   
  
G/L/1439  
 
1 November  2022 
(22-8174) Page: 1/5 
 Original: English  
 
 
REPORT (202 2) OF THE COMMITTEE ON MARKET ACCESS  
TO THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS  
 Since the last review1, the Committee on Market Access held two formal meetings 
(30-31 March and 1 8-19 October ) and three informal meetings ( 1 February , 27 June, and 
23 November ). The minutes of the formal meetings are contained QR/in documents  G/MA/M/76 and 
G/MA/M/77 (to be issued). In addition, the Committee organised a series of experience sharing 
session s on trade in COVID -19 related goods, o ne workshop and two training sessions (see below).  
 At its formal meeting of 30-31 March , the Committee took note that the consultations in the 
Council for Trade in Goods concerning the Chairpersons of the subsidiary bodies remained ongoing 
and agreed that  the Secretariat would send a written communication with the proposed candidate 
and set a deadline for objections. On 24 May , the Secretariat informed Members that 
Mr Kenya  UEHARA  (Japan ) had been nominated, and on 30 May a second communication confirmed 
that he had been elected. At its meeting of 18-19 October , the Committee  took note that, in light of 
the statement made by one delegation, the Chairperson would continue consultations on the 
appointment of a vice -chairpers on and would update the Committee as appropriate.  
HS RELATED WAIVERS  
 At its formal meeting of 18-19 October , the Committee approved the extension of the 
HS2002  "collective" waiver (G/C/W/ 815), the HS2007 "collective" waiver (G/C/W/ 816), the HS2012 
"collec tive" waiver (G/C/W/ 817), and the HS2017 "collective" waiver (G/C/W/ 818). The Committee 
also approved the waiver decision on the introduction of Harmonized System 2022 changes into 
WTO Schedules of Concessions (HS2022 "collective" waiver , G/C/W/180/Rev. 2 to be issued ). The 
Committee agreed to forward the draft waiver decisions to the General Council, through the Council 
for Trade in Goods, for appropriate action.  
INTRODUCTION OF HARMONIZED SYSTEM CHANGES TO SCHEDULES OF CONCESSIONS  
 At its formal  meeting s, the Committee took note of a revised report by the Secretariat 
(G/MA/W/158/Rev. 4 and G/MA/W/158/Rev. 5) with a broad overview of all HS transposition 
exercises.  
Introduction of Harmonized System 1996 (HS1996) changes to Schedule s of concessions  
 At its meetin gs in 202 2, the Committee took note of the status of work concerning the 
introduction of HS96  changes to Schedule s of concessions. The Chairperson informed that the 
Schedules of concessions of all the 64  Members that were listed in the Annex of the Decisio n of 
27 May 2009 (WT/L/756) had been successfully transposed into HS96 and certified. Technical work 
under the previous transposition procedures (GATT  document  L/6905) remained pending for one 
Member.  
Introduction of Harmonized System 2002 (HS2002) Changes  to Schedule s of concessions  
 At its meetings in 202 2, the Committee took note of the status of work concerning the 
introduction of HS2002  changes to Schedule s of concessions using the CTS database (WT/L/605 and 
WT/L/807), as well as the outcomes of the inf ormal dedicated sessions of the Committee during 
which the files containing the HS2002  changes of Members had been examined. At the formal 
 
