Regulatory Cooperation and the WTO TBT Committee GTBTW340

Regulatory Co-operation and the WTO TBT Committee G/TBT/W/340, dated 7 September 2011

G/TBT/W/26, dated 13 November 2009 (Fifth Triennial Review )

What is the rationale for such co-operation?

Government officials from different countries engage …

. . with the objectives which may include the formulation of more compatible, transparent and simpler regulations.

Regulatory co-operation contributes to building confidence between trading partners.

Confidence What is the rationale for such co-operation?

Diversity exists and is normal.

Limiting costs associated with necessary diversity.

Reducing unnecessary diversity.

Confidence What is the rationale for such co-operation? Unnecessary diversity / costs

What are the avenues for regulatory cooperation between countries?

Scope Settings Ambition

WTO WTR 2011

PTAs which include TBT provisions 12 11 10 9 8 7 PTAs notified to the WTO 6 5 4 3 2 1 Entry into Force of Agreement 09 20 07 20 05 20 03 20 01 20 99 19 97 19 95 19 93 19 91 19 89 19 87 19 85 19 19 83 0

“PTAs are not only about lowering tariffs … cover a large number of non-tariff policy areas and have become deeper. ” WTO WTR 2011, p. 153

most common provisions, over 60 per cent of the cases occurring between 40 and 60 per cent of cases (red) Occurring in less than 40 per cent of cases (blue) WTO WTR 2011, p. 142

Where is Regulatory Co-operation in the TBT Agreement?

“Regulatory Co-operation” as such is not explicitly mentioned in the TBT Agreement.

standards equivalence harmonization but it is implicit mutual recognition work of the committee technical assistance

Where next?

Some messages Similarity in regulatory regimes helps (confidence ) Cooperation is particularly useful when looking ahead Coordination at home first, helps Start small (even informally) and think strategically

Questions for participants Is there a role for the Committee, if so what? Can something be done in context of 6 th TR

thank you