马拉喀什建立世界贸易组织协定——附件 1A：货物贸易多边协定——技术性贸易 壁垒协定
马拉喀什建立世界贸易组织协定——附件 1A：货物贸易多边协定——技术性贸易 壁垒协定
辽宁电子图书有限责任公司 编著
辽宁电子图书有限责任公司
书名:马拉喀什建立世界贸易组织协定——附件1A：货
物贸易多边协定——技术性贸易壁垒协定
作者:辽宁电子图书有限责任公司责任编辑：xx
出版社:辽宁电子图书有限责任公司
ISBN:L-FL-0350/D92
出版日期：2003年12月定价：9.00元
——附件 1Ａ：货物贸易多边协定
——技术性贸易壁垒协定
（关于附件 1Ａ的总体解释性说明：如《1994 年关税与贸易总协定》的条款与《建立世界贸易组织协定》（附件 1Ａ所列各协定中称“《ＷＴＯ协定》”）附件 1Ａ中另一协定的条款产生抵触，则以该另一协定的条款为准。）
各成员，
注意到乌拉圭回合多边贸易谈判；
期望促进ＧＡＴＴ 1994 目标的实现：
认识到国际标准和合格评定体系可以通过提高生产效率和便利国际贸易的进行而在这方面作出重要贡献；
因此期望鼓励制定此类国际标准和合格评定体系；
但是期望保证技术法规和标准，包括对包装、标志和标签的要求，以及对技术法规和标准的合格评定程序不给国际贸易制造不必要的障碍；
认识到不应阻止任何国家在其认为适当的程度内采取必要措施，保证其出口产品的质量，或保护人类、动物或植物的生命或健康及保护环境，或防止欺诈行为，但是这些措施的实施方式不得构成在情形相同的国家之间进行任意或不合理歧视的手段，或构成对国际贸易的变相限制，并应在其他方面与本协定的规定相一致；
认识到不应阻止任何国家采取必要措施以保护其基本安全利益；
认识到国际标准化在发达国家向发展中国家转让技术方面可以作出的贡献；
认识到发展中国家在制定和实施技术法规、标准及对技术法规和标准的合格评定程序方面可能遇到特殊困难，并期望对它们在这方面所作的努力给予协助；
特此协议如下：第 1 条 总则
1．1 标准化和合格评定程序通用术语的含义通常应根据联合国系统和国际标准化机构所采用的定义，同时考虑其上下文并按照本协定的目的和宗旨确定。
1．2 但就本协定而言，应适用附件 1 中所列术语的含义。
1．3 所有产品，包括工业品和农产品，均应遵守本协定的规定。
1．4 政府机构为其生产或消费要求所制定的采购规格不受本协定规定的约束，而应根据《政府采购协定》的范围由该协定处理。
1．5 本协定的规定不适用于《实施卫生与植物卫生措施协定》附件Ａ定义的卫生与植物卫生措施。
1．6 本协定中所指的所有技术法规、标准和合格评定程序，应理解为包括对其规则的任何修正或产品范围的任何补充，但无实质意义的修正和补充除外。
技术法规和标准
第 2 条 中央政府机构制定、采用和实施的技术法规对于各自的中央政府机构：
2．1 各成员应保证在技术法规方面，给予源自任何成员领土进口的产品不低于其给予本国同类产品或来自任何其他国家同类产品的待遇。
2．2 各成员应保证技术法规的制定、采用或实施在目的或效果上均不对国际贸易造成不必要的障碍。为此目的，技术法规对贸易的限制不得超过为实现合法目标所必需的限度，同时考虑合法目标未能实现可能造成的风险。此类合法目标特别包括：国家安全要求；防止欺诈行为；保护人类健康或安全、保护动物或植物的生命或健康及保护环境。在评估此类风险时，应考虑的相关因素特别包括：可获得的科学和技术信息、有关的加工技术或产品的预期最终用途。
2．3 如与技术法规采用有关的情况或目标已不复存在，或改变的情况或目标可采用对贸易限制较少的方式加以处理，则不得维持此类技术法规。
2．4 如需制定技术法规，而有关国际标准已经存在或即将拟就，则各成员应使用这些国际标准或其中的相关部分作为其技术法规的基础，除非这些国际标准或其中的相关部分对达到其追求的合法目标无效或不适当，例如由于基本气候因素或地理因素或基本技术问题。
2．5 应另一成员请求，一成员在制定、采用或实施可能对其他成员的贸易有重大影响的技术法规时应按照第 2 款到第 4 款的规定对其技术法规的合理性进行说明。只要出于第 2 款明确提及的合法目标之一并依照有关国际标准制定、采用和实施的技术法规，即均应予以作出未对国际贸易造成不必要障碍的可予驳回的推定。
2．6 为在尽可能广泛的基础上协调技术法规，各成员应在其力所能力的范围内充分参与有关国际标准化机构就各自已采用或准备采用的技术法规所涵盖的产品制定国际标准的工作。
2．7 各成员应积极考虑将其他成员的技术法规作为等效法规加以接受，即使这些法规不同于自己的法规，只要它们确信这些法规足以实现与自己的法规相同的目标。
2．8 只要适当，各成员即应按照产品的性能而不是按照其设计或描述特征来制定技术法规。
2．9 只要不存在有关国际标准或拟议的技术法规中的技术内容与有关国际标准中的技术内容不一致，且如果该技术法规可能对其他成员的贸易有重大影响，则各成员即应：
2．9．1 在早期适当阶段，以能够使其他成员中的利害关系方知晓的方式，在出版物上发布有关提议采用某一特定技术法规的通知；
2．9．2 通过秘书处通知其他成员拟议的法规所涵盖的产品，并对拟议的法规的目的和理由作出简要说明。此类通知应在早期适当阶段作出，以便进行修正和考虑提出的意见；
2．9．3 应请求，向其他成员提供拟议的技术法规的细节或副本，只要可能，即应确认与有关国际标准有实质性偏离的部分；
2．9．4 无歧视地给予其他成员合理的时间以提出书面意见，应请求讨论这些意见，并对这些书面意见和讨论的结果予以考虑。
2．10 在遵守第 9 款引言部分规定的前提下，如一成员面临涉及安全、健康、环境保护或国家安全等紧急问题或面临发生此类问题的威胁，则该成员可省略第 9 款所列步骤中其认为有必要省略的步骤，但是该成员在采用技术法规时应：
2．10．1 立即通过秘书处将特定技术法规及其涵盖的产品通知其他成员，并对该技术法规的目的和理由作出简要说明，包括紧急问题的性质；
2．10．2 应请求，向其他成员提供该技术法规的副本；
2．10．3 无歧视地给予其他成员合理的时间以提出书面意见，应请求讨论这些意见，并对这些书面意见和讨论的结果予以考虑。
2．11 各成员应保证迅速公布已采用的所有技术法规，或以可使其他成员中的利害关系方知晓的其他方式提供。
2．12 除第 10 款所指的紧急情况外，各成员应在技术法规的公布和生效之间留出合理时间间隔，使出口成员、特别是发展中国家成员的生产者有时间使其产品和生产方法适应进口成员的要求。
第 3 条 地方政府机构和非政府机构制定、采用和实施的技术法规对于各自领土内的地方政府和非政府机构：
3．1 各成员应采取其所能采取的合理措施，保证此类机构遵守第 2 条的规定，但第 2 条第 9．2 款和第 10．1 款所指的通知义务除外。
3．2 各成员应保证依照第 2 条第 9．2 款和第 10．1 款的规定对直属中央政府的地方政府的技术法规作出通知，同时注意到内容与有关成员中央政府以往通知的技术法规的技术内容实质相同的地方技术法规不需作出通知。
3．3 各成员可要求与其他成员的联系通过中央政府进行，包括第 2 条第 9 款和第 10款所指的通知、提供信息、提出意见和进行讨论。
3．4 各成员不得采取要求或鼓励其领土内的地方政府机构或非政府机构以与第 2 条规定不一致的方式行事的措施。
3．5 在本协定项下，各成员对遵守第 2 条的所有规定负有全责。各成员应制定和实施积极的措施和机制，以支持中央政府机构以外的机构遵守第 2 条的规定。
第 4 条 标准的制定、采用和实施
4．1 各成员应保证其中央政府标准化机构接受并遵守本协定附件 3 中的《关于制定、采用和实施标准的良好行为规范》（本协定中称“《良好行为规范》”）。它们应采取其所能采取的合理措施，保证其领土内的地方政府和非政府标准化机构，以及它们参加的或其领土内一个或多个机构参加的区域标准化组织接受并遵守该《良好行为规范》。此外，成员不得采取直接或间接要求或鼓励此类标准化机构以与《良好行为规范》不一
致的方式行事的措施。各成员关于标准化机构遵守《良好行为规范》规定的义务应予履行，无论一标准化组织是否已接受《良好行为规范》。
4．2 对于已接受并遵守《良好行为规范》的标准化机构，各成员应承认其遵守本协定的原则。
符合技术法规和标准
第 5 条 中央政府机构的合格评定程序
5．1 各成员应保证，在需要切实保证符合技术法规或标准时，其中央政府机构对源自其他成员领土内的产品适用下列规定：
5．1．1． 合格评定程序的制定、采用和实施，应在可比的情况下以不低于给予本国同类产品的供应商或源自任何其他国家同类产品的供应商的条件，使源自其他成员领土内产品的供应商获得准入；此准入使产品供应商有权根据该程序的规则获得合格评定，包括在该程序可预见时，在设备现场进行合格评定并能得到该合格评定体系的标志；
5．1．2． 合格评定程序的制定、采用或实施在目的和效果上不应对国际贸易造成不必要的障碍。此点特别意味着：合格评定程序或其实施方式不得比给予进口成员对产品符合适用的技术法规或标准所必需的足够信任更为严格，同时考虑不符合技术法规或标准可能造成的风险。
5．2 在实施第 1 款的规定时，各成员应保证：
5．2．1 合格评定程序尽可能迅速的进行和完成，并在顺序上给予源自其他成员领土内的产品不低于本国同类产品的待遇；
5．2．2 公布每一合格评定程序的标准处理时限，或应请求，告知申请人预期的处理时限；主管机构在收到申请后迅速审查文件是否齐全，并以准确和完整的方式通知申请人所有不足之处；主管机构尽快以准确和完整的方式向申请人传达评定结果，以便申请人在必要时采取纠正措施；即使在申请存在不足之处时，如申请人提出请求，主管机构也应尽可能继续进行合格评定；以及应请求，通知申请人程序进行的阶段，并对任何迟延进行说明；
5．2．3 对信息的要求仅限于合格评定和确定费用所必需的限度；
5．2．4 由此类合格评定程序产生或提供的与其有关的源自其他成员领土内产品的信息，其机密性受到与本国产品同样的遵守，其合法商业利益得到与本国产品相同的保护；
5．2．5 对源自其他成员领土内的产品进行合格评定所征收的任何费用与对本国或源自任何其他国家的同类产品所征收的费用相比是公平的，同时考虑因申请人与评定机构所在地不同而产生的通讯、运输及其他费用；
5．2．6 合格评定程序所用设备的设置地点及样品的提取不致给申请人或其代理人造成不必要的不便；
