheAgreement.
Listofenquiry points ofother Members.G/TBT/W/2
Page12
3. Enquiries which theenquiry points should beprepared toanswer:
Background andpurpose:
With aviewtoencouraging auniform application ofArticles 10.1and10.3ofthe
Agreement theCommittee tookthefollowing action.
Recommendation:
(a) (i) Anenquiry should beconsidered "reasonable" when itislimited toaspecific
product, orgroup ofproducts, butnotwhen itgoesbeyond thatandrefers to
anentire business branch orfieldofregulations, orprocedures forassessment
ofconformity.
(ii) When anenquiry refers toacomposite product, itisdesirable thattheparts or
components, forwhich information issought, aredefined totheextent
possible. When arequest ismade concerning theuseofaproduct itis
desirable thattheuseisrelated toaspecific field.
(b) TheEnquiry Point(s) ofaMember should beprepared toanswer enquiries regarding
themembership andparticipation ofthatMember, orofrelevant bodies within its
territory, ininternational andregional standardizing bodies andconformity
assessment systems aswellasinbilateral arrangements, withrespect toaspecific
product orgroup ofproducts. They should likewise beprepared toprovide
reasonable information ontheprovisions ofsuchsystems andarrangement.
4. Handling ofrequests
Background andpurpose:
Thepurpose istoimprove thehandling ofrequests from other Members received under
Article 10.1and10.3.
Recommendation:
Anenquiry point should, without further request, acknowledge thereceipt oftheenquiry.