Technical

Barriers to Trade
Agreement

1. INTRODUCTION
2. SCOPE
3. CATEGORIES
4. KEY PRINCIPLES
5. TBT COMMITTEE

Valentina Gonzalez
INTRODUCTION

● It aims to ensure that technical regulations,

standards, and conformity assessment
procedures are non-discriminatory and do
not create unnecessary obstacles to trade.

● The WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers

to Trade entered into force on 1 January
1995 as on of the WTO agreements under
Annex 1A of the Agreement establishing the
World Trade Organization.

● The TBT Agreement is binding on all

members of the WTO.

● The TBT Agreement is part of a broader

category of WTO agreements dealing with
non-tariff measures (NTMs).
SCOPE
The TBT Agreement covers trade in all
goods (agricultural and industrial). The
following are not covered:

1. Services
2. Purchasing specifications prepared by
government bodies for production or
consumption requirements of
governmental bodies.
3. Measures covered by the Agreement
on the Application of Sanitary and
Phytosanitary Measures.
CATEGORIES
Technical Regulations:

Technical regulations lay down product characteristic or their related processes and production methods.
Compliance is mandatory. They may also deal with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking and labelling
requirements.

Standards:

Standards are approved by a recognized body which is responsible for establishing rules, guidelines or
characteristics for products or related processes and production methods. Compliance is not mandatory.
They may also deal with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking and labelling requirements.

Conformity assessment procedures:

Conformity assessment procedures are used to determine that relevant requirements in technical
regulations or standards are fulfilled. They include procedures for sampling, testing and inspection;
evaluation, verification and assurance of conformity; and registration, accreditation and approval.
KEY PRINCIPLES
Non-Discrimination:
Products imported from a given territory of any member can not be accorded
treatment less favorable than “like products” of national origin or originating in
any other country.

Necessity:
Avoidance of Unnecessary Barriers to Trade. Technical regulations should not
create unnecessary obstacles to international trade.

International Standards:
Members should apply relevant international standards. Some international
standards might not be effective or favorable in certain cases.

Technical Assistance and Special and Differential Treatment:

Developing countries have special rights, as implementing the agreement is
more difficult. Developed countries can treat developing countries more
favourably than other WTO members.

Transparency:
a. Notification
b. Enquiry points
c. Publication requirements
 TBT COMMITTEE

Forum were members have the opportunity of consulting

on any members relating to the operation of the
Agreement or the furtherance of its objectives. (Article
13.1 TBT Agreement).
Meetings are open to all WTO members and countries
seeking to join the WTO can participate as observers.
Governments choose their representatives at TBT
Committee meetings.
REFERENCES
WTO. The WTO Agreement Series. (May 2014)
https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/publications_e/tbttotrade_e.pdf
WTO. TBT Committee Ninth Triennial Review. (November 2021)
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/ninth_triennial_review_e.htm
WTO. New WTO handbook sheds light on the Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement.
(February 2021) https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news21_e/tbt_22feb21_e.htm
Images:
https://www.wto.org/images/img_mews/tbt_12nov21_e.jpg