5．2．7 只要在对一产品是否符合适用的技术法规或标准作出确定后改变其规格，则对改变规格产品的合格评定程序即仅限于为确定对该产品仍符合有关技术法规或标准是否有足够的信任所必需的限度；
5．2．8 建立一程序，以审查有关实施合格评定程序的投诉，且当一投诉被证明属合理时采取纠正措施。
5．3 第 1 款和第 2 款的任何规定均不得阻止各成员在其领土内进行合理的现场检查。
5．4 如需切实保证产品符合技术法规或标准、且国际标准化机构发布的相关指南或建议已经存在或即将拟就，则各成员应保证中央政府机构使用这些指南或建议或其中的相关部分，作为其合格评定程序的基础，除非应请求作出适当说明，指出此类指南、建议或其中的相关部分特别由于如下原因而不适合于有关成员：国家安全要求；防止欺诈行为：保护人类健康或安全、保护动物或植物生命或健康及保护环境；基本气候因素或其他地理因素；基本技术问题或基础设施问题。
5．5 为在尽可能广泛的基础上协调合格评定程序，各成员应在力所能及的范围内充分参与有关国际标准化机构制定合格评定程序指南和建议的工作。
5．6 只要不存在国际标准化机构发布的相关指南或建议，或拟议的合格评定程序的技术内容与国际标准化机构发布的相关指南或建议不一致，并且此合格评定程序可能对其他成员的贸易产生重大影响，则各成员即应：
5．6．1 在早期适当阶段，以能够使其他成员中的利害关系方知晓的方式，在出版物上发布有关提议采用的特定合格评定程序的通知；
5．6．2 通过秘书处通知其他成员拟议的合格评定程序所涵盖的产品，并对该程序的目的和理由作出简要说明。此类通知应在早期适当阶段作出，以便仍可进行修正和考虑提出的意见；
5．6．3 应请求，向其他成员提供拟议的程序的细节或副本，只要可能，即应确认与有关国际标准化机构发布的指南或建议有实质性偏离的部分；
5．6．4 无歧视地给予其他成员合理的时间以提出书面意见，应请求讨论这些意见，并对这些书面意见和讨论的结果予以考虑。
5．7 在遵守第 6 款引言部分规定的前提下，如一成员面临涉及安全、健康、环境保护或国家安全等紧急问题或面临发生此类问题的威胁，则该成员可省略第 6 款所列步骤中其认为有必要省略的步骤，但该成员在采用该程序时应：
5．7．1． 立即通过秘书处将特定程序及其涵盖的产品通知其他成员，并对该程序的目的和理由作出简要说明，包括紧急问题的性质；
5．7．2． 应请求，向其他成员提供该程序规则的副本；
5．7．3． 无歧视地给予其他成员合理的时间以提出书面意见，应请求讨论这些意见，并对这些书面意见和讨论的结果予以考虑。
5．8 各成员应保证迅速公布已采用的所有合格评定程序，或以可使其他成员中的利害关系方知晓的其他方式提供。
5．9 除第 7 款提及的紧急情况外，各成员应在有关合格评定程序要求的公布和生效之间留出合理时间间隔，使出口成员、特别是发展中国家成员的生产者有时间使其产品和生产方法适应进口成员的要求。
第 6 条 中央政府机构对合格评定的承认对于各自的中央政府机构：
6．1 在不损害第 3 款和第 4 款规定的情况下，各成员应保证，只要可能，即接受其他成员合格评定程序的结果，即使这些程序不同于它们自己的程序，只要它们确信这些程序与其自己的程序相比同样可以保证产品符合有关技术法规或标准。各方认识到可能需要进行事先磋商，以便就有关事项达成相互满意的谅解，特别是关于：
6．1．1 出口成员的有关合格评定机构的适当和持久的技术资格，以保证其合格评定结果的持续可靠性得到信任；在这方面，应考虑通过认可等方法核实其遵守国际标准化机构发布的相关指南或建议，作为拥有适当技术资格的一种表示；
6．1．2 关于接受该出口成员指定机构出具的合格评定结果的限制。
6．2 各成员应保证其合格评定程序尽可能允许第 1 款的规定得到实施。
6．3 鼓励各成员应其他成员请求，就达成相互承认合格评定程序结果的协议进行谈判。成员可要求此类协议满足第 1 款的标准，并在便利有关产品贸易的可能性方面使双方满意。
6．4 鼓励各成员以不低于给予自己领土内或任何其他国家领土内合格评定机构的条件，允许其他成员领土内的合格评定机构参加其合格评定程序。
第 7 条 地方政府机构的合格评定程序对于各自领土内的地方政府机构：
7．1 各成员应采取其所能采取的合理措施，保证此类机构符合第 5 条和第 6 条的规定，但第 5 条第 6．2 款和第 7．1 款所指的通知义务除外。
7．2 各成员应保证依照第 5 条第 6．2 款和第 7．1 款的规定对直属中央政府的地方政府的合格评定程序作出通知，同时注意到内容与有关成员中央政府以往通知的合格评定程序的技术内容实质相同的合格评定程序不需作出通知。
7．3 各成员可要求与其他成员联系通过中央政府进行，包括第 5 条第 6 款和第 7 款所指的通知、提供信息、提出意见和进行讨论。
7．4 各成员不得采取要求或鼓励其领土内的地方政府机构以与第 5 条和第 6 条规定不一致的方式行事的措施。
7．5 在本协定项下，各成员对遵守第 5 条和第 6 条的所有规定负有全责。各成员应制定和实施积极的措施和机制，以支持中央政府机构以外的机构遵守第 5 条和第 6 条的规定。
第 8 条 非政府机构的合格评定程序
8．1 各成员应采取其所能采取的合理措施，保证其领土内实施合格评定程序的非政府机构遵守第 5 条和第 6 条的规定，但关于通知拟议的合格评定程序的义务除外。此外，各成员不得采取具有直接或间接要求或鼓励此类机构以与第 5 条和第 6 条规定不一致的方式行事的效果的措施。
8．2 各成员应保证只有在非政府机构遵守第 5 条和第 6 条规定的情况下，其中央政府机构方可依靠这些机构实施的合格评定程序，但关于通知拟议的合格评定程序的义务除外。
第 9 条 国际和区域体系
9．1 如需要切实保证符合技术法规或标准，只要可行，各成员即应制定和采用国际合格评定体系并作为该体系成员或参与该体系。
9．3 各成员应保证只有在国际或区域合格评定体系遵守适用的第 5 条和第 6 条规定的情况下，其中央政府机构方可依靠这些体系。
信息和援助
第 10 条 关于技术法规、标准和合格评定程序的信息
10．1 每一成员应保证设立咨询点，能够回答其他成员和其他成员中的利害关系方提出的所有合理询问，并提供有关下列内容的文件：
10．1．1 中央或地方政府机构、有执行技术法规法定权力的非政府机构、或此类机构加入或参与的区域标准化机构在其领土内采用或拟议的任何技术法规；
10．1．2 中央或地方政府机构、此类机构加入或参与的区域标准化机构在其领土内采用或拟议的任何标准；
10．1．3 中央或地方政府机构、或有执行技术法规法定权力的非政府机构，或此类机构加入或参与的区域机构在其领土内实施的任何或拟议的合格评定程序；
10．1．4 成员或其领土内中央或地方政府机构加入或参与国际和区域标准化机构和合格评定体系的情况，及参加本协定范围内的双边和多边安排的情况；并应能提供关于此类体系和安排的规定的合理信息；
10．1．5 按照本协定发布通知的地点，或提供关于何处可获得此类信息的信息；以
及
10．1．6 第 3 款所述咨询点的地点。
10．2 但是如一成员因法律或行政原因设立一个以上的咨询点，则该成员应向其他
成员提供关于每一咨询点职责范围的完整和明确的信息。此外，该成员应保证送错咨询点的任何询问应迅速转交正确的咨询点。
10．3 每一成员均应采取其所能采取的合理措施，保证设立一个或一个以上的咨询点，能够回答其他成员和其他成员中的利害关系方提出的所有合理询问，并提供有关下列内容的文件或关于从何处获得这些文件的信息：
10．3．1 非政府标准化机构或此类机构加入或参与的区域标准化机构在其领土内采取或拟议的任何标准；及
10．3．2 非政府机构或此类机构加入或参与的区域机构在其领土内实施的任何合格评定程序或拟议的合格评定程序；
10．3．3 其领土内非政府机构加入或参与国际和区域标准化机构和合格评定体系的情况，以及参加在本协定范围内的双边和多边安排的情况；并应能提供关于此类体系和安排的规定的合理信息。
10．4 各成员应采取其所能采取的合理措施，保证如其他成员或其他成员中的利害关系方依照本协定的规定索取文件副本，除递送费用外，应按向有关成员本国或任何其他成员国民（注 1）提供的相同价格（如有定价）提供。
注 1：本协定中所指的“国民”一词，对于ＷＴＯ的单独关税区成员，应被视为在该关税区内定居或拥有真实有效的工业或商业机构的自然人或法人。
10．5 如其他成员请求，发达国家成员应以英文、法文或西班牙文提供特定通知所涵盖的文件，如文件篇幅较长，则应提供此类文件的摘要。
10．6 秘书处在依照本协定的规定收到通知后，应迅速向所有成员和有利害关系的国际标准化和合格评定机构散发通知的副本，并提请发展中国家成员注意任何有关其特殊利益产品的通知。
10．7 只要一成员与一个或多个任何其他国家就与技术法规、标准或合格评定程序有关的问题达成可能对贸易有重大影响的协议，则至少一名属该协议参加方的成员即应通过秘书处通知其他成员该协议所涵盖的产品，包括对该协议的简要说明。鼓励有关成员应请求与其他成员进行磋商，以达成类似的协议或为参加此类协议作出安排。
10．8 本协定的任何内容不得解释为要求：
10．8．1 使用成员语文以外的语文出版文本；
10．8．2 使用成员语文以外的语文提供草案细节或草案的副本，但第 5 款规定的除外；或
10．8．3 各成员提供它们认为披露后会违背其基本安全利益的任何信息。
10．9 提交秘书处的通知应使用英文、法文或西班牙文。
10．10 各成员应指定一中央政府机构，负责在国家一级实施本协定关于通知程序的规定，但附件 3 中的规定除外。
10．11 但是如由于法律或行政原因，通知程序由中央政府的两个或两个以上主管机关共同负责，则有关成员应向其他成员提供关于每一机关职责范围的完整和明确的信息。
第 11 条 对其他成员的技术援助
11．1 如收到请求，各成员应就技术法规的制定向其他成员、特别是发展中国家成员提供建议。
11．2 如收到请求，各成员应就建立国家标准化机构和参加国际标准化机构的问题向其他成员、特别是发展中国家成员提供建议，并按双方同意的条款和条件给予它们技术援助，还应鼓励本国标准化机构采取同样的做法。
11．3 如收到请求，各成员应采取其所能采取的合理措施，安排其领土内的管理机构向其他成员、特别是发展中国家成员提供建议，并按双方同意的条款和条件就下列内容给予它们技术援助：
