What is the WTO/TBT agreement?
WTO/TBT Agreement is the English abbreviation of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade of the World Trade Organization. The Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, also known as the Standard Code, clearly stipulates the technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures formulated, adopted and implemented by members in international trade.
How did the 2.WTO/TBT Agreement come into being?
In international trade, the technical regulations and standards implemented by different countries are quite different, which causes difficulties and even obstacles to manufacturers and importers and exporters. In this case, members generally believe that it is necessary to formulate relevant rules to restrain everyone's trading behavior. In the "Tokyo Round" negotiations, the standards group of the Multilateral Trade Negotiation Working Group of the GATT Trade Negotiation Committee was specifically responsible for drafting the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, that is, the standard code. After repeated discussions and consultations, we finally reached an agreement on the formulation and implementation of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures, as well as the settlement of disputes, and signed the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade in April 1979, which came into effect on June 1980 1. This protocol is also called "model rules", or simply TBT protocol. In the Uruguay Round negotiations, the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade has become one of the most important agreements in the World Trade Organization.
What is the basic content of the 3.WTO/TBT Agreement?
The WTO/TBT agreement is divided into six parts, 15 clauses, 129 paragraphs and three annexes. Its basic contents include:
(1) preface and general rules
This paper mainly expounds the purpose, purpose and scope of application of the agreement.
② Technical regulations and standards
Standardize the behavior of the central government, local governments and non-governmental organizations of all members in formulating, adopting and implementing technical regulations and standards. Members should formulate technical regulations and standards based on international standards, otherwise, they must be informed at the initial stage of the document.
③ Abide by technical regulations and standards.
It stipulates the behavior of member central governments, local governments, non-governmental organizations and international and regional organizations to formulate, adopt and implement conformity assessment procedures. Its principles are: adopting universal international norms; Recognize the certification results of other countries as much as possible; Actively participate in international and regional conformity assessment activities.
④ Information and help
Members are required to set up national WTO/TBT consultation points to carry out notification and consultation on behalf of the government in accordance with regulations. Give technical assistance to other members' requests. Provide special and differential treatment for developing country members.
⑤ Organization, negotiation and dispute resolution
A Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade shall be established to consult on relevant matters arising from the implementation of this Agreement and be responsible for resolving disputes.
⑥ Final clause
Require members to commit themselves to implementing the WTO/TBT agreement when they join the WTO. Without the consent of other members, no reservation may be made to the implementation of any provision of this agreement.
Appendix 1: Terms and their definitions in this Agreement.
Annex 2: Technical Expert Group.
Appendix 3: Good Code of Conduct for Developing, Adopting and Implementing Standards.
4. What is the purpose of TBT agreement?
The purpose of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade is to prevent and eliminate technical barriers to trade, avoid unnecessary obstacles brought by technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures to international trade, realize the liberalization and facilitation of international trade, internationally coordinate technical requirements such as technical regulations, standards, conformity assessment procedures and labeling systems, curb trade protectionism with discriminatory technical requirements as the main form, minimize and eliminate technical barriers in international trade, and realize the globalization of the world economy.
What is the goal of the 5.WTO/TBT Agreement?
The objectives of the WTO/TBT Agreement are:
① Developing international trade;
(2) standardize the behavior of members in formulating, adopting and implementing technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures;
③ Eliminate unnecessary technical barriers in international trade.