Appendix 1.1 states that the technical rules apply to “product characteristics or associated production processes and methods,” which means that this does not apply to the PNPRP. However, in Appendix 1.1 and 1.2, the second sentence, the word “linked” is omitted, indicating that technical requirements may apply to labelling. Some academics argue that the second sentence is read in the context of the first sentence and should therefore be tightened. [3] In addition to the notification requirement, each WTO member must set up a national investigative body. It is a point of contact where other WTO members can request and obtain information and documents on a member`s technical rules, standards and testing procedures, whether in place or adopted, as well as participation in bilateral or multilateral standard agreements, regional standards bodies and compliance assessment systems (Article 10). Information services are generally public bodies, but the corresponding functions can also be assigned to private agencies. The requirement to set up investigative centres is particularly important for developing countries. On the one hand, this is the first step by a member of a developing country to implement the OBT agreement. On the other hand, developing countries can obtain information from other MEPs` investigative services on foreign rules and standards concerning products of which they have a commercial interest. Download the full text in: > Word format (6 pages; 104 KB) > pdf format (22 pages; 117KB) These are additional agreements negotiated after the Uruguay Round and attached to the General Agreement on Trade in Services. There is no “first protocol.” The corresponding appointments can be ordered at the online bookstore.
Since then, negotiations have produced additional legislation, such as the Information Technology Convention, services and membership protocols. New negotiations were initiated at the Doha Ministerial Conference in November 2001. In accordance with Article 1, this agreement applies to all industrial and agricultural products, with the exception of services, sanitary and plant health measures (as defined in the agreement on the application of sanitary and plant health measures) and “purchase specifications established by public authorities for production or consumption needs” (Article 1.4). [2] 6.3 Members are encouraged to be willing, at the request of other members, to enter into negotiations for mutual recognition agreements on the results of mutual compliance assessment procedures. Members may require these agreements to meet the criteria set out in paragraph 1 and to satisfy each other`s opportunities to facilitate trade in the products concerned. 3. Citizens of the parties to the dispute cannot be heard by a group of technical experts without the common agreement of the parties to the dispute, unless the panel considers that the need for scientific expertise cannot be met by other means. Government officials of the parties to the dispute are not allowed to sit in a panel of technical experts.
Members of technical expert groups perform their individual duties and are not representatives of the government or representatives of an organization. Governments or organizations therefore do not instruct them on the issues in front of a group of technical experts. The CTA ensures that technical regulations, standards, testing and certification procedures do not create unnecessary trade barriers. The agreement prohibits technical requirements that are created to restrict trade, contrary to technical requirements created for legitimate purposes, such as consumer or environmental protection. [1] Its objective is to avoid unnecessary barriers to international trade and to recognize all WTO members in order to protect legitimate interests on the basis of their regulatory autonomy, although they encourage the application of international standards.