11．3．1 建立管理机构或技术法规的合格评定机构；及
11．3．2 能够最好地满足其技术法规的方法。
11．4 如收到请求，各成员应采取其所能采取的合理措施，安排向其他成员、特别是发展中国家成员提供建议，并就在提出请求的成员领土内建立已采用标准的合格评定机构的问题，按双方同意的条款和条件给予它们技术援助。
11．5 如收到请求，各成员应向其他成员、特别是发展中国家成员提供建议，并就这些成员的生产者如希望利用收到请求的成员领土内的政府机构或非政府机构实施的合格评定体系所应采取步骤的问题，按双方同意的条款和条件给予它们技术援助。
11．6 如收到请求，加入或参与国际或区域合格评定体系的成员应向其他成员、特别是发展中国家成员提供建议，并就建立机构和法律体制以便能够履行因加入或参与此类体系而承担义务的问题，按双方同意的条款和条件给予它们技术援助。
11．7 如收到请求，各成员应鼓励其领土内加入或参与国际或区域合格评定体系的机构向其他成员、特别是发展中国家成员提供建议，并就建立机构以使其领土内的有关机构能够履行因加入或参与而承担义务的问题，考虑它们提出的关于提供技术援助的请求。
11．8 在根据第 1 款向其他成员提供建议和技术援助时，各成员应优先考虑最不发达国家成员的需要。
第 12 条 对发展中国家成员的特殊和差别待遇
12．1 各成员应通过下列规定和本协定其他条款的相关规定，对参加本协定的发展中国家成员提供差别和更优惠待遇。
12．2 各成员应特别注意本协定有关发展中国家成员的权利和义务的规定，并应在执行本协定时，包括在国内和在运用本协定的机构安排时，考虑发展中国家成员特殊的发展、财政和贸易需要。
12．3 各成员在制定和实施技术法规、标准和合格评定程序时，应考虑各发展中国家成员特殊的发展、财政和贸易需要，以保证此类技术法规、标准和合格评定程序不对发展中国家成员的出口造成不必要的障碍。
12．4 各成员认识到，虽然可能存在国际标准、指南和建议，但是在其特殊的技术和社会经济条件下，发展中国家成员可采用某些技术法规、标准或合格评定程序，旨在保护与其发展需要相适应的本国技术、生产方法和工艺。因此，各成员认识到不应期望发展中国家成员使用不适合其发展、财政和贸易需要的国际标准作为其技术法规或标准、包括试验方法的依据。
12．5 各成员应采取其所能采取的合理措施，以保证国际标准化机构和国际合格评定体系的组织和运作方式便利所有成员的有关机构积极和有代表性地参与，同时考虑发展中国家的特殊问题。
12．6 各成员应采取其所能采取的合理措施，以保证国际标准化机构应发展中国家成员的请求，审查对发展中国家成员有特殊利益产品制定国际标准的可能性，并在可行时制定这些标准。
12．7 各成员应依照第 11 条的规定，向发展中国家成员提供技术援助，以保证技术法规、标准和合格评定程序的制定和实施不对发展中国家成员出口的扩大和多样化造成不必要的障碍。在确定技术援助的条款和条件时，应考虑提出请求的成员、特别是最不发达国家成员所处的发展阶段。
12．8 各方认识到发展中国家成员在制定和实施技术法规、标准和合格评定程序方面可能面临特殊问题，包括机构和基础设施问题。各方进一步认识到发展中国家成员特殊的发展和贸易需要以及它们所处的技术发展阶段可能会妨碍它们充分履行本协定项下
义务的能力。因此，各成员应充分考虑此事实。为此，为保证发展中国家成员能够遵守本协定，授权根据本协定第13 条设立的技术性贸易壁垒委员会（本协定中称“委员会”），应请求，就本协定项下全部或部分义务给予特定的、有时限的例外。在审议此类请求时，委员会应考虑发展中国家成员在技术法规、标准和合格评定程序的制定和实施方面的特殊问题、它们特殊的发展和贸易需要以及所处的技术发展阶段，这些均可妨碍它们充分履行本协定项下义务的能力。委员会应特别考虑最不发达国家成员的特殊问题。
12．9 在磋商过程中，发达国家成员应记住发展中国家成员在制定和实施标准、技术法规和合格评定程序过程中遇到的特殊困难，为帮助发展中国家成员在这方面的努力，发达国家成员应考虑前者特殊的财政、贸易和发展需要。
12．10 委员会应定期审议本协定制定的在国家和国际各级给予发展中国家的特殊和差别待遇。
机构、磋商和争端解决
第 13 条 技术性贸易壁垒委员会
13．1 特此设立技术性贸易壁垒委员会，由每一成员的代表组成。委员会应选举自己的主席，并应在必要时召开会议，但每年应至少召开一次会议，为各成员提供机会，就与本协定的运用或促进其目的的实现有关的事项进行磋商，委员会应履行本协定或各成员所指定的职责。
13．2 委员会设立工作组或其他适当机构，以履行委员会依照本协定相关规定指定的职责。
13．3 各方理解，应避免本协定项下的工作与政府在其他技术机构中的工作造成不必要的重复。委员会应审查此问题，以期将此种重复减少到最低限度。
第 14 条 磋商和争端解决
14．1 就影响本协定运用的任何事项的磋商和争端解决应在争端解决机构的主持下进行，并应遵循由《争端解决谅解》详述和适用的ＧＡＴＴ 1994 第 22 条和第 23 条的规定，但应在细节上作必要修改。
14．2 专家组可自行或应一争端方请求，设立技术专家小组，就需要由专家详细研究的技术性问题提供协助。
14．3 技术专家小组应按附件 2 的程序管理。
14．4 如一成员认为另一成员未能根据第 3 条、第 4 条、第 7 条、第 8 条和第 9 条取得令人满意的结果，且其贸易利益受到严重影响，则可援引上述争端解决的规定。在这方面，此类结果应等同于如同在所涉机构为一成员时达成的结果。
最后条款
第 15 条 最后条款
保留
15．1 未经其他成员同意，不得对本协定的任何条款提出保留。
审议
15．2 每一成员应在《ＷＴＯ协定》对其生效之日后，迅速通知委员会已有或已采取的保证本协定实施和管理的措施。此后，此类措施的任何变更也应通知委员会。
15．3 委员会应每年对本协定实施和运用的情况进行审议，同时考虑本协定的目标。
15．4 在不迟于《ＷＴＯ协定》生效之日起的第 3 年年末及此后每 3 年期期末，委员会应审议本协定的运用和实施情况，包括与透明度有关的规定，以期在不损害第 12 条规定及为保证相互经济利益和权利与义务的xx所必要的情况下，提出调整本协定项下权利和义务的建议。委员会应特别注意在实施本协定过程中所取得的经验，酌情向货物贸易理事会提出修正本协定文本的建议。
附件
15．5 本协定的附件构成本协定的组成部分。附件 1：本协定中的术语及其定义
国际标准化组织／国际电工委员会（ＩＳＯ／ＩＥＣ）指南 2 第 6 版：1991 年，《关于标准化及相关活动的一般术语及其定义》中列出的术语，如在本协定中使用，其含义应与上述指南中给出的定义相同，但应考虑服务业不属于本协定的范围。
但是就本协定而言，应适用下列定义：
1． 技术法规
规定强制执行的产品特性或其相关工艺和生产方法、包括适用的管理规定在内的文件。该文件还可包括或专门关于适用于产品、工艺或生产方法的专门术语、符号、包装、标志或标签要求。
解释性说明
ＩＳＯ／ＩＥＣ指南 2 中的定义未采用完整定义方式，而是建立在所谓“板块”系统之上的。
2． 标准
经公认机构批准的、规定非强制执行的、供通用或重复使用的产品或相关工艺和生产方法的规则、指南或特性的文件。该文件还可包括或专门关于适用于产品、工艺或生产方法的专门术语、符号、包装、标志或标签要求。
解释性说明
ＩＳＯ／ＩＥＣ指南 2 中定义的术语涵盖产品、工艺和服务。本协定只涉及与产品
或工艺和生产方法有关的技术法规、标准和合格评定程序。ＩＳＯ／ＩＥＣ指南 2 中定
义的标准可以是强制性的，也可以是自愿的。就本协定而言，标准被定义为自愿的，技术法规被定义为强制性文件。国际标准化团体制定的标准是建立在协商一致基础之上的。本协定还涵盖不是建立在协商一致基础之上的文件。
3． 合格评定程序
任何直接或间接用以确定是否满足技术法规或标准中的相关要求的程序。解释性说明
合格评定程序特别包括：抽样、检验和检查；评估、验证和合格保证；注册、认可和批准以及各项的组合。
4． 国际机构或体系
成员资格至少对所有成员的有关机构开放的机构或体系。
5． 区域机构或体系
成员资格仅对部分成员的有关机构开放的机构或体系。
6． 中央政府机构
中央政府、中央政府各部和各部门或所涉活动受中央政府控制的任何机构。解释性说明
对于欧洲共同体，适用有关中央政府机构的规定。但是，欧洲共同体内部可建立区域机构或合格评定体系，在此种情况下，应遵守本协定关于区域机构或合格评定体系的规定。
7． 地方政府机构
中央政府机构以外的政府机构（如州、省、地、郡、县、市等），其各部或各部门或所涉活动受此类政府控制的任何机构。
8．非政府机构
中央政府机构和地方政府机构以外的机构，包括有执行技术法规的法定权力的非政府机构。
附件 2：技术专家小组
下列程序适用于依照第 14 条的规定设立的技术专家小组。
1． 技术专家小组受专家组的管辖。其职权范围和具体工作程序应由专家组决定，并应向专家组报告。
2． 参加技术专家小组的人员仅限于在所设领域具有专业名望和经验的个人。
3． 未经争端各方一致同意，争端各方的公民不得在技术专家小组中任职，除非在例外情况下专家组认为非其参加不能满足在特定科学知识方面的需要。争端各方的政府官员不得在技术专家小组中任职。技术专家小组成员应以个人身份任职，不得作为政府代表，也不得作为任何组织的代表。因此，政府或组织不得就技术专家小组处理的事项向其成员发出指示。
4． 技术专家小组可向其认为适当的任何来源进行咨询及寻求信息和技术建议。在技术专家小组向在一成员管辖范围内的来源寻求此类信息或建议之前，应通知该成员政
府。任何成员应迅速和全面地答复技术专家小组提出的提供其认为必要和适当信息的任何请求。
5． 争端各方应可获得提供给技术专家小组的所有有关信息，除非信息属机密性质。对于向技术专家小组提供的机密信息，未经提供该信息的政府、组织或个人的正式授权不得发布。如要求从技术专家小组处获得此类信息，而技术专家小组未获准发布此类信息，则提供该信息的政府、组织或个人将提供该信息的非机密摘要。
6． 技术专家小组应向有关成员提供报告草案，以期征求它们的意见，并酌情在最终报告中考虑这些意见，最终报告在提交专家组时也应散发有关成员。
附件 3：关于制定、采用和实施标准的良好行为规范
总则
