Common use of Technical Working Groups Clause in Contracts

Technical Working Groups. 1. A Technical Working Group may function on an on-going or ad hoc basis. 2. Any on-going technical working group shall meet on an annual basis unless otherwise decided by the Parties participating in the technical working group. Any ad hoc technical working group shall meet as frequently as decided by the Parties participating in the technical working group. 3. At the first meeting of a technical working group, the participating Parties shall establish the working group's terms of reference, unless the Parties decide otherwise. 4. Any technical working group established under Article 9.17.3(e) (Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures) may: (a) engage, at the earliest appropriate stage, in scientific or technical exchange and cooperation regarding sanitary or phytosanitary matters; (b) consider any sanitary or phytosanitary measure or set of measures identified by any Party that are likely to affect, directly or indirectly, trade, and provide technical advice with a view to facilitating the resolution of specific trade concerns relating to those measures; (c) serve as a forum to facilitate discussion and consideration of specific risk assessments and possible risk management options; (d) provide an opportunity for Parties to discuss developments relevant to the work of the technical working group; (e) discuss other issues related to this Chapter; and (f) report to the SPS Committee on progress of work, as appropriate. 5. A technical working group may provide the SPS Committee with the recommendation that it be continued, suspended, or dissolved. 6. Each technical working group shall be co-chaired by representatives of the participating Parties. 7. The Parties may seek to resolve any specific trade concern through the relevant technical working group.