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Technical Barriers to Trade

General information about the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement

A technical barrier to trade exists when a country applies technical regulations, standards (including packaging, marking and labelling standards) or procedures for assessing conformity with these standards, in such a way as to impose an unnecessary restriction on international trade. The WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Agreement goes some way towards addressing such barriers by requiring countries to act in a transparent and non-discriminatory manner. However, technical barriers remain a major impediment to international trade. Accordingly, the UK Government takes the view that there should be further work on this subject to:

• ensure that countries regulate only to the extent necessary to protect public health and safety or other legitimate objectives
  
• encourage governments to keep technical regulations simple, wherever possible, setting basic requirements and allow voluntary standards
  
• achieve greater recognition of international standards as distinct from conflicting national or regional standards (while at the same time encouraging the development of adequate international standards in those areas currently without them and greater developing country participation in standard setting)

The WTO TBT Agreement is subject to review every three years. The first review was completed in 1997 and the fourth review was completed in November 2006

Other information sources:

European Commission:

Their Technical Barriers to Trade website also provides useful information on this subject

BERR’s Technical Standards and Regulations Directorate

There is also a separate European notification system for technical regulations. EU Member States notify to the European Commission proposed draft technical regulations and generally observe a three month standstill period before the regulation is made. This is to provide an opportunity for the Commission and other Member States to comment if they consider that the proposed regulation has the potential to create a technical barrier to trade. For further information see the DTI's Standards & Technical Regulations website

British Standards Institution (BSi)

The British Standards body (BSi) has a website that people can refer to in order to undertake their own research on measures in force in the UK. 

BSi is not a government body. However, the BSi may be able to provide assistance on a commercial basis. The BSI's Technical Information group charges for all activities and they would be happy to research anyone's needs once they have agreed price, scope and delivery. The BSi are able to undertake work concerning the UK and other countries both within and without the EU. The BSi Technical Information Group specialises in helping companies overcome Technical Barriers to Trade, thereby ensuring that their products comply with the technical requirements of the target market. These requirements are usually complex, diverse and subject to revision. Attempting to meet them can be a costly, time-consuming and risky business. BSi is well placed to assist. The service provides information to enable companies to export their products successfully. They provide a versatile service identifying and supplying the latest information on standards, regulations, inspection companies, packaging and labelling requirements, language and more.

Contacts:

UK TBT Enquiry Point: 

Marilyn Swain

Trade Policy Unit

Bay 4134, 1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Tel. 020 7215 5580
Fax. 020 7215 2234
E-mail. marilyn.swain@berr.gsi.gov.uk

Enquiries in relation to issues covered by paragraph 10.3 of the TBT Agreement should be addressed to:

British Standards Institution on Standards (Bsi) Business Information
389 Chiswick High Road
London
W4 4AL
Telephone. ++44 (0)20 8996 7476
Fax. ++44 20 8996 7048
e-mail mark.wasmuth@bsi.org.uk