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Framework Understanding on Non-Tariff Barriers. Brazil, EU and India Nairobi, 12. April 2010. Purpose of the Framework. Create horizontal disciplines across all NAMA sectors on NTBs Reduction and where appropriate elimination of unnecessary obstacles to trade including NTBs
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Framework Understanding on Non-Tariff Barriers Brazil, EU and IndiaNairobi, 12. April 2010
Purpose of the Framework • Create horizontal disciplines across all NAMA sectors on NTBs • Reduction and where appropriate elimination of unnecessary obstacles to trade including NTBs • Affirmation of rights and obligations under the WTO Agreements (including TBT Agreement • Elaborating and building upon the TBT Agreement
Elements of the Framework • Scope • Covers all products (Article 1) • International standard setting bodies (Article 3) • ISO, IEC, ITU and Codex as the relevant bodies provided they follow the principles of the TBT Committee Decision • Other bodies in the Annexes
Review of standards (Article 4) • Review at regular intervals with a view to increase convergence to international standards • Relevant elements for consideration include whether TR and CAP have become unnecessary or outdated by reason of changed circumstances such as fundamental changes in technology. • Best endeavour for developing countries • Developed countries to review atleast once every 5 years
Good Regulatory Practice (Article 6) • Impact of Technical Regulation(TR)/ Assessment Procedures (CAP) • Assess available regulatory and non regulatory alternatives that may fulfil legitimate objectives • Impact on trade to be assessed on basis of special development, financial and trade needs of developing countries
Transparency (Article 7) • Opportunity for interested parties to comment • To Members how the elements of good regulatory practice were taken into account • When available in written format the assessment of impact on trade • Publish the written comments from Members or interested parties • Best endeavour clause to publish public responses
Transparency (Article 7) – Cont’d • Notice of TR/CAP being proposed available in a single journal • Final TR/CAP available in a single journal • Creation of electronic repositories of TR/CAP through a WTO portal • Developing countries to provide only a meaningful description of the TR/CAP if they cannot practically provide translation into an official WTO language or do not have any of the WTO languages as their official language.
Technical Assistance/ Special and Differentiated Treatment (Articles 9&10) • Technical co-operation on post market surveillance for systems such as suppliers declaration of conformity (SDOC) • When applying good regulatory practices, the special development, financial and trade needs of developing countries will be taken into account.
Elements of Framework • Conformity Assessment Procedures (CAP) • Best endeavour clause on suppliers declaration of conformity (SDOC) • Invitation to create MRAs • Encouragement to accreditation bodies to join ILAC and IAF • Confidentiality of information • TBT Committee to oversee operation and implementation of the Understanding • Annexes/ Appendices to prevail over this Understanding in case of conflict