1 G/L/1407, dated 18 October 2021 . G/L/1439  
 
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  meeting of 18-19 October , the Chairperson announced that 116  Schedules of concessions had been 
transposed into HS2002  and circulated for certification. Technical work remained pending for 
one Member.  
Introduction of Harmonized System 2007 (HS2007) changes to Schedule s of concessions  
 At its meetings in 202 2, the Committee took note of the status of work concerning the 
introduction of HS2007 changes to Schedule s of concessions using the CTS  database (WT/L/673 and 
WT/L/830), as well as the outcomes of the informal dedicated sessions of the Committee during 
which the files containing the HS2007  changes of Members had been examined. At the formal 
meeting of 18-19 October , the Chairperson announced that 112 Schedules of concessions had been 
transposed into HS2007 and circulated for certification.  
Introduction of Harmonized System 2012 (HS2012) changes to Schedule s of concessions  
 At its meetings in 202 2, the Committee took note of the status of work concerning the 
introduction of HS2012  changes to Schedule s of concessions using the CTS database (WT/ L/831), 
as well as the outcomes of the informal dedicated sessions of the Committee during which the files 
containing the HS2012  changes of Members had been examined. At the formal meeting of 
18-19 October , the Chairperson announced that 103 Schedules of c oncessions had been transposed 
into HS2012 and circulated for certification.  
Introduction of Harmonized System 2017 (HS2017) changes to Schedule s of concessions  
 At its meetings in 202 2, the Committee took note of the status of work concerning the 
introduct ion of HS2017  changes to Schedule s of concessions using the CTS  database (WT/L/995), 
as well as the outcomes of the informal dedicated sessions of the Committee during which the files 
containing the HS2017  changes of Members had been examined. At the forma l meeting of 
18-19 October , the Chairperson announced that 76 Schedules of concessions had been transposed 
into HS2017 and circulated for certification.  
DECISION ON NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES FOR QUANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS 
("QR  DECISION")  
 At its meetings in 20 22, the Committee examined quantitative restrictions ( QR) notifications 
which had been submitted by 27 Members: Albania; Argentina; Australia; Cambodia; Canada ; 
China; Colombia; European Union; Hong Kong, China; India; Israel; Kazakhstan; Republic of Korea ; 
Kyrgyz Republic; Liechtenstein; Macao, China; Mali; Mauritius; Moldova; Nepal; Russian Federation; 
Chinese Taipei; Thailand; Türkiye ; Ukraine; United Kingdom; and the United States . Many of these 
notifications related to prohibitions or restrictions due to the COVID -19 pandemic  (see para graph  17 
below ), while others were  complete notifications of all QRs in force for the biennial period s 2020-
2022 and 2022 -2024. The Committee also took note of the Secretariat's factual analysis of all 
notified QRs  (G/MA/W/114/Rev. 4) that were recorded in the QR database2 and of the  report with 
the status of QR notification s (G/MA/QR/1 2 and revision  1). 
DATABASES  
 At its formal meetings in 202 2, the Secretariat reported on the status of work concerning the 
Integrated Data Base (IDB) and the Consolidated Tariff Schedules (CTS) database. The reports 
provided information on inter alia  the use of information in the databases, the status of software 
development and technical assistance. Mauritius  informed the Committee about the conclusion of a 
bilateral agreement with the Secretariat for the automatic transmission of data to the IDB pursuant 
to paragraph 8 of the IDB Decision (G/MA/367). The Committee also took note of the documents 
which reflect ed the status of submissions to the IDB (G/MA/IDB/2/Rev.5 5, and 
G/MA/IDB/2/Rev.5 6). 
 At its meetings of 202 2, the Committee took note of a report prepared by the Secretariat 
pursuant to paragraph 16 of the IDB Decision,  which requires the Secretariat  to mai ntain a list of 
Members' official websites in which tariff information or import data are publicly available 
 
2 https://QR.wto.org/  G/L/1439  
 
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  (G/MA/IDB/W/13/Rev. 6 and G/MA/IDB/W/13/Rev. 7). The information contained in this document 
was made available on the WTO web site.3 
DERESTRICTION OF  THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATING MATERIALS  
 At its meeting o f 18-19 October, the Committee adopted the decision on the derestriction of 
the Uruguay Round negotiating materials (G/MA/W/177/Rev. 2, to be issued ) and agreed to forward 
it to the General Council, t hrough the Council for Trade in Goods, for appropriate action.  
COMMITTEE WORK ON TRADE IN COVID -19 RELATED GOODS  
 In 2022, the Committee agreed to organize a series of experience sharing session s on trade 
in COVID -19 related goods. The sessions took place o n 4 March , 26 April , 18 July and 16 September 
2022 and covered the following topics  as identified by Members : i) definition of COVID -19 essential 
goods  and their classification in the HS and in the national tariff nomenclature; ii) monitoring and 
measuring trade in COVID -19 essential goods; iii) measures adopted by Members to ease trade in 
these goods; and iv) export restrictions . The summary reports of each session were circulated under 
the document series  JOB/MA/152. The Committee is expected to hold a fifth session on 21  November 
2022 focussing on the lessons learned under these topics.  
 On 16 May  2022, the Secretariat administered a survey with the objective to gather 
information  from Members  on their domestic experiences with resp ect to the identification of COVID -
19 essential goods, their classification, and monitoring of trade flows . The preliminary results of the 
survey were presented by the Secretariat at the experience sharing session of 16 September.  On 30 
May 2022, the Chairperson, on behalf of the  Committee , sent a written communication to the WCO 
Harmonized System Committee (G/MA/406) explaining some of the issues faced by Members with 
respect to the HS classification of COVID -19 essential goods.  
 At the meeting of 30 -31 Mar ch, the Committee took note of a statement by a representative 
of the World Customs Organization (WCO) on the Harmonized System and some of the main 
difficulties relating to its use, particularly during the COVID -19 pandemic. At the meeting of 18 -19 
Octobe r, the WCO representative and the Chairperson of the WCO Harmonized System Committee 
reported on the discussions and outcomes of the 70th session of the Harmonized System Committee 
in relation to the CMA communication (G/MA/406).  
 At its formal meeting s in 2022, the Committee took note of a n updated  report by the 
Secretariat summarising export restrictions and trade facilitating measures relating to the COVID -
19 Pandemic (G/MA/W/16 8/Rev.2 and G/MA/W/168/Rev .3). In addition, the Committee took note 
of a document listing all notifications which had been submitted by Members to the Committee on 
Market Access relating to COVID -19 (G/MA/W/157 /Rev. 4 and G/MA/W/157/Rev. 5), as well as of  
communication s by three Members: Uruguay (G/MA/W/173); Unite d Kingdom (G/MA/W/175); and  
Canada  (G/MA/W/ 178 and G/MA/W /179). 
OTHER ACTIVITIES  
 At its meeting of 30-31 March , the Committee took note of the Secretariat document entitled 
"Situation of Schedules of WTO  Members" (G/MA/W/23/Rev.1 8), which lists all legal i nstruments 
relating to each Member's Schedule of concessions. It also took note of the Secretariat document 
entitled "Factual Report on the Status of Renegotiations under Article  XXVIII of the GATT  1994" 
(G/MA/W/123/Rev. 9). 
 On 1 February 2022, the Secretar iat presented a new version of the Trade Concerns Database4 
which included the concerns raised in the Committee on Market Access. For its formal meetings in 
2022, the Committee continued to use the eAgenda5 for inclusion of agenda items and statements 
by Members on a voluntary basis.  
 