Ａ． 就本规范而言，应适用本协定附件 1 中的定义。
Ｂ． 本规范对下列机构开放供接受：ＷＴＯ一成员领土内的任何标准化机构，无论是中央政府机构、地方政府机构，还是非政府机构；一个或多个成员为ＷＴＯ成员的任何政府区域标准化机构；以及一个或多个成员位于ＷＴＯ一成员领土内的任何非政府区域标准化机构（本规范中称“标准化机构”）。
Ｃ． 接受和退出本规范的标准化机构，应将该事实通知设在日内瓦的ＩＳＯ／ＩＥ Ｃ信息中心。通知应包括有关机构的名称和地址及现在和预期的标准化活动的范围。通知可直接送交ＩＳＯ／ＩＥＣ信息中心，或酌情通过ＩＳＯ／ＩＥＣ的国家成员机构，或最好通过ＩＳＯＮＥＴ的相关国家成员或国际分支机构。
实质性规定
Ｄ． 在标准方面，标准化机构给予源自ＷＴＯ任何其他成员领土产品的待遇不得低于给予本国同类产品和源自任何其他国家同类产品的待遇。
Ｅ． 标准化机构应保证不制定、不采用或不实施在目的或效果上给国际贸易制造不必要障碍的标准。
Ｆ． 如国际标准已经存在或即将拟就，标准化机构应使用这些标准或其中的相关部分作为其制定标准的基础，除非此类国际标准或其中的相关部分无效或不适当，例如由于保护程度不足，或基本气候或地理因素或基本技术问题。
Ｇ． 为在尽可能广泛的基础上协调标准，标准化机构应以适当方式，在力所能及的范围内，充分参与有关国际标准化机构就其已采用或预期采用标准的主题制定国际标准的工作。对于一成员领土内的标准化机构，只要可能，即应通过一代表团参与一特定国际标准化活动，该代表团代表已采用或预期采用主题与国际标准化活动有关的标准的该成员领土内所有标准化机构。
Ｈ． 一成员领土内的标准化机构应尽一切努力，避免与领土内其他标准化机构的工作或与有关国际或区域标准化机构的工作发生重复或重叠。它们还应尽一切努力就其制定的标准在国内形成协商一致。同样，区域标准化机构也应尽一切努力避免与有关国际标准化机构的工作发生重复或重叠。
Ｉ． 只要适当，标准化机构即应按产品的性能而不是设计或描述特征制定以产品要求为基础的标准。
Ｊ． 标准化机构应至少每 6 个月公布一次工作计划，包括其名称和地址、正在制定的标准及前一时期已采用的标准。标准的制定过程自作出制定标准的决定时起至标准被采用时止。应请求，应以英文、法文或西班牙文提供具体标准草案的标题。有关工作计划建立的通知应在国家或在区域（视情况而定）标准化活动出版物上予以公布。
应依照国际标准化组织信息网的任何规则，在工作计划中标明每一标准与主题相关的分类、标准制定过程已达到的阶段以及引以为据的国际标准。各标准化机构应至迟于公布其工作计划时，向设在日内瓦的ＩＳＯ／ＩＥＣ信息中心通知该工作计划的建立。
通知应包括标准化机构的名称和地址、公布工作计划的出版物的名称和期号、工作计划适用的期限、出版物的价格（如有定价）以及获得出版物的方法和地点。通知可直接送交ＩＳＯ／ＩＥＣ信息中心，或最好酌情通过国际标准化组织信息网的相关国家成员或国际分支机构。
Ｋ． ＩＳＯ／ＩＥＣ的国家成员应尽一切努力成为ＩＳＯＮＥＴ的成员或指定另一机构成为其成员，并争取获得ＩＳＯＮＥＴ成员所能获得的最高级类型的成员资格。其他标准化机构应尽一切努力与ＩＳＯＮＥＴ成员建立联系。
Ｌ． 在采用一标准前，标准化机构应给予至少 60 天的时间供ＷＴＯ一成员领土内的利害关系方就标准草案提出意见。但在出现有关安全、健康或环境的紧急问题或出现此种威胁的情况下，上述期限可以缩短。标准化机构应不迟于征求意见期开始时，在Ｊ款提及的出版物上发布关于征求意见期的通知。该通知应尽可能说明标准草案是否偏离有关国际标准。
Ｍ． 应ＷＴＯ一成员领土内任何利害关系方请求，标准化机构应迅速提供或安排提供一份供征求意见的标准草案副本。除实际递送费用外，此项服务的收费对国内外各方应相同。
Ｎ． 标准化机构在进一步制定标准时，应考虑在征求意见期内收到的意见。如收到请求，应尽可能迅速地对通过已接受本《良好行为规范》的标准化机构收到的意见予以答复。答复应包括对该标准偏离有关国际标准必要性的说明。
Ｏ． 标准一经采用，即应迅速予以公布。
Ｐ．应ＷＴＯ一成员领土内任何利害关系方请求，标准化机构应迅速提供或安排提供一份最近工作计划或其制定标准的副本。除实际递送费用外，此项服务的收费对国内外各方应相同。
Ｑ．标准化机构对已接受本《良好行为规范》的标准化机构就本规范的实施提出的交涉，应给予积极考虑并提供充分的机会应此进行磋商。并应为解决任何投诉作出客观努力。
AGREEMENT ON TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE ANNEX 1A OF ANNEX 1 OF MARRAKESH AGREEMENT ESTABLISHING THE WORLDTRADE ORGANIZATIONAGREEMENT
ON TECHNICAL BARRIERS TO TRADE
Members,
Having regard to the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations; Desiring to further the objectives of GATT 1994;
Recognizing the important contribution that international standards and conformity assessment systems can make in this regard by improving efficiency of production and facilitating the conduct of international trade;
Desiring therefore to encourage the development of such international standards and conformity assessment systems;
Desiring however to ensure that technical regulations and standards, including packaging, marking and labeling requirements, and procedures for assessment of conformity with technical regulations and standards do not create unnecessary obstacles to international trade;
Recognizing that no country should be prevented from taking measures necessary to ensure the quality of its exports, or for the protection of human, animal or plant life or health, of the environment, or for the prevention of deceptive practices, at the levels it considers appropriate, subject to the requirement that they are not applied in a manner which would constitute a means of arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination between countries where the same conditions prevail or a disguised restriction on international trade, and are otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement;
Recognizing that no country should be prevented from taking measures necessary for the protection of its essential security interest;
Recognizing the contribution which international standardization can make to the transfer of technology from developed to developing countries;
Recognizing that developing countries may encounter special difficulties in the formulation and application of technical regulations and standards and procedures for
assessment of conformity with technical regulations and standards, and desiring to assist them in their endeavours in this regard;
Hereby agree as follows:
Article 1 General Provisions
1.1 General terms for standardization and procedures for assessment of conformity shall normally have the meaning given to them by definitions adopted within the United Nations system and by international standardizing bodies taking into account their context and in the light of the object and purpose of this Agreement.
