40 likes | 54 Views
Workshop on Transparency English Group 1. Kylie Oakes-Ati Australia. What it takes to be transparent ?. Notification of measures conforming to international standards Definition of “significant impact on trade” important Suggested text para 7, G/SPS/W/215
E N D
Workshop on TransparencyEnglish Group 1 Kylie Oakes-Ati Australia
What it takes to be transparent ? • Notification of measures conforming to international standards • Definition of “significant impact on trade” important • Suggested text para 7, G/SPS/W/215 • Operational guidelines/step-by-step approach • When to notify (at “an early stage”) • Contact addresses – individual/institution • Clear procedures for when EP/NNA staff change
What it takes to be transparent ? • Commentperiod of 60 days + automatic extension on request • Consensus on merits and need to make period “effective” • Disagreement over date at which comments period should begin i.e. circulation by Secretariat or notification to Secretariat • Difficulties also with automatic provision of comment period on addenda due to domestic constraints • Suggestion on Secretariat help by Chinese Taipei para.16 • Translation difficulties – accessibility/reliability
How to benefit from transparency? • Canada’s good practice checklist • Electronic: newsletters, website, export alerts • Face to face: stakeholder seminars with private sector • Constraints of developing countries • Poor feedback on electronic communication • Cost of face to face briefings • National SPS Committees • Public sector – one way to overcome HS code problem • Private representation • But, impossible to accommodate all stakeholders • Mentoring • We agree, now let’s discuss the detail!