THE WTo rules on technical barriers to trade (tbt), sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) and their relationship to the environment

NOVEMBER 17-21, 2008

tuition fee: $1995

 
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Intended Audience: The course will be valuable to government officials, the business community, attorneys, environmentalists and the NGO community.

Course Objectives: Technical regulations and standards are part of everyday life. We rely on SPS measures to protect our food supply and our drinking water from contaminants and diseases. We rely on TBT measures to protect human and animal life and health, workers, consumers and the environment. Technical regulations and standards are behind the operations of computers, mobile phones, televisions, DVDs, transport systems, medical devices, and almost all other types of technology and machinery. They also ensure toy safety.

TBT and SPS measures are governed internationally by the rules of the World Trade Organization, and domestically by national laws. Together these rules prevent the import and sale of unsafe food and consumer goods. This weeklong program will explore WTO and US rules governing SPS and TBT measures. In particular, it will explore how government officials apply the SPS and TBT Agreements to protect the environment, and sometimes to protect domestic producers. This program will also explore use of TBT and SPS rules as a means to address climate change and cross-border pollution.

The program will be moderated by an expert on the TBT and SPS Agreements. Guest speakers will be invited from the private sector, standardization agencies, and relevant U.S. government departments, including the Departments of Agriculture and Commerce, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

Course Outline:

Historical overview
  • The GATT and non-tariff barriers
  • The Tokyo Round Standards Code

The TBT Agreement

  • Scope
  • Areas of application
  • Fundamental principles and disciplines
  • Technical regulations, standards, and conformity assessments
  • Developing country issues
  • Environmental issues
  • Dispute settlement
  • The TBT Committee

The SPS Agreement

  • Scope
  • Areas of application
  • Fundamental principles and disciplines
  • Developing country issues
  • Dispute settlement
  • The SPS Committee

The relationship between the TBT and SPS Agreements, environmental issues and issues surrounding GMO products