1.2 However, for the purposes of this Agreement the meaning of the terms given in Annex 1 applies.
1.3 All products, including industrial and agricultural products, shall be subject to the provisions of this Agreement.
1.4 Purchasing specifications prepared by governmental bodies for production or consumption requirements of governmental bodies are not subject to the provisions of this Agreement but are addressed in the Agreement on Government Procurement, according to its coverage.
1.5 The provisions of this Agreement do not apply to sanitary and phytosanitary measures as defined in Annex A of the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.
1.6 All references in this Agreement to technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures shall be construed to include any amendments thereto and any additions to the rules or the product coverage thereof, except amendments and additions of an insignificant nature.
TECHNICAL REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Article 2 Preparation, Adoption and Application of Technical Regulations by Central Government Bodies
With respect to their central government bodies:
2.1 Members shall ensure that in respect of technical regulations, products imported from the territory of any Member shall be accorded treatment no less favourable than that accorded to like products of national origin and to like products originating in any other country.
2.2 Members shall ensure that technical regulations are not prepared, adopted or applied with a view to or with the effect of creating unnecessary obstacles to international trade. For this purpose, technical regulations shall not be more trade-restrictive than necessary to fulfil a legitimate objective, taking account of the risks non-fulfilment would create. Such legitimate objectives are, inter alia: national security requirements; the prevention of deceptive practices; protection of human health or safety, animal or plant life or health, or the environment. In assessing such risks, relevant elements of consideration are, inter alia: available scientific and technical information, related processing technology or intended end-uses of products.
2.3 Technical regulations shall not be maintained if the circumstances or objectives giving rise to their adoption no longer exist or if the changed circumstances or objectives can be addressed in a less trade-restrictive manner.
2.4 Where technical regulations are required and relevant international standards exist or their completion is imminent, Members shall use them, or the relevant parts of them, as a basis for their technical regulations except when such international standards or relevant parts would be an ineffective or inappropriate means for the fulfilment of the legitimate objectives pursued, for instance because of fundamental climatic or geographical factors or fundamental technological problems.
2.5 A Member preparing, adopting or applying a technical regulation which may have a significant effect on trade of other Members shall, upon the request of another Member, explain the justification for that technical regulation in terms of the provisions of paragraphs 2 to 4. Whenever a technical regulation is prepared, adopted or applied for one of the legitimate objectives explicitly mentioned in paragraph 2, and is in accordance with relevant international standards, it shall be refutably presumed not to create an unnecessary obstacle to international trade.
2.6 With a view to harmonizing technical regulations on as wide a basis as possible, Members shall play a full part, within the limits of their resources, in the preparation by appropriate international standardizing bodies of international standards
for products for which they either have adopted, or expect to adopt, technical regulations.
2.7 Members shall give positive consideration to accepting as equivalent technical regulations of other Members, even if these regulations differ from their own, provided they are satisfied that these regulations adequately fulfil the objectives of their own regulations.
2.8 Wherever appropriate, Members shall specify technical regulations based on product requirements in terms of performance rather than design or descriptive characteristics.
2.9 Whenever a relevant international standard does not exist or the technical content of a proposed technical regulation is not in accordance with the technical content of relevant international standards, and if the technical regulation may have a significant effect on trade of other Members, Members shall:
2.9.1 publish a notice in a publication at an early appropriate stage, in such a manner as to enable interested parties in other Members to become acquainted with it, that they propose to introduce a particular technical regulation;
2.9.2 notify other Members through the Secretariat of the products to be covered by the proposed technical regulation, together with a brief indication of its objective and rationale. Such notifications shall take place at an early appropriate stage, when amendments can still be introduced and comments taken into account;
2.9.3 upon request, provide to other Members particulars or copies of the proposed technical regulation and, whenever possible, identify the parts which in substance deviate from relevant international standards;
2.9.4 without discrimination, allow reasonable time for other Members to make comments in writing, discuss these comments upon request, and take these written comments and the results of these discussions into account.
2.10 Subject to the provisions in the lead-in to paragraph 9, where urgent problems of safety, health, environmental protection or national security arise or threaten to arise for a Member, that Member may omit such of the steps enumerated in paragraph 9 as it finds necessary, provided that the Member, upon adoption of a technical regulation, shall:
2.10.1 notify immediately other Members through the Secretariat of the particular technical regulation and the products covered, with a brief indication of the objective and the rationale of the technical regulation, including the nature of the urgent problems;
2.10.2 upon request, provide other Members with copies of the technical regulation;
2.10.3 without discrimination, allow other Members to present their comments in writing, discuss these comments upon request, and take these written comments and the results of these discussions into account.
2.11 Members shall ensure that all technical regulations which have been adopted are published promptly or otherwise made available in such a manner as to enable interested parties in other Members to become acquainted with them.
2.12 Except in those urgent circumstances referred to in paragraph 10, Members shall allow a reasonable interval between the publication of technical regulations and their entry into force in order to allow time for producers in exporting Members, and particularly in developing country Members, to adapt their products or methods of production to the requirements of the importing Member.
Article 3 Preparation, Adoption and Application of Technical Regulations by Local Government Bodies and Non-Governmental Bodies
With respect to their local government and non-governmental bodies within their territories:
3.1 Members shall take such reasonable measures as may be available to them to ensure compliance by such bodies with the provisions of Article 2, with the exception of the obligation to notify as referred to in paragraphs 9.2 and 10.1 of Article 2.
3.2 Members shall ensure that the technical regulations of local governments on the level directly below that of the central government in Members are notified in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 9.2 and 10.1 of Article 2, noting that notification shall not be required for technical regulations the technical content of which is substantially the same as that of previously notified technical regulations of central government bodies of the Member concerned.
3.3 Members may require contact with other Members, including the notifications, provision of information, comments and discussions referred to in paragraphs 9 and 10 of Article 2, to take place through the central government.
3.4 Members shall not take measures which require or encourage local government bodies or non-governmental bodies within their territories to act in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of Article 2.
3.5 Members are fully responsible under this Agreement for the observance of all provisions of Article 2. Members shall formulate and implement positive measures and mechanisms in support of the observance of the provisions of Article 2 by other than central government bodies.
Article 4 Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards
4.1 Members shall ensure that their central government standardizing bodies accept and comply with the Code of Good Practice for the Preparation, Adoption and Application of Standards in Annex 3 to this Agreement (referred to in this Agreement as the "Code of Good Practice"). They shall take such reasonable measures as may be
4.2 Standardizing bodies that have accepted and are complying with the Code of Good Practice shall be acknowledged by the Members as complying with the principles of this Agreement.
CONFORMITY WITH TECHNICAL REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Article 5 Procedures for Assessment of Conformity by Central Government Bodies
5.1 Members shall ensure that, in cases where a positive assurance of conformity with technical regulations or standards is required, their central government bodies apply the following provisions to products originating in the territories of other Members:
5.1.1 conformity assessment procedures are prepared, adopted and applied so as to grant access for suppliers of like products originating in the territories of other Members under conditions no less favourable than those accorded to suppliers of like products of national origin or originating in any other country, in a comparable situation; access entails suppliers' right to an assessment of conformity under the rules of the procedure, including, when foreseen by this procedure, the possibility to have conformity assessment activities undertaken at the site of facilities and to receive the mark of the system;
5.1.2 conformity assessment procedures are not prepared, adopted or applied with a view to or with the effect of creating unnecessary obstacles to international trade. This means, inter alia, that conformity assessment procedures shall not be more strict or be applied more strictly than is necessary to give the importing Member adequate confidence that products conform with the applicable technical regulations or standards, taking account of the risks non-conformity would create.