3 https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/markacc_e/tariffandimpofwebsites_e.htm   
4 https://tradeconcerns.wto.org/en  
5 https://agenda.wto.org/en/cma  G/L/1439  
 
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 On 6 July 2022, the Secretariat organized the first training for Geneva -based delegates on 
technical topics covered by the Committee on Market Access. On 19 September 2022, the Secretariat 
organized a second training for delegates on the Harmonized System.  
 On 17 October 2022,  the Committee organized a joint workshop with the WCO on the changes 
to the Harmonized System and the transposition of WTO Schedules of Concessions.6 
TRADE CONCERNS  
 At its formal  meetings  in 2022 , the Committee took note of the following trade concerns:  
Measure (implemented by)  Member(s) raising the concern7 
1. Angola – Import restriction practices  European Union, United States  
2. Australia, Canada, European Union, Japan, New 
Zealand, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the 
United States – Unilateral trade restrictive 
measures against Russia  Russian Federation  
3. Australia - Investigation and review of anti -dumping 
duties on A4 copy paper  Indonesia  
4. Australia - Discriminatory market access prohibition 
on 5G equipment  China  
5. Canada – Restrictions on the commercial 
importation of cannabis and cannabis products for 
medical use  Colombia  
6. Canada  – Discriminatory market access prohibition 
on 5G equipment  China  
7. China – Trade disruptive and restrictive measures  Australia  
8. China — Draft of Chinese recommended national 
standard (GB/T) for office devices (Information 
Security Technology -Security Specification for 
Office Devices)  Japan  
9. China — Draft revision of Chinese  Government 
procurement law Japan  
10. Dominican Republic – Discriminatory taxation on 
some food imported products  European Union  
11. Egypt – Mandatory use of a letter of credit as prior 
condition for imports  European Union, Norway  
12. European Union - Carbon Border Adjustment 
Mechanism (the European Green Deal of 
December  2019)  Russian Federation  
13. European Union – Proposal for a regulation  on 
deforestation -free products  Russian Federation  
14. European Union - Carbon Border Adjustment 
Mechanism  China  
15. European Union - European Green Deal ( EGD): 
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism ( CBAM ) and 
Deforestation Free Commodities ( DFC) Indonesia  
16. European Union - MRL reduction of certain 
substances to meet environmental objectives in 
third countries  Paraguay  
17. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Bahrain, 
United Arab Emirates, State of Kuwait, Oman, and 
Qatar - Selective tax on certain imported produ cts European Union, Switzerland, United 
States  
18. India – Import policies on tyres  European Union, Indonesia, Chinese 
Taipei, Thailand  
19. India – Import restriction on air conditioners  Japan, Thailand  
20. India - Plain Copier Paper Quality Order 2020  Indonesia  
 
6 WTO | WCO -WTO workshop on changes to the Harmonized System and the transposition of WTO 
Schedules of Concessions  
7 The column lists the Member(s) that raised the issue in any or all the  formal meetings that are 
covered by this report.  G/L/1439  
 
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  Measure (implemented by)  Member(s) raising the concern7 
21. India – Quantitative restrictions on imports of 
certain pulses  Australia, Canada, European Union, 
United States  
22. India - Basic customs duty (BCD) on solar 
photovoltaic cells and modules  China  
23. India – Approved List of Models and Manufacturers 
(ALMM) of solar photovoltaic modules  China  
24. Indonesia - Import substitution programme  European Union  
25. Indonesia – Customs duties on certain 
telecommunication products  European Union, United States  
26. Mexico – Import quota on glyphosate  United States  
27. Nepal - Import ban on energy drinks  Thailand  
28. Peru – Tax treatment of Pisco United Kingdom  
29. Philippines - Special Safeguard on instant coffee  Indonesia  
30. Sri Lanka – Import ban on various products  Australia, European Union, Thailand  
31. Sri Lanka – Import ban on palm oil  Indonesia  
32. The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, 
Kinmen and Matsu - Discriminatory tariffs favouring 
champagne over other sparkling wine  Australia  
33. United States – Discriminatory quantitative 
restriction on steel and/or aluminium imports  China  
34. United States - Section 301 tariffs on certain goods 
from China  China  
35. United States – Quantitative restrictions on imports 
of sturgeon  European Union  
36. United States – Trade distortive export control 
measures on semiconductor equipment and the 
global supply chain8 China  
37. Viet Nam - Anti-circumvention duty on sugar  Indonesia  
 
__________  
 
8 Raised by China under other business at the formal meeting on 18 -19 October.  