5.2 When implementing the provisions of paragraph 1, Members shall ensure that:
5.2.1 conformity assessment procedures are undertaken and completed as expeditiously as possible and in a no less favourable order for products originating in the territories of other Members than for like domestic products;
5.2.2 the standard processing period of each conformity assessment procedure is published or that the anticipated processing period is communicated to the applicant upon request; when receiving an application, the competent body promptly examines the completeness of the documentation and informs the applicant in a precise and complete manner of all deficiencies; the competent body transmits as soon as possible the results of the assessment in a precise and complete manner to the applicant so that corrective action may be taken if necessary; even when the application has deficiencies, the competent body proceeds as far as practicable with the conformity assessment if the applicant so requests; and that, upon request, the applicant is informed of the stage of the procedure, with any delay being explained;
5.2.3 information requirements are limited to what is necessary to assess conformity and determine fees;
5.2.4 the confidentiality of information about products originating in the territories of other Members arising from or supplied in connection with such conformity assessment procedures is respected in the same way as for domestic products and in such a manner that legitimate commercial interests are protected;
5.2.5 any fees imposed for assessing the conformity of products originating in the territories of other Members are equitable in relation to any fees chargeable for assessing the conformity of like products of national origin or originating in any other country, taking into account communication, transportation and other costs arising from differences between location of facilities of the applicant and the conformity assessment body;
5.2.6 the siting of facilities used in conformity assessment procedures and the selection of samples are not such as to cause unnecessary inconvenience to applicants or their agents;
5.2.7 whenever specifications of a product are changed subsequent to the determination of its conformity to the applicable technical regulations or standards, the conformity assessment procedure for the modified product is limited to what is necessary to determine whether adequate confidence exists that the product still meets the technical regulations or standards concerned;
5.2.8 a procedure exists to review complaints concerning the operation of a conformity assessment procedure and to take corrective action when a complaint is justified.
5.3 Nothing in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall prevent Members from carrying out reasonable spot checks within their territories.
5.4 In cases where a positive assurance is required that products conform with technical regulations or standards, and relevant guides or recommendations issued by international standardizing bodies exist or their completion is imminent, Members shall ensure that central government bodies use them, or the relevant parts of them, as a basis for their conformity assessment procedures, except where, as duly explained upon request, such guides or recommendations or relevant parts are inappropriate for the Members concerned, for, inter alia, such reasons as: national security requirements; the prevention of deceptive practices; protection of human health or safety, animal or plant life or health, or the environment; fundamental climatic or other geographical factors; fundamental technological or infrastructural problems.
5.5 With a view to harmonizing conformity assessment procedures on as wide a basis as possible, Members shall play a full part, within the limits of their resources, in the preparation by appropriate international standardizing bodies of guides and recommendations for conformity assessment procedures.
5.6 Whenever a relevant guide or recommendation issued by an international standardizing body does not exist or the technical content of a proposed conformity assessment procedure is not in accordance with relevant guides and recommendations issued by international standardizing bodies, and if the conformity assessment procedure may have a significant effect on trade of other Members, Members shall:
5.6.1 publish a notice in a publication at an early appropriate stage, in such a manner as to enable interested parties in other Members to become acquainted with it, that they propose to introduce a particular conformity assessment procedure;
5.6.2 notify other Members through the Secretariat of the products to be covered by the proposed conformity assessment procedure, together with a brief indication of its objective and rationale. Such notifications shall take place at an early appropriate stage, when amendments can still be introduced and comments taken into account;
5.6.3 upon request, provide to other Members particulars or copies of the proposed procedure and, whenever possible, identify the parts which in substance deviate from relevant guides or recommendations issued by international standardizing bodies;
5.6.4 without discrimination, allow reasonable time for other Members to make comments in writing, discuss these comments upon request, and take these written comments and the results of these discussions into account.
5.7 Subject to the provisions in the lead-in to paragraph 6, where urgent problems of safety, health, environmental protection or national security arise or threaten to arise for a Member, that Member may omit such of the steps enumerated in paragraph 6 as it finds necessary, provided that the Member, upon adoption of the procedure, shall:
5.7.1 notify immediately other Members through the Secretariat of the particular procedure and the products covered, with a brief indication of the objective and the rationale of the procedure, including the nature of the urgent problems;
5.7.2 upon request, provide other Members with copies of the rules of the procedure;
5.7.3 without discrimination, allow other Members to present their comments in writing, discuss these comments upon request, and take these written comments and the results of these discussions into account.
5.8 Members shall ensure that all conformity assessment procedures which have been adopted are published promptly or otherwise made available in such a manner as to enable interested parties in other Members to become acquainted with them.
5.9 Except in those urgent circumstances referred to in paragraph 7, Members shall allow a reasonable interval between the publication of requirements concerning conformity assessment procedures and their entry into force in order to allow time for producers in exporting Members, and particularly in developing country Members, to adapt their products or methods of production to the requirements of the importing Member.
Article 6 Recognition of Conformity Assessment by Central Government With respect to their central government bodies:
6.1 Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraphs 3 and 4, Members shall ensure, whenever possible, that results of conformity assessment procedures in other Members are accepted, even when those procedures differ from their own, provided they are satisfied that those procedures offer an assurance of conformity with applicable technical regulations or standards equivalent to their own procedures. It is recognized that prior consultations may be necessary in order to arrive at a mutually satisfactory understanding regarding, in particular:
6.1.1 adequate and enduring technical competence of the relevant conformity assessment bodies in the exporting Member, so that confidence in the continued reliability of their conformity assessment results can exist; in this regard, verified compliance, for instance through accreditation, with relevant guides or recommendations issued by international standardizing bodies shall be taken into account as an indication of adequate technical competence;
6.1.2 limitation of the acceptance of conformity assessment results to those produced by designated bodies in the exporting Member.
6.2 Members shall ensure that their conformity assessment procedures permit, as far as practicable, the implementation of the provisions in paragraph 1.
6.3 Members are encouraged, at the request of other Members, to be willing to enter into negotiations for the conclusion of agreements for the mutual recognition of results of each other's conformity assessment procedures. Members may require that
such agreements fulfill the criteria of paragraph 1 and give mutual satisfaction regarding their potential for facilitating trade in the products concerned.
6.4 Members are encouraged to permit participation of conformity assessment bodies located in the territories of other Members in their conformity assessment procedures under conditions no less favorable than those accorded to bodies located within their territory or the territory of any other country.
Article 7 Procedures for Assessment of Conformity by Local Government Bodies
With respect to their local government bodies within their territories:
7.1 Members shall take such reasonable measures as may be available to them to ensure compliance by such bodies with the provisions of Articles 5 and 6, with the exception of the obligation to notify as referred to in paragraphs 6.2 and 7.1 of Article 5.
7.2 Members shall ensure that the conformity assessment procedures of local governments on the level directly below that of the central government in Members are notified in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs 6.2 and 7.1 of Article 5, noting that notifications shall not be required for conformity assessment procedures the technical content of which is substantially the same as that of previously notified conformity assessment procedures of central government bodies of the Members concerned.
7.3 Members may require contact with other Members, including the notifications, provision of information, comments and discussions referred to in paragraphs 6 and 7 of Article 5, to take place through the central government.
7.4 Members shall not take measures which require or encourage local government bodies within their territories to act in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of Articles 5 and 6.
7.5 Members are fully responsible under this Agreement for the observance of all provisions of Articles 5 and 6. Members shall formulate and implement positive measures and mechanisms in support of the observance of the provisions of Articles 5 and 6 by other than central government bodies.
Article 8 Procedures for Assessment of Conformity by Non-Governmental Bodies
8.1 Members shall take such reasonable measures as may be available to them to ensure that non-governmental bodies within their territories which operate conformity assessment procedures comply with the provisions of Articles 5 and 6, with the exception of the obligation to notify proposed conformity assessment procedures. In addition, Members shall not take measures which have the effect of, directly or indirectly, requiring or encouraging such bodies to act in a manner inconsistent with the provisions of Articles 5 and 6.
Article 9 International and Regional Systems
9.1 Where a positive assurance of conformity with a technical regulation or standard is required, Members shall, wherever practicable, formulate and adopt international systems for conformity assessment and become members thereof or participate therein.
9.2 Members shall take such reasonable measures as may be available to them to ensure that international and regional systems for conformity assessment in which relevant bodies within their territories are members or participants comply with the provisions of Articles 5 and 6. In addition, Members shall not take any measures which have the effect of, directly or indirectly, requiring or encouraging such systems to act in a manner inconsistent with any of the provisions of Articles 5 and 6.
9.3 Members shall ensure that their central government bodies rely on international or regional conformity assessment systems only to the extent that these systems comply with the provisions of Articles 5 and 6, as applicable.
INFORMATION AND ASSISTANC
Article 10 Information About Technical Regulations, Standards and Conformity Assessment Procedures
10.1 Each Member shall ensure that an enquiry point exists which is able to answer all reasonable enquiries from other Members and interested parties in other Members as well as to provide the relevant documents regarding:
10.1.1 any technical regulations adopted or proposed within its territory by central or local government bodies, by non-governmental bodies which have legal power to enforce a technical regulation, or by regional standardizing bodies of which such bodies are members or participants;
10.1.2 any standards adopted or proposed within its territory by central or local government bodies, or by regional standardizing bodies of which such bodies are members or participants;
10.1.3 any conformity assessment procedures, or proposed conformity assessment procedures, which are operated within its territory by central or local government bodies, or by non-governmental bodies which have legal power to enforce a technical regulation, or by regional bodies of which such bodies are members or participants;
10.1.4 the membership and participation of the Member, or of relevant central or local government bodies within its territory, in international and regional standardizing bodies and conformity assessment systems, as well as in bilateral and multilateral arrangements within the scope of this Agreement; it shall also be able to provide reasonable information on the provisions of such systems and arrangements;
10.1.5 the location of notices published pursuant to this Agreement, or the provision of information as to where such information can be obtained; and
10.1.6 the location of the enquiry points mentioned in paragraph 3.
10.2 If, however, for legal or administrative reasons more than one enquiry point is established by a Member, that Member shall provide to the other Members complete and unambiguous information on the scope of responsibility of each of these enquiry points. In addition, that Member shall ensure that any enquiries addressed to an incorrect enquiry point shall promptly be conveyed to the correct enquiry point.
10.3 Each Member shall take such reasonable measures as may be available to it to ensure that one or more enquiry points exist which are able to answer all reasonable enquiries from other Members and interested parties in other Members as well as to provide the relevant documents or information as to where they can be obtained regarding:
10.3.1 any standards adopted or proposed within its territory by non-governmental standardizing bodies, or by regional standardizing bodies of which such bodies are members or participants; and
10.3.2 any conformity assessment procedures, or proposed conformity assessment procedures, which are operated within its territory by nongovernmental bodies, or by regional bodies of which such bodies are members or participants;
10.3.3 the membership and participation of relevant non-governmental bodies within its territory in international and regional standardizing bodies and conformity assessment systems, as well as in bilateral and multilateral arrangements within the scope of this Agreement; they shall also be able to provide reasonable information on the provisions of such systems and arrangements.
10.4 Members shall take such reasonable measures as may be available to them to ensure that where copies of documents are requested by other Members or by interested parties in other Members, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, they are supplied at an equitable price (if any) which shall, apart from the real cost of delivery, be the same for the nationals(Notes 1) of the Member concerned or of any other Member.
Notes 1: "Nationals" here shall be deemed, in the case of a separate customs territory Member of the WTO, to mean persons, natural or legal, who are domiciled or who have a real and effective industrial or commercial establishment in that customs territory.
10.5 Developed country Members shall, if requested by other Members, provide, in English, French or Spanish, translations of the documents covered by a specific notification or, in case of voluminous documents, of summaries of such documents.
10.6 The Secretariat shall, when it receives notifications in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, circulate copies of the notifications to all Members and interested international standardizing and conformity assessment bodies, and draw the attention of developing country Members to any notifications relating to products of particular interest to them.
10.7 Whenever a Member has reached an agreement with any other country or countries on issues related to technical regulations, standards or conformity assessment procedures which may have a significant effect on trade, at least one Member party to the agreement shall notify other Members through the Secretariat of the products to be covered by the agreement and include a brief description of the agreement. Members concerned are encouraged to enter, upon request, into consultations with other Members for the purposes of concluding similar agreements or of arranging for their participation in such agreements.
10.8 Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as requiring:
10.8.1 the publication of texts other than in the language of the Member;
10.8.2 the provision of particulars or copies of drafts other than in the language of the Member except as stated in paragraph 5; or
10.8.3 Members to furnish any information, the disclosure of which they consider contrary to their essential security interests.
10.9 Notifications to the Secretariat shall be in English, French or Spanish.
10.10 Members shall designate a single central government authority that is responsible for the implementation on the national level of the provisions concerning notification procedures under this Agreement except those included in Annex 3.
10.11 If, however, for legal or administrative reasons the responsibility for notification procedures is divided among two or more central government authorities, the Member concerned shall provide to the other Members complete and unambiguous information on the scope of responsibility of each of these authorities.
Article 11 Technical Assistance to Other Members
11.1 Members shall, if requested, advise other Members, especially the developing country Members, on the preparation of technical regulations.
11.2 Members shall, if requested, advise other Members, especially the developing country Members, and shall grant them technical assistance on mutually agreed terms and conditions regarding the establishment of national standardizing bodies, and participation in the international standardizing bodies, and shall encourage their national standardizing bodies to do likewise.
11.3 Members shall, if requested, take such reasonable measures as may be available to them to arrange for the regulatory bodies within their territories to advise other Members, especially the developing country Members, and shall grant them technical assistance on mutually agreed terms and conditions regarding:
11.3.1 the establishment of regulatory bodies, or bodies for the assessment of conformity with technical regulations; and
11.3.2 the methods by which their technical regulations can best be met.
11.4 Members shall, if requested, take such reasonable measures as may be available to them to arrange for advice to be given to other Members, especially the developing country Members, and shall grant them technical assistance on mutually agreed terms and conditions regarding the establishment of bodies for the assessment of conformity with standards adopted within the territory of the requesting Member.
11.5 Members shall, if requested, advise other Members, especially the developing country Members, and shall grant them technical assistance on mutually agreed terms and conditions regarding the steps that should be taken by their producers if they wish to have access to systems for conformity assessment operated by governmental or non-governmental bodies within the territory of the Member receiving the request.
11.6 Members which are members or participants of international or regional systems for conformity assessment shall, if requested, advise other Members, especially the developing country Members, and shall grant them technical assistance on mutually agreed terms and conditions regarding the establishment of the institutions and legal framework which would enable them to fulfil the obligations of membership or participation in such systems.
11.7 Members shall, if so requested, encourage bodies within their territories which are members or participants of international or regional systems for conformity assessment to advise other Members, especially the developing country Members, and should consider requests for technical assistance from them regarding the establishment of the institutions which would enable the relevant bodies within their territories to fulfil the obligations of membership or participation.
11.8 In providing advice and technical assistance to other Members in terms of paragraphs 1 to 7, Members shall give priority to the needs of the least-developed country Members.
Article 12 Special and Differential Treatment of Developing Country Members
12.1 Members shall provide differential and more favourable treatment to developing country Members to this Agreement, through the following provisions as well as through the relevant provisions of other Articles of this Agreement.
12.2 Members shall give particular attention to the provisions of this Agreement concerning developing country Members' rights and obligations and shall take into account the special development, financial and trade needs of developing country Members in the implementation of this Agreement, both nationally and in the operation of this Agreement's institutional arrangements.
12.3 Members shall, in the preparation and application of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures, take account of the special development, financial and trade needs of developing country Members, with a view to ensuring that such technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures do not create unnecessary obstacles to exports from developing country Members.
12.4 Members recognize that, although international standards, guides or recommendations may exist, in their particular technological and socio-economic conditions, developing country Members adopt certain technical regulations, standards or conformity assessment procedures aimed at preserving indigenous technology and production methods and processes compatible with their development needs. Members therefore recognize that developing country Members should not be expected to use international standards as a basis for their technical regulations or standards, including test methods, which are not appropriate to their development, financial and trade needs.
12.5 Members shall take such reasonable measures as may be available to them to ensure that international standardizing bodies and international systems for conformity assessment are organized and operated in a way which facilitates active and representative participation of relevant bodies in all Members, taking into account the special problems of developing country Members.
12.6 Members shall take such reasonable measures as may be available to them to ensure that international standardizing bodies, upon request of developing country Members, examine the possibility of, and, if practicable, prepare international standards concerning products of special interest to developing country Members.
12.7 Members shall, in accordance with the provisions of Article 11, provide technical assistance to developing country Members to ensure that the preparation and application of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures do not create unnecessary obstacles to the expansion and diversification of exports from developing country Members. In determining the terms and conditions of the technical assistance, account shall be taken of the stage of development of the requesting Members and in particular of the least-developed country Members.
12.8 It is recognized that developing country Members may face special problems, including institutional and infrastructural problems, in the field of preparation and application of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures.
Members, therefore, shall take this fact fully into account. Accordingly, with a view to ensuring that developing country Members are able to comply with this Agreement, the Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade provided for in Article 13 (referred to in this Agreement as the "Committee") is enabled to grant, upon request, specified, time-limited exceptions in whole or in part from obligations under this Agreement. When considering such requests the Committee shall take into account the special problems, in the field of preparation and application of technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures, and the special development and trade needs of the developing country Member, as well as its stage of technological development, which may hinder its ability to discharge fully its obligations under this Agreement. The Committee shall, in particular, take into account the special problems of the least-developed country Members.
12.9 During consultations, developed country Members shall bear in mind the special difficulties experienced by developing country Members in formulating and implementing standards and technical regulations and conformity assessment procedures, and in their desire to assist developing country Members with their efforts in this direction, developed country Members shall take account of the special needs of the former in regard to financing, trade and development.
12.10 The Committee shall examine periodically the special and differential treatment, as laid down in this Agreement, granted to developing country Members on national and international levels.
INSTITUTIONS, CONSULTATION AND DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
Article 13 The Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade
13.1 A Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade is hereby established, and shall be composed of representatives from each of the Members. The Committee shall elect its own Chairman and shall meet as necessary, but no less than once a year, for the purpose of affording Members the opportunity of consulting on any matters relating to the operation of this Agreement or the furtherance of its objectives, and shall carry out such responsibilities as assigned to it under this Agreement or by the Members.
13.2 The Committee shall establish working parties or other bodies as may be appropriate, which shall carry out such responsibilities as may be assigned to them by the Committee in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Agreement.
Article 14 Consultation and Dispute Settlement
14.1 Consultations and the settlement of disputes with respect to any matter affecting the operation of this Agreement shall take place under the auspices of the Dispute Settlement Body and shall follow, mutatis mutandis, the provisions of Articles XXII and XXIII of GATT 1994, as elaborated and applied by the Dispute Settlement Understanding.
14.2 At the request of a party to a dispute, or at its own initiative, a panel may establish a technical expert group to assist in questions of a technical nature, requiring detailed consideration by experts.
14.3 Technical expert groups shall be governed by the procedures of Annex 2.
14.4 The dispute settlement provisions set out above can be invoked in cases where a Member considers that another Member has not achieved satisfactory results under Articles 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 and its trade interests are significantly affected. In this respect, such results shall be equivalent to those as if the body in question were a Member.
FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 15 Final Provisions Reservations
15.1 Reservations may not be entered in respect of any of the provisions of this Agreement without the consent of the other Members.
Review
15.2 Each Member shall, promptly after the date on which the WTO Agreement enters into force for it, inform the Committee of measures in existence or taken to ensure the implementation and administration of this Agreement. Any changes of such measures thereafter shall also be notified to the Committee.
15.3 The Committee shall review annually the implementation and operation of this Agreement taking into account the objectives thereof.
15.4 Not later than the end of the third year from the date of entry into force of the WTO Agreement and at the end of each three-year period thereafter, the Committee shall review the operation and implementation of this Agreement, including the provisions relating to transparency, with a view to recommending an adjustment of the rights and obligations of this Agreement where necessary to ensure mutual economic advantage and balance of rights and obligations, without prejudice to the provisions of Article 12. Having regard, inter alia, to the experience gained in the implementation of
the Agreement, the Committee shall, where appropriate, submit proposals for amendments to the text of this Agreement to the Council for Trade in Goods.
Annexes
15.5 The annexes to this Agreement constitute an integral part thereof.
ANNEX 1 TERMS AND THEIR DEFINITIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS AGREEMENT
The terms presented in the sixth edition of the ISO/IEC Guide 2: 1991, General Terms and Their Definitions Concerning Standardization and Related Activities, shall, when used in this Agreement, have the same meaning as given in the definitions in the said Guide taking into account that services are excluded from the coverage of this Agreement.
For the purpose of this Agreement, however, the following definitions shall apply:
1. Technical regulation
Document which lays down product characteristics or their related processes and production methods, including the applicable administrative provisions, with which compliance is mandatory. It may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labelling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method.
Explanatory note
The definition in ISO/IEC Guide 2 is not self-contained, but based on the so-called "building block" system.
2. Standard
Document approved by a recognized body, that provides, for common and repeated use, rules, guidelines or characteristics for products or related processes and production methods, with which compliance is not mandatory. It may also include or deal exclusively with terminology, symbols, packaging, marking or labelling requirements as they apply to a product, process or production method.
Explanatory note
The terms as defined in ISO/IEC Guide 2 cover products, processes and services. This Agreement deals only with technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures related to products or processes and production methods. Standards as defined by ISO/IEC Guide 2 may be mandatory or voluntary. For the purpose of this Agreement standards are defined as voluntary and technical regulations as mandatory documents. Standards prepared by the international standardization community are based on consensus. This Agreement covers also documents that are not based on consensus.
3. Conformity assessment procedures
Any procedure used, directly or indirectly, to determine that relevant requirements in technical regulations or standards are fulfilled.
Explanatory note
Conformity assessment procedures include, inter alia, procedures for sampling, testing and inspection; evaluation, verification and assurance of conformity; registration, accreditation and approval as well as their combinations.
4. International body or system
Body or system whose membership is open to the relevant bodies of least all Members.
5. Regional body or system
Body or system whose membership is open to the relevant bodies of only some of the Members.
6. Central government body
Central government, its ministries and departments or any body subject to the control of the central government in respect of the activity in question.
Explanatory note
In the case of the European Communities the provisions govern in central government bodies apply. However, regional bodies or conform it assessment systems may be established within the European Communities and in such cases would be subject to the provisions of this Agreement on regional bodies or conformity assessment systems.
7. Local government body
Government other than a central government (e.g. states, provinces, Lander, cantons, municipalities, etc.), its ministries or departments or any body subject to the control of such a government in respect of the activity in question.
8. Non-governmental body
Body other than a central government body or a local government body, including a non-governmental body which has legal power to enforce a technical regulation.
ANNEX 2 TECHNICAL EXPERT GROUPS
The following procedures shall apply to technical expert groups established in accordance with the provisions of Article 14.
1. Technical expert groups are under the panel's authority. Their terms of reference and detailed working procedures shall be decided by the panel, and they shall report to the panel.
2. Participation in technical expert groups shall be restricted topersons of professional standing and experience in the field in question.
3. Citizens of parties to the dispute shall not serve on a technical expert group without the joint agreement of the parties to the dispute, except in exceptional circumstances when the panel considers that the need for specialized scientific expertise cannot be fulfilled otherwise. Government officials of parties to the dispute shall not serve on a technical expert group. Members of technical expert groups shall serve in their individual capacities and not as government representatives, nor as representatives of any organization. Governments or organizations shall therefore not give them instructions with regard to matters before a technical expert group.
4. Technical expert groups may consult and seek information and technical advice from any source they deem appropriate. Before a technical expert group seeks such information or advice from a source within the jurisdiction of a Member, it shall inform the government of that Member. Any Member shall respond promptly and fully to any request by a technical expert group for such information as the technical expert group considers necessary and appropriate.
5. The parties to a dispute shall have access to all relevant information provided to a technical expert group, unless it is of a confidential nature. Confidential information provided to the technical expert group shall not be released without formal authorization from the government, organization or person providing the information. Where such information is requested from the technical expert group but release of such information by the technical expert group is not authorized, a non-confidential summary of the information will be provided by the government, organization or person supplying the information.
6. The technical expert group shall submit a draft report to the Members concerned with a view to obtaining their comments, and taking them into account, as appropriate, in the final report, which shall also be circulated to the Members concerned when it is submitted to the panel.
ANNEX 3 CODE OF GOOD PRACTICE FOR THE PREPARATION, ADOPTION AND APPLICATIONOF STANDARDS
General Provisions
A. For the purposes of this Code the definitions in Annex 1 of this Agreement shall apply.
B. This Code is open to acceptance by any standardizing body within the territory of a Member of the WTO, whether a central government body, a local government body, or a non-governmental body; to any governmental regional standardizing body one or more members of which are Members of the WTO; and to any non-governmental regional standardizing body one or more members of which are situated within the
territory of a Member of the WTO (referred to in this Code collectively as "standardizing bodies" and individually as "the standardizing body").
C. Standardizing bodies that have accepted or withdrawn from this Code shall notify this fact to the ISO/IEC Information Centre in Geneva. The notification shall include the name and address of the body concerned and the scope of its current and expected standardization activities. The notification may be sent either directly to the ISO/IEC Information Centre, or through the national member body of ISO/IEC or, preferably, through the relevant national member or international affiliate of ISONET, as appropriate.
Substantive Provisions
D. In respect of standards, the standardizing body shall accord treatment to products originating in the territory of any other Member of the WTO no less favourable than that accorded to like products of national origin and to like products originating in any other country.
E. The standardizing body shall ensure that standards are not prepared, adopted or applied with a view to, or with the effect of, creating unnecessary obstacles to international trade.
F. Where international standards exist or their completion is imminent, the standardizing body shall use them, or the relevant parts of them, as a basis for the standards it develops, except where such international standards or relevant parts would be ineffective or inappropriate, for instance, because of an insufficient level of protection or fundamental climatic or geographical factors or fundamental technological problems.
G. With a view to harmonizing standards on as wide a basis as possible, the standardizing body shall, in an appropriate way, play a full part, within the limits of its resources, in the preparation by relevant international standardizing bodies of international standards regarding subject matter for which it either has adopted, or expects to adopt, standards. For standardizing bodies within the territory of a Member, participation in a particular international standardization activity shall, whenever possible, take place through one delegation representing all standardizing bodies in the territory that have adopted, or expect to adopt, standards for the subject matter to which the international standardization activity relates.
H. The standardizing body within the territory of a Member shall make every effort to avoid duplication of, or overlap with, the work of other standardizing bodies in the national territory or with the work of relevant international or regional standardizing bodies. They shall also make every effort to achieve a national consensus on the standards they develop. Likewise the regional standardizing body shall make every effort to avoid duplication of, or overlap with, the work of relevant international standardizing bodies.
I. Wherever appropriate, the standardizing body shall specify standards based on product requirements in terms of performance rather than design or descriptive characteristics.
J. At least once every six months, the standardizing body shall publish a work programme containing its name and address, the standards it is currently preparing and the standards which it has adopted in the preceding period. A standard is under preparation from the moment a decision has been taken to develop a standard until that standard has been adopted. The titles of specific draft standards shall, upon request, be provided in English, French or Spanish. A notice of the existence of the work programme shall be published in a national or, as the case may be, regional publication of standardization activities.
The work programme shall for each standard indicate, in accordance with any ISONET rules, the classification relevant to the subject matter, the stage attained in the standard's development, and the references of any international standards taken as a basis. No later than at the time of publication of its work programme, the standardizing body shall notify the existence thereof to the ISO/IEC Information
Centre in Geneva.
The notification shall contain the name and address of the standardizing body, the name and issue of the publication in which the work programme is published, the period to which the work programme applies, its price (if any), and how and where it can be obtained. The notification may be sent directly to the ISO/IEC Information Centre, or, preferably, through the relevant national member or international affiliate of ISONET, as appropriate.
K. The national member of ISO/IEC shall make every effort to become a member of ISONET or to appoint another body to become a member as well as to acquire the most advanced membership type possible for the ISONET member. Other standardizing bodies shall make every effort to associate themselves with the ISONET member.
L. Before adopting a standard, the standardizing body shall allow a period of at least 60 days for the submission of comments on the draft standard by interested parties within the territory of a Member of the WTO. This period may, however, be shortened in cases where urgent problems of safety, health or environment arise or threaten to arise. No later than at the start of the comment period, the standardizing body shall publish a notice announcing the period for commenting in the publication referred to in paragraph J. Such notification shall include, as far as practicable, whether the draft standard deviates from relevant international standards.
M. On the request of any interested party within the territory of a Member of the WTO, the standardizing body shall promptly provide, or arrange to provide, a copy of a
draft standard which it has submitted for comments. Any fees charged for this service shall, apart from the real cost of delivery, be the same for foreign and domestic parties.
N. The standardizing body shall take into account, in the further processing of the standard, the comments received during the period for commenting. Comments received through standardizing bodies that have accepted this Code of Good Practice shall, if so requested, be replied to as promptly as possible. The reply shall include an explanation why a deviation from relevant international standards is necessary.
O. Once the standard has been adopted, it shall be promptly published.
P. On the request of any interested party within the territory of a Member of the WTO, the standardizing body shall promptly provide, or arrange to provide, a copy of its most recent work programme or of a standard which it produced. Any fees charged for this service shall, apart from the real cost of delivery, be the same for foreign and domestic parties.
Q. The standardizing body shall afford sympathetic consideration to, and adequate opportunity for, consultation regarding representations with respect to the operation of this Code presented by standardizing bodies that have accepted this Code of Good Practice. It shall make an objective effort to solve